[tazzboy]

Originally Posted by pickinpete

I just bought my first tube amp and I love it, even though it is my honeymoon period, I have always Known I wanted a tube amp. I just bought the Peavey Classic 30 and I think this is a good amp to start with.

Congrats on your first tube amp

But of course, I have questions and you guys are great at giving answers. First off, How long should I expect before I have to replace any tubes. I play every day an hour more or less.

Preamp tubes tend to last long the Power tubes. Power tubes generally tend to last 6 months to 1 year depending on how long you play and how much you play. I do agree with Dacious on the Power tube needing to be match set.

Preamp tubes can last and long time unless they start to become Microphonic aka feedback going on especially when they is no guitar plugged in.

Second How will I know when I need to retube? A particular sound or the amp just stops working or what?

If it's brand new and hasn't been played in the store then listen to how the amp sounds now that is how it should when down the road it will sound dull and lifeless sounding and doesn't have the kick it once had once you bought it new.

Also nice thing about Peavey Classic 30 amps is that you can change the tubes yourself and not don't need a meters and bias control. Just take out the old tubes and put in the new tubes and you are off an running.

Is there something I need to get into the habit of doing that I didnt do with my solid state amps to make it last longer or keep it sounding its best?

Tubes amps aren't that hard to maintain just make sure that you give the amp it's normal warm time like you do with your solid state and listen carefully for things like feedback and keep and eye the tube glow as well. If you see a purple glow on your tubes then it's time to replace them.

Is something you would say absolutely do not ever do? Even tho the pvc30 doesnt have one, What does a standby switch do? Please, educate me.

Just remember to keep your eyes on tubes once in awhile and if you decide to change the stock speaker make sure you get the correct ohms (16ohms is what the internal speaker is) and the right wattage. Tubes amps are picky when comes to speaker changes.

As for Standby Peavey decided against for cost reason and something. You can log on to the peavey amp forum http://forums.peavey.com:8080/~amps

and talk to there live customer service people and other techs and what not