Amplifier modifications

[DavidRees]

I have an old Peavey Classic 50 combo and am wondering if there is a way of making the normal channel more clean than crunchy - are there people, in the London area preferably, who can take a 'host' amp and tweak it - I've always imagined that most mods are for people seeking something more whereas I'm in a sense looking for something less [unless you count headroom of course] - i'd much rather do this than complicate my life by trying to decide what it is I really want
any comments/suggestions much appreciated
David

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Amplifier modifications

Try a different pre amp tube in the v1 position. Something like a 12 ay7, or 12at7, will clean it up a bit. I am presuming that there is currently a 12ax7 in there now.

You also may want to check out the Peavey forum if you already haven't. I've seen a few threads re modding the Classic series there.

 

[richard parker]

Re: Amplifier modifications

Have you tried keeping the clean channel volume really low (say on 2 or 3) and cranking the master volume ? With 50 watts at your disposal you should be able to get a usable clean sound this way. It should make it easier to balance against the overdrive channel.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Amplifier modifications

there are plenty of mods that can be done to increase the headroom, im sure a good tech could do what you are asking

 

[glassman]

Re: Amplifier modifications

Try a different pre amp tube in the v1 position. Something like a 12 ay7, or 12at7, will clean it up a bit. I am presuming that there is currently a 12ax7 in there now.

^^^^This will be the easiest way of getting closer to what you are looking for; V1 handles the clean channel. It should be noted that half of V1 (V1a) is the input stage for both channels so it will lower the drive and change the character of the dirty channel.

If you only want to lower the gain of the clean channel without affecting the dirty one, take it to a tech and have the following changes made:
R14: remove the 1.5K resistor and replace with a 4.7K.
C9: remove this capacitor entirely.

The above mod will add headroom to the clean channel and lower the gain of its second stage, keeping it clean at a higher volume.