WTF is up with all these new fangled amps with the fully exposed tubes/valves?

It's for "never mind what it sounds like, just look what I've got" audiophile appeal. I think a certain Japanese manufacturer of hi-fi amps started the exposed valve trend in the 80s or 90s with their unbelievably expensive (as in tens of thousands) gold-wired take on a couple of AC15 power amp circuits fed by an RCA manual pre-amp design. In the 60s you could get kits that built into very similar monoblock or stereo amps for much less money, and they even included a grille cover to protect the components.

Same sort of thing that leads to a certain line of guitar amps putting transparent perspex in the front of its amps, or gamers with a clear PC case full of blue LEDs I suppose.

I've owned/own a few valveamps over the years and I'd want a cover, even just a vented clear one, on that amp. Those valves are going to get very shot. And if a pet or child not only gets burned by one but breaks it and contacts the plates there's several hundred volts in there ready and waiting for paws or fingers.

Pro Tip: If you ever encounter a mindless "form over function" type hipster who thinks exposed valves are a good idea authoratatively suggest to them that you've heard that whatever silly contraption they own is actually REALLY good.
 
So good in fact that if they touch their tongue to the glowing tubes while they are working their magic you can even TASTE the sound quality.
 
Of course this will work better and garner higher lulz value if you share a rather large marihuana joint and/or some peyote buttons with the subject of your little prank.
 
it's the only way they'll learn... so it's not cruel.
 
It's a SERVICE!

They need to be exposed so you can easily change between different tubes.
 
Buying the amp is just the beginning.

drewfx1
They need to be exposed so you can easily change between different tubes.

Beepster

drewfx1
They need to be exposed so you can easily change between different tubes.

 

 

???

Good luck changing those bits with your oven mitts on (I can't say I'd recommend rolling tubes with your bare hands). 

drewfx1
(I can't say I'd recommend rolling tubes with your bare hands). 

Yer not the boss of me!
 
*distinct smell of frying long pig*

Speaking of changing tubes......I have an old Mesa Boogie amp (Blue Angel) that I'd like to replace all the tubes. How easy or hard is it to replace them myself? (since there isn't a Mesa dealer in my area).
 
There's an old country rocker who has done some work on my guitar and said he can replace the tubes, but he's not a "certified" Mesa dealer.
 
To be honest, I haven't looked into a DIY or done any research on this, just curious as to how complicated it is.     
 

As a kid I remember my father changing valves on TV sets that had "gone on the blink". This seemed to be a bit of a trial and error process but he was quite successful. He had a drawer of used valves.