Members pogoshoes Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I was wondering if any guitar could be used to give one the best results of how an amp will sound when biasing,or if it's best to use the main guitar that one plans to use with that amp? Will it make that big of a difference,or is it more a broader characteristic of the amp's own sound (based upon what speakers and tubes are being used) that is being dialed in reguardless of the guitar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FearTheVoices Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I bias every time i changed strings.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarbilly74 Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I am not sure if I understand the question. You bias at the best range for the tubes you are putting in. The guitar, speakers etc don't matter at all. So the short answer to your question is no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mamberg Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 The Gear Page is that way >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members diocide Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I change my pots and caps in my guitar every time I change the cable. Cables go bad just like anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Megadeth Man Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Yeah, you can bias an amp for a specific guitar. Whether you should is of course a matter of choice.These days I pretty much always tune the bias on my amps to a specific guitar; that includes the preamp valves... I'm pretty sure not many people realise the dramatic effect bias has on the distortion characteristics, thus the tone and feel, of an amp.I imagine amp makers don't add bias control pots for every stage is to avoid user error, for simplicity and tradition... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I bias every time i changed strings.. Sheeeeeeeeiiiiiiiitttttt, I bias my amp every time I tune my guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogoshoes Posted February 18, 2012 Author Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 If biasing alters the way the tubes sound,that alters the way the speakers sound,which alters the way the guitar sounds through the amp,right? Or does finding the sweet spot of biasing the tubes have only to do with the tubes alone and every guitar will benefit the same for better or worse? I was just wondering if it was better for a tech to use my guitar,or like model,when my amp is in the shop getting biased or if it's fine that he just uses whatever guitar is handy? Wouldn't high or low output pickups effect the way the amp breaks up? I'm hoping the answer is "no,it doesn't really make a difference what guitar is used". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 If biasing alters the way the tubes sound,that alters the way the speakers sound,which alters the way the guitar sounds through the amp,right? Or does finding the sweet spot of biasing the tubes have only to do with the tubes alone and every guitar will benefit the same for better or worse? I was just wondering if it was better for a tech to use my guitar,or like model,when my amp is in the shop getting biased or if it's fine that he just uses whatever guitar is handy? Wouldn't high or low output pickups effect the way the amp breaks up?I'm hoping the answer is "no,it doesn't really make a difference what guitar is used". Post #3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Megadeth Man Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Post #3. Does not take account of the fact that the primary reason for biasing should be to make the amp sound at its best. Keeping the valves within safe operating range is a secondary concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members les_paul Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 IMO the short answer is you'd probably better tweak the EQ rather than the bias. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members munizfire Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I am not sure if I understand the question. You bias at the best range for the tubes you are putting in. The guitar, speakers etc don't matter at all. So the short answer to your question is no. needs more graphs... BUT YEA, THIS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Megadeth Man Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Additional info on biasing: OP, you didn't say what amp you were having biased. How significant effect the bias point has on the sound is relative to how much the valves are overdriving. i.e. if you're using mainly preamp overdrive with a pretty clean power section then the effect of the power valve's bias point will be less than if you were using an amp that is using medium/heavy power section overdrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Yes, everything has an effect on your sound: guitar, pickups, valves, bias, speakers, etc...If your tech's actually fine tuning the bias by ear with a guitar then that's a +1 for the tech.If this issue bothers you then take the axe you want to use to the tech then have him adjust the bias, you play the guitar and you say when it sounds good.Does not take account of the fact that the primary reason for biasing should be to make the amp sound at its best. Keeping the valves within safe operating range is a secondary concern. What if you have more than one type of guitar? Or what happens if one day you decide to change pickups? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members munizfire Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 What if you have more than one type of guitar? Or what happens if one day you decide to change pickups? try to divide by zero while staring at Eve Torres' boob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members exafro Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 I bet this guys tech hates him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 try to divide by zero while staring at Eve Torres' boob I have to drain my caps every time I look at Eve Torres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Megadeth Man Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 What if you have more than one type of guitar? Or what happens if one day you decide to change pickups?Then the amp will have to be re-biased or you will suffer with sub-optimal tone... Otherwise, the point that has been dialled in to the chosen axe is quite likely to sound half-decent with the rest of one's axes too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jesse G Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Bias the amp correctly for the tubes and play the guitar. This is insane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Just Mike Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 or is it more a broader characteristic of the amp's own sound (based upon what speakers and tubes are being used) that is being dialed in reguardless of the guitar? Yes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Bias the amp correctly for the tubes and play the guitar. This is more insane than TGP insane Fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mamberg Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Wouldn't high or low output pickups effect the way the amp breaks up? also yes - if you want your amp to respond differently to different guitars, then this would be an issue - for instance, if you wanted your clean sound with your Fenders Squiers, but all out distortion with your Gibsons Epiphones, then I could see why you may want the amp biased differently. most people around these parts would just buy another amp though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members isvoid Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Gat damn it Izzy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarbilly74 Posted February 18, 2012 Members Share Posted February 18, 2012 Yeah, you can bias an amp for a specific guitar. Whether you should is of course a matter of choice. These days I pretty much always tune the bias on my amps to a specific guitar; that includes the preamp valves... I'm pretty sure not many people realise the dramatic effect bias has on the distortion characteristics, thus the tone and feel, of an amp. I imagine amp makers don't add bias control pots for every stage is to avoid user error, for simplicity and tradition... Oh that's good to know, I will start rebiasing my amp in between songs when I switch guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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