Where do you like to bias a Deluxe Reverb?

Randall · Post by **Randall** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 12:37 am

And why? JJ 6V6s.

Firestorm · Post by **Firestorm** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:18 am

I like 'em a little cold, but JJs sound a tad cold to begin with (compared to RCAs). What voltage tho, makes all the difference.

Reeltarded · Post by **Reeltarded** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 1:53 am

Probably.. at home.

Randall · Post by **Randall** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 4:37 am

Reeltarded wrote:Probably.. at home.

OK, now that we have that out of the way...

renshen1957 · Post by **renshen1957** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 4:48 am

Randall wrote:And why? JJ 6V6s.

Hi,

I like to bias them in the shop.

Best regards,

Steve

martin manning · Post by **martin manning** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:02 am

Home, shop... I guess it's personal preference then.

But seriously, it is. Many people say they like relatively cool bias for Fenders, ca. 55-60% of max plate dissipation.

renshen1957 · Post by **renshen1957** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 5:43 pm

martin manning wrote:Home, shop... I guess it's personal preference then.

But seriously, it is. Many people say they like relatively cool bias for Fenders, ca. 55-60% of max plate dissipation.

Hi,

It depends on the tube.

You can get away with running the bias hot with the 5992, 7408, the 6V6GTA tubes, but these vintage tubes are pricey, especially the 5992.

Running the 6V6 hot can with some tubes makes for a noisier tube.

The current batch of 6V6 tubes very as to durability, JJs have a reputation for taking abuse, TAD STR, EH-GL-Tung Sol reissues (I consider these the same tube)have been received good marks in this department, but none of the new production tubes last as long as ANOS tubes.

I wouldn't try this with the generic Russian or Chinese tubes.

It depends on the type of music you play. If you're into country clean, a cooler bias works well.

Best regards

Steve

Guus · Post by **Guus** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:29 am

Hi Randall,

I think it depents on many things:
- brand of the tube;
- wanted lifetime tubes;
- platevoltage in relation to wallvoltage (here in Europe it changes in the evening);
- the sound you like;
- the level you normaly drive the amp when playing it (low level or Always flat out);
- etc.

When biasing I would go from 6V6S JJ spec's thats 14 Watt per tube and first messure plate voltage.
Regarding platecurrent and (minus)screen current I mostly end up around 60% of maximum calculated plate current.

When you have time, make diffent biassettings in the range 50 - 70% and try these different settings by playing your guitar at a level you normaly use. So you can find out if there is change in tone. So fiddle a little around to get what you want. (range 50 -65% is imo always save).

I know not everyone agrees, but I like to balance the tubes as good as possible.

regards
Guus

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:58 pm

Well since a lot of guys on this forum insist new tubes don't last anyway I run them hot.

Kidding.

Well actually I run EL84's hot because they sound good when used as heaters for cold Minnesota winters.

I run most of the other tube types with lower bias because to me the amp sounds better and in the back of my mind I know that it's good for the tube's life. But tone is first consideration.

Teleguy61 · Post by **Teleguy61** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:11 pm

I have had two sets of Electro-Harmonix 6V6s fail on me-one tube out of quads going bad. So I have six out of eight left, but I have to consider them unreliable.
Oddly enough, my RCA NOS tubes can take the heat, and Chinese Shuguangs can also.
I'm surprised to say the Shuguangs sound pretty good and seem tough.

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:15 pm

Teleguy61 wrote:I have had two sets of Electro-Harmonix 6V6s fail on me-one tube out of quads going bad. So I have six out of eight left, but I have to consider them unreliable.
Oddly enough, my RCA NOS tubes can take the heat, and Chinese Shuguangs can also.
I'm surprised to say the Shuguangs sound pretty good and seem tough.

Shuguangs are good tubes.

renshen1957 · Post by **renshen1957** » Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:52 pm

Teleguy61 wrote:Oddly enough, my RCA NOS tubes can take the heat, and Chinese Shuguangs can also.
I'm surprised to say the Shuguangs sound pretty good and seem tough.

Hi Teleguy61,

Shuguang KT66 like to be biased hot, too.

As to power tubes, EH, JJ, etc, from time to time have reports of bad batches. Even NOS tubes can be microphonic, etc.

Best regards,

Steve

Randy Magee · Post by **Randy Magee** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:56 am

I like to bias them by ear and then check to see if they fall between 50-70% plate dissipation... every tube seems a little different...

Firestorm · Post by **Firestorm** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 3:02 am

Well, this has gone on long enough: you bias the tubes at 50% to 60%, if you want clean. More if you want dirty.

But the best tweak for clean is to change the 220K grid loads to 150K.

There, I've told you the secret of my (limited) success.

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