Looking for a trusted amp tech in los angeles for my VH4

[smdb]

You should think about buying a Weber Bias Rite and do it yourself. I did it a few years ago because I did not want to wait 2 weeks to get it done either. It is simple to use and you can always find help here on Rig Talk. It will pay for itself almost after the first use, and then you can easily swap tubes whenever you want and not pay to do it. I am not an electronics guru at all,not even a novice really,but this is a no brainer.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

+1 for the Bias Rite.

but if u need a tech, i sent mine a long time ago to Classic Amps out there & they took great care of me.

you can also check with the Tone Merchant guys...they may have some options for ya.

 

[MARK2C]

Bias: Do it yourself. All you need is a multi-meter and some crocodile leads.

Mods/Repairs: Dave Friedman

 

[redfulcrum]

If you can take it to Mike @ 65 amps. He used to be the certified diezel teck for the LA area. He has done work for me and he is a great tech and very honest.
They are in North Hollywood

 

[Skrln]

About this biasing, I hear it can kill you to work on your amp on your own, and now I hear it can easily be done yourself...

Can someone provide me with more info?

Thanks.

 

[King Guitar]

Dave Friedman at Racksystems who is a member here.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

i

About this biasing, I hear it can kill you to work on your amp on your own, and now I hear it can easily be done yourself...

Can someone provide me with more info?

Thanks.

anything can kill you if you arent careful. driving, walking, skiing, bangin chicks!! if you dont feel comfortable & not know what you are doing, let a tech do it. If you possess the knowledge to do it and are careful & take precautions, then do it.

 

[MARK2C]

Read Here First: http://diezel.typo3.inpublica.de/tech-corner.3.0.html

Then:

 

[Ventura]

This thread JUST reminded me... EVERYTIME I need to swap tubes or re-bias, I ALWAYS tell myself - this is LAST - time I'll do it without a Weber Bias Rite. Well, I dropped $80 on a re-bias the other month as I was in transit, no tools or space or time to put in the new tubes...so I went with a tech.

$80....!!

Second to this, how many times have I been scratching my head wondering about low impedance DMM's? Regular? Thru voltages? Plate voltage versus cathode current? Safety saturations? Too hot? Too cold?

I pulled the trigger, bought that f*cker as soon as I read this thread...

Thanks,
V.

 

[Skrln]

80$ really is cheap actually.
I asked around here, and it all cost around 120€ = 160$. And that would only be a powertube replacement with the cheapest non matched tubes.

I so want to move away from this country .

 

[Ventura]

80$ really is cheap actually.
I asked around here, and it all cost around 120€ = 160$. And that would only be a powertube replacement with the cheapest non matched tubes.

I so want to move away from this country .

Well, all I can say to that is:
a) avoid the cheapest available tubes and go with an online supplier
b) get a Weber Bias Rite just as I did and never worry about some ponce stealing yer money for a simple task

$80 is cheap. But in the process thereof, call me OCD, the amp came but with a couple scuffs and marks on it, and furthermore, the guy could barely speak any English at all. He is notoriously good in the pro-music circuit, so I trusted him. The other outfits wanted $125-$150 to simply BIAS some tubes that I was PROVIDING. Very uncool. I bought the 4 head octal Bias Rite last night for US$125 plus $30 shipping. I'm very good with that. I won't be needing the tense and potentially dangerous "crocos on the OT connections" nonsense anymore, I'll be getting a true reading, and also will know my threshold saturation limits to truly get the most out of my amps.

I'm pleased.

Best,
V.

 

[MARK2C]

80$ really is cheap actually.
I asked around here, and it all cost around 120€ = 160$. And that would only be a powertube replacement with the cheapest non matched tubes.

I so want to move away from this country .

Well, all I can say to that is:
a) avoid the cheapest available tubes and go with an online supplier
b) get a Weber Bias Rite just as I did and never worry about some ponce stealing yer money for a simple task

$80 is cheap. But in the process thereof, call me OCD, the amp came but with a couple scuffs and marks on it, and furthermore, the guy could barely speak any English at all. He is notoriously good in the pro-music circuit, so I trusted him. The other outfits wanted $125-$150 to simply BIAS some tubes that I was PROVIDING. Very uncool. I bought the 4 head octal Bias Rite last night for US$125 plus $30 shipping. I'm very good with that. I won't be needing the tense and potentially dangerous "crocos on the OT connections" nonsense anymore, I'll be getting a true reading, and also will know my threshold saturation limits to truly get the most out of my amps.

I'm pleased.

Best,
V.

You have no idea what you are talking about, so the shunt method may not be for you. It should not defer anyone else to use it as an accurate biasing method.
For all you Herbert and Einstein owners, don't feel bad about your untrue bias readings.

Threshold Saturation? Really !!! Can you sleep at night thinking about this crap ?

 

[Ventura]

No, I sleep at night dreaming about a lot of other things... But quite honestly, I'm done with crocos and DMM, and all that jazz. I've done it enough times the old school way, I'm just saying I'd prefer an easier way.

