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Post by Matt on Apr 17, 2014 12:33:09 GMT -7
Anyone have any advice on the easiest, simplest way to bias an amp. I miss my Maz because I could just plug and chug with new tubes. But my current amps need bussing and it kills me to drop $50 to get new tubes biased. Bear in mind that I'm not electronically or otherwise technically proficient in any way.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Apr 17, 2014 12:45:12 GMT -7
The best way to learn is to do it....However no sense electrocuting yourself. If you do not have someone to show you in person ask your tech to see if he will let you watch him. It is not hard but there are tools to make it easier. You just need to make sure not to touch certain parts! Are you near Austin? If so I could show you.
Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by Matt on Apr 17, 2014 13:01:48 GMT -7
I wish I were in or around Austin! But thanks for the offer. Unfortunately not a lot of techs around here and I doubt would be wiling to teach since it essentially means a loss of potential business.
Are there any simplified "biasing for dummies" type methods or devices/tools so I don't light myself up?
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Post by zpilot on Apr 17, 2014 13:06:02 GMT -7
If, as you say, you are not electronically proficient then you have no business being inside the amp. In that case you need a tester like the Bias King Pro and you need to be able to make the adjustment from the outside. Get someone who knows how to do this to show you the ropes. Make sure the tester you buy will measure the tubes that your amp uses since they will come with either 8 or 9 pin sockets but not both. Some will have an adapter as an option. A good tester will cost $200+.
You could also have your amp chassis modified with a couple of jacks and precision resistors so that you could measure bias with a common DMM. This is handy because you can periodically re-check it as the tubes wear.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 13:21:53 GMT -7
I bought a Weber Bias Rite years ago and it works great. Yes, you have to go inside the amp (usually) to adjust the pot, but if you use great caution, respect the power of electricity, and fear death, you should be ok! Bias Rite
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Post by doctorice on Apr 17, 2014 13:31:19 GMT -7
Here's a thread I started. Lots of useful info. Don't be deterred by the initial conversation about draining filter caps. Midway down, it's acknowledged that this is mooted since you have to have power applied to the amp to do the biasing. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be careful. ztalk.proboards.com/thread/40720/ok-bias-ampI've been biasing my own amps since getting the above guidance. I use the Compu-Bias device
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Post by "Z" Steve on Apr 17, 2014 13:39:05 GMT -7
After watching this video I became more comfortable in taking chassis out to check the bias or re-bias. I am still very careful and respect what COULD happen if I get careless. There are other ways to bias the amp but this has worked for me.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 13:50:20 GMT -7
I have a freind who helped me bias my Vibro King and my Marshall recently. He knows how to do it. I would take it to a tech If you dont have someone who knows how to do it. It can be very dangerous If you dont know what your doing. I know what you mean though its expensive. Thats the really good thing about the Z amps no bias needed.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 17, 2014 16:42:54 GMT -7
My advice:
1. Don't go there unless you are willing to die. 2. If you still go, put one hand in your pocket and do not take it out of there while the power is applied. I'm deadly serious about this. 3. If you take that hand out of its pocket while the power is applied, it's been nice knowing you.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 17:27:21 GMT -7
My advice: 1. Don't go there unless you are willing to die. 2. If you still go, put one hand in your pocket and do not take it out of there while the power is applied. I'm deadly serious about this. 3. If you take that hand out of its pocket while the power is applied, it's been nice knowing you. Thats right Steve! Thats what my Buddy Joe told me and what he did while doing my amps. He said he learned the hard way before he was doing an amp and he got a zing touching something in the amp. He had his hand in his pocket and thats what saved him. He said it was a good thing he had his hand in his pocket! I wont fool with it. He learned from the guys at Mesa Boogie. You really could get shocked to death. Its nothing to mess around with I would rather spend the money amd have someone who knows what their doing do it.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 17, 2014 17:45:25 GMT -7
My advice: 1. Don't go there unless you are willing to die. 2. If you still go, put one hand in your pocket and do not take it out of there while the power is applied. I'm deadly serious about this. 3. If you take that hand out of its pocket while the power is applied, it's been nice knowing you. Thats right Steve! Thats what my Buddy Joe told me and what he did while doing my amps. He said he learned the hard way before he was doing an amp and he got a zing touching something in the amp. He had his hand in his pocket and thats what saved him. He said it was a good thing he had his hand in his pocket! I wont fool with it. He learned from the guys at Mesa Boogie. You really could get shocked to death. Its nothing to mess around with I would rather spend the money amd have someone who knows what their doing do it. It is very much like operating a table saw. You don't do it unless you KNOW you're doing it safely. Except with a table saw your risk is a few of those precious fingers, but with an amp, you really can die. I almost died working on an amp, but I was also saved by having one hand in my pocket. Flew about five feet off the ground that day though... Just be safe guys. It only takes one time of not paying attention and wham. Please make sure of yourself before you proceed.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 18:24:38 GMT -7
Thats right Steve! Thats what my Buddy Joe told me and what he did while doing my amps. He said he learned the hard way before he was doing an amp and he got a zing touching something in the amp. He had his hand in his pocket and thats what saved him. He said it was a good thing he had his hand in his pocket! I wont fool with it. He learned from the guys at Mesa Boogie. You really could get shocked to death. Its nothing to mess around with I would rather spend the money amd have someone who knows what their doing do it. It is very much like operating a table saw. You don't do it unless you KNOW you're doing it safely. Except with a table saw your risk is a few of those precious fingers, but with an amp, you really can die. I almost died working on an amp, but I was also saved by having one hand in my pocket. Flew about five feet off the ground that day though... Just be safe guys. It only takes one time of not paying attention and wham. Please make sure of yourself before you proceed. Wow! That sounds just like My buddy Joes Story. He said he experienced the same thing he flew back about five feet too!
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Post by zpilot on Apr 17, 2014 20:32:43 GMT -7
Once when working on an amp I accidentally touched the wrong thing and the next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor. I have no recollection of what it was. I say this not to scare anyone. Just to make them cautious. Most amp techs have had an experience similar to this.
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Post by Brian on Apr 18, 2014 5:51:44 GMT -7
Cheaper to buy a Maz 18!!!!!!!
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
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Post by captain38 on Apr 18, 2014 7:35:38 GMT -7
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Post by zpilot on Apr 18, 2014 8:33:33 GMT -7
The Eurotubes Pro One is a better deal than the Bias King I have because it also reads plate voltage. You should still get one for each tube so you don't have to switch back and forth between them. If I didn't normally use the shunt current method I would be interested in these.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Apr 18, 2014 9:52:55 GMT -7
For you do-it-yourselfers, I normally solder a precision 1 ohm resistor into the cathode circuit and measure across it. Put your DMM on the millvolt scale and read milliamps directly. OK go get your Ohm's law wheel and figure it out.
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Apr 20, 2014 17:08:41 GMT -7
I bought a Weber Bias Rite years ago and it works great. Yes, you have to go inside the amp (usually) to adjust the pot, but if you use great caution, respect the power of electricity, and fear death, you should be ok! Bias RiteI have one of these also. Have done a lot of biasing with it. It is relatively easy, but you have to respect electricity and be careful. I have not had any misshaps and if I can do it, anyone can. Sure beats paying someone to do it.
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Apr 21, 2014 6:31:06 GMT -7
After watching this video I became more comfortable in taking chassis out to check the bias or re-bias. I am still very careful and respect what COULD happen if I get careless. There are other ways to bias the amp but this has worked for me. That is a great video--thanks for sharing.
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