Tone 'problem' (not exactly a 'problem')... amp/tone gurus?

[Henk]

If i understand correctly you play trough a single V30? That would explain the thin part at least compared to the link you gave. The fizzy part can be anything, i think its likely to be the PAF pickups. You can do something about it but youll probably have to noodle a bit longer on the settings. This actually is the oldskool way, PAF>boost>dirty amp, the sound of that is unmistakenly so, if you like that oldskool sound just live with small imperfections (probably noone will ever hear those anyway).

IMVHO thats the bottomline in these matters anyway, you can throw in thousands and just prospone the compromise you have to make anyway, youll be better off compromising now a bit and just enjoy playing, simple.

[JamesHealey]

the digitech bad monkey is the best overdrive under £120.. period!

[sambo]

Multani- thanks for that man. You nailed my situation and the functionality of the screamer with that description.

I'll try your suggestions A.S.A.P.

And Ginga, yeah I'm (as usual) asking for too much to sound like the recording I guess. :(   Although I have seen the same band live and the tone, whilst of course isn't EXACTLY like the recording, is much closer than I'm getting currently.

Henk- Yup it's a single V30. I was thinking about an extension cab anyway, so maybe that would help? Or a darker speaker?

And yeah maybe a boost is the way to go I guess. Annoying since I didn't figure I would need one for the ENGL.

Will take a look at the Bad Monkey, but also gonna try and squeeze everything out of the ENGL before I get a pedal.

Cheers guys!

[_tom_]

Just saw this thread on HC and thought it might be useful to you

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1835251

[hunter]

What about speaker grille/cloth or a thin blanket?

Can make a big difference as to diffusion.

Another thing would be to try the Weber treble cap thing (or just put some tape in the middle on top of the current grille/cloth.

[sambo]

Will check that out in a sec tom.

And hunter, I'll try putting something over the cab.

Just a piece of fabric hanging over the front maybe?

[Henk]

Henk- Yup it's a single V30. I was thinking about an extension cab anyway, so maybe that would help? Or a darker speaker?

I do think this sound is a big load for a single V30, if stress is the couse of the fizzyness it should clear that up at low volume setting. I my memory is correct the screamer has quite a crunchy drive, but probably i didnt try all settings/channels. Most crunchy overdrive amps smooth out with more gain/boost IMO, definately worth a try i guess.

When checking out booster/drive pedals try to remember that the more natural sounding ones are often the most versatile in the long run.

[hamfist]

I've read the whole thread and the initial thoughts I had at the beginning are still the ones I have now. If you feel the need to tweak your tone any further I am sure that speakers/cabs are the way to go. They really can make such a fundamental difference in highlighting particular frequencies or frequency ranges put out by the amp.
  Someone earlier in the thread mentioned the Celestion G12-65, which is a great speaker for taming high end a bit, whilst still remaining very robust in the mids, and not flubby in the bass.  It would be very interesting to take your Screamer into a shop and playing it through a few different cabs.

Alan

[sambo]

Yeah I think stress on the pickups/speaker does a play a part, definitely.

And the ENGL does smoothen out even as you add more of it's own gain, but then (what I think) happens, is the pickups struggle to keep up, and the speaker is under a little too much stress, and it loses control a bit.

Hamfist, thanks for the recommendation.

Other people have recommended me buy a replacement speaker before, so might go for that in the end.


Cheers for all the advice guys!

I think on my list is:

-Set of BKs.
-New speaker
-Possibly boost pedal
-Possibly re-valve
-Possibly extension cab.

We shall see!

[Henk]

Engls are voiced on V30 especially, i would just add a decent cab with the combo.

Your right about PAFs tending to go out of controll when driven too hard, as with most more 'oldskool' gear this is part of the whole sound aswell. It kind of like your rig can slip into feedback any second and if your not carefull everything starts to squeel and wistle all the time :lol:

I personally think this is the most powerfull tone possible...

[sambo]

It kind of like your rig can slip into feedback any second and if your not carefull everything starts to squeel and wistle all the time

Yup!!!!  

I guess I'm not an old school guy :lol: I mean I love the tone when I'm playing some zeppelin at more tame levels, but then getting aggressive they just kinda give up :lol:.

[Henk]

It kind of like your rig can slip into feedback any second and if your not carefull everything starts to squeel and wistle all the time

Yup!!!!  

I guess I'm not an old school guy :lol: I mean I love the tone when I'm playing some zeppelin at more tame levels, but then getting aggressive they just kinda give up :lol:.

I always use a 4x12, exactly for that reason. Try greenbacks if your at it anyway, they seem to work best at high power PAF tones IMO.

[ailean]

Ok, late to the discussion but I'd take a look at some valves. I was recently given a very nice demo of exactly how much a change of valves can alter your sound (Thanks Hamfist) and since then I've replaced all but one of the pre amp vales in my amps.

I'm not a valve guru so I'm the wrong one to give advice as to what to try, but it's worth experimenting with, and many valves aren't too badly priced. Especially if you only change the V1 position.

For example my Orange TT came loaded with JJ's (12AX7's). I loved the sound of it, but just for the hell of it I put in a Phillips JAN spec in the V1 and left a JJ in the PI position. The JJ's are a dark valve and I liked that, but the Phillips gave me better mids and high's (that is to say I preffered the sound with the Phillips). I did lose a little in the bottom end, but that's the trade off, and there is nothing to stop me putting the JJ back in if I feel in the mood.

This might not fix your problem but it might give you some nice surprises :)