Tube Amp Questions

[dangomles]

Hi there, im totally used to solid state amps , i totally ignore how a tube amp works, but i want one of those badly! . Tubes deliver so much warm to the tone, its just fantastic, definitely what i want for me!... so i've looking for some tube amps (THD Flexi 50 ,specially) , have been doing my research and all that stuff, but there are terms ,expressions and random questions that i just dont understand, hope you guys can help me, because i know you guys are experts in this kinda stuff...
*What is "bias" , ive seen some sites with that expression, like "re-bias"
*What is the deal with the Class ,i mean, like class A, class B, class A/B , what it means?
*How would affect the number of tubes in the amp? for example, the flexi 50 has only 2 tubes, but ive seen some amps with 4 tubes...so, if you have more tubes, warmer tone? or how that works?
*Oh, and another thing, how does the Effect Loop work? How is it wired to the pedals (or rack gear? or both?) and back to the amp?

Thank you guys!!! I may ask for more help if i stumble with any other weird terms (at least for me), hope you guys dont mind to drop me a hand...

[tone_connoisseur]

Bias is the fixed voltage that's applied to the electrode circuit. 6L6 (5881) tubes have a different voltage than EL34, so the amp has to be biased differently for the type of tube that you want.

As for the number of tubes, a 50w amp will only use two power tubes, and a 100w amp will use 4 power tubes. Tubes can really by pushed for a warmer tone. And it depends on the type of tube that you want. There are a variety of EL34 tubes that will create a different tone. So it's good to do some tube research. There's a website called eurotubes.com that will give a good description on the kind of sound you want and what tube will give you that tone.

Someone might have to help me with the effects loop, or explain it better than I can. But basically it allows you to input or output certain effects through your amp. It's kind of self explanatory really, just making a loop through the amp with your effects unit. A loop is actually better than going straight into the input of your amp with an effects unit. Most amps nowadays have effets loops, except for small practice amps.

I just bought a Carvin MTS 3200 head, and I'm very happy with it. It actually has a bias switch if you want to change tubes, so it doesn't have to be rebiased by a technician. You can also switch from 50w to 100w with the flip of a switch. Incredible tone, better than any Marshall I've had or heard. It's very affordable too.

Do you know what kind of sound you're looking for?

[dangomles]

Well, i've heard some of Ed Degenaro's clips at his site www.eddegenaro.com , he actually uses the THD Flexi 50, and i just love his tone. I'm looking for a warm, a BIT vintage kind of sound, something like Al Estrada, Greg Howe, Brett Garsed (he uses Flexi too), Richie Kotzen's kind of stuff, not so much as a cutting edge boogie, somthing a bit more soulful , like a bluesy warm tone but with balls...

[tone_connoisseur]

If you want more of a bluesy sound then you'll want the 6L6 (5881) tubes. The question now is what brand of tubes do you want? I've always used Groove Tubes, but there are also some other popular brands out there, like JJ.

[dangomles]

I honestly havent done my tube homework , but you know, some kind of tone that gives that kind of...i dont know how to say it, like "roar" (?) in bends

[dangomles]

Anyone can explain me the Effect loops part?, please...

[bpd111]

Effects loops are not specific to tube amps. It is simply two send & receive jacks than enable you to put certain FX (delay, chorus, etc.) between the preamp and the power amp in your combo instead of putting everything between the guitar and the amp. The amps may even have a FX level that enable you set the overall level of the loop compared with the dry signal.

Guitar => Combo (Preamp => FX Loop => Power amp)

Does that make any sense?