[DIY] OT: Tube amp disaster

[Eric]

>> Is it possible to destroy a tube amp by running it at the wrong output
>> impedance? I have just got an amp that was run with a 8 ohm speaker in
>> its four ohm output socket for about a week. Then it started to smell
>> bad and started to oscillate. 

If the amp is operated within its rated power, it will not
be damaged. But this being a guitar amp, it was "abused".

I do NOT believe that the amp was damaged by the mismatch. 
All that will happen is the distortion will be higher and
the power output will be a little higher. IF the tubes
and transformer were kept within reasonable limits.

You can do this with an old Fender or Marshall, run them
at full power all day, and there will be NO damage--IF an
output tube doesn't go bad. (Don't use Chinese tubes!)

You mentioned it was a Crate.....well....
Crate products are the lowest of the low. 
No wonder it started to smell.

Eric Barbour
METASONIX