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Fender power tube conversions
How to convert a combination cathode/fixed bias system to a fixed bias system.
 Look at all of the extra crap that is attached to the power tubes in this Fender! Want to get rid of it all and convert your power tubes to an older style Fender layout? There are several nasty things going on in this diagram.
Nasty #1: The 2000pf capacitors that are attached to pins 5 of each power must go. Clip both of them off right now. They have the effect of shunting high frequencies to ground and making your amp sound dull.
Nasty #2: The 150 ohm 7 watt resistors that are attached to pin 8 of both power tubes must go. Unsolder them from pin 8 and clip them off at the chassis solder joint.
Nasty #3: The capacitor that goes from pin 8 on one power tube, over to pin 8 on the other power tube must go. Unsolder it at both ends and remove it.

Note: The bias system is a balance system in the diagram above. If you have a bias balance, you may want to convert it also. See my library page on how to do this bias conversion.

 In this diagram, all of the nasty bits have been removed and you are back to a simple Fender power tube setup. You will have to re-bias the amp since everything has been changed.
 The left hand power tube now shows pin 8 as going to ground. I do not recommend soldering a ground to a chassis. I would run a wire from the left hand pin 8 to the right hand pin 8. The right hand tube ground should already be there. Better yet, solder a wire to pin 8 and then solder a round ring terminal to the other end. Bolt the ring terminal to the closest power transformer mounting bolt to make a good ground connection. You can do this to both power tubes if you like.

Note: In the diagram above, the bias system has been converted from a bias balance to an older style bias system. See my library page on how to do this bias conversion.


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