Furman Power Regulator... Anyone else using them?

[FourT6and2]

A regulator won't improve your tone, but it will help keep things more consistent.

This is the main thing right here.
It's in the name Voltage Regulator and is why these cost more than the power conditioner's.
Power conditioners are great for the rack where things are digital and voltage isn't the biggest issue,
However, for tube amps, regulators are the ones to get. Consistent voltage=consistent tone from gig to gig.
This really matters when you are at the mercy of someone else's outlet.

Just my experience, YMMV

Agreed... Its consistency that this unit offers, which is really the point of it . For a giging musicians plugging there gear cords into random holes this unit offers a bit more peace of mind that your rig will sound the same and be protected ...

But Furman, themselves, said they would not recommend the regulator for a guitar amp application. That's why the recommended the other unit, the PF-R. But I don't understand the benefits of that unit considering it doesn't actually regulate voltage. It just protects against surges (among other secondary features).

 

[maddnotez]

So for the noobs, how can we tell what the plate voltage is and how does is affect the actual voltage of the amp?

The amp I'm getting I was told the plate voltage depends on which power tubes and bias setting.
Could range from 475-525. It's a KT88/6l6 amp.

I may consider getting one of these regulators but would like to know how to use it correctly, even if I had a different amp with different plate voltage.

 

[GtarLover]

Thing about plate voltage is it depends on the bias setting of your power tubes.
Each manufacturer recommends a bias setting, for example Mesa amps are fixed bias even if you change tubes, leaving the guess work out of it.
However, most have recommended settings that make the amp sound the way the manufacturer thinks it should, based on their view. Then, many artists use different bias settings, either hot (higher) or cold (lower). This effects how the amp sounds. Of course, other equipment matters in the overall tone as well, however the bias is directly related to how much voltage the tubes receive.

There is usually some good info on this forum regarding a variety of bias settings for a variety of amps.
Plus, many guys and gals have personal knowledge and can help too.

As far as regulators go, as I mentioned earlier, regulators will deliver a consistent amount of voltage, so whatever your bias settings, you get THAT voltage to the tubes. So, you get more consistent tone from the amp in whatever setting. I believe consistency is paramount to enjoying a gig myself. I want my tone to be awesome wherever I gland if I enjoy the sound, I enjoy playing more.

The other important part is surge protection. This can be achieved without a regulator. I was at a club where lights got plugged in on the other side of the stage, thinking that was a different circuit. Well, it wasn't and everything blew!!! Totally dead. Fortunately my Furman protected my amp and after resetting things and switching the lighting, we played the gig and my amp was fine. Don't know what would have happened without my Furman.

Hope that makes some sense. Personally I have regulators and also have a power factor pro rack conditioner for rack stuff. If the $$ has you stopping, think about it as insurance for your EXPENSIVE amp and buy used. When they come up for sale and you just gotta grab them.

 

[TrueTone500]

Tip: The toroidal transformer will hum a bit, but will stop as soon as you place a load on it.

 

[maddnotez]

Thing about plate voltage is it depends on the bias setting of your power tubes.
Each manufacturer recommends a bias setting, for example Mesa amps are fixed bias even if you change tubes, leaving the guess work out of it.
However, most have recommended settings that make the amp sound the way the manufacturer thinks it should, based on their view. Then, many artists use different bias settings, either hot (higher) or cold (lower). This effects how the amp sounds. Of course, other equipment matters in the overall tone as well, however the bias is directly related to how much voltage the tubes receive.

There is usually some good info on this forum regarding a variety of bias settings for a variety of amps.
Plus, many guys and gals have personal knowledge and can help too.

As far as regulators go, as I mentioned earlier, regulators will deliver a consistent amount of voltage, so whatever your bias settings, you get THAT voltage to the tubes. So, you get more consistent tone from the amp in whatever setting. I believe consistency is paramount to enjoying a gig myself. I want my tone to be awesome wherever I gland if I enjoy the sound, I enjoy playing more.

The other important part is surge protection. This can be achieved without a regulator. I was at a club where lights got plugged in on the other side of the stage, thinking that was a different circuit. Well, it wasn't and everything blew!!! Totally dead. Fortunately my Furman protected my amp and after resetting things and switching the lighting, we played the gig and my amp was fine. Don't know what would have happened without my Furman.

Hope that makes some sense. Personally I have regulators and also have a power factor pro rack conditioner for rack stuff. If the $$ has you stopping, think about it as insurance for your EXPENSIVE amp and buy used. When they come up for sale and you just gotta grab them.

Does make sense thanks. I need to determine where I'm going to set my bias first then figure out the equation.

I'm pretty much done with rack gear and I saw these T-Rex pedals. What do you guys think of these?

http://www.t-rex-effects.com/fueltank-classic/

The only bad thing I can see is there's only a 115v and 230v option, nothing in between.

Are there any others in pedal format that would give me a better range? Maybe I'd get lucky an end up with 115v for every amp for ever but I doubt it.

Sorry to derail. Just was curious about this and good op Ty. I've never considered this stuff before and glad I now know.

 

[Shark Diver]

Friedman had told me he didn't regulators. Still not to sure why.

I use both the regulator and PF (plugged into the regulator).

Maybe why Furman suggest the PF for amp rigs: Furman’s exclusive Power Factor provides a 45A peak current reservoir to minimize the detrimental effects of line impedance on high-current gear such as amplifiers and powered monitors. Clear Tone Technology provides additional line noise filtration tuned for instrument amplifiers for clean and consistent tone. Plus, equipment benefits from professional-level protection thanks to Furman’s exclusive SMP and EVS technologies.

I've had 2 regulators get blown up over the years - equipment fine. So I use them. I doubt a lost cost surge would have saved my equipment, but who knows.