I’m a member of the club…

[fry]

The club of dipshits that accidentally leave their tube amp on standby for many, many hours. I read where other people have done this without much issue, mine was making some funky noises the next day. I rolled some tubes through it, and found one bad power tube. I replaced them all, and we’re good as new. Expensive little lesson.

 

[Big John]

 

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

I left my JCM2000 DSL401 combo on for 8 days while I went on vacation. I was waiting for the airport limo and playing guitar when they showed up. In my rush to leave I forgot to shut off my amp. These amps were known to run hot. Yes, it was very hot when I got back. But it was fine. Your tube didn't go bad because you left it on, it was going bad anyway.

 

[efstop]

I have several amps without a standby switch and on the rest of them I don't use it. I think running an amp on is less likely to cause an issue than running on standby. Heat kills, eventually

 

[ErictheRed]

I did this to my Mesa TC-100 for a week, even put the leather cover on the head, and left it in the studio after rehearsal. When I came back a week later it was pretty warm but fine, thank God. I can't believe that I did that!

 

[Juan Tumani]

Yeah, I left my Hot Rod Deville on for a week once. No issues though. Tough amp. I figure if it'll survive falling down the last four stairs and keep working there's not much going to kill it.

 

[cmjohnson]

I've had amps get quieter and work better after being left on all night. Tubes were designed to operate 24/7 and the only reason it's a problem these days is that modern tube quality is all over the place. Higher quality tubes will last a very long time, 50,000 hours or more, and they can handle it even if that 50,000 hours is continuous duty.

 

[fry]

Your tube didn't go bad because you left it on, it was going bad anyway.

That makes sense. I just gave it a little push.

 

[ArchEtech]

I’ve done that a couple times over night, just don’t try to move that hot amp until it cools off an you should be fine.