Thanks for posting this. Mike Soldano is a true giant among giants. So refreshing to see a humble attitude in this cut throat business. I came here as a result of checking out the JetCity 50H & this sold me. I get to see the amp chassis so I know how it's built, plus I get to see it's world class designer mod it, dispensing knowledge, wisdom & class along the way. A *diamond* of a video!
You know i would love to know how they did those Jet City Retro Valves because what they did should revolutionize Tube Amps yet i hear nothing?? TK did a video proving the Retros work I plan on trying them in my New Randall RD1C. Everyone support these companies Mike Soldano is a legend and a perfectionist to say the least. You dont believe me try a Soldano or Jet City sometime!!
Apart from incredibly informative, generous, inspiring, this is so classy and clean. These guys are true gentlemen. No need for foul language. Such a joy to watch. Hats off for class A presentation. High fidelity. Cheers, and wish I can one dy afford a Soldano amp. That would be an honour to play.
Great video I mean Mike Soldano Biasing an Amp on TTKs channel we had Michael Batio on the other night who is awesome!!! I'm really digging the way the show is going . Thank you Lou you are better then any TV show i feel like i've known you my whole life I hope we meet someday buddy. maybe I could come down for 2 minutes 2 midnight demo my (Flat Black Gold Trim BC Rich MockingBird Custom Pro X) which I'm playing right now!! The reason i say we is i feel like part of this family TheToneKing Family and you know what I have an idea that would be really cool man!!
Hi,this video is great- Mr Michael Soldano is always humble and helpful- on the phone he s fantastic- As a result i started with HR 50 and then SLO-btw- the calendar pin up is no less than Linda Lusardi from my home country UK.
I really liked this video. Damn I miss troubleshooting and fixing electronics. Need to get me a SLO someday and just awww in amazement at the internals.
Hi. Since I bought my Orange Micro Terror amp, I have seen Bile duct electronic tube special silicon vibration damping rings online for sale. Do you think they are a good idea for me to use please? Thank you
+buzzsaw63 You can, you just think you can get by without one, and eventually you will have paid for two of them on your tone quest, then you will finally arrive.
I would like to know which resistors to swap so I can add the EL34 tubes and also which resistor I can replace with a choke and how many henries for the JCA50h. Thank you Master Wizard
+deadratsalad4 You replace the two large 470 ohm SCREEN resistors with 1K resistors and then you may have to modify the bias to get it in the correct range for a EL34. When a choke is used it goes between the B+ and the C+ voltages, you can trace the SCREEN resistors back to one side of the part, and the audio transformer red lead back to the other side of the part. As far as Henries goes, there is no right answer, as it is preference, and any choke would arguably perform better than a resistor. There is however a current handling capability that has to met. So dont use one thats meant for anything less than, in your case, 50 Watts. To be clear any choke for a 50 or a 100 Watt amp would work. Any tube amp tech worth his salt deals with these questions every day, and should be able to quote you over the phone. Good luck, Greg. (800.FIX.ME.UP) guitarrepair.com
+Robby Sipahutar as it turned out on that particular amp, only the screen resistors were changed, and the bias circuit was already capable of the range of bias needed for the old el34's and the new 6l6's. Those tubes need a very different bias voltage from each other, usually amp designers don't provide that wide of a range of adjustment.
No, both the screen resistors from 470K to 1K to run the EL34's. He did not have to change the bias resistor, since the pot to adjust the bias was still in range. So, 2 parts.
I always thought you had to pull the board and solder from the back side? Now.. I will be TRUELY dangerous!!! (Pluggin in soldering iron now... Time to victomize that Blues Jr.) No need to modify my JCA50H, other than the stock speakers in the 2x12 cab... Don't care much for those...
Jeez what is this guys obsession with the KT88? Who gives a shit if any amp can run a KT88. Those tubes suck. When Korg bought Marshall they started running 6550's (essentially a KT88) in the power section, and guess what? NOBODY liked them. 6L6 EL34, EL84, and 6V6 and THE power tubes for tube amps period!
Thanks for posting this. Mike Soldano is a true giant among giants. So refreshing to see a humble attitude in this cut throat business. I came here as a result of checking out the JetCity 50H & this sold me. I get to see the amp chassis so I know how it's built, plus I get to see it's world class designer mod it, dispensing knowledge, wisdom & class along the way. A *diamond* of a video!
There were about 5 GREAT nuggets of info in there that you don't see/hear from other designers
an old school master of a dying art. now i see why soldano amps have a great sound, thanks to this man's uncompromising work. thanks for posting this.
You know i would love to know how they did those Jet City Retro Valves because what they did should revolutionize Tube Amps yet i hear nothing?? TK did a video proving the Retros work I plan on trying them in my New Randall RD1C. Everyone support these companies Mike Soldano is a legend and a perfectionist to say the least. You dont believe me try a Soldano or Jet City sometime!!
