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I've been told that adding screen resistors to the 6V6's can help them last longer. Has anybody tried this and if so, what value of resistor are you using? I noticed in looking at the schematic for a Deluxe Reverb that Fender was using 470R on the screens and I have been told to go as high as 1K.

Ya the later Blackface variation of the Deluxe used screen resistors, it used 470R 1W (1W is way too small btw, those guys burn up fast!). If you compare the Tweed Deluxe to the Blackface Deluxe Reverb they are totally different amps. I own both amps and I can tell you tone wise they couldn't be more different.

The 5E3 Deluxe runs the output tubes at pretty modest levels (especially if your using JJs) so tube life isn't a huge deal with the amp. I imagine adding screen resistors would help more. I do know though that would change the tone of the amp. I have experimented myself on various amps playing with the value of screen resistors. Larger values seem to offer more compression, though the tone seems a bit less brilliant and a tad dull in the high end.

General rule is 470R 5W for 6V6, 1K 5W for EL34, usually 100R for EL84s.

I'd experiment with it and see what you get...

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Actually, 1k or above is recommended for EL84s, although vintage Marshall 18watters used shared 100 ohms, as do Trinity's 18W amps.

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Great tones come in small glass jars!

i put 1k screen resistors in my Deluxe. My Power transformer was getting quite warm and I was trying anything to help manage tube life and heat. The difference is subtle. A little more darker/compressed, maybe.

Ha, is everyone from the byoc forum on here now ?

I recognise a few people from that forum. I recommend enough people anyway. I'm Knight of Cups over there if you havn't already figured it out.


Knight of Cups is just so pretentious....

Hmmm, I have a tweaked BYOC Rangemaster, from before the time they phased that out and went to the Triboost. I've still never figured out why the input and output jacks on that pedal are the opposite sides compared to most other pedals...

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Great tones come in small glass jars!

Hmm. Did it make a difference to the heat. You may have a bad filter cap in there?

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Stephen
Web: www.trinityamps.com. Facebook: facebook.com/trinityamps. Twitter: @trinityamps

I used 1k screen resistors in my BFDR build also. No idea if it makes much difference tonally as I didn't try it with the 470's. I know it sounds fantastic so I'm not gonna complain.

Was the reasoning for the switch to improve tube life or prevent a meltdown if one failed? It was a while back so I don't remember exactly why I made that change in my build but I thought the latter was the reasoning.

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SG + Brit tube head = Nirvana