Newbie to tubes, what can they handle?

[cm961]

Hi Guys,

I'm a fairly experienced solid state guy (chip and discrete) but I'm just starting to get into tube amps as I need a guitar amp. So this question might be aimed more at the musicians out there. I just started playing guitar again (I was a bass player for many years) and I am in need of an authentic vintage overdriven tube amp sound.

I'm running a DBX tube preamp (single 12AX7) into a peavey keyboard amp. To get the sound I want I'm massively overdriving the input to the preamp. It sounds fantastic although needs a little EQ and some reverb, which the peavey provides.

My question is, do I need to worry about blowing the preamp unit? It's powered by a 9V adaptor, so I'm not very worried. I doubt that 9V, no matter how its biased, could hurt the tube. Am I correct in this assumption? Should I worry about anything else?

Pete

 

[skyraider]

If you really love overdriving those 12AX7, there is nothing else you can do about it. But dont worry about it, the tubes can take more abuse than that.

 

[SHiFTY]

As long as you are only overdriving the tube, it should be fine. Transistor circuits dont like being overdriven much at all, but tubes dont care too much...

 

[Brett]

I just started playing guitar again (I was a bass player for many years)

Traitor.

Tubes can take a lot when used like that. Don't worry about it, but don't limit yourself to the 12AX7 when/if you start to build your own designs. It's crap, and I only use it in designs because of market demands and availability.