As for saturation/threshold levels, ya, I do wonder. Why? Because I use a lot of different tubes (not just a Diezel owner btw), and knowing the numbers allows me to bias accordingly - as opposed to getting "advice" which does change a fair bit from person to person... So, using the bias calculator or just doing the math, one can figure out - simply - what the "zone" is.

I've had floating numbers in varied amps - biasing by pairs has always had it's back-forth-back-forth approach, and it always just bugs me.

Not justifying m'brae...just saying I like it my way for my ways.

Peace,
V.

PS - and believe me man, watch those words...I actually do know what I'm talking about. I'm an over-analytical, self-professed OCD cat with higher levels of education in engineering and math; and also a complete and utter gear head. I'm not some toss spouting off - I'm here to offer my advice to those wanting it, just as I heed the advice when I ask and receive.

 

[MARK2C]

No, I sleep at night dreaming about a lot of other things... But quite honestly, I'm done with crocos and DMM, and all that jazz. I've done it enough times the old school way, I'm just saying I'd prefer an easier way.

As for saturation/threshold levels, ya, I do wonder. Why? Because I use a lot of different tubes (not just a Diezel owner btw), and knowing the numbers allows me to bias accordingly - as opposed to getting "advice" which does change a fair bit from person to person... So, using the bias calculator or just doing the math, one can figure out - simply - what the "zone" is.

I've had floating numbers in varied amps - biasing by pairs has always had it's back-forth-back-forth approach, and it always just bugs me.

Not justifying m'brae...just saying I like it my way for my ways.

Peace,
V.

PS - and believe me man, watch those words...I actually do know what I'm talking about. I'm an over-analytical, self-professed OCD cat with higher levels of education in engineering and math; and also a complete and utter gear head. I'm not some toss spouting off - I'm here to offer my advice to those wanting it, just as I heed the advice when I ask and receive.

Oh no, if I biased these Tesla's E34L's 1mA higher, they would have sounded better.

From someone who has been doing this for 26 years, do your self a favor and use your ears.
Many of us have already gleaned what knowledge can be had by biasing certain amps at 50,60,65,70 and 75% MPD.
Even Eric Johnson has to eventually listen. It's not all about the equations. You may want to look into natural plate current's and
how transconductance effects tone before writing a manifesto on biasing. That's the easy part.
I understand you like it you way, in a controlling personality type of way. but you got took for $ 80 from a guy to bias your amp
who probably barely passed Special Ed. You'll see what my true meaning was when your fumbling about with four oversized tube sockets upside down.
From an ex sufferer of OCD, once you have kids you will be too tired to care about total perfection.

Good Luck to you.

 

[Ventura]

No, I sleep at night dreaming about a lot of other things... But quite honestly, I'm done with crocos and DMM, and all that jazz. I've done it enough times the old school way, I'm just saying I'd prefer an easier way.

As for saturation/threshold levels, ya, I do wonder. Why? Because I use a lot of different tubes (not just a Diezel owner btw), and knowing the numbers allows me to bias accordingly - as opposed to getting "advice" which does change a fair bit from person to person... So, using the bias calculator or just doing the math, one can figure out - simply - what the "zone" is.

I've had floating numbers in varied amps - biasing by pairs has always had it's back-forth-back-forth approach, and it always just bugs me.

Not justifying m'brae...just saying I like it my way for my ways.

Peace,
V.

PS - and believe me man, watch those words...I actually do know what I'm talking about. I'm an over-analytical, self-professed OCD cat with higher levels of education in engineering and math; and also a complete and utter gear head. I'm not some toss spouting off - I'm here to offer my advice to those wanting it, just as I heed the advice when I ask and receive.

Oh no, if I biased these Tesla's E34L's 1mA higher, they would have sounded better.

From someone who has been doing this for 26 years, do your self a favor and use your ears.
Many of us have already gleaned what knowledge can be had by biasing certain amps at 50,60,65,70 and 75% MPD.
Even Eric Johnson has to eventually listen. It's not all about the equations. You may want to look into natural plate current's and
how transconductance effects tone before writing a manifesto on biasing. That's the easy part.
I understand you like it you way, in a controlling personality type of way. but you got took for $ 80 from a guy to bias your amp
who probably barely passed Special Ed. You'll see what my true meaning was when your fumbling about with four oversized tube sockets upside down.
From an ex sufferer of OCD, once you have kids you will be too tired to care about total perfection.

Good Luck to you.

Dude!! What's with the tooth and nail, dawg? I'm all good and I don't mince over 1mA's here and there, I just decided to go with the Bias Rite to prevent me from having to go the shunt/crocos method, and that's really all there is to it. To each their own. My ears are what led me to Diezel amps in the 1st place, and my ears are what continue to have me change tubes and therefore re-bias them fairly regularly. This isn't supposed to be a pissing match of who did what for how long or an attempt to pull out big words and multi-syllabic terminology in some pseudo pistol draw.

