Tubes and Cold Weather

EasilyAmused · December 5th, 2005, 12:44 AM

So, I've started to do a lot of gigging lately and as I'm constantly lugging gear around all of the time, in the quickly developing Canadian winter, I'm wondering what concerns I might have in lugging a tube amp around. I don't have road cases for my amps, which probably compounds the problem.

Last night, for example, after a long gig with my tubes quite hot, I then unplugged, tore stuff down to give it some time to cool off, but then moved my amp into my car where it was -26 celsius (around -15 fahrenheit.) - which I can't imagine being good for it. And where I live, this is really just the start of cold temperatures - and it is sure to be colder quite often (I expect a number of gigs in the -40 to -30 range - which is -40 to -22 for you americans).

Can this type of weather do damage to my amp, or cause reliablity issues? The last thing I want is to show up to a gig at some point and discover that my amp isn't working. I've heard from a few guys locally that they don't want to take any chances that they've switched to either solid state or modelling amps for this reason. Is this really an issues?

Thanks.

Patrick

CancerLeoCam · December 5th, 2005, 01:23 AM

.....use a cover when you leave.. That'll at least help keep the temp. from drastically changing in side the cab. Same thing when arriving.

telel6s · December 5th, 2005, 07:47 PM

I think the biggest thing you want to be careful of is not having a quick, extreme temperature change. So when you bring the amp from the car into the club, let it sit for a while until its at room temperature. Then turn on and play as normal. When you leave, do as you said and let the tubes cool down to room temp before bringing it to the car.

One other thing I've heard about, is that you want to watch out for condensation. If the amp's been in the car, and then you bring it into a heated house that also has a humidifier running, condensation can form on the cold metal and glass of the amp....inside and out. That, if done too often, could potentially lead to rust or electronic funkiness.

A thick padded cover or a road case might help to insulate things and moderate the temperature changes. (On a related issue, I've seen thermal bags designed to go over an acoustic hardshell case.....I thought they were kind of goofy until I spent a grand on my Gibson and started thinking....hmmmmm...maybe not such a bad idea after all.)

tom grossheider · December 6th, 2005, 02:32 PM

You can always wrap it in an old blanket, that will keep the temperature from changing too quickly. Keep it inside the car while you are traveling if possible. Let it warm up inside for as long as possible before you power it on.

cowboy · December 6th, 2005, 06:31 PM

spend the bucks and put it in a ATA type of case. Some companies make some light weight ones that will do the job and help with controling the temp as well as added protection. Check out eBay for some decent prices but I'd add the wheels myself. If you need more info, just e-mail me.

When I was a kid, the first piece of advise I got about tubes amps was to let them warm up to room temp and let them cool down to room temp before turning on or moving them....never had any issues....Maine temps aren't as bad as yours but the VW bus was cold as hell...nothing like the old days. later

cowboy

December 5th, 2005, 12:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
EasilyAmused Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: London Age: 25 Posts: 251	Tubes and Cold Weather So, I've started to do a lot of gigging lately and as I'm constantly lugging gear around all of the time, in the quickly developing Canadian winter, I'm wondering what concerns I might have in lugging a tube amp around. I don't have road cases for my amps, which probably compounds the problem. Last night, for example, after a long gig with my tubes quite hot, I then unplugged, tore stuff down to give it some time to cool off, but then moved my amp into my car where it was -26 celsius (around -15 fahrenheit.) - which I can't imagine being good for it. And where I live, this is really just the start of cold temperatures - and it is sure to be colder quite often (I expect a number of gigs in the -40 to -30 range - which is -40 to -22 for you americans). Can this type of weather do damage to my amp, or cause reliablity issues? The last thing I want is to show up to a gig at some point and discover that my amp isn't working. I've heard from a few guys locally that they don't want to take any chances that they've switched to either solid state or modelling amps for this reason. Is this really an issues? Thanks. Patrick

December 5th, 2005, 01:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
CancerLeoCam Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mule Deer-Mt. Lion Safari, CA Posts: 1,692 5 Photos	well... .....use a cover when you leave.. That'll at least help keep the temp. from drastically changing in side the cab. Same thing when arriving. __________________ Everyone's your "buddy" or "friend" when they want you or something from you. If you're not willing to work for free why should somebody else?

December 5th, 2005, 07:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
telel6s Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,180 80 Photos	I'm no expert, but I think the biggest thing you want to be careful of is not having a quick, extreme temperature change. So when you bring the amp from the car into the club, let it sit for a while until its at room temperature. Then turn on and play as normal. When you leave, do as you said and let the tubes cool down to room temp before bringing it to the car. One other thing I've heard about, is that you want to watch out for condensation. If the amp's been in the car, and then you bring it into a heated house that also has a humidifier running, condensation can form on the cold metal and glass of the amp....inside and out. That, if done too often, could potentially lead to rust or electronic funkiness. A thick padded cover or a road case might help to insulate things and moderate the temperature changes. (On a related issue, I've seen thermal bags designed to go over an acoustic hardshell case.....I thought they were kind of goofy until I spent a grand on my Gibson and started thinking....hmmmmm...maybe not such a bad idea after all.) __________________ Mama always said, "A little tone is good for the soul."

December 6th, 2005, 06:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
cowboy Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: West Gardiner, Maine Age: 58 Posts: 142	I agree with what has been said but I'd..... spend the bucks and put it in a ATA type of case. Some companies make some light weight ones that will do the job and help with controling the temp as well as added protection. Check out eBay for some decent prices but I'd add the wheels myself. If you need more info, just e-mail me. When I was a kid, the first piece of advise I got about tubes amps was to let them warm up to room temp and let them cool down to room temp before turning on or moving them....never had any issues....Maine temps aren't as bad as yours but the VW bus was cold as hell...nothing like the old days. later cowboy __________________ my dream is just a couple of notes with some passion and soul.........

December 6th, 2005, 02:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
tom grossheider Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mokena, IL Posts: 742	You can always wrap it in an old blanket, that will keep the temperature from changing too quickly. Keep it inside the car while you are traveling if possible. Let it warm up inside for as long as possible before you power it on.