Author Topic: Any valve experts in here? (Read 3928 times)

gamesandy135 · « **on:** November 16, 2007, 05:29:32 PM »

So, I spoke to Derek over at Watford Valves today regarding my Peavey Valveking and told him how I didn't like the distortion on the amp, but the clean is great.
He recommended Svetlana 6L6GC and Harma EC38CTR (may well have been EC83CTR, spoke very fast!).
I just thought I'd post in here also, see what you all say.
Like I said, love the cleans but is has a nasty buzzsaw distortion. Thing is, I turn the A/B knob on the back so the power is lowered down (it basically turns off one of the 6L6's so you can get break up at lower volume) and then use pedals for distortion, don't know if this cahnges anything.
Anyway, I'd be interested in seeing what you all have to say, thanks.

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2007, 05:32:14 PM »

what pedals are you using for distortion?

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2007, 05:55:31 PM »

Well, got an Ibanez TS 808 re-issue (or TS9 as someone put it

) and just today I got a Micro Metal Muff (which I said in another post I would share my thoughts on, and I will). Both are in the front of the amp and in the clean channel (got an EHX small clone and holier grail in the FX loop)

indysmith · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2007, 06:08:25 PM »

listening to clips on the internet the amp's distortion seems to be geared heavily towards that nasty buzzsaw thing. why did you buy an amp you don't like?

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2007, 06:12:27 PM »

You're presuming I bought it at full price I assume? But I got it too cheap to pass up, which is why I'm changing the valves and the speaker's been changed to an Alnico Gold.

indysmith · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2007, 06:16:01 PM »

well if you got a really good deal, maybe you should sell it on for more than you bought it for and buy an amp you do like? I'm sorry that I'm not recommending you valves like you asked for, but to me it just seems a little silly to be trying to make an amp you don't like the sound of sound nice. Putting money into new speakers and valves etc. is probably just bringing the overall cost of the blighter up to the cost of an amp you would have actually paid full price for.

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2007, 06:25:32 PM »

Well, perhaps you're right but I'm jut working with what I've got. I can't really afford to shell out hundreds upon hundreds for my dream amp ( no idea what that is TBH) but I can afford a little to change the valves and hopefully make the sound of it a little more palatable.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2007, 07:37:44 PM »

different valves ain't gonna transform the amp - I'm with Indy here, sell it if you're not into it.

:twisted:

ailean · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2007, 07:42:35 PM »

I wasn't overly enamoured of my Valveking's lead channel. I put an RFT in the V1 and it's improved the clean and the lead. I still perfer my TT for distortion but the RFT helped.

Of course you might not like it.

Bob Johnson · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2007, 07:43:12 PM »

Basically I'd take whatever Derek (Watford Valves) says as gospel. I know forums are a great place for exchanging points of view and opinions but I doubt that any of us will ever get to the level of experience in valve selection that Derek has.

the_bleeding · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2007, 07:54:59 PM »

mod mod mod MOOODDD!!!

get some pro to go in there and change the tone stack for the distortion channel :)

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2007, 08:21:23 PM »

Been thinking about dream amps and I think the Swart Space Tone or their Head & cab would do nicely. Go and listen to some clips of those amps, sound seriously good.

I will sell it and upgrade at some point, probably when Uni is over and can afford to shell out.

That RFT sounds interesting, know where I can get any more info on that?

You're right, I should take Dereks advice and probably will but I like to see what other people say. Like you said, a good place to exchange opinions.

And as for modding, would love it. Anyone know any good modders of amps in Scotland?

Thanks for all the tips guys, just filling my head with info

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2007, 08:29:02 PM »

Speakers have as much effect on the amp as anything, a change to Celestion Golds would change the tone drastically. Some different valves would also alter the tone slightly. But definatley change the speaker(s).

Edit: or did you mean you have already changed the speakers and still don't like it?

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2007, 08:55:39 PM »

Quote from: Crazy_Joe

Speakers have as much effect on the amp as anything, a change to Celestion Golds would change the tone drastically. Some different valves would also alter the tone slightly. But definatley change the speaker(s).

Edit: or did you mean you have already changed the speakers and still don't like it?

He changed the speaker to a Celestion Gold Alnico and still doesn't like it.

That speaker probably isn't helping either - not the first Celestion I'd go for with a buzzy amp. A Classic Lead 80 would've fattened it up much more.

If you want to try less buzzsaw distortion, try some 5751s. Here's some NOS JAN-spec ones for £10.00 each... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5751-JAN-GENERAL-ELECTRIC-NOS_W0QQitemZ260179919890QQihZ016QQcategoryZ39997QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

If you like the cleans, leave V1 with an ECC83 and try plugging the 5751s in the other preamp slots (except the PI slot). That will tame the buzzsaw distortion a little.

:twisted:

gamesandy135 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2007, 10:17:57 PM »

Thanks mate, I might well go for that valve.
The Celestion Gold is in there, and it did make a big difference. The stock speaker was way muddy and the Gold cleaned it up, but not as much as I would have liked.