Simple question for the amp techs regarding backplates

  • Thread starter Thread starter Erock
  • Start date Start date
Erock

Erock

Well-known member
Hey guys, I caught a stream on YT talking to Joe Bonamassa going over his live rig. I noticed he had all the back panels off his amps, with fans blowing across the tubes. It was in a rack, so completely protected, but it got me thinking. Most of my amps will live a lonely life alone in my man cave until my kids get them. I have one rig I use if I want to go anywhere outside the cave. Is there any benefit to keeping the back panel on, other than tube protection? It seems like it could extend tube life, but I wonder if they also provide any significant shielding at all? I've seen weird stuff affect shielding, so figured I'd ask here. I didn't find anything on google, just guitar back panel plates. I also doubt bare wood would do much, which most are, but I have some that are steel or partially steel.
 
thegame said:
During your absence, amplifier back panels have become a loaded topic on RT.
Click to expand...
oh geeze, I hope you're pulling my leg! I'm not gonna be shocked either way though, lol. :ROFLMAO:
 
Last edited:
No shielding benefits to a piece of wood and tolex. Leave 'em on, take 'em off. Doesn't matter if your amp sits at home all the time.
 
Erock said:
oh geeze, I hope you're pulling my leg! I'm not gonna be shocked either way though, lol. :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
I'm afraid I'm burnt out on the topic but others may be kind enough to explain. It all boils down to this:

IMG_6527 copy.PNG
 
I take them off when i get an amp. I severely dislike the added step when changing tubes. At times I just kept the chassis out so that i could have full access.
 
thanks guys, little overthinking I guess. Appreciate the replies for a dumb question, lol.
 
Not a dumb question brother. I leave the back/brackets off of all of my amps.
 
Not full retard knowing how 'hot' your playing is:

I recognize the Splawn cab - is that your Nitro? Or is that an old pic?

0jt9P2Y.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: PDC
Gotta put the fans in front of the cab to get that morbid angel sound. That is the real tone secret
 
I have a JP-2C rack mount amp and the rear is pretty open, though it has a cage over the power tubes; I have it in a rack for protection and easier movement.

the back only provides extra protection, and keeps kids hands out.


JP2C-Rackmount-back-wht.jpg
 
I have a couple of amps I have left them off on for easy access. My Rivera has a thick wood panel that has shielding from the factory applied to it. I tend to place that one back on, as I don't change power tubes crazy often, it protects the tubes from being hit by accident, and the manufacturer installed shielding, and I figured some extra shielding can't hurt.
 
GuitarGuy08 said:
I have a couple of amps I have left them off on for easy access. My Rivera has a thick wood panel that has shielding from the factory applied to it. I tend to place that one back on, as I don't change power tubes crazy often, it protects the tubes from being hit by accident, and the manufacturer installed shielding, and I figured some extra shielding can't hurt.
Click to expand...

Is there shielding around the inside of the rest of the headshell? Not talking about under the amp chassis, but around the entire interior above the amp?
 
FourT6and2 said:
Is there shielding around the inside of the rest of the headshell? Not talking about under the amp chassis, but around the entire interior above the amp?
Click to expand...
I just shined it with a flash light. Without removing the chassis completely, it looks like the answer is - Yes. They shielded the whole thing apparently. Never really noticed that before. Maybe that's why I can successfully run NOS Blackplates in here without a ton of noise.
 
Last edited:
GuitarGuy08 said:
I just signed it with a flash light. Without removing the chassis completely, it looks like the answer is - Yes. They shielded the whole thing apparently. Never really noticed that before. Maybe that's why I can successfully run NOS Blackplates in here without a ton of noise.
Click to expand...

Yeah, so the backplate being on is actually providing some additional shielding since the entire interior of the headshell is shielded. Don't really see that on other amps. You could just use tube covers and it would do the same thing to be honest.
 
FourT6and2 said:
Yeah, so the backplate being on is actually providing some additional shielding since the entire interior of the headshell is shielded. Don't really see that on other amps. You could just use tube covers and it would do the same thing to be honest.
Click to expand...
They have tube covers on here as well. The Rivera has some neat stuff like that.
 
FourT6and2 said:
Yeah, so the backplate being on is actually providing some additional shielding since the entire interior of the headshell is shielded. Don't really see that on other amps. You could just use tube covers and it would do the same thing to be honest.
Click to expand...
I think all of my amps have the metal foil stuff along the entire inside of the head shell. I thought most head shells came like this? :dunno:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top