How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

[GreatOz]

Good day,

I heard that it is a good idea to get an amp re-biased every 3 to 4 months for 2 hours of use per day or so, but I am new to tube amps and I use mine less than that.

Just a rule of thumb, I play my amp prolly around 8 to 10 or so hours per week, I'm still new to tube amps so how often should I have a tech re-bias it?

I'm asking because I heard it was good to get an amp re-biased every 3 to 4 months with playing about 2 hours a day, but I don't play quite that much. I play for Church, typically 4 hours on Sunday and 2 hours on rehearsal day. Beyond that, I'll play about 2 to 4 hours outside that for practice.

For reference, I have a Blackstar HT5R MkII.

My current plan was about every 6 months, is this a good "schedule"?

Thanks,
GreatOz

 

[Demanic]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

I would only do it when you put in a new set of tubes.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk

 

[devastone]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

For that amp, never, it doesn't have a bias adjustment.

For amps that need rebiasing, I usually only re-biased when I put in new tubes unless I wanted to try running them a little hotter, which will go through tubes faster.

 

[BenPerkins]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

For that amp, never, it doesn't have a bias adjustment.

I’m also seeing online that it’s cathode biased; you can just swap tubes without adjustment. Might want to verify with Blackstar, but pretty sure this is the case.

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

HT-5 is cathode biased so the tubes for that amplifier are plug & play, also Blackstar amps run very cool in any case?

For you essentially any EL84’s will run fine in it so long as they are matched to some degree .....

However if it were a fixed biased amplifier you should only need to bias them when you instal them, but it’s good practice to check for bias “drift” every couple hundred hours of playing time & only if you actually know what you are doing! If you are fairly new to valves I would suggest that you stay away from the individual components, tubes, trim pots, Etc. of that little head & just play/enjoy it....

 

[GreatOz]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

Thanks for the responses, looks like all I'll need is an extra set of tubes.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

I like cathode biased amps because you don't have to futz around with figuring out bias stuff when you plug in new tubes.

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

I like cathode biased amps because you don't have to futz around with figuring out bias stuff when you plug in new tubes.

Awwww Come on! Cathode biased are no fun!! How are you going to overbias your tubes for that extra ballz? :lmao

I used to always run my Marshalls at %10 extra lovin' .

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

I'm comfortable with the balls size of my amp.

 

[Ascension]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

Awwww Come on! Cathode biased are no fun!! How are you going to overbias your tubes for that extra ballz? :lmao

I used to always run my Marshalls at %10 extra lovin' .

Well that's with a set of El34 or 6L6 power tubes. El 84's have a tendency to shall we say be rather fragile so over biasing a set of them will likely get you a big red GLOW from your amp when the power tubes light up like light bulbs right in the middle of a set just before the melt down!

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

HT-5 is cathode biased so the tubes for that amplifier are plug & play, also Blackstar amps run very cool in any case?

For you essentially any EL84’s will run fine in it so long as they are matched to some degree .....

However if it were a fixed biased amplifier you should only need to bias them when you instal them, but it’s good practice to check for bias “drift” every couple hundred hours of playing time & only if you actually know what you are doing! If you are fairly new to valves I would suggest that you stay away from the individual components, tubes, trim pots, Etc. of that little head & just play/enjoy it....

Except this amp uses a single 12BH7 in the power section. Don't try an EL84.

 

[Ascension]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

I'm comfortable with the balls size of my amp.

LOL just had to

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

Except this amp uses a single 12BH7 in the power section. Don't try an EL84.

My mistake, I was thinking of another amplifier, & yes, don’t try a EL84 in there!!!

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: How often to get an amp's tubes rebiased

Well that's with a set of El34 or 6L6 power tubes. El 84's have a tendency to shall we say be rather fragile so over biasing a set of them will likely get you a big red GLOW from your amp when the power tubes light up like light bulbs right in the middle of a set just before the melt down!

Ha. yeah, i've never over biased anything but EL34s, and KT88/6550s.

Basically Marshalls, Traynors, Ampegs etc etc