WTB - Cameron CCV

[steve_k]

Steve K said his FJA modded JMP eats the CCV, The Wizard, and the Marsha. Steve should know.

Urrrmm... Ahhhh,

If that is true, I think maybe Saudi Air Dropped Steve's CCV on it's side a few times...

I've heard plenty of that's guy's Modded Marshall's and IMO they can't compare to a Cameron

Respectfully...

Roid RAGE

How many of the "plenty" did you actually play in person Tony?
Jerry

ENOUGH TO KNOW I DON'T LIKE THEM.

Roid RAGE

That's what I thought.
Jerry

Relax Jerry... Everyone know's your stuff is good!

Roid RAGE

Greg - are you stirring shit?

Tony has a point. My CCV isn't a 100% CCV. It is Kurt's old snakeskin customized CCV built to his specs by Mark and I think was called a KKV? Anyway, it doesn't have the first channel gain characteristics of the CCV nor does it have all the EQ options on channel 2 or master EQ's that the production CCV has. So, it cannot be compared to a production CCV. It is still a powerhouse though and will peel paint off the walls. As wishy washy and undependable as Mark is, he makes an awesome amp with great skill and form.

The FJA modded Marshall that I got from Jerry is wicked and a killer amp. Right now, it is much better suiting my needs than any other amp I own, including the Cameron. And, it is a little bit of apples and oranges. If I had only one amp in the arsenal, this would be it - along with the $$$ for the rest . If you are after an amp with lots of fur and retaining the Marshall tone with top quality work, this is it and I would recommend Jerry to anyone that wants to send in an amp + add money and get the amp back (amp+money=modded amp or send money = new amp). I know this is a new concept, but true

Now, back to Mark Cameron and the CCV-100 which I don't have yet - its been 4 months now, going on 5 and I am ready for my CCV to get off Mark's bench, and onto my bench. And, if someone can actually get Mark to answer his damn phone, ask him to answer my calls or pass a message. Its not the wait, its the failure to communicate

It all good though.....

Steve

 

[RoidRage]

Greg - are you stirring shit?

Tony has a point. My CCV isn't a 100% CCV. It is Kurt's old snakeskin customized CCV built to his specs by Mark and I think was called a KKV? Anyway, it doesn't have the first channel gain characteristics of the CCV nor does it have all the EQ options on channel 2 or master EQ's that the production CCV has. So, it cannot be compared to a production CCV. It is still a powerhouse though and will peel paint off the walls. As wishy washy and undependable as Mark is, he makes an awesome amp with great skill and form.

The FJA modded Marshall that I got from Jerry is wicked and a killer amp. Right now, it is much better suiting my needs than any other amp I own, including the Cameron. And, it is a little bit of apples and oranges. If I had only one amp in the arsenal, this would be it - along with the $$$ for the rest . If you are after an amp with lots of fur and retaining the Marshall tone with top quality work, this is it and I would recommend Jerry to anyone that wants to send in an amp + add money and get the amp back (amp+money=modded amp or send money = new amp). I know this is a new concept, but true

Now, back to Mark Cameron and the CCV-100 which I don't have yet - its been 4 months now, going on 5 and I am ready for my CCV to get off Mark's bench, and onto my bench. And, if someone can actually get Mark to answer his damn phone, ask him to answer my calls or pass a message. Its not the wait, its the failure to communicate

It all good though.....

Steve

Steve,

I know you have been patient beyond belief... You're a great guy. I know you will get the amp in the end and be happy with it.

As opposed to this other stuff... Well... All I can say is variety is the spice of life. Anyone that thinks something is better than a CCV More power to them... If it makes them happy GREAT!

I have no agenda with this other than saying... The CCV is what I like.. I've been playing HEAVY METAL... For 30 years... I'm a detail, and a tone Freak... I'm an AUDIOPHILE, and have been involved with Hi-End Stereo since High School, I have had Many Hi-End Amps including Moddified Diezel HERBERT with a MILLS Cabinet, And For me Nothing Comes close to a CCV.

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

 

[steve_k]

Greg - are you stirring shit?

Tony has a point. My CCV isn't a 100% CCV. It is Kurt's old snakeskin customized CCV built to his specs by Mark and I think was called a KKV? Anyway, it doesn't have the first channel gain characteristics of the CCV nor does it have all the EQ options on channel 2 or master EQ's that the production CCV has. So, it cannot be compared to a production CCV. It is still a powerhouse though and will peel paint off the walls. As wishy washy and undependable as Mark is, he makes an awesome amp with great skill and form.

