Tubes and Amp Bias question for ENGL SAVAGE 120

[Fret-Shredder]

I purchased an ENGL SAVAGE 120 from Craigslist. The previous owner replaced the 2 power tubes with these KT88 Preferred series like the ones in the photo provided below. My question is when its time to replace them if I choose the same tubes again do I need to rebias the amp? Thank you in advance. Michael

 

[John4021]

....yes,rebias.
Only a few amps builders do direct replacement tubes . Those tubes are numbers so the builder can send
them ready to drop in. Suhr PT100 and Friedmans come to mind.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Thank you for the reply but what do you mean by "Those tubes are numbers so the builder can send
them ready to drop in."

....yes,rebias.
Only a few amps builders do direct replacement tubes . Those tubes are numbers so the builder can send
them ready to drop in. Suhr PT100 and Friedmans come to mind.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Congrats on the purchase, its an awesome amp! The Savage is tightest amp I've yet to own. Someone will surely chime in regarding bias, but I'm guessing you'd be best served by setting it to match the grade of the new Power tubes if they're marked with the grade.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Thank you. They are both marked "Perfect Pair" 39. Does anyone have any experience biasing their own SAVAGE 120? How easy is it to do? Thank you.

Congrats on the purchase, its an awesome amp! The Savage is tightest amp I've yet to own. Someone will surely chime in regarding bias, but I'm guessing you'd be best served by setting it to match the grade of the new Power tubes if they're marked with the grade.

 

[John4021]

Thank you for the reply but what do you mean by "Those tubes are numbers so the builder can send
them ready to drop in."

....yes,rebias.
Only a few amps builders do direct replacement tubes . Those tubes are numbers so the builder can send
them ready to drop in. Suhr PT100 and Friedmans come to mind.

They mark the tubes with a Paint marker with a certain number. so if you want to buy direct drop in replacements from the builder,all you do is give them the number.
I still always checked the bias ...just because.

 

[311boogieman]

Hey there,

I don't know anything about these ENGLs but here is some info that might help.

The Tube Store has already matched up 2 - KT88s in the 39 milliAmp range. Power tubes work in pairs which is why it is great that they are matched. There is a very good chance you can just pop these two new tubes in and it will work fine but technically, yes you would want to rebias this amp (assuming it is an adjustable fixed bias amp).

Based on this thread I am assuming that it is:
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index ... t.1260078/

If you have never biased an amp before it can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Even if the amp is unplugged. Below I will paste a link to a biasing tutorial that even though is not for amp it has got some good safety info and how to calculate the bias in mAmps from your plate voltage. Sounds like you are not looking to do that just yet, so this is more of just an FYI. If your amp sounds great as is, I'd be curious as to how it sounds with the two new tubes you have there (assuming that is what is going on).

Engl Savage owners - anything I missed?

http://splawnfans.proboards.com/thread/ ... g-tutorial

Good luck and have fun with your new amp. Love new days.

 

[Rick Lee]

A lot of power tubes have a decal on the base that says "Apex Matching" and will have the transconductance and voltage numbers on them. If you can get those numbers, you can call some tube suppliers and have them match them. Then you can plug and play, no rebias necessary. Though it's always a good idea to check your bias and set it to your preferences within specs.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Thank you everyone for the replies and thank you 311splawndude for all the great info. I appreciate it. Those 39s were already installed by the previous owner when I purchased it from him. He also gave me the original power tubes as back ups just in case I ever want to put them back in. he said that the new tubes were hardly used so there is plenty of life left in them. I dont gig and only play in my house and never for long periods so they probably will last me quite some time. And yes the amp sounds killer to me. Thanks again.

Hey there,

I don't know anything about these ENGLs but here is some info that might help.

The Tube Store has already matched up 2 - KT88s in the 39 milliAmp range. Power tubes work in pairs which is why it is great that they are matched. There is a very good chance you can just pop these two new tubes in and it will work fine but technically, yes you would want to rebias this amp (assuming it is an adjustable fixed bias amp).

Based on this thread I am assuming that it is:
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index ... t.1260078/

If you have never biased an amp before it can be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Even if the amp is unplugged. Below I will paste a link to a biasing tutorial that even though is not for amp it has got some good safety info and how to calculate the bias in mAmps from your plate voltage. Sounds like you are not looking to do that just yet, so this is more of just an FYI. If your amp sounds great as is, I'd be curious as to how it sounds with the two new tubes you have there (assuming that is what is going on).

Engl Savage owners - anything I missed?

http://splawnfans.proboards.com/thread/ ... g-tutorial

Good luck and have fun with your new amp. Love new days.