Amp going soft?

charlie chitlin · February 6th, 2006, 11:49 AM

My low-powered amp (5E3) seems to get a bit tired after a long workout. It loses a bit of volume, but, more noticeable, it seems to have less treble.
Is this common?
It's just had caps, etc.
Maybe it's my ears toward the end of a gig...but we don't play that loud, and I'm really careful about keeping clear of the path of amps and PA because I've wasted my ears.

sidneystreet · February 6th, 2006, 01:25 PM

It really could be ear fatigue, and that makes the most sense.

However, operating temp does change the sound of gear. As the amp and tubes reach a certain temperature there is a gentle rolloff of the highs. My hi-end audio amp and CD player both exhibit this behavior. That is why many audio buffs let there system warm-up for an hour or more before listening. I vastly prefer listening when this softening has taken place.

charlie chitlin · February 6th, 2006, 01:52 PM

Interesting about operating temp.
I also has the amp up on a chair with a padded back (it's all they had) and I was wondering how much that would interfere with cooling.

RoadRunner · February 6th, 2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie frey

My low-powered amp (5E3) seems to get a bit tired after a long workout. It loses a bit of volume, but, more noticeable, it seems to have less treble.
Is this common?
It's just had caps, etc.
Maybe it's my ears toward the end of a gig...but we don't play that loud, and I'm really careful about keeping clear of the path of amps and PA because I've wasted my ears.

Viagra? Sorry... couldn't resist.

That's a pretty well known thing about small tweeds (and tube amps in general), they get hot and lose a little bite off the top end... they start to "compress" a little.
You might want to re-tube it and see if it still happens. Another idea is to check the plate voltages on the power tubes when cold and then after about an hours worth of playing. The Fender Field Guide will have 5E3 layouts and schematics with voltages for your amp.

Good luck!

RussBert · February 7th, 2006, 09:02 PM

How about getting a small clip-on fan? Your amp will love you for it.

February 6th, 2006, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,595	Amp going soft? My low-powered amp (5E3) seems to get a bit tired after a long workout. It loses a bit of volume, but, more noticeable, it seems to have less treble. Is this common? It's just had caps, etc. Maybe it's my ears toward the end of a gig...but we don't play that loud, and I'm really careful about keeping clear of the path of amps and PA because I've wasted my ears. __________________ Dig yo'self http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

February 6th, 2006, 01:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,595	Interesting about operating temp. I also has the amp up on a chair with a padded back (it's all they had) and I was wondering how much that would interfere with cooling. __________________ Dig yo'self http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

February 6th, 2006, 01:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
sidneystreet Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,240	It really could be ear fatigue, and that makes the most sense. However, operating temp does change the sound of gear. As the amp and tubes reach a certain temperature there is a gentle rolloff of the highs. My hi-end audio amp and CD player both exhibit this behavior. That is why many audio buffs let there system warm-up for an hour or more before listening. I vastly prefer listening when this softening has taken place.

February 7th, 2006, 09:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
RussBert Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 321	How about getting a small clip-on fan? Your amp will love you for it.