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

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

It's also worth noting that some amps require that the set of output tubes per channel be matched, in which case you would need to have spare matching sets of tubes. Other amps are biased for each tube, and don't require matching, so having one or two extras lying around is no problem. Makes a difference in how many "spares" you have to buy.

No harm making sure you like the amp first before investing in spare tubes. Don't try to "fix" the sound by rolling tubes though if you don't like it to start with.

Once you decide to keep it, get a few spare stock tubes though. Again, you can always roll other tubes later as a "tweak" if you are so inclined...or not.

THANK YOU!
All well reasoned, excellent replies.
When you say decide whether I like the amp first, you mean after the break in period?
The amp is a relative cheapie. I am almost embarrassed to say it. Please remember this is my first foray into tubes, so I decided to just dip a toe rather than jump into the deep end. It is an Onix SP3, which I have read favorable reviews of.
I got a great price on it.
It is a manual bias unit.
I do know my way around a multimeter.

By all means, once you've decided the amp is a keeper, follow Tvad's advice. I also recommend that you keep extra output fuses around; when I blow a tube, I blow a fuse. I can replace my tube locally but not the fuse.