If ya gotsa bone to pick with me, PM me and we'll square it away. Otherwise let's move forward...

Peace,
V.

PS - got 2 kids, one just turned 3 weeks (yes, WEEKS) yesterday... I know all about "letting go", believe me, in more ways than one.

 

[smdb]

The Bias rite just takes away any doubt if you are not that comfortable under the hood of an amp. That's it!

 

[MARK2C]

No, I sleep at night dreaming about a lot of other things... But quite honestly, I'm done with crocos and DMM, and all that jazz. I've done it enough times the old school way, I'm just saying I'd prefer an easier way.

As for saturation/threshold levels, ya, I do wonder. Why? Because I use a lot of different tubes (not just a Diezel owner btw), and knowing the numbers allows me to bias accordingly - as opposed to getting "advice" which does change a fair bit from person to person... So, using the bias calculator or just doing the math, one can figure out - simply - what the "zone" is.

I've had floating numbers in varied amps - biasing by pairs has always had it's back-forth-back-forth approach, and it always just bugs me.

Not justifying m'brae...just saying I like it my way for my ways.

Peace,
V.

PS - and believe me man, watch those words...I actually do know what I'm talking about. I'm an over-analytical, self-professed OCD cat with higher levels of education in engineering and math; and also a complete and utter gear head. I'm not some toss spouting off - I'm here to offer my advice to those wanting it, just as I heed the advice when I ask and receive.

Oh no, if I biased these Tesla's E34L's 1mA higher, they would have sounded better.

From someone who has been doing this for 26 years, do your self a favor and use your ears.
Many of us have already gleaned what knowledge can be had by biasing certain amps at 50,60,65,70 and 75% MPD.
Even Eric Johnson has to eventually listen. It's not all about the equations. You may want to look into natural plate current's and
how transconductance effects tone before writing a manifesto on biasing. That's the easy part.
I understand you like it you way, in a controlling personality type of way. but you got took for $ 80 from a guy to bias your amp
who probably barely passed Special Ed. You'll see what my true meaning was when your fumbling about with four oversized tube sockets upside down.
From an ex sufferer of OCD, once you have kids you will be too tired to care about total perfection.

Good Luck to you.

Dude!! What's with the tooth and nail, dawg? I'm all good and I don't mince over 1mA's here and there, I just decided to go with the Bias Rite to prevent me from having to go the shunt/crocos method, and that's really all there is to it. To each their own. My ears are what led me to Diezel amps in the 1st place, and my ears are what continue to have me change tubes and therefore re-bias them fairly regularly. This isn't supposed to be a pissing match of who did what for how long or an attempt to pull out big words and multi-syllabic terminology in some pseudo pistol draw.

If ya gotsa bone to pick with me, PM me and we'll square it away. Otherwise let's move forward...

Peace,
V.

PS - got 2 kids, one just turned 3 weeks (yes, WEEKS) yesterday... I know all about "letting go", believe me, in more ways than one.

Whaaat ? I said my bit and wished you good luck, that's all. Don't get mad at me for using "Transconductance".
Sheesh...

 

[MARK2C]

The Bias rite just takes away any doubt if you are not that comfortable under the hood of an amp. That's it!

As long as you still do the math, but your still under the hood at the bias pot.
It's much safer too as it take the plate voltage measurement.

If you are truly looking to dial in an amp, it is the way to go. Just because the tech sets the bias at 35mA etc.
does not mean he let them burn in and re-checked them for drift and adjusted again to the new plate voltage.
You may also not like the tone at a particular bias setting either so enjoy your trip back to the tech who's
going to hum and haw about re-doing it.

 

[Ventura]

The Bias rite just takes away any doubt if you are not that comfortable under the hood of an amp. That's it!

As long as you still do the math, but your still under the hood at the bias pot.
It's much safer too as it take the plate voltage measurement.

If you are truly looking to dial in an amp, it is the way to go. Just because the tech sets the bias at 35mA etc.
does not mean he let them burn in and re-checked them for drift and adjusted again to the new plate voltage.
You may also not like the tone at a particular bias setting either so enjoy your trip back to the tech who's
going to hum and haw about re-doing it.

There we go man, I'm starting to like you again

V.

 

[MARK2C]

The Bias rite just takes away any doubt if you are not that comfortable under the hood of an amp. That's it!

As long as you still do the math, but your still under the hood at the bias pot.
It's much safer too as it take the plate voltage measurement.

If you are truly looking to dial in an amp, it is the way to go. Just because the tech sets the bias at 35mA etc.
does not mean he let them burn in and re-checked them for drift and adjusted again to the new plate voltage.
You may also not like the tone at a particular bias setting either so enjoy your trip back to the tech who's
going to hum and haw about re-doing it.

There we go man, I'm starting to like you again

V.

I never thought you had doubts !!! Friends can disagree.