VU Meter

Yossarian · 10-28-2006, 12:54 AM

I was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about incorporating a VU meter into a guitar amp. Does it hurt the tone? I found a really cool looking meter, and I want to use it for eye candy on a practice amp that I'm building for myself. I was thinking about putting it on (near?) the grid of the last preamp stage. I want to adjust 0dB for the bias voltage to indicate where it will clip. It comes with an external resistor, so I assume it's adjustable. Although, I've never used one. Thanks in advance for any ideas. Yossarian.

Steve Conner · 10-28-2006, 01:23 AM

The signals in a tube preamp probably don't have enough current to drive a pointer-type meter. When I added a meter to my amp, I connected it across a 1 ohm cathode resistor common to both power tubes, so it read more or less the current drawn by the power tubes. The needle sits at about 30% when idle and starts to flap around if I play loud. If it slams off the end stop I know I'm probably playing too loud or have the wrong speaker impedance.

It's also handy for biasing when installing new power tubes, and getting an idea of whether your old ones are worn out. If they can't kick the needle as far as they used to, it could be time for the scrap heap (or the bottle bank?

) So I say it's not just eye candy.

fluhome · 03-19-2008, 04:17 PM

I have a handful of NOS VU meters from the Old Sunn Headquarters in Williamstown Kentucky. Any Interest?
Terry

Steve Conner · 03-19-2008, 04:39 PM

Maybe, what size are they?

steve

10-28-2006, 12:54 AM	#1
Yossarian Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 6	VU Meter I was just wondering if anyone has any thoughts about incorporating a VU meter into a guitar amp. Does it hurt the tone? I found a really cool looking meter, and I want to use it for eye candy on a practice amp that I'm building for myself. I was thinking about putting it on (near?) the grid of the last preamp stage. I want to adjust 0dB for the bias voltage to indicate where it will clip. It comes with an external resistor, so I assume it's adjustable. Although, I've never used one. Thanks in advance for any ideas. Yossarian.

03-19-2008, 04:39 PM	#4
Steve Conner Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 2,413	Maybe, what size are they? steve __________________ "Transformerless is the way to go", said he, without a hint of irony.

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10-28-2006, 01:23 AM	#2
Steve Conner Supporting Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 2,413	The signals in a tube preamp probably don't have enough current to drive a pointer-type meter. When I added a meter to my amp, I connected it across a 1 ohm cathode resistor common to both power tubes, so it read more or less the current drawn by the power tubes. The needle sits at about 30% when idle and starts to flap around if I play loud. If it slams off the end stop I know I'm probably playing too loud or have the wrong speaker impedance. It's also handy for biasing when installing new power tubes, and getting an idea of whether your old ones are worn out. If they can't kick the needle as far as they used to, it could be time for the scrap heap (or the bottle bank? ) So I say it's not just eye candy.

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