Tubes....Voltage and Tone

[lpd]

Playing around with the Express clone today and thought I would document my findings.

Tubes are V1 Amperex BB/ V2 Mullard 1962/ V3 Mullard 1962 /EL34 a pair of Amperex double D getter tubes ANOS

Voltages are:
AC118
EL34 plates 390 (usually 395 at fully 120 ac)
Bias pin 5 is -30.5
Cathode bias at jacks on back is 38.5/40.

Fantastic swell on each note and tone stack is responsive (trim mid pot and notes become more clear and focused). Treble seems usable between 9:00-2:00. Volume is useable from 8:00-full. My amp doesn't compress much with volume and seems fairly linear all the way up. I can use from 0-10 on amp volume. I have to trim the volume pot to 8 on guitar at 3:00-4:00 on amp volume to remove a little bit of hash (Les Paul). Maybe the Stancor A-3801 accounts for smooth volume taper?

Cleans up nicely and with my 1974 strat I can use the guitar volume from 1-7 and get clean if I'm gentle with the pick. I get a nice harmonic swirl clean from this amp far from sterile with a thicker type of tone.

Speakers are Scumback M75/75hz 65 watt. Cables are cheap Planet Wave (need to upgrade and open to suggestions).

Just my two cents. Have a great day!