mc2 Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 There are a number of variacs on EBAY. Does anyone have any specific suggestion on a particular one for use with vintage tube amps?I have a number of 100 to 200 watt heads with 40+ year old trannys and parts, so thinking about investing in a variac.
Studio Custom Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 Vintage power was 100 volt, not the steady 127 your wall puts out today. A variac is good for taming the voltage for vintage gear.
mrjamiam Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 Vintage power was 100 volt, not the steady 127 your wall puts out today. A variac is good for taming the voltage for vintage gear.Or for browning out the tubes to create distortion. I've also seen it recommended to start up a brand-new tube amp (as in just put down the soldering iron, not just opened the shipping box) by turning up a variac instead of slamming everything with the full load all at once.
murkat Posted October 17, 2015 Posted October 17, 2015 Vintage power was 100 volt, not the steady 127 your wall puts out today. A variac is good for taming the voltage for vintage gear. ^ this. that ~ http://www.ebay.com/itm/Variable-AC-Transformer-500VA-Variac-0-130V-TDGC2-0-5-/381200336676?hash=item58c14f8724:g:kkkAAOxyhtpR6Gx7 they pretty much do the same thing, lowering voltage. Follow your nose.... snoop
tbonesullivan Posted October 18, 2015 Posted October 18, 2015 It's also a good tool if you are powering up an amp that has been sitting for a few decades. It helps to condition the electrolytic caps i believe.
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mc2
There are a number of variacs on EBAY. Does anyone have any specific suggestion on a particular one for use with vintage tube amps?
I have a number of 100 to 200 watt heads with 40+ year old trannys and parts, so thinking about investing in a variac.
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