Post by teleric on Feb 22, 2009 19:07:58 GMT -7
Just lined up the first outdoor gigs of the 2009 season, and I'm dusting off the 6545 for use in a month or so. The 6545 is a bit too loud for the indoor venues my band plays during the winter months as we use very low stage volumes and the 6545 is generally not well received by my band mates. So I really dig the outdoor shows in the warm months as I can break out my 6545 for use at those gigs. I can leave the pedal board at home, and plug straight into the 6545 for all the tones I need.
Anyway, I'm going to attempt to tweak my 6545 to reduce the volume a bit more (to appease my band mates, maybe save a blown speaker) via a tube change. I'm looking for some pointers/confirmations to reduce the volume a little more. I'm hoping maybe Myles will chime in here.
I've already replaced the SS rectifier with a Ruby 5AR4 rectifier tube as I prefer the feel of a tube rectifier (yeah I know, get a NOS 5AR4). The bonus of the 5AR4 is that it reduces the volume a little. I also use a pair of 25 watt greenbacks in my 2X12 cab that reduce the volume a bit due to their inefficiency (but I am worried about blowing a speaker since the 6545 reportedly puts out over 60 watts, but that's less of an issue as I rarely push the volume to ear piercing levels).
I'm planning on swapping the output tubes from the stock EL34S's (30 watt tube) to a GT EL34M (25 watt tube). (A shame, 'cause the current EL34S's only have about 3 hours of use on them). I'm not sure if 5 watts a tube will make much of a volume difference, but the 6545 is "close to tolerable" to my band mates when playing outdoors, and I'm willing to spend a little money & effort for minimal changes in perceived volumes so I don't get "that look" from my musical brethren.
I know I'll have to re-bias the amp with the tube change and have heard that the correct way to re-bias/set up the amp when changing from a higher/lower output tube is to take a bias reading on the current ("old") tubes and then reduce the bias to it's lowest setting, so that when the new tubes are put in, it won't blow a fuse or fry the new tubes; then bring the bias up to it's correct setting with the new tubes in place. (I'm not sure if I'm using the correct amp tech terminology). Anyway can anyone confirm/deny the value of this procedure or suggest alternatives so I don't damage my amp.
I'm thinking that the output tube swap coupled with the tube rectifier and inefficient speakers is probably the "optimum" setup for this amp in terms of reducing the volume, but any other pointers on reducing the volume would be appreciated. I really dig the 6545, but just don't get the chance to use it other than the large outdoor gigs, and would love to push the output tubes a bit in a live setting. I've tried the airbrake with the amp, but it just loses that sparkle, so I prefer not to use it.
Anyway, I'm going to attempt to tweak my 6545 to reduce the volume a bit more (to appease my band mates, maybe save a blown speaker) via a tube change. I'm looking for some pointers/confirmations to reduce the volume a little more. I'm hoping maybe Myles will chime in here.
I've already replaced the SS rectifier with a Ruby 5AR4 rectifier tube as I prefer the feel of a tube rectifier (yeah I know, get a NOS 5AR4). The bonus of the 5AR4 is that it reduces the volume a little. I also use a pair of 25 watt greenbacks in my 2X12 cab that reduce the volume a bit due to their inefficiency (but I am worried about blowing a speaker since the 6545 reportedly puts out over 60 watts, but that's less of an issue as I rarely push the volume to ear piercing levels).
I'm planning on swapping the output tubes from the stock EL34S's (30 watt tube) to a GT EL34M (25 watt tube). (A shame, 'cause the current EL34S's only have about 3 hours of use on them). I'm not sure if 5 watts a tube will make much of a volume difference, but the 6545 is "close to tolerable" to my band mates when playing outdoors, and I'm willing to spend a little money & effort for minimal changes in perceived volumes so I don't get "that look" from my musical brethren.
I know I'll have to re-bias the amp with the tube change and have heard that the correct way to re-bias/set up the amp when changing from a higher/lower output tube is to take a bias reading on the current ("old") tubes and then reduce the bias to it's lowest setting, so that when the new tubes are put in, it won't blow a fuse or fry the new tubes; then bring the bias up to it's correct setting with the new tubes in place. (I'm not sure if I'm using the correct amp tech terminology). Anyway can anyone confirm/deny the value of this procedure or suggest alternatives so I don't damage my amp.
I'm thinking that the output tube swap coupled with the tube rectifier and inefficient speakers is probably the "optimum" setup for this amp in terms of reducing the volume, but any other pointers on reducing the volume would be appreciated. I really dig the 6545, but just don't get the chance to use it other than the large outdoor gigs, and would love to push the output tubes a bit in a live setting. I've tried the airbrake with the amp, but it just loses that sparkle, so I prefer not to use it.