Does that amp have an adjustable BIAS pot inside?
Pretty sure it does, as well as contact points for a meter. Only reason I know is I've been slightly gassing on the Tweaker 88 (supposedly a big brotha version with a little more of an angry/gainy vibe and a KT-88 pwr section) and so I've been reading up on it. Saw the bias info mentioned a few times ("the entire Tweaker line has internal bias pots and contacts"). :)
The better question is, why? I believe cathode bias is almost always superior, unless you have really shoddy or mismatched power tubes.
To answer the question, the Tweaker is cathode biased.
From Egnater's FAQ:
Are the Egnater amps cathode or fix biased?
All of the models, with the exception of the Tweaker, are fixed/adjustable bias with easy to use test points. Consult the owners manuals or contact support@egnateramps.com for information on how to properly adjust the bias. The Tweaker is cathode biased so there is no adjustment required when replacing tubes.
I assume you mean the 15 watt tweaker... the higher wattage (44 and 88) are most likely fixed bias. I tend to prefer low wattage amps now, and prefer cathode biasing in those but you get up to 50 or 60 watts and it's a different ballgame...
There you go...I couldn't have been more wrong if I tried...and I'm glad I was based on Chargers info, makes the 88 even more interesting to me now (big fan of easy maitenance amps - shaky hands and all).
Thanks both of you.
The reason is my Hot Rod Deluxe, that amp was almost a piece of crap until I learned how to BIAS the thing and then pump it up. Of course the use of matched JJ power tubes and hi gain JJ pre tubes and hotting up the BIAS helped a big bunch. Now the thing is too fat for the front pup of my Les Paul so I have to back down the hotness of the power tubes and take out the beam blocker to make it usable with the Les Paul which has become my all time favorite guitar for tone since I got it back. So for me and my taste, having the power to adjust the voltage to the tubes to suit my own taste has almost become a must in any amp I buy.
Now the cathode BIAS is not a deal killer for the 15 watt Tweaker for me, as all I really need is clean tones, I can then adjust my tube overdrive stomps with all kinds of EQing options on those pedals. It was the overdrive channel on the HRD that stunk, it was unusable unless you had it up to screamin volume.
The Tweaker's got plenty of gain, and like I said, you wouldn't want to have fixed bias in a low-wattage amp. However, the big ones, Kabala, do have fixed bias. It's poorly named, because fixed bias is actually easily adjustable, where cathode bias requires that you change resistor values.
I go back and forth between clean and overdrive, so the gain of the amp has no bearing on my purpose. I would have to set it to the cleanest sound, and then use pedals to overdrive it. If I was jammin out with drums, I would set it so there was power tube distortion and very little preamp distortion then I could go from clean to overdrive just with my guitars volume control. Back in the day when I played out I used to use a Deluxe Reverb with everything on 10 except the bass. I miss that because when you get preamp distortion it is much harder to clean it up with your guitars controls.
I am thinking the Laney Cub 12R for $399, but I am not so sure if it has any decent clean sounds. I would have to try it and the Tweaker somewhere first I guess.