NAD with some issues...

[BigK]

Hi Guys not been on in a while, good to be back,

Picked up an EVH III 2x12 combo today bought it used and paid cash, when I tested it it sounded pretty great he had the clean channel gain quite high and there was a bit of breakup but I didn't think much about it.

Anyway I get it home plug in my guitars and rock out for a bit and then realise that both gain controls don't seem to be having much effect apart from right at the bottom of their travel.

I get a friend to send me a video of his 5150III and it sounds a lot more cranked at the same gain levels like there's an OD pedal in front of it. the Blue channel is in full on gain mode too no plexi breakup like the demos I've heard.

Any Ideas? I'm gonna try changing the V1 tube as thats the only one that effects both channels from what I've read. but I'm thinking its more likely a blown cap or something?

I have a video uploading to youtube as we speak...

[BigK]

The Video....

Still sounds pretty great
https://youtu.be/Mi31KZ7ApOU

[38thBeatle]

Not sure how to change the gain levels but I think the basic tone sounds fine- allowing for my less than good headphones.

[darkbluemurder]

That amp simply has too much gain IMHO. I played through one in a guitar shop and I found that Channel 3 was too distorted regardless of where the gain control was set (except when I turned it down completely). I had a chance to check a schematic of the amp and my feelings were confirmed. That channel has no less than five gain stages in the preamp - that is one more than most high gain amps.  I wonder if the designer thought that we all play guitars with lipstick pickups.

I am afraid there is not much that you can do about it other than use the less distorted Channel 2.

Cheers Stephan

[BigK]

Thanks for the responses guys, I managed to try one in a shop and it sounded the same.

Its a shame as you can get some nice clean tones when you roll the volume off.

I don't understand why they made an amp where the Gain knobs only have an effect between 0 & 2.

I'm trading it for a Powerball II at the weekend so its all good. 

[BigK]

Just for the Record I tried it with some JAN Phillips 5751 in V1 and V2 which calmed the gain down noticeably, but it did add a spongier more vintage feel to it though. Would be interesting to try some other brand 5751's but Its on its travels anyway.

If you like loads and loads of gain its definitely the amp for you lol