It's essentially a lag in the rectifier circuit. Manifests as a slight dip and swell of notes when hit hard. Very expressive for blues, but not for surf. The fast picking and more linear melodies need a sharp attack response from the amp.

Danny Snyder

Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF
_
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I'm back playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

There are plug-in tube to solid state rectifier converters that are available that allow converting to a no sag power supply. It is pretty much a remove the rectifier tube, plug in the converter and bingo. A re-biasing of the amp may be necessary. I've never tried one of these gizmos but Groove Tube once offered it (may still do) and Tube Depot has one for $10. That's a pretty el-cheapo thing to fiddle with even if you pay a tech to re-bias your amp. On a Fender black face amp a quick bias re-tweak is a breeze.

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/solid-state-rectifier

ed

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

I don't know about the sag, Danny. This Pro Reverb of mine sounded pretty damned good to me. As long as one isn't playing outside, the Pro Reverb surfs REALLY well, in my opinion. And also, this is my Pro Reverb's onboard reverb, as I felt that I really didn't need to use my outboard with this amp.

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html

Here ya go Ariel,

Gerald Weber sez (on P. 108 of his "Desktop Reference of Hip Vintage Guitar Amps."

"Bias by ear method-If you think about it, the real reason for biasing an amp is for tone. You can adjust the bias negative voltage supply, then listen for the desired tone. You must be careful not to exceed the plate watts dissipation factor. (Translation: Don't have so much current flowing through the tubes that the plates glow cherry red.) This is especially easy in most blackface amps, because the adjustment pot can be accessed without taking the amp apart. It looks like a jack on the chassis about two inches to the right of the power transformer, looking into the back of the amp. A small flat blade screwdriver works nicely. Turn the adjustment one way, the amp is louder. Turn it the other way, the amp is softer. Find the sweetest spot without glowing the tube plates cherry red and you've got it!"

For years I've used this method in combination with starting from the amp's schematic bias voltage shown (-52V DC on a lot of Fender's with 6L6's). It has always worked fine. This method assumes that one starts out with a pair of fairly well matched tubes for best result.

Not too long ago, I sprung for a 4 tube bias meter that lets me zero in on the plates' dissipation and the relative matches of the tubes while they are working in the amp. It rocks.

I tend to run my personal heads really hot. The others for the rest of the crew a bit milder as I know the amps and when one acts up, I'm on it. I hate for the other guys to have amp failures or annoyances. I generally run fans in them and that adds life and reliability to the tubes.

The most often issue is dirty tube sockets. That can usually be tweaked by rolling the tube around in it's socket a bit. Also tapping on tubes with your finger nail will often times reveal one with a noisy filament.

The best prevention is to carry a spare amp. Murphy's law is thwarted when you beat him to the punch.

ed

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

I'm sure the amp works fine for you guys. However, his goal is to ease the weight issue, and a 2x12 combo amp is F'n heavy.

Danny Snyder

Latest project - Now That's What I Call SURF
_
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I'm back playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

eddiekatcher wrote:

Here ya go Ariel,
...
For years I've used this method in combination with starting from the amp's schematic bias voltage shown (-52V DC on a lot of Fender's with 6L6's). It has always worked fine. This method assumes that one starts out with a pair of fairly well matched tubes for best result.

Thanks Ed very much! Those details are just the kind of insight I was looking for. Appreciate the time you took to answer. Of course that opens up a lot of questions... If you'd choose to expand on it someday, I'd love to learn more from you... in time and place. I'll check that Weber book too.
Cheers!

Not too long ago, I sprung for a 4 tube bias meter that lets me zero in on the plates' dissipation and the relative matches of the tubes while they are working in the amp. It rocks.

Sound like a sweet tool indeed!

On topic - One need to define his "philosophy of use". Fender never intended their Piggybacks to be light, merely somewhat portable. It's a friggin' couch. On top of the trannies is a bunch of wood and metal, nowhere to shave weight there.
My '65 Showman with it's 15" tone-ring stays home, on the 5th floor, no elevator.

I too intend to build a light rig from scratch - a super light particle-board combo cabinet with something like a Quilter on top (just need a clean strong platform) and Neodymium on the bottom. Naturally, A Surfy-bear and Surfy-trem built in, will provide all the tonal character necessary.

Last edited: Aug 17, 2017 05:39:37

Nice amps, soiouz. Hopefully, this thread will help out others in my situation as it is very informative. I have decided to go with a blackface Bandmaster and a 1x12 cab.

I am trying to decide between a 12" ceramic Weber California or a 12" ceramic Weber Chicago. I am not sure which one would be better. I am guessing the speaker will need to be 4 ohms, but I am not sure. Anyway, thanks again for all of you guys' help. This community is awesome!

MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale.

Here's my 61 Band Master. It's been re-tolexed, had it worked on a couple of times to correct some out of spec components. It's working great now, really starts to grind around 7. This amp has a single EV speaker in a tone ring cab. FWIW, Tone Ring cabs are a real PITA because of all the extra nuts and bolts that mount the speaker to the baffle. Just went through mine this morning and had to tighten up stuff. If you're concerned with the weight of a 2x12' the single 12 will work fine with proper sound support. Just did an outdoor gig (with sound support) and I was able to keep up the other guitar players Hot Rod Deville.

Rock
A Man from S.U.R.F.
http://menfromsurf.com

Matt, do I hear some Krontjong Devils in this version?

Matt22 wrote:

I don't know about the sag, Danny. This Pro Reverb of mine sounded pretty damned good to me. As long as one isn't playing outside, the Pro Reverb surfs REALLY well, in my opinion. And also, this is my Pro Reverb's onboard reverb, as I felt that I really didn't need to use my outboard with this amp.

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

Matt22 wrote:

Thomasd, that's a beautiful amp!!!!

Richard, I love me some Krontjong Devils, but I hadn't thought about it. Maybe I channeled some Euro surf because I sure did listen to the European bands quite a bit.

Matt,
Yeah I get lots of gear heads looking at the amp asking if it's the real deal. Always have to admit it's been recovered, but so far not one admirer has cried foul. Most just say Wow!!

Rock
A Man from S.U.R.F.
http://menfromsurf.com