First Tube Amp: Advice? Keep spare tubes on hand?

Hate to be the fly in the ointment but there are some amps that require a resistor replacement before attempting to swap out the bad output tube. This depends on how the tube failed. Some manufacturers use these resistors like fuses. If the resistor fails, like a plate, grid, or cathode resistor, it can minimize damage to other parts of the amplifier. If a new tube is installed and the resistor is not replaced, it can cause damage to your brand new tube. I would probably contact the manufacturer to make sure you can easily swap out output tubes. Small signal tubes like the 12AX7 or 6922 can be easily swapped out as long as the amp has been turned off first. G

I tend to agree with most here, especially Sogood51's reply. I would caution against buying spare tubes too soon. Make sure you like the amp first. I've made that mistake before, buying NOS tubes before the amp/preamp got here, then finding out that I didn't care for the unit no matter what tubes I put in.

Relax, once you find out if you like the new tube amp, there will be plenty of time to get into 'tube rolling'. Which usually leaves plenty of spares laying around......sometimes many more than you'd like to have lying around.

Cheers,
John

I agree Grant, buy why buy a spare set of tubes at all if one doesn't like the amp?
Example: maybe I decide I don't like the sound of this KT88 amp and want to try a EL34 based amp, or a 300B amp.

Yes, if he likes the amp he should get himself a back up set of tubes.....but let's not put the cart before the horse.

Cheers,
John