Apart from incredibly informative, generous, inspiring, this is so classy and clean. These guys are true gentlemen. No need for foul language. Such a joy to watch. Hats off for class A presentation. High fidelity. Cheers, and wish I can one dy afford a Soldano amp. That would be an honour to play.
Inspirational person Mike Soldano is
I love it. These guys are like surgeons. The mad scientist of tone.
Watch as MASTER MIKE mods & biases a 50w Jet City Amp - compliments of AmpFactory.com!
Great video I mean Mike Soldano Biasing an Amp on TTKs channel we had Michael Batio on the other night who is awesome!!! I'm really digging the way the show is going . Thank you Lou you are better then any TV show i feel like i've known you my whole life I hope we meet someday buddy. maybe I could come down for 2 minutes 2 midnight demo my (Flat Black Gold Trim BC Rich MockingBird Custom Pro X) which I'm playing right now!! The reason i say we is i feel like part of this family TheToneKing Family and you know what I have an idea that would be really cool man!!
Hi,this video is great- Mr Michael Soldano is always humble and helpful- on the phone he s fantastic- As a result i started with HR 50 and then SLO-btw- the calendar pin up is no less than Linda Lusardi from my home country UK.
I love their banter.
I really liked this video. Damn I miss troubleshooting and fixing electronics. Need to get me a SLO someday and just awww in amazement at the internals.
For some reason I think mike soldano would make an excellent Joker.
I really liked the tube talk.
16;59 sums it all up.
Great video !!
More informative than the last video.
Thank you, thank you for 16:52-17:00.
Hi. Since I bought my Orange Micro Terror amp, I have seen Bile duct electronic tube special silicon vibration damping rings online for sale. Do you think they are a good idea for me to use please? Thank you
GOLDEN!
Kevin Costner? Is that you? Seems like an awesome and obviously very knowledgable dude, if I could only afford a Saldano.
+buzzsaw63 You can, you just think you can get by without one, and eventually you will have paid for two of them on your tone quest, then you will finally arrive.
+buzzsaw63 Buy a jet city they are about 400-500 bucks, soldano design
+Greg Raynard That it so true
I would like to know which resistors to swap so I can add the EL34 tubes and also which resistor I can replace with a choke and how many henries for the JCA50h. Thank you Master Wizard
+deadratsalad4 You replace the two large 470 ohm SCREEN resistors with 1K resistors and then you may have to modify the bias to get it in the correct range for a EL34. When a choke is used it goes between the B+ and the C+ voltages, you can trace the SCREEN resistors back to one side of the part, and the audio transformer red lead back to the other side of the part. As far as Henries goes, there is no right answer, as it is preference, and any choke would arguably perform better than a resistor. There is however a current handling capability that has to met. So dont use one thats meant for anything less than, in your case, 50 Watts. To be clear any choke for a 50 or a 100 Watt amp would work. Any tube amp tech worth his salt deals with these questions every day, and should be able to quote you over the phone. Good luck, Greg. (800.FIX.ME.UP) guitarrepair.com
jca 50 has a choke stock.
Is it actually necessary to do that mod for switching to EL34?
+Robby Sipahutar as it turned out on that particular amp, only the screen resistors were changed, and the bias circuit was already capable of the range of bias needed for the old el34's and the new 6l6's. Those tubes need a very different bias voltage from each other, usually amp designers don't provide that wide of a range of adjustment.
Mike seems like the easiest going guy to talk to.
best way to find out is ask his employees. ;) just kidding
Does anyone know the two points he touches with the multimeter while biasing?
hes so cool
I do like a super-tight bottom end.
So you had to change just 1 resister?
No, both the screen resistors from 470K to 1K to run the EL34's. He did not have to change the bias resistor, since the pot to adjust the bias was still in range. So, 2 parts.
That fucking diode lol....every-time look at them small ones and them 10v ones lol
To swap 6L6s with EL34s you'll also need to solder pins 1 and 8 together of the octal sockets. Why don't you talk about that?
Maybe because Pin 1 is already connected to ground on the board.
I always thought you had to pull the board and solder from the back side? Now.. I will be TRUELY dangerous!!! (Pluggin in soldering iron now... Time to victomize that Blues Jr.) No need to modify my JCA50H, other than the stock speakers in the 2x12 cab... Don't care much for those...
why does it seem like Mike lost a bet and had to do this video, lol!
Jeez what is this guys obsession with the KT88? Who gives a shit if any amp can run a KT88. Those tubes suck. When Korg bought Marshall they started running 6550's (essentially a KT88) in the power section, and guess what? NOBODY liked them. 6L6 EL34, EL84, and 6V6 and THE power tubes for tube amps period!
Swapping 6l6 for el34??? That's like a chick getting breast reduction. Smfh. Good way to flub up a tight amp. El34's are for dad rock, grandpa's.