It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:08 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: To Bias or not to bias?
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 6:48 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 6:30 pm
Posts: 630
Location: clearwater, fl
... that is the question.
i have a new(ish) Deluxe Reverb LE amp. Bought it new and it does not have a lot of hours on it. I have heard to get them professionally biased right out of the box for better performance and sound, and some say don't. What is the general opinion from you guys? it is a nice amp and sounds awesome.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: To Bias or not to bias?
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 7:01 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
It is important to have the bias set to proper operating parameters, regardless of the amp being new or old. Generally speaking, if the amp sounds awesome, and the tubes aren't red-plating, you are likely in good shape.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: To Bias or not to bias?
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 9:06 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
zenbone wrote:
... that is the question.
i have a new(ish) Deluxe Reverb LE amp. Bought it new and it does not have a lot of hours on it. I have heard to get them professionally biased right out of the box for better performance and sound, and some say don't. What is the general opinion from you guys? it is a nice amp and sounds awesome.


The factory bias on this amp is about 50% of maximum plate dissipation. Although the normal bias range is stated as 50% to 70% of maximum plate dissipation, the factory bias is too cold for my taste. I would at least have the bias checked by a good tech (if you don't know how, or don't have the tools to do it yourself) and try it with something closer to 60% or more. You might just like it better.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: To Bias or not to bias?
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 10:25 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
bluesky636 wrote:
zenbone wrote:
... that is the question.
i have a new(ish) Deluxe Reverb LE amp. Bought it new and it does not have a lot of hours on it. I have heard to get them professionally biased right out of the box for better performance and sound, and some say don't. What is the general opinion from you guys? it is a nice amp and sounds awesome.


The factory bias on this amp is about 50% of maximum plate dissipation. Although the normal bias range is stated as 50% to 70% of maximum plate dissipation, the factory bias is too cold for my taste. I would at least have the bias checked by a good tech (if you don't know how, or don't have the tools to do it yourself) and try it with something closer to 60% or more. You might just like it better.


+1

It always seemed to me that the 6V6GTA platforms (Princeton Reverb and Deluxe Reverb re-issues) when new are biased way lower percentage-wise than the more powerful 6L6GC amps which themselves are also biased pretty cool from the factory. The SRRI and TRRI don't sound too bad right out of the box but the DRRI and PRRI have an obvious brittle and sterile tone as with a thoroughbred race horse forced to labor under the load of a heavy cargo instead of a 95-lb jockey. All the re-issues will benefit from a reasonable increase in idle-bias current but it seems to be more critical to the 6V6 amps.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: To Bias or not to bias?
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:57 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:52 am
Posts: 9
Location: Calgary, Canada
when I bought my Supersonic 22 (new), people on here suggested I check the bias right away. I assumed, incorrectly, that the factory would have it set properly.

It was set at 80%.

I have an AmpHead adapter for testing, I think one of these adapters is a good investment for anyone with a tube amp.

At some point you're going to want to change the tubes, it's cheaper in the long run to buy the tool (or learn to do it with a multimeter) than to keep paying a shop.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: To Bias or not to bias?
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:26 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:49 am
Posts: 441
Yes to bias, or least have it checked. Mine was set too low. It's seems very common.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: