My squeel sucks

glw · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:36 pm Post subject:

There are so many variables at play that this thread is pointless. Different guitars will sound good or bad through different amps. There are great -and disasterous - combinations to be had, so the individual must experiment and find out what works for them.

What is the point in arguing about it?

bobhoulston · Posted: Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:15 pm Post subject:

This might help:
http://www.houlston.freeserve.co.uk/playing.htm#25

4 Notes · Groupie Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 15

I think I bought an amp with the squeel missing. I'll drop some Telefunken 12AX7's in next month and see if I can find it.

Moriondor · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 4 Location: South Wales

Amps are all well and good - Tubes or not. But the overall tone you get out of your amp depends on more then just the make, model and pedal you use. The sound is effected by the plectrum, The type of strings, the way you hit them, how you mute and what guitar you play. Personally I play a Gibson SG through a Marshall AVT100 Combo amp and I have noticed that if you keep all the same settings and give it to another guitarist to play it sounds completely different. And I agree that it is good to embrace modern equipment but every guitarist is looking for that killer sound, the tone that makes the floor shake or the squeel that shatters windows. We all just have a different way of finding it and older style amps are some times better at delivering.

1bassleft · Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject:

4Notes, I had to look up the xxx, so bear with me; I'm not an exp on the amp. Worse, I'm a bass guitarist Shocked

I agree with Noodle that (if it's the squeel I think you're thinking) compression comes into it but, after that, he just went barking...

Looking at the xxx, it should be able to do what you're after. I haven't seen a schem but it looks to have cascading gain stages. Can you clarify a coupla things for me though? Is it loaded with the 6L6s rather than EL34s? I think the 6L6 will suit what you're after better as EL34s push the midrange a bit more and it's more difficult to get the treble bite. If you have the 6L6s (and the technique; otherwise you wouldn't have got it from the Randall either), then I'd suspect (like you) the 12AX7s or else the speakers.

Can't comment on speakers, but I'd advise against Telef ECC83 or, even worse, ECC803s. Too balanced, too hifi, for what you're after; and too damned expensive. The Ei ECC83 is a copy of the Telef, and their reputation for microphonics may even count in your favour. The silver plate Ei is a lot brighter than the greyplate and old, pre-civil war ones can be worth having.

A better idea (especially if you're over the pond) is a high-gain 12AX7 like the old Sylvania. They're really easy to pick up cheaply on US eBay and I'd be tempted to try one in V1 and V2; perhaps even the phase inverter slot. If that all gets a bit too much, you can calm down the PI by opting for a 12AX7 with balanced triodes or even a 12AT7. The 12AT7 is cheap to get hold of, even Mullard etc, and may tighten up the response.

If I were experimenting, and trying to avoid to much wallet emptying, I'd probably go down that route. Bear in mind though, I'm a GAS-filled bass player - but still only a bass player Smile

USGold · Got Rhythm Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 92

Thsi so reminds me of the the "But our Marshalls go to 11 -they're better thing from "This is Spinal Tap". Rolling Eyes

1bassleft · Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 2:11 am Post subject:

, Scott. Yes, I admit my anorak is rustling pretty loudly Smile

. Still, if you accept that not all amps sound alike (otherwise, we might as well all buy Behringers) then it follows that not all valve/tubes sound alike. They are, after all, part of the amplification circuit; just wrapped in big glass bottles rather than bits on a PCB.

I have a number of valve amps (none of them costing me much) and I've spent a little time finding the right valve for the sound that suits the amp. I won't bore everyone with e.g.s, and I accept that the drummer (never mind the audience) couldn't give a monkey's, but it bothers me so I spend a tenner here or there. I don't go down the route of £££ for matched Telefunkens (like the hifi boys do) for sure.

What I don't get is Noodle's point that "valve amps suck -they don't make them anymore" (barking) followed by "my Pod replicates every valve amp from the '50s onwards". For one thing, why care so much that a Pod can replicate any amp that, apparently, "sucks"? Secondly, and I know this sounds a bit snobbish, but is Noodle comparing the Pod to the real thang or just accepting the marketing blurb? I'll happily buy any unwanted Fender Tweed, Marshall Superlead, etc, that's suddenly redundant because a £90 Pod supposedly dumps all over it.

4 Notes · Groupie Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 15

Thanks 1bassleft,

I will have to agree with you that some cheaper amps sound better than the expensive ones. For home practice amps, I love using little car audio tweeters for the speakers. It's a real funky sound.

I did research the Sylvania 12ax7 WA pre-amp tubes and that helped. I will probably go back to what I'm familiar with and that's Randall amps. I like the compression and the boost these produce, so I can get that Pantara sound.

1bassleft · Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 4:57 am Post subject:

Hope I helped a little, 4Notes. If you do go for another Randall hybrid, you might want to keep hold of the Sylv. Chances are, a Randall will have a Chinese 12AX7 and I've found that even the better Chinese are improved by an American or old Euro pre-tube taking their place.

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