Author Topic: Tubes, mods, or EQ? (Read 5206 times)

donbarzini · « **on:** November 02, 2005, 01:35:30 PM »

Just out of curiousity, how many people use EQ's with their amps? I have a JCM800 4104 combo that I waiting to get back from having a tube buffered FX loop installed. I've read that some people use EQ's in their loops even though my only purpose for the loop was to get my H&K Replex delay after the gain stage. Since I love to mess around with the searching for the "ultimate tone" I recently picked up an MXR 10 band EQ based on the positive reviews I have read on the unit. I'm thinking that an EQ will let me fine tune the frequencies and from what I understand, most mods, not gain mods, really just fine tune the EQ. I also understand that some tubes are brighter, some darker, so I would think that an EQ can adjust that as well. FWIW, I've been using JJ's, EL34L's and ECC83's from a company called Eurotubes. I'm looking forward to getting my amp back and messing around with the MXR.

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2005, 02:43:14 PM »

Your theory is right, just in practice the less you have tends to sound better....so if you can fine tune your amp with valves (JJs I find brighter than most) mods, speakers etc your tone will benefit from more clarity. (this is coming from a bloke with more pedals than he can use!!)

If you think about it, there's overdrive, but everything else that makes us identify a certain amp over another is down to EQ.....but don't tell me you can EQ a JCM800 to sound like a Dual Rec! :lol:

donbarzini · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2005, 03:00:39 PM »

Thanks HJM,

I really like the stock tone of the JCM800 with my Maxon OD-9, however, there is always just a slight bit of room for improvement. I really want to stay away from mods (besides the FX loop) so that is why I decided to get the EQ. I also just picked up that Maxon OD-9, I really like it and it has replaced my modded OD pedals.

HJM · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2005, 03:58:21 PM »

I've got an Analogman modded Maxon OD9 - it's on the Nailbomb BKP demo track. Great pedal!

indysmith · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2005, 04:40:35 PM »

Quote from: HJM

I've got an Analogman modded Maxon OD9 - it's on the Nailbomb BKP demo track. Great pedal!

Guitar: HJM's RG550
Amp:JCM800 50watt-stock
Effects: TS9 overdrive

it says yu used a TS9??? I guess they're based on the same sound, but still, grrrrrr

willo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2005, 04:54:39 PM »

does it really matter? :roll:

HJM · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2005, 05:08:15 PM »

It was my Maxon/Analogman OD9 Silver mod.....basically a TS9!

donbarzini · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2005, 05:49:43 PM »

I never tried an Analogman modded pedal except for the YJM308/250 pedal which I really didn't care for. I have a Keeley TS-9 and SD-1 but I think that the mods add a distinct artifical buzz that is especially noticeable during soloing. I do not notice this with the stock OD-9. This may not be noticeable to clean/blues players with lower gain Fender type amps. Could it be that some mods can make a pedal too hi-fi, especially for higher gain players?

HJM · « **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2005, 06:26:51 PM »

I've found that too with the Keeley SD1. The Maxon mod is better, but I really like the MXR Wylde OD (I didn't want to like it...) and the HBE Big D.

donbarzini · « **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2005, 07:32:39 PM »

HJM,

I've heard that the Zakk MXR is really good, my buddy brought it up just the other day in fact. I'm the same way, usually I do not like the "Signature Artist" merchandise but I may have to give this Zakk pedal a try.

Bogner · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2005, 01:35:30 AM »

I tried it and wasn't incredibly impressed with the Wylde drive pedal. I thought the SD-1 was as good if not better and the tubescreamer was better to my ears that the Wylde drive pedal. Keep in mind I have the Zakk Wylde signature stack. My old JCM 800 heads sounded better than his signature 2203 IMO. I loved the 2205 and 2210 heads the best.