Anyone ever used a progressive off-on-on standby switch

[ampdoc1]

There is really no reason to have a standby switch!!

The attached is from a couple of very knowledgeable tube guys and they pretty much say the same thing.

a'doc

[plook]

I use these in my guitar amps. They're perfect for adding a standby switch to tweed amps as well.

Thank you. That amp is beautiful. Please tell me more.

[plook]

Very easy. They are kind of big, but they easily fit into the rear of a Princeton reverb.

They are clearly labeled circuit 1 and circuit 2, but it's always best to check with a meter just in case.

You can see the outside of one here:

http://milkmansound.com/Milkman_Sound/Photos.html#8

Thank you. Looks neat. They are wonderful looking amps, bete they sound fantastic. Love the design on the plates.

[jhaas]

I've used the progressive Off/Standby/On switch from AES on a couple amps and they work fine. The biggest drawback, IMO, is the inability to switch both primary leads like you can with a dedicated DPST Power switch.

[Milkmansound]

Thanks guys!

A standby switch is essential on an amp when you plug a guitar straight in and need to switch instruments

Also my amps can take a SS rectifier as well as a tube for whatever that's worth

[timford]

There is really no reason to have a standby switch!!

The attached is from a couple of very knowledgeable tube guys and they pretty much say the same thing.

a'doc

Good info. I've enjoyed reading Merlins books and have subsequently stopped using the standby's on my amps, both ss and tube recs, and it will simplify things by not including one on an upcoming ss rec/wreck build (and the power switch will sit on the back panel). Was always in the habit of using the amp volume to switch guitars from a princeton clone and a vintage ac30 anyhow.

[timford]

But switching aside, I must say, I do like those milkman aesthetics. And I'm a sucker for a nice 15" speaker.

[eddie25]

There is really no reason to have a standby switch!!

The attached is from a couple of very knowledgeable tube guys and they pretty much say the same thing.

a'doc

Good info. I've enjoyed reading Merlins books and have subsequently stopped using the standby's on my amps, both ss and tube recs, and it will simplify things by not including one on an upcoming ss rec/wreck build (and the power switch will sit on the back panel). Was always in the habit of using the amp volume to switch guitars from a princeton clone and a vintage ac30 anyhow.

I still prefer to use one when I use a tube rectifier, I just use a resistor across it like I mentioned earlier. I would rather the rectifier not get stressed charging the mains caps on start-up. Sure, it takes a second for them to warm up anyways, but I'm almost always using close to or over the max cap value for the recto so it makes me feel better this way, and you still get a convenient mute switch.

Also, it can stress/blow the fuse if you happen to flip the power off and on quick enough that the tubes don't cool down, but the bias circuit discharges.

It may be overkill, but the way I take it is that they may not be necessary from the point of cathode stripping, but they sometimes can still be useful for other reasons. I use it a lot in troubleshooting as well.