The FJA modded Marshall that I got from Jerry is wicked and a killer amp. Right now, it is much better suiting my needs than any other amp I own, including the Cameron. And, it is a little bit of apples and oranges. If I had only one amp in the arsenal, this would be it - along with the $$$ for the rest . If you are after an amp with lots of fur and retaining the Marshall tone with top quality work, this is it and I would recommend Jerry to anyone that wants to send in an amp + add money and get the amp back (amp+money=modded amp or send money = new amp). I know this is a new concept, but true

Now, back to Mark Cameron and the CCV-100 which I don't have yet - its been 4 months now, going on 5 and I am ready for my CCV to get off Mark's bench, and onto my bench. And, if someone can actually get Mark to answer his damn phone, ask him to answer my calls or pass a message. Its not the wait, its the failure to communicate

It all good though.....

Steve

Steve,

I know you have been patient beyond belief... You're a great guy. I know you will get the amp in the end and be happy with it.

As opposed to this other stuff... Well... All I can say is variety is the spice of life. Anyone that thinks something is better than a CCV More power to them... If it makes them happy GREAT!

I have no agenda with this other than saying... The CCV is what I like.. I've been playing HEAVY METAL... For 30 years... I'm a detail, and a tone Freak... I'm an AUDIOPHILE, and have been involved with Hi-End Stereo since High School, I have had Many Hi-End Amps including Moddified Diezel HERBERT with a MILLS Cabinet, And For me Nothing Comes close to a CCV.

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

Gonna do just that. I loaded the boat with the SED Seconds from Tube Depot. Bought 6 matched quads for less than half the normal price. When I saw your bias, I liked to have shit. If I cook one of these, it is not a problem.

Back to the amp comments, its a versatility thing.

Steve

 

[glip22]

I know Steve, My Wife has been very serious lately with two herniated discs. I have to find some fun somewhere. No offense to anyone.I'm really not too bad. You know that. In truth I have never played a CCV. PsychoDave invited me over to bring my Wizard and Cornford. I'm afraid to go. I have a bad feeling I will be leaving in the same spirits as the OP and will be having beers with GBSMUSIC Cause there will somehow be a CCV in my rack, but there will be no Wifey in my bed. GBSMUSIC is smart enough to sell things first. I can't say that about myself. Just snuck the JMP right past her yesterday. She just assumed it was one of the other amps.

 

[steve_k]

I know Steve, My Wife has been very serious lately with two herniated discs. I have to find some fun somewhere. No offense to anyone.I'm really not too bad. You know that. In truth I have never played a CCV. PsychoDave invited me over to bring my Wizard and Cornford. I'm afraid to go. I have a bad feeling I will be leaving in the same spirits as the OP and will be having beers with GBSMUSIC Cause there will somehow be a CCV in my rack, but there will be no Wifey in my bed. GBSMUSIC is smart enough to sell things first. I can't say that about myself. Just snuck the JMP right past her yesterday. She just assumed it was one of the other amps.

Hope your wife gets better. Hard to be a good roadie with a bad back

I hope its all in fun. Otherwise, its an expensive fucking habit to be self-righteous about

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Love these threads!! I really do!! lol!!!

 

[glip22]

I know Steve, My Wife has been very serious lately with two herniated discs. I have to find some fun somewhere. No offense to anyone.I'm really not too bad. You know that. In truth I have never played a CCV. PsychoDave invited me over to bring my Wizard and Cornford. I'm afraid to go. I have a bad feeling I will be leaving in the same spirits as the OP and will be having beers with GBSMUSIC Cause there will somehow be a CCV in my rack, but there will be no Wifey in my bed. GBSMUSIC is smart enough to sell things first. I can't say that about myself. Just snuck the JMP right past her yesterday. She just assumed it was one of the other amps.

Hope your wife gets better. Hard to be a good roadie with a bad back

I hope its all in fun. Otherwise, its an expensive fucking habit to be self-righteous about

Steve

Yes, It really is mostly all in fun

 

[Erock]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

 

[glip22]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

Running your bias that high puts you at risk for tube failure in a very bad way. If you are playing at high volume, too high of a bias can cause a tube to arc and possibly take out your OT among other things. You're putting an awfull lot of trust in your mains fuse?

 

[glip22]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

Running your bias that high puts you at risk for tube failure in a very bad way. If you are playing at high volume, too high of a bias can cause a tube to arc and possibly take out your OT among other things. You're putting an awfull lot of trust in your mains fuse?

