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Post by 1150lefty on Nov 17, 2010 9:22:55 GMT -5
Just wondering how much more power a tube amp pulls versus a solid state with effects box. Seems like my electric bill goes up when I hit the tubes. Then again it could be those long grooves I get stuck in...
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Post by sumgai on Nov 17, 2010 13:14:50 GMT -5
Southpaw, Tubes have heaters in them, also called filaments. Their function is to heat up the cathode, so that it can emit electrons, which are then attracted to the plate of the tube. Sorry to say, these heaters draw prodigous amounts of power, there's no way around that. They're necessary, the tube wouldn't work without 'em, but they are the reason tubes cost more to operate than solid state stuff. This goes for all vacuum tubes, big, small, tiny, whatever. You might run into a tube that someone claims "has no heater". Wrong. In such cases, the heater function is part-and-parcel of the cathode element, not a separate element. This is how tubes were first constructed, way, way back when. Somewhere along about the 1920's, the two functions were separated, in the name of increased performance and efficiency. There are other oddities in the tube world, but that about covers everything you're likely to encounter when dealing with guitar/bass/pa amps. But if you do run across something that seems questionable, by all means, let us know.... I'd be interested to learn more about such.  HTH sumgai |
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Post by sumgai on Nov 17, 2010 13:29:51 GMT -5
Upon reflection, I didn't really answer the question in direct terms: Just wondering how much more power a tube amp pulls versus a solid state with effects box. Short answer: A lot. A helluva lot! Long answer: Building on what I said above, a 6L6 power tube, or an EL34, draw between 0.9 and 1.3 amps each, just to produce an audible output at your speaker, of any volume level. Doing some math, you'd take that times the voltage (6.3vDC, both examples), and arrive at 6 to 8 watts per tube, at any given instant. And don't forget, that power draw is going on whenever the tube is powered up, not just when you're plunking your strings and expecting sound from the speaker(s). Adding what power is drawn for the actual amplification factor, that's gonna warm up some wires.  Which gives rise to looking at the other side. A power transistor (2N3055 being a common model) draws up to 115 watts of power, but at the same time, it does so only when called upon by the incoming signal (from the pre-amp stages). If there's no signal, or only a low level signal (i.e., normal listening levels), then the total power draw goes down commensurately. To compare the two, tubes always draw power, and even at idle the drain on your house current can indeed cause the meter to gyrate like Chuck Berry in all his glory. By contrast, you'll never see the meter move with a solid state amp, unless you're partying like a rock star! Your wallet, your choice. ;D HTH sumgai |
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Post by JohnH on Nov 17, 2010 13:44:22 GMT -5
If you take a look at the back of your amp, it should list the power draw in terms of Watts. For reasons discussed above, a tube amp draws more then an SS one. My Marshall tube combo, with its 40W output, draws 150W according to the label, and presumably less than that when it is not being cranked. But that's like no more than a couple of old-style light bulbs and means that it takes considerably less than many other household item, such as cookers, refrigerators, heaters, pc's etc.
Therefore a guitar amp is one of the most efficient devices known to mankind in terms of gross neighbourhood disturbance per Watt of power input.
cheers
John
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Post by cynical1 on Nov 17, 2010 16:08:28 GMT -5
Therefore a guitar amp is one of the most efficient devices known to mankind in terms of gross neighbourhood disturbance per Watt of power input. Hahaha...man, I see an entire marketing campaign based on that statement alone. Thanks, I needed that today. HTC1 |
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Post by irwired on Nov 17, 2010 17:27:33 GMT -5
This belongs on a tee shirt............... ;D Ahhhhhh the old neighborhood Cheers IRW |
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Post by ijustwannastrat on Nov 18, 2010 16:07:43 GMT -5
A wise old man I once knew told me this:
"If you ever want to get picked up by the police, grab a wifebeater, a Marshal stack, and a Flying V and play some power riffs in your driveway. You will have 20 guns pointed at you in no time
I figure it's pretty close....
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Post by morbe on Dec 22, 2010 14:59:57 GMT -5
Isn't it the amp draw that kicks up the electric bill and not what's? Becuase most american houses run off of 115volt except for dryers and stoves that run off a 220. I'd like to play through a massive power amp the requires a 220 plug, that would be pretty cool I bet it will make you poop your pants.
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