

If you place a grid between the cathode and the anode, you can control the flow of electrons from the cathode to the anode by adjusting the voltage applied to the grid. The higher the temperature of the cathode, the more current flows. These electrons move toward the anode and create a current. A heater raises the temperature of the cathode until it begins to release electrons.

We try to remember that we’re guitarists and not scientists, so we’ll keep it as simple as possible! How Does It Work? TriodeĪs we mention in the preamp tube article, most preamp tubes are triodes that use a cathode, anode, and grid to convert your guitar signal into an electrical current that your amp could use. You may also want to refer to it if things are confusing or are moving too fast. We talked a lot about how the vacuum tube works, and the components inside these tubes, in our article titled How Does A Preamp Tube Work?, so we recommend reading that article first if you haven’t already. Power tubes are electrical components in your amplifier responsible for amplifying your guitar signal to drive the large speakers that are often connected. We’ll also discuss several popular tubes and their differences, so you can know why you should use certain tubes over others and which ones you can substitute. In this article, we’re going to take a look at how a power amp tube works in your amplifier.
