The following is an excerpt from The
Ultimate Tone - Vol. 2 by Kevin O'Connor.
Vintage guitar amps often produce a tone that is described as "round"
or "mellow," and they can produce a desirable overdrive sound. Some
of these amps are low powered, and others have lower supply voltages
than later models, but many use "cathode bias" for the output tubes
instead of the more efficient "fixed bias" method. Cathode-biased
output tube tone can be "round" if no bypass capacitor is used, or
it can be "crisp" if a cap is used - sounding quite similar to a fixed-bias
output stage.
Modern players have the advantage of an extremely wide "acceptable" tone
range to experiment within. They are not limited to the relatively
clean sounds that were demanded in the fifties. A greater variety
of basic amp tones allows the musician to keep his system simple,
but occasionally places him in the position of requiring more than
one guitar amp for his range of music styles. Depending on individual
requirements, it is often desirable to be able to have both cathode-biased
and fixed-bias tones available from one amp, at the flip of a switch.
Bias switching is a simple task, but demands the use of reliable
components - if you buy surplus parts, confirm their integrity with
an ohmmeter. One consideration that is not critical for every player,
or on every amp, is whether a tremolo feature is present (and used).
If a tremolo is used, then we must not disable the fixed-bias supply
completely, as it is tied into the tremolo as a "mute" control. In
this case, we simply want to disconnect the bias supply from the output
stage when cathode bias is desired.
To accomplish the bias switch in the simplest way, a double-pole double-throw
(DPDT) switch is required. This should be CSA or UL approved, to assure the
quality of the device. It can be a miniature type, though, as the voltage
and current stresses are negligible.
In Fig.1, we see a typical Fender bias-balance
supply with the new cathode-bias option and switching added. To add
the cathode-bias components, you must unsolder the ground straps from
pin-8 of each output tube socket. Two 1-ohm 1/2 watt resistors are
used to tie the cathodes together, and to the bias resistor (Rk).
This resistor will be a high-power wirewound - 10W to 20W, try 500
ohms for a pair of 6L6s, or 800 ohms for a pair of 6V6s. The bypass
capacitor (Ck) can be plastic or electrolytic, depending on the value
you choose. Its voltage rating should be twice the value of the anticipated
DC bias. For electrolytics, make sure that the positive lead is attached
to the 1-ohm resistor bridge, and that the negative lead is tied to
ground. This cap should be kept well away from Rk, as Rk will generate
a lot of heat.
Note that Ck can be switchable also. Place a 10k half-watt resistor in series
with the negative lead of the cap, and connect a second mini-switch across
the resistor. With the resistor shunted by the switch, the cap allows full
output power, and a loud, bright tone. With the resistor isolating the cap
(switch open), the power is restricted but the tone is mellower and breaks
up sooner.
To switch the cathode-biasing components in and out of circuit, contact-A
of the DPDT is wired as in Fig. 1.
The other pole isolates the fixed-bias supply from the grid-leak network
for the output tubes, as appropriate. The second pole is series connected
between the raw bias supply and the bias pot. Lift the wire that goes
to the tremolo off the bias pot, and move it to the supply side of
the switch contact.
For fixed-bias operation, the switch is up. Contact-A is shunting out Rk
and Ck so that the 1-ohm resistors are tied to ground. Contact-B connects
the bias supply to the grid leak network, for stock, fixed-bias operation.
Flipping the switch down allows Rk and Ck to come into play, where the current
flowing through the tubes generates its own bias voltage across Rk. Contact-A
shorts the tap of the bias pot, and thus the grid-leak network, to ground,
so that the cathode-bias arrangement will be complete. Contact-B opens to
isolate this newly grounded point from the bias supply. The supply maintains
its usual level, so that the tremolo can still be turned on and off at will.
An alternative method using a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch and
a transistor is given in Fig. 2. The SPDT
performs the functions of contact-A in the previous circuit, while the transistor
performs contact-B's function.
In cases where there is both no tremolo and the bias supply is plate-derived
(not from its own winding), then an SPDT can be implemented as in Fig.
3. Here, a very large resistance - typically 150k - protects the bias
supply diode and source winding from excessive dissipation when the bias supply
is shunted to ground.
If the bypass capacitor is used, its value can be determined using the capacitive
reactance formula*, and the value of Rk. You must decide what the frequency
response of the cathode-bypassed circuit will be. The formula tells you where
the response is down by 3db. Maximally flat response occurs starting at a
frequency ten times higher. For guitar amps, response to 70Hz is typical,
although if response is down at 70Hz, the perceived crispness of low notes
will be enhanced.
*f = 1/(2pi x Ck x Rk) and Ck = 1/(2pi x Rk x f)
As an example, for a 500-ohm cathode resistance and a 70Hz 3db down point,
Ck is under 5 microfarads. For flatter response, a value of 50 microfarads
or even 500 microfarads should be considered.
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