Your missing a step in your bias calculation. At 530PV you should be biasing 70% of maximum plate dissipation is 33 MA. I would be running mine no more than 30ma. 25/530=.0471. You have to multiply this number by the percentage you would like to figure MA. .0471 is your MPD.
.0471 x 70%= .329 MA or 33MA. You guys are lucky you havn't had fireworks yet.

 

[Erock]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

Running your bias that high puts you at risk for tube failure in a very bad way. If you are playing at high volume, too high of a bias can cause a tube to arc and possibly take out your OT among other things. You're putting an awfull lot of trust in your mains fuse?

Your missing a step in your bias calculation. At 530PV you should be biasing 70% of maximum plate dissipation is 33 MA. I would be running mine no more than 30ma. 25/530=.0471. You have to multiply this number by the percentage you would like to figure MA. .0471 is your MPD.
.0471 x 70%= .329 MA or 33MA. You guys are lucky you havn't had fireworks yet.

nah man, I didn't miss that step, see the bold?

 

[steve_k]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

That's where I was coming from on the bias. I checked mine the other day when I got it and they were 46mA. Not many EL34's could handle that abuse, especially in the 50's. My Wizard came from the factory biased at 48mA and I damn near blew the lid off one of the JJ's that was in it. Looking at Tony's CCV faceplate picture, he has Gain 1/Gain 2 wound to the stops too

Got to go find a grounding problem in my new Man Cave. Converted the garage to a music room, now I am getting a nasty hum through every outlet with my Cameron, Marshall and Marsha fuck........

Steve

 

[RoidRage]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

Running your bias that high puts you at risk for tube failure in a very bad way. If you are playing at high volume, too high of a bias can cause a tube to arc and possibly take out your OT among other things. You're putting an awfull lot of trust in your mains fuse?

Your missing a step in your bias calculation. At 530PV you should be biasing 70% of maximum plate dissipation is 33 MA. I would be running mine no more than 30ma. 25/530=.0471. You have to multiply this number by the percentage you would like to figure MA. .0471 is your MPD.
.0471 x 70%= .329 MA or 33MA. You guys are lucky you havn't had fireworks yet.

I've been modding & rebuilding high end stereo amps that cost more than high end luxury cars for years... You not telling me anything I didn't know 20 years ago...

That is correct... with a 25% disapation for the EL34 @ 70% max 33ma is correct with a 530v Plate... But there are no absolutes, and I've talked with Mark about this... And what he said was Basically if it feels good do it!

Now I'm not taking responsibilty for anything... You go at your own risk... But that being said... Nick has been running 44ma @ INSANE stage volumes indefinately with no problems, it will wear out tubes faster... But we are at the EXTREME for Tone and Performance Yes? We didn't go to the trouble of getting all these exotic amps because we are satified with stock amps from Guitar Center... If you can't run with the big dogs get off the porch!

Another factor where I'm concerned is I don't run in High all the time... In Low my amp runs @ 38ma, and that's where I stay mostly... When I mean business I go to high, and Pound!

Another practice to help is to let the tubes warm up & cool down slowly... I don't go right to high I make sure I'm in standby for 10min, In Low for 15min then I go to High, and reverse the prceedure before shut down... Never go from High to standby... I keep it in low for 10min at least before going to standby to let the tubes expand and contract gradually.

Your Mileage my vary... But I tell you one thing... 34ma sounds like Drivel! and 55ma Is the sound of the Gods!! I think 44ma is a good comprimise. A lot of amps sound Harsh or course with High Bias My JMP is like that... The CCV is a different Animal... The Higher the Bias the Better it Sounds and FEELS! Timing is Better, it's more Liquid and easier to play!

Your Call.

Roid RAGE

 

[Erock]

That's where I was coming from on the bias. I checked mine the other day when I got it and they were 46mA. Not many EL34's could handle that abuse, especially in the 50's. My Wizard came from the factory biased at 48mA and I damn near blew the lid off one of the JJ's that was in it. Looking at Tony's CCV faceplate picture, he has Gain 1/Gain 2 wound to the stops too

Got to go find a grounding problem in my new Man Cave. Converted the garage to a music room, now I am getting a nasty hum through every outlet with my Cameron, Marshall and Marsha fuck........

