Author Topic: How do I get my sparkle back? (Read 3827 times)

crispsandwich · « **on:** September 17, 2006, 02:05:21 PM »

I have an Epihpone Valve Junior, which is an awesome little bedroom practice amp. It's a little too loud sometimes but I'm getting a little L-pad attenuator from http://www.ampmaker.com It has no effects loop so all my effects have to go in front. I have a Behringer X V-amp which I use for effects only, but it takes the sparkle away from my tone. I'm going to buy a reverb stompbox and a delay stompbox to use with my overdrive stomps and eliminate the X V-amp, but I fear that my tone will be sucked before it gets to the amp. Using an EQ pedal helps, but it doesn't get quite there.

Would something like the Behringer MIC Ultragain valve mic preamp work to restore the tone and warmth taken by the signal chain?

_tom_ · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2006, 02:13:51 PM »

I think a buffer might be what you're after. I think theres some people who make mini ones but I cant remember the brand.

Adam.M · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2006, 09:14:00 PM »

WOAH, hold on, a attenuator for a tenner?

What kind of voodoo magic is going on here?

Now i want a small (15-30watt) valve amp again... how does this thing work? and will it blow me up?

indysmith · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2006, 09:34:21 PM »

true bypass pedals?

Tricalibur · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2006, 09:41:05 PM »

http://cgi.ebay.com/DHA-VT1-Bob-the-Blender-valve-driven-Fx-loop_W0QQitemZ140018211558QQihZ004QQcategoryZ22669QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Its a pre-amp valve driven fx loop. You shoukd talk to dave at DHA. Hes a real nice guy and im sure hed be happy to help tweak it to your needs if neccesary.

crispsandwich · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2006, 08:32:05 AM »

That valve driven effects loop looks fantastic. Just what I need, methinks. Cheers :). The attenuator I'm after is called an L-Pad attenuator. The link is here:

http://www.ampmaker.com/vr02x.asp.

I was actually advised by someone on the Harmony Central forums that L-Pad attenuators are not good for guitar amps and they put a lot of undue strain on the power section of the amp (although they work), and that's why people spend a lot of cow on hotplates and whatnot. But the way I see it, if it was going to blow up amps, why would they sell it? Besides, I'll be sticking it in a valve junior, not a Marshall stack ;).

Cheers for the replies :).

Tricalibur · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2006, 12:02:41 AM »

tell us what you think of the FX Loop. I may be lookin into gettin one aswell

ElTel · « **Reply #7 on:** September 27, 2006, 06:45:51 PM »

Quote from: crispsandwich

I have an Epihpone Valve Junior, which is an awesome little bedroom practice amp. It's a little too loud sometimes but I'm getting a little L-pad attenuator from http://www.ampmaker.com It has no effects loop so all my effects have to go in front. I have a Behringer X V-amp which I use for effects only, but it takes the sparkle away from my tone. I'm going to buy a reverb stompbox and a delay stompbox to use with my overdrive stomps and eliminate the X V-amp, but I fear that my tone will be sucked before it gets to the amp. Using an EQ pedal helps, but it doesn't get quite there.

Would something like the Behringer MIC Ultragain valve mic preamp work to restore the tone and warmth taken by the signal chain?

Hi,

Keep it simple. Once the sparkle tone has gone as a result of a signal chain any attempts to "restore" the tone will be artificial. You'll have lost the whole reason for playing through the Valve Junior. Guitar to amp via a quality lead that is as short as possible is the best tonally. Then take it from there with as little interference with that link as possible. Remember... "rubbish in = rubbish out".
Avoid EQ pedals like the plague! :twisted: You have a good guitar with good pick-ups and a good amp. The more you change that connection the more you'll affect your tone. Two or three stomp boxes at the most! Perhaps check out a couple of stomp boxes for overdrive/distortion and delay or whatever is your taste but keep it simple and enjoy the sounds of your guitar and amp! 8)

Cheers

ElTel

D'Oh... another bum note... take 143

Tinus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2006, 10:03:32 PM »

The Behringer effects are typically equipped with lesser quality buffer preamps. Because they are always on (even in bypass) putting a few of their pedals in line quickly compromises tone quality. I agree with Eltel that preventing tonal loss in the first place is much better than trying to restore what has been lost. Adding more buffers/EQ's etc will only take you further from your original sound.

If you want the best of two worlds I'd look into getting a simple true bypass loop pedal. I use this one with also an A/B function (http://www.banzaieffects.com/Banzai-A-B-True-Bypass-Box-pr-17666.html) but there are many more around and building one yourself is actually not that hard. The idea is that your pedals are only in the signal chain when you actually need them.

cjpmmd · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2006, 11:12:21 AM »

As another alternative, consider a BBE Stinger pedal (or whatever the newer version is called). The rack-mounted version is called a Sonic Maximizer. True, it's adding another layer of processing to your sound, but I've found it does a good job of keeping one's sound clear while still using multiple effects.

willo · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:16:46 PM »

It's called a Sonic Stomp, I believe. I'm running quite a lot of FX myself, it's just the way I play I guess, does the Sonic Stomp really make such a difference? I'm also in queue to get an Antelope FX Morning Dew buffer/EQ, although I think Brian at Antelope is only making 50 more of these...