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Post subject: Overdrive Pedals & Tubes Running Hot On Low Volumes?
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:47 pm
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Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:37 pm
Posts: 37
Location: El Paso, TX
I own a Fender Blues Junior NOS (Tweed with a 12" Jensen Speaker, play a 2009 MIM Stratocaster with SCNs) and LOVE it! It sounds amazing clean and has beautiful power valve distortion...the only problem is I can't get this distortion without turning it up...not practical for bedroom practice in the evening.

So, I hear that BJRs take pedals well...and agree! I have a Digitech Screamin' Blues Pedal which puts out pretty nice distorted sounds when plugged into my BJR NOS at a Master Volume of 3 and Volume of 3.

QUESTIONS:

What effect does turning up the drive on my overdrive pedal (where it sounds like Buddy Guy on lead- HIGH overdrive) have on my preamp and drive tubes? Does it make my tubes run hotter or as hot as they would if I had my master volume and volumes turned all the way up?

I also understand that Fenders tube amps run with a 100% bias (plain and simple and doesn't need adjustment but tubes wear out quicker) but does tube life depend on how high I turn my master volume and volume? I understand my amp requires maintenance, which is fine, but I don't want to prematurely wear them out or burn out the other parts.

Any related info is welcome, especially concerning other Fender Tube amps etc.

Thanks everyone! :)


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Post subject: Re: Overdrive Pedals & Tubes Running Hot On Low Volumes?
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:24 pm
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Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
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Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
marcaltus wrote:
What effect does turning up the drive on my overdrive pedal (where it sounds like Buddy Guy on lead- HIGH overdrive) have on my preamp and drive tubes? Does it make my tubes run hotter or as hot as they would if I had my master volume and volumes turned all the way up?


Turning up the OD pedal does not make the tubes run hottter.

marcaltus wrote:
I also understand that Fenders tube amps run with a 100% bias (plain and simple and doesn't need adjustment but tubes wear out quicker) but does tube life depend on how high I turn my master volume and volume? I understand my amp requires maintenance, which is fine, but I don't want to prematurely wear them out or burn out the other parts.


I don't know who told you this or even what it means, but Fender amps do not run "100% bias". This amp is fixed bias without a bias adjustment pot. It does run hot but not "100%" (most fixed bias amps are biased between 50% and 70% maximum plate dissipation). A few members here have added a bias adjustment pot to this amp, so hopefully they will chime in.

For more information on your amp, go here:

http://billmaudio.com/wp/

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Post subject: Re: Overdrive Pedals & Tubes Running Hot On Low Volumes?
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:16 am
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Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:37 pm
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Location: El Paso, TX
Thank you, Bill!

I'll look into the link you sent.


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Post subject: Re: Overdrive Pedals & Tubes Running Hot On Low Volumes?
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:29 pm
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Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
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Location: Indiana
Mine was idling at over 100%, 13 watts per output tube, before I installed the bias pot. According to Bob at EuroTubes, he sees 85% idle and more on the BJr. It really depends on which output tubes are installed though, especially the stock amp with no bias adjust. We've had a few amps here that actually red-plate the output tubes, and did the same with new tubes installed. These owners sent in for warranty repair, but weren't told what was done to correct this. It seems that all BJrs are biased too hot from the factory, some tubes can handle this better than others. Some think that this extra hot bias is "necessary" for EL84 tubes, I disagree. Mine sounds great with a more conservative idle of about 70%.

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