Steve

yeah man, I actually liked the sound better running more in the lower ranges too. Gave it a nice percussive "thwack" that I dig, it was a bit too almost "furry" sounding with the bias wound up that high for my tastes.

and yeah, same here for the Wizard. I've been thru 2 sets of the E34L's in that thing, it ate them like candy too, lol. It's had a set of Winged =C= in it for a few months now, and they seem to be holding up nicely to the abuse. As an aside, I'm actually diggin the E34L in the CCV, I am a bit worried about them handling that high plate voltage, but man, giave it some more of that tight percussive lowend I look for. They don't growl as much as the =C='s do in the mids, but it's not like the CCV needs any help in that area.

I've been modding & rebuilding high end stereo amps that cost more than high end luxury cars for years... You not telling me anything I didn't know 20 years ago...

That is correct... with a 25% disapation for the EL34 @ 70% max 33ma is correct with a 530v Plate... But there are no absolutes, and I've talked with Mark about this... And what he said was Basically if it feels good do it!

Now I'm not taking responsibilty for anything... You go at your own risk... But that being said... Nick has been running 44ma @ INSANE stage volumes indefinately with no problems, it will wear out tubes faster... But we are at the EXTREME for Tone and Performance Yes? We didn't go to the trouble of getting all these exotic amps because we are satified with stock amps from Guitar Center... If you can't run with the big dogs get off the porch!

Another factor where I'm concerned is I don't run in High all the time... In Low my amp runs @ 38ma, and that's where I stay mostly... When I mean business I go to high, and Pound!

Another practice to help is to let the tubes warm up & cool down slowly... I don't go right to high I make sure I'm in standby for 10min, In Low for 15min then I go to High, and reverse the prceedure before shut down... Never go from High to standby... I keep it in low for 10min at least before going to standby to let the tubes expand and contract gradually.

Your Mileage my vary... But I tell you one thing... 34ma sounds like Drivel! and 55ma Is the sound of the Gods!! I think 44ma is a good comprimise.

Your Call.

Roid RAGE

hey Tony, not trying to criticize, that just seemed high to me, but I'm no expert by any means. The man himself runs them high, so I'm not going to say one way is better for anyone else but me.

 

[steve_k]

One thing I've been meaning to ask you about... I hear tell you are running 34ma with this version of the CCV you have. I can tell you there is a world of difference between 34ma, and 44ma with this amp.... The FEEL, TEXTURE, AND PLAYIBILITY OF THE CCV Improves Greatly with Higher BIAS... It's a Profound Difference. It gets more Liquid, and the Timing get's better... It's easier to play, and becomes Brutal with High Bias... I run mine up to 55ma in High.

Mark a lot of times set's these by ear, and my amp came REAL HIGH.

I strongly urge you to set bias at AT LEAST 45ma, and Report back to us your findings...

Thanks,

Tony

geeze man, 55mA seems really high. I measured the plate voltage on mine, and it's around 530 Vdc plate volts, which is like the Bogners I've owned have run at. With the P=VI formula, P/V=I max current gives me around 25W/530Vdc = 47mA max idle current. I run mine around the middle of the 60-70% of max current range, which is what I've always been told is the generally recommended bias range for tube life and tone, more in the 28-33mA area. If your plate voltage is anywhere near what I'm reading on mine, running the bias up at 55mA, you must be eating thru tubes like candy!

I will say though, when I first got mine, it was running around 46mA too. Mark must like to really run the bias high and get those tubes cooking, lucky Winged =C= are practically bulletproof!

Running your bias that high puts you at risk for tube failure in a very bad way. If you are playing at high volume, too high of a bias can cause a tube to arc and possibly take out your OT among other things. You're putting an awfull lot of trust in your mains fuse?

Your missing a step in your bias calculation. At 530PV you should be biasing 70% of maximum plate dissipation is 33 MA. I would be running mine no more than 30ma. 25/530=.0471. You have to multiply this number by the percentage you would like to figure MA. .0471 is your MPD.
.0471 x 70%= .329 MA or 33MA. You guys are lucky you havn't had fireworks yet.

I've been modding & rebuilding high end stereo amps that cost more than high end luxury cars for years... You not telling me anything I didn't know 20 years ago...

That is correct... with a 25% disapation for the EL34 @ 70% max 33ma is correct with a 530v Plate... But there are no absolutes, and I've talked with Mark about this... And what he said was Basically if it feels good do it!

Now I'm not taking responsibilty for anything... You go at your own risk... But that being said... Nick has been running 44ma @ INSANE stage volumes indefinately with no problems, it will wear out tubes faster... But we are at the EXTREME for Tone and Performance Yes? We didn't go to the trouble of getting all these exotic amps because we are satified with stock amps from Guitar Center... If you can't run with the big dogs get off the porch!

