Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: 72Blazer on April 30, 2022, 04:43:56 pm

Title: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: 72Blazer on April 30, 2022, 04:43:56 pm
I have some unmatched 6L6s and 6V6s.  I seem to recall a thread earlier this year that showed a fender type amp with both balance and variable bias systems installed.  I think Sluckey posted it.  I can't locate the thread that showed that if in fact I am recalling this correctly.  Anybody recall this or have a layout for this?
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: uki on April 30, 2022, 06:50:21 pm
Rob Robinette have several examples in his page:

https://robrobinette.com/Generic_Tube_Amp_Mods.htm
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: Latole on May 01, 2022, 04:36:38 am
You can built bias circuit with 2 bias pots

Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: sluckey on May 01, 2022, 04:58:36 am
I have some unmatched 6L6s and 6V6s.  I seem to recall a thread earlier this year that showed a fender type amp with both balance and variable bias systems installed.  I think Sluckey posted it.  I can't locate the thread that showed that if in fact I am recalling this correctly.  Anybody recall this or have a layout for this?
I was showing how to add a bias adjust pot to a Fender amp that came equipped with a balance pot. See this thread...

     https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=28618.msg315226#msg315226

But if you're just wanting separate bias pots for each tube I suggest doing something like I did to my Sunn Sceptre. Your resistor values may be different. See this recent thread...

     https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=28790.msg316882#msg316882
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: Latole on May 01, 2022, 07:17:44 am
If you are ready to install 2 potentiometers, it is probably better to have two bias potentiometers rather than one bias and one balance.

This is what I do for the amps I build
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: 72Blazer on May 01, 2022, 02:02:10 pm
Thanks All for the information-much appreciated.

Vr
J.
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: owen on May 15, 2022, 02:55:26 pm
If you are ready to install 2 potentiometers, it is probably better to have two bias potentiometers rather than one bias and one balance.

This is what I do for the amps I build

I started doing this recently when I got a pile of used tubes.

my exception for one bias and one balance is fixed bias amps with bias-vary tremolo. currently sketching this plan out for my tremolux and princetons.
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: HotBluePlates on May 17, 2022, 06:10:01 pm
... one bias and one balance ...

If you do that system, you turn the balance first to get the tubes even.  Then you turn the bias adjust to set where you want them.

Although some folks have preferences, you're going to adjust 2 pots any way you slice it.
Title: Re: Balance and variable bias system at the same time?
Post by: TonyM on May 19, 2022, 08:43:46 am
I used Rob Robinette's layout with two potentiometer on my jcm 800 2204 build but  I had to change the 56k resistor to a 68k resistor to bring the bias within a balanced adjustable range.