Marshall Amp Biasing

TubeManiac · 14th April 2011, 04:57 PM

I have a Amp from a friend who is broken. And want to fix it.
But only have one question about biasing.

Where and how and how much do i need to measure for biasing ?

MattyAve · 14th April 2011, 06:16 PM

What exactly is wrong with the amp to begin with?

TubeManiac · 15th April 2011, 07:44 PM

one of the powertubes was broken.

But i don't know how to bias it.

MattyAve · 15th April 2011, 09:51 PM

Pins 1&8 of the tube socket should be tied to ground by a metal wire.

Remove it.

Install 1 ohm resistor from pins 1&8 to ground. (1/4 watt)

Measuring the voltage across this new resistor gives you current through the tube.

Example: 1mv = 1ma

Set it for 25mv.

Do this for all output tube sockets.

scott17 · 15th April 2011, 10:46 PM

You might want to check out this site for a more in depth discussion of the whys and hows of biasing. The website is a little out there but the info is great: Tales From The Tone Lounge; Biasing a Marshall JCM800!

indianajo · 15th April 2011, 11:22 PM

read the tone lounge article. There is no way I am going to use my 350 V rated scope probes (Smith OP2010) to measure plate current. My question is, my dynakit ST70 manual recommends bias for the 6CA7's at 100 ma cathode current, 50 ma x 2. My tubes wear out in about 8 years of 6 hours a day. Tone Lounge is recommending 36 ma plate current. MattyAve is recommending 25 ma. The EL34 is supposed to be interchangeable with the EL34. Why the difference?

dcgillespie · 16th April 2011, 03:24 AM

25 ma may be good to your tubes, but it is guaranteed to develop major cross-over distortion as well. Even guitarists don't like that kind of distortion. For the typical B+ I've seen Marshall use in a 1987 (~485 vdc), the output tubes should be biased at about 45 ma each, which will still be plenty kind to the tubes, and keep them clear of the notch distortion excessively low quiescent current operation causes.

Dave

indianajo · 16th April 2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcgillespie

For the typical B+ I've seen Marshall use in a 1987 (~485 vdc), the output tubes should be biased at about 45 ma each, which will still be plenty kind to the tubes, and keep them clear of the notch distortion excessively low quiescent current operation causes.
Dave

Thanks doggillespie. Watts matter tone lounge said, 485Vx45ma is probably the same watts as 405Vx50ma I am using. Didn't know the Marshall had such elevated plate voltage.

TubeManiac · 18th April 2011, 07:11 PM

Thanks guys !! Going to fit those resistors at the cathode and trying to bias them to about 45-50mA

eggontoast · 26th April 2011, 12:46 PM

Current factory bias spec for a 1987 is 42mA

15th April 2011, 10:46 PM	#5
scott17 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Jamaica, NY	You might want to check out this site for a more in depth discussion of the whys and hows of biasing. The website is a little out there but the info is great: Tales From The Tone Lounge; Biasing a Marshall JCM800! __________________ Single-Ended Tube Amp Kit

15th April 2011, 11:22 PM	#6
indianajo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana USA	read the tone lounge article. There is no way I am going to use my 350 V rated scope probes (Smith OP2010) to measure plate current. My question is, my dynakit ST70 manual recommends bias for the 6CA7's at 100 ma cathode current, 50 ma x 2. My tubes wear out in about 8 years of 6 hours a day. Tone Lounge is recommending 36 ma plate current. MattyAve is recommending 25 ma. The EL34 is supposed to be interchangeable with the EL34. Why the difference? __________________ Dynakit ST70, ST120, PAS2,Hammond H182(2 ea),H112,A100,10-82TC,Peavey CS800S,SP2-XT's, T-300 HF Projs, Steinway console, Herald RA88a mixer, Wurlitzer 4500

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14th April 2011, 06:16 PM	#2
MattyAve diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2010	What exactly is wrong with the amp to begin with?

15th April 2011, 07:44 PM	#3
TubeManiac diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010	one of the powertubes was broken. But i don't know how to bias it.

15th April 2011, 09:51 PM	#4
MattyAve diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2010	Pins 1&8 of the tube socket should be tied to ground by a metal wire. Remove it. Install 1 ohm resistor from pins 1&8 to ground. (1/4 watt) Measuring the voltage across this new resistor gives you current through the tube. Example: 1mv = 1ma Set it for 25mv. Do this for all output tube sockets.

16th April 2011, 03:24 AM	#7
dcgillespie diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ball Ground, GA	25 ma may be good to your tubes, but it is guaranteed to develop major cross-over distortion as well. Even guitarists don't like that kind of distortion. For the typical B+ I've seen Marshall use in a 1987 (~485 vdc), the output tubes should be biased at about 45 ma each, which will still be plenty kind to the tubes, and keep them clear of the notch distortion excessively low quiescent current operation causes. Dave

18th April 2011, 07:11 PM	#9
TubeManiac diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2010	Thanks guys !! Going to fit those resistors at the cathode and trying to bias them to about 45-50mA

26th April 2011, 12:46 PM	#10
eggontoast diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: England	Current factory bias spec for a 1987 is 42mA

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