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Post subject: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 10:25 am
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Hello All,

Just ordered My Deville and was hoping to get some feedback from the experts.

I went with the 410 instead of the 212.

hoping to have more clean headroom than i would with the HRD III

anyhow, any thoughts posotives, negatives?

Thanks

Newlife15


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:44 am
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Hi newlife15,

While you are waiting for some experts, I'll chime in and say good choice, congrats. I also prefer the 4x10 for a cleaner tighter sound over the 2x12. Your amp will do real well with pedals and you will be louder than Spinal Tap 'cause yours goes to 12. :lol: Probably a good idea to have your bias setting checked, they are known to be biased very cold from the factory. Post some thoughts after you try it out. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:48 am
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well thank goodness i'm no expert :-)

what is Bias?

sorry for the dumb question


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 12:06 pm
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Good question! The bias is basically setting the amount of current that the output tubes will draw at idle (idle is amp on with no input signal). The current draw in combination with the Plate voltage, will determine the idle wattage that the output tubes will dissipate. Each set of output tubes can draw a different amount of current at the same bias setting, so on this amp and others, there is an adjustment pot to turn while monitoring the current with a meter. Typically these amps have the bias set too low and may sound harsh, especially the drive channel. Increasing the bias setting to between 50% and 70% of the output tubes wattage rating is generally beneficial for the sound. I set mine between 55% and 60%. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 12:25 pm
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oh, ok then i would bring this to my amp tech and he would do the adjustment?
i can only assume this doesn't take long......

thanks


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 12:44 pm
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Yep, fairly simple and should only take about 15 minutes. If you want the more clean headroom, set at about 55%, if you want earlier breakup set at up to 70%. The higher bias settings usually mean shorter tube life (more heat). The type of tubes that are installed will have an affect on how clean the amp will sound also. If you have the stock GT output tubes installed, they have a number and/or color rating on the label. Red 8 to 10 for clean headroom, White 4 to 7 for overall sound, and Blue 1 to 3 for early breakup. :)

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:01 pm
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thats cool i never knew about the numbers and color codes.

i like as much headroom as i can get......


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 12:54 pm
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shimmilou,

i am thinking (which is dangerous for me) that the HR deville will come with the GT tubes
blue i am guessing. for more clean headroom where would i start swapping out tubes?
in the power or pre section or both?

thanks for the advice.

Newlife


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 2:17 pm
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For the most clean headroom, both. With the stock GT tubes, the best that you can hope for are the red 8 to 10 output tubes, and 12AX7WA preamp tubes. However, you might at least listen to it for awhile before you decide to swap tubes, it might sound sweet as is. :)

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 5:26 pm
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Shimmilou that's exactly what I am doing right now and I love it. Kneed to play it at church where I'll be using it along with the other instruments and see what headroom I have. Here at home even on 4 it's very loud and clean. I love the drive channel it can get nice and bluesy and still stay clean.

I LOVE it :D :D :D :D :D :D :P :P


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 9:33 pm
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Awesome! :D When you get the chance, maybe check out your tubes and let us know which that you have. The GT tubes are typically tested and relabeled tubes from a variety of sources and you can usually see the original labels if you look closely (you may have to remove the tubes from the socket to see the other label). I am curious to know. For example, if you have the GT 12AX7-R preamp tubes, they may have another label in black lettering such as "Sovtek 12AX7WC". :)

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:24 am
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Sure I will look at them this weekend and post what I see.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 3:32 am
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Well I looked at the tubes and the power tubes read GT6L6 R and they had a white stripe which read 7white.

The pre-amp tubes read ST 12AX7 R

I didn't remove the tubes from the sockets but GT was seen on the new stickers that are used. I remember the older tubes having the writing right on the tubes. That doesn't seem the case now. Has anyone else checked out the new tubes?

What does the ST stand for on the pre-amp tubes?


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 7:07 am
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The output tubes, rated at 7 which is high for clean headroom, are the Russian tubes. (link shows old label type, red color in picture)

http://www.groovetubes.com/iframeGT-6L6-RBDuet.html

For the preamp tubes, also Russian, the "ST" is the silver series. The silver series are good tubes, just not offered in matched output tube sets, nor balanced preamp tubes. Do you have the same tube type in all three spots (V1, V2, V3)?

http://www.groovetubes.com/iframeST12AX7R.html

Seems like a nice combination, high rating output tubes (7) for very good clean headroom, and the Russian preamp tubes for some grit in the drive channel. The Russian tubes are very rugged, I am still using the original GT output tubes in my HRDlx after 13 years (Sovtek which are Russian). :D

http://www.groovetubes.com/main.html

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deville III 410
Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 7:19 am
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Oh, ok.

I was wondering about the different colors.

I owned an older HRD and was questioning why the early breakup.

well I was Playing my son's Epi Les Paul Custom through the amp last night. He has
a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck and a JB in Bridge.

The sound was absolutley beautiful.

You know the reason I went ahead and purchased this amp is because my son (16 years ol :-)) realized he loved the sound of my DRRI in church wayyyyy better than his crate flextone half-stack. Now I can get my DRRI back :-)


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