Another factor where I'm concerned is I don't run in High all the time... In Low my amp runs @ 38ma, and that's where I stay mostly... When I mean business I go to high, and Pound!

Another practice to help is to let the tubes warm up & cool down slowly... I don't go right to high I make sure I'm in standby for 10min, In Low for 15min then I go to High, and reverse the prceedure before shut down... Never go from High to standby... I keep it in low for 10min at least before going to standby to let the tubes expand and contract gradually.

Your Mileage my vary... But I tell you one thing... 34ma sounds like Drivel! and 55ma Is the sound of the Gods!! I think 44ma is a good comprimise. A lot of amps sound Harsh or course with High Bias My JMP is like that... The CCV is a different Animal... The Higher the Bias the Better it Sounds and FEELS! Timing is Better, it's more Liquid and easier to play!

Your Call.

Roid RAGE

The chassis is out already dude. Good info to know. Got to go through all the matched Winged C quads to find the one's to go back with. Will heat my oatmeal up on top of the Cameron for breakfast and update tomorrow .

Steve

 

[glip22]

I see now where you didn't miss the step. My bad. Steve, the Wizard does put some smack on the tubes. I believe the screen and plate supplies to the power tubes are underfiltered. The filtering in my MC was a little wacked. There is actually too much filtering in the preamp and not enough elsewhere. The power supply had to low of a capacitance, same with the screen and plate supplies. That's the reason why you can easily blow the tops off of of the powertubes like Hollywood did. When working with an amp there are other considerations like the filtering. I guarantee you will cause damage in the Wizard if you run too high. The Camerons are probably filtered perfectly and running high bias is probably not too risky. I am by no means an expert. Just a simple novice that will probably cook himself one day.

 

[EXPcustom]

I want someone to run a CCV and Wizard MC at the same time and post clips.

I think it would be too awesome and the guy that runs the internet would have to shut this website down.

 

[RoidRage]

The chassis is out already dude. Good info to know. Got to go through all the matched Winged C quads to find the one's to go back with. Will heat my oatmeal up on top of the Cameron for breakfast and update tomorrow .

Steve

Steve,

Make sure the tubes you select to put back in are matched perfectly! Be aware that even if they have the same numbers... If they were matched by different venders... The tubes could be way off.

Different services use different equipment, and also could match at different voltages! Making the Number on the side of the tube meaningless. If one tube draws more than the rest... You will have a problem... Remember you have 4 tubes drinking from the same -Voltage troth, that current is very small, and an imbalance could make the other tubes skyrocket! Matching is Key when you are playing with the big boys...

I trust nobody... That's why I check with my Hickok 539 C... NASA used to use this model to test tubes for Rockets back in the day!

Roid

 

[davenit]

Thank god for guys like you because without you I'd never get anything done on my amps. I have zero, I mean zero clue about biasing amps. Always been afraid of the damn things when I hear that if you touch the wrong spot you could die. That's usually my resistance point, or in your terms...

Resistance = ((Dave+amp)/voltage * zeroknowlege)+70%possibilityofdeath

I just sit with my tech and he keeps pushing till it sounds good to my ears. Then he tells me if I'm insane or not. I then ask how long the tubes will last (I play out 2-3 times a week with max volume and an attenuator). If he say's under 3 months I have him crank it back a bit. There's my scientific means of biasing my amps.

 

[gbsmusic]

The chassis is out already dude. Good info to know. Got to go through all the matched Winged C quads to find the one's to go back with. Will heat my oatmeal up on top of the Cameron for breakfast and update tomorrow .

Steve

Steve,

Make sure the tubes you select to put back in are matched perfectly! Be aware that even if they have the same numbers... If they were matched by different venders... The tubes could be way off.

Different services use different equipment, and also could match at different voltages! Making the Number on the side of the tube meaningless. If one tube draws more than the rest... You will have a problem... Remember you have 4 tubes drinking from the same -Voltage troth, that current is very small, and an imbalance could make the other tubes skyrocket! Matching is Key when you are playing with the big boys...

I trust nobody... That's why I check with my Hickok 539 C... NASA used to use this model to test tubes for Rockets back in the day!

Roid

RR you call that a tube tester? This is a 2015 prototype that I just got from NASA, they wont be on the market until 2020!!!!!!! This was in my Grandpa's garage sitting and after he past away I grabbed it. Ive never used it, hell I dont know if it even works, but I know its old!! It is a beauty though hugh??????