installing new tubes

[AdamRagland]

a friend of mine is installing new tubes on his tube amp for his bass. another friend of mine said he thought you were supposed to prep them before installing them or they will blow very soon. is this true or is he smoking crack?

[dragon1952]

He probably read something online like this regarding the use of surplus (old) tubes. Not sure everyone would necessarily agree with this, I think it's just someones theory.
http://www.nd2x.net/tube-prep.html

[dorokusai]

The must be installed while naked and strapped, by leg irons, to an 18ft ground rod.

Just ensure the pins and sockets are clean.

[zingo]

I heard the best way to do this is to install the tubes with the amp already on. :p

I also like the "a friend of mine".

[sda2mike]

colombian gold:cool:

[mulveling]

Perhaps he was referring to tube biasing? Only amps that need to be biased, need biasing with a new set of output tubes. Failure to do so could result in premature tube death.

[dorokusai]

Perhaps.

You need to bias with a tube installed and if you change them, you should certainly re-bias them. This is covered in every user manual on the planet and if you don't understand this without a manual....you shouldn't own a tube amplifier.