Re: Amp Rectifiers

[paul-harker@xxxxxxxxxxx]

In some amps designs, a tube rectifier is prone to voltage "sag" when the amp is pushed to the max. This sag (lowering of plate voltage) causes tubes to distort/crunch earlier, changing the tone. Eddie Van Halen is famous for loving the sound of early distorting tubes, and would run his amps on a variac to artificially lower plate voltage. (Don't do it! Eddie can afford to have his amps rebuilt on a regular basis)

A solid-state rectifier won't sag. Its not a matter of good/bad -- more a matter of taste. FWIW, most amps now have solid state rectification. 
> 
> Can anyone tell me what a Rectifier does?  Does it matter 
> whether an amp has a tube rectifier or a solid-state rectifier?  
> Does a tube rectifier give an amp a different sound than a 
> solid-state rectifier?  How important is it to the sound to 
> have a tube rectifier?  My Fender "Champ 12" has tube preamp 
> and power stages, but a solid-state rectifier.  Would it be 
> possible or worthwhile having it modified to tube rectifier?
> 
> Richard J. Smith, R.A.
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