The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bass Amps & Effects => Topic started by: Happy Face on September 27, 2014, 02:43:29 PM

Title: Tube amp heat
Post by: Happy Face on September 27, 2014, 02:43:29 PM

This is a probably a pretty dumb question, and I've asked you guys a few already! But since I am among friends, here's another.

Last night we played a show at a local venue we like. I wanted to use my Orange AD 200 rather than my Terror.  But the stage is a little cramped and I was in a hurry so I figured I'd only bring one 1x15" cab rather than two.

At the end of the night, I noticed the amp felt hotter than usual. When I run two cabs, I've often marveled how cool the head is at the end of the night. I mean, way cooler than the tube amps I used when I was young and handsome.

Is there any chance that running a single 8 ohm load was heating things up versus running the normal 4 ohm load with two cabs?  (I had the single cab on an 8 ohm tap so it wasn't a mismatch issue.)

I'm wondering if something is amiss in the amp. Or was I just driving the head too hard on a hot night?  The volume was pretty low since we have a big PA but I did have the gain up and was digging in pretty good.

Thanks.

The Paranoid  Parent

 

Title: Re: Tube amp heat
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on September 30, 2014, 07:29:05 AM

Heat is current, and I'll bet by trying to make up the difference in volume you lost to having only one cab with the amp, you just pushed it harder.

Title: Re: Tube amp heat
Post by: Happy Face on September 30, 2014, 10:59:20 AM

Thanks. That makes sense.

Title: Re: Tube amp heat
Post by: Highlander on September 30, 2014, 01:50:55 PM

Great for toast...

Title: Re: Tube amp heat
Post by: the mojo hobo on September 30, 2014, 07:22:29 PM

Also good for those winter days when the stage is close to the door.