36W with GT SS rectifier

[blaren]

Hey,
Rectifier went south last week so just replaced it with a Groove Tubes SS rectifier. I wont be trying it till gigtime NEXT Saturday.

What can I expect in differences? I hope it's barely noticeable if anything.
Are they safe to use?

I'm a little nervous.

Thanks in advance.

[rjgtr]

The amp is likely to be tighter sounding and might put a little more voltage to the tubes. Using the SS recto shouldn't cause any problems.

[blaren]

Thanks for the reply. What is a "little more voltage"? I could open it up and check but I've had that thing apart and back together so many times in the last week and a half it's ridiculous.

I'll for sure fire it up in the dark before I have to rely on it again to make sure there's no redplating.

Thanks again.

[rjgtr]

It may go up 10%. For cathode biased amps the bias will self adjust and everything should be fine. For a fixed bias amp, you need to adjust the bias.

[blaren]

Cool. I can't remember exactly how much R I have for biasing in my 36W. I think I was pushing it though iirc. ope everything'll be ok. I should have bought a tube as well as the SS rectifier. The SS unit was under 12 bucks and the GT or MESA (?) 5AR4/GZ34 was like $17.

I like the sag and break-up with the tube...but...maybe with this unit I'll get a touch more headroom in 18watt mode? I just hope it doesnt take the mojo away. We'll see I guess.

Thanks for the replies.

[Plexi]

you might want to at least fire it up before taking to a gig.or take a backup amp. I don't know what transformers your using in the amp, but using a SS recto may put too much voltage on the output tubes. Or, turn out the lights, fire it up and watch the plates to see if they start to redplate. You might try a 5V4GA. it will run the amp at lower voltages and still sound good,much easier on the tubes. Either that or install a VVR to reduce voltage,no matter what recto you use.

[blaren]

Hey Rich..how you doing? Good I hope. You know this amp. It was the first RP that Nik put a half power switch in. Remember? it had a choke AND a resistor..or just the wrong choke or something. You called me and we troubleshot it over the phone.

Anyway yeah...I'll check for redplating before I use it and...I ALWAYS bring a backup .

I have a VVR kit but couldnt really find any concise (simple) layouts or instructions to install it so it's still sitting right here in front of me. I do have a variac though. Not sure how they work with cathode biased amps though. Think it's safe to use a variac maybe dialed back to 110V or a touch less (don't forget...I'm in Canada and we're on 120V-actually more like 117).

If the Variac does the same as the VVR if it was installed to control the whole amp instead of just the power section, then, please don't poop your pants laughing at my question.

I think I'd be wise to just buy a new GZ34 next time I'm in the city.

Thanks for the reply Rich.

[blaren]

Hmmm. I think I like it. We played in a casino last night so the volume was low but..NO redplating and...I think it has a touch more clean spank when I roll back the guit's volume back (a bit more headroom?), a bit tighter bottom end (I've ALWAYS had to have the bass on 0 bit last night I was all the way up to 2!!), and, the hard part to believe, I dont think I lost much gain at all. I "THINK" it might be a bit more bright but I have the treb and mid cranked so if it IS, I can un-brighten it a bit...but..I kinda like it like this. We'll see what happens at a louder gig.

[malt]

I have a VVR kit but couldnt really find any concise (simple) layouts or instructions to install it so it's still sitting right here in front of me.

Hi, this may help you http://www.trinityamps.com/phpbb/viewto ... =12&t=1176

[blaren]

Hey Rich, I tried to email you but it failed. I need to talk to you.