5E3 Tube Bias

[ogion]

Hello all, stoked this forum exists !!! This is my 1st post, I have just joined.

This amp (the 5E3) is my very 1st tube amp so forgive me if I am a little bit of a newbie.

I lent this amp to a mate at work (he's very knowledgeable with tube amps) and he said he loved it,
as did my brother-in-law, I love it as well, its awesome, I think I'll have it in another 5 decades.

Anyway, I was interested in playing around with different brand tubes and seeing what kind of sounds
I can get out of this amp, my question thou, and I did read it elsewhere but I just wanted confirmation
from you guys, if I change different brand 6v6GT's do I need to bias the amp or not ?

Cheers, and thanks for your time, Adam

[SammyC]

Hi there,
The 5E3 is cathode-biased, no need to worry about that. Check out Fuzzy's post and replies. This amp runs HOT.
I had a PT prob right out the gate with mine and I thought I changed the recto with the PT, but it's a dead ringer for a brown base Sylvania 5Y3GWT. I'm not sure what Nik uses but this is not a Sovtek. Point being, check that rectifier tube. If it's that brown base, no labeling just 5Y3GWT stamped on top, it's a goodun and built like a tank. If not, go NOS on your 5Y3 ($30-40 maybe less), it'll run cooler and probally last a lifetime.
On power tubes, I highly recommend the Tungsol new issues. They're heavy duty, run cooler and sound great. They are a little more expensive but, IMO, worth it.
I hope this helps a little. You could go Ga-Ga on the NOS thing and well worth investigating but I think this will give you a great start.
SammyC   

[cmoore]

I installed a larger value bias resistor in my clone. Just seemed like it was biased way too hot with the stock 250 ohm resistor.
Good Luck

[ogion]

Awesome info, I was looking at the Tung-Sol and umming and arghing over them, I think I just might do it grab em and see how I go. Cheers fellas.

[wyatt]

You should be okay trying different 6V6's as long as everything is in spec.  The B+ voltage should be around 375VDC, and not much higher.

Never use a modern 5Y3 rectifier, it'll raise the B+ higher than most 6V6's like to see.  Always go NOS, NOS 5Y3's are $10-15, same price as modern ones and one may last you a lifetime.  This point should be moot, because, IIRC, Ceriatone ships with NOS 5Y3's anyway.