Interesting idle dissipation has an effect on the intensity of the bias tremolo. If you still have this amp, repeat your test over the same pot rotation range but with the tremolo on. You'll find you have to settle for cooler bias to optimize the tone of the tremolo. To go further down the rabbit hole, there are resistor swaps you can do to increase tremolo intensity and allow you to go a bit warmer on the bias.
Bias is going to affect headroom more than anything, although there is some effect on tone. It may not be as apparent on smaller wattage amps like the Princeton. I liked the way the amp sounded with the old mis-matched RCA's. There is really no reason to use a carbon comp resistor in the bias circuit. I always replace them with a modern, more precise and reliable resistor.
There is one reason, aesthetics. With something so original like this I think anything but a carbon comp looks goofy at best. YMMV. But yes, from a practical standpoint, objectively you're right.
Ehh. Small wattage amps like champs/vibro champs/ NR Princeton, a CC resistor is just fine. It’ll change some when hot but hey 🤷🏻♂️. A carbon film is the best of both worlds for newer builds.
Besides some added reverb, did you use any dirt pedals here? If not you’re actually getting some really nice edge of breakup sounds. My ‘69 non verb barely breaks up on 10 and is a little harsher compared to yours. A compression pedal helps smooth mine out a bit. I do have the added bias pot so I’ll have to try biasing a tad warmer.
Hey, I noticed that your bias jumps around quite drastically when you’re hitting hitting it with signal, and then returns to where it was. Mine does that too when I was adjusting the bias on my Princeton. Is this normal? Or should it stay put when feeding the amp some hard strums? Just curious. Thanks
@@YeatzeeGuitar Yeah, I always set it with no signal hitting it, but did notice when I was testing it that it jumped around. Glad to hear it’s normal. Thanks for the reply :)
Hi, I don’t have a Princeton but I thought I should ask you this question, I have a 93 fender tweed 59 bassman reissue, I purchased it with the rectifier changed to solid state and he told me I could change it back to a tube rectifier, is it that easy? or do I have to rebias which I have know idea what to do.
Yep, if it's working well with a SS rectifier going back to a tube (gz34 iirc) rectifier will result in a slight decrease in voltage which would only slightly cool off the bias so no big deal. Not going to hurt anything
Catch Part 1, installing the adjustable bias setup, here: ua-cam.com/video/0ByD7FLU_3Y/v-deo.htmlsi=O-A4icKKa98COMkI
Afternoon post, hope everyone's having a great week!
Thanks very much great information and an easy way to get adjustable bias in the smaller amps.
Thanks for watching!
Amazing how good the guitar tone is over my phone with its tiny speakers. Very nice playing as well.
Interesting idle dissipation has an effect on the intensity of the bias tremolo. If you still have this amp, repeat your test over the same pot rotation range but with the tremolo on. You'll find you have to settle for cooler bias to optimize the tone of the tremolo.
To go further down the rabbit hole, there are resistor swaps you can do to increase tremolo intensity and allow you to go a bit warmer on the bias.
Thank you for the episode.
Just watched an uncle Doug video on how bias affects tone. It was super interesting.
Nice!
Bias is going to affect headroom more than anything, although there is some effect on tone. It may not be as apparent on smaller wattage amps like the Princeton. I liked the way the amp sounded with the old mis-matched RCA's. There is really no reason to use a carbon comp resistor in the bias circuit. I always replace them with a modern, more precise and reliable resistor.
There is one reason, aesthetics. With something so original like this I think anything but a carbon comp looks goofy at best. YMMV. But yes, from a practical standpoint, objectively you're right.
Ehh. Small wattage amps like champs/vibro champs/ NR Princeton, a CC resistor is just fine. It’ll change some when hot but hey 🤷🏻♂️. A carbon film is the best of both worlds for newer builds.
Besides some added reverb, did you use any dirt pedals here? If not you’re actually getting some really nice edge of breakup sounds. My ‘69 non verb barely breaks up on 10 and is a little harsher compared to yours. A compression pedal helps smooth mine out a bit. I do have the added bias pot so I’ll have to try biasing a tad warmer.
Nope just guitar into amp cranked into UA ox box with some plate reverb. Sounds great!
Excellent work on yours. It sounds amazing!
Hey, I noticed that your bias jumps around quite drastically when you’re hitting hitting it with signal, and then returns to where it was. Mine does that too when I was adjusting the bias on my Princeton. Is this normal? Or should it stay put when feeding the amp some hard strums? Just curious.
Thanks
Your bias always changed when your amp is hit with signal, that's why you set the bias with the volume off / nothing hitting it.
@@YeatzeeGuitar Yeah, I always set it with no signal hitting it, but did notice when I was testing it that it jumped around. Glad to hear it’s normal. Thanks for the reply :)
Hi, I don’t have a Princeton but I thought I should ask you this question, I have a 93 fender tweed 59 bassman reissue, I purchased it with the rectifier changed to solid state and he told me I could change it back to a tube rectifier, is it that easy? or do I have to rebias which I have know idea what to do.
Yep, if it's working well with a SS rectifier going back to a tube (gz34 iirc) rectifier will result in a slight decrease in voltage which would only slightly cool off the bias so no big deal. Not going to hurt anything
@@YeatzeeGuitarthank you very much, your channel it’s very awesome 💥💥💥
What is the reverb that you're using?
UA Ox Box