Re: Half power, removing tubes..


Bolshoi@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Hello group!! I'm still in the learning stage w/ these tube amps..
> I heard that u can cut power half on tubes amp by removing half
> installed 4-2 and 2-1?
> how will this affect the amp? will this void warranty? I downloaded
> manuals of those Mesa Recto's and it's mention there u can remove half
> of the tubes..will this also go to other amps, combo or head? and
> there's a switch for those double rectifiers, select vacum tubes or
> silicone diode (hi-power) is that a half power switch like pentode and
> triode thing? don't see that switch on the 50 watts single recto.. I
> wish Mesa makes amps just for home user only like 15-25 watts Recto?
> those amps are nice but too dam loud..

First of all - removing tubes for "half power" will only work
on output tubes. Removing preamp tubes will not effect
the output power.

Second - removing tubes for lowering power will only work
in a push-pull design with 4 tubes and the tubes removed
must be one from each 'side' or leg of the output circuit.
By removing one tube from a 2 tube push-pull circuit the
amp will still work and it will lower the power but it's not
recommended because the sound will be very distorted.
(try it and see if you like the sound ... ?)

Some amps with a low power switch will take a lower
B+ voltage from a power tranformer secondary tap, or
taking B+ from the midpoint of a voltage doubler (common
to amps with very high voltages like MusicMan)

The difference in power by the different rectifier types
is not really a half power thing, the difference is less.
The pentode vs triode deal is more of a sound change
although the power is a bit less on triodes.

BTW all guitar amps are "too loud", just ask Dad.

rd

.

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