How do you figure out amp mods?
- Thread starter Jakek5150
- Start date
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
Please don't touch that amp. Seriously, do you think you need more gain from that amp? I could understand if you had a JCM 800 and needed some more gain or whatever, but that Blackstar is pretty much setup for whatever you need right off the bat if you're doing metal. If you need more gain from that amp (which I don't see how you could) then get some pedals.
Please don't touch that amp. Seriously, do you think you need more gain from that amp? I could understand if you had a JCM 800 and needed some more gain or whatever, but that Blackstar is pretty much setup for whatever you need right off the bat if you're doing metal. If you need more gain from that amp (which I don't see how you could) then get some pedals.
Jakek5150
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
I was just saying that as an example cause people do that with a variety of amps. I definetely don't need more gain, but I'm just saying if I have an amp and I want to see how I can mod it in any way, how do I figure that out?
I was just saying that as an example cause people do that with a variety of amps. I definetely don't need more gain, but I'm just saying if I have an amp and I want to see how I can mod it in any way, how do I figure that out?
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
There's tons of amp techs that you can find on the internet, and probably even live around you. Talk to them about what you hear in your head for the amp, and what you think it could use more or less of and such.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
thats for your tone stack....
http://www.duncanamps.com/tsc/
but you better off changing amps than modding a blackstar. You may still not get what you want and you will potentially ruin the resale on your amp. People usually mod because they are just not happy with the way their amp sounds. Theres only so much modding you can do. A chocolate cake is not a banana cake. BUt if you like chocolate cake and believe 100s and thousands on the icing is better than chocolate drops, then mod to your hearts content.
Older PTP amps are much easier to mod than modern pcb ones. However of course you can mod them too. Its juts a lot of pcb amps have pots and jacks etc wired directly to the board, making modding more difficult. Also, bear in mind that the original amp manufacturers have done a lot more r&d into sounds than you ever will, so they have probably got the recipie as about as right as they can.
If you are not happy, then find an amp that does exactly what you want right off the bat...then small mods down the track are just icing on the cake.
if you want to mod just for the sake of experimentation and dont have a lot of dough to splash on a ptp amp, then have a look at a used fender HRD or blues junior, cos theres a wealth of information on mods for them...
thats for your tone stack....
http://www.duncanamps.com/tsc/
but you better off changing amps than modding a blackstar. You may still not get what you want and you will potentially ruin the resale on your amp. People usually mod because they are just not happy with the way their amp sounds. Theres only so much modding you can do. A chocolate cake is not a banana cake. BUt if you like chocolate cake and believe 100s and thousands on the icing is better than chocolate drops, then mod to your hearts content.
Older PTP amps are much easier to mod than modern pcb ones. However of course you can mod them too. Its juts a lot of pcb amps have pots and jacks etc wired directly to the board, making modding more difficult. Also, bear in mind that the original amp manufacturers have done a lot more r&d into sounds than you ever will, so they have probably got the recipie as about as right as they can.
If you are not happy, then find an amp that does exactly what you want right off the bat...then small mods down the track are just icing on the cake.
if you want to mod just for the sake of experimentation and dont have a lot of dough to splash on a ptp amp, then have a look at a used fender HRD or blues junior, cos theres a wealth of information on mods for them...
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
I talk 75% of the guys who come into my shop out of having their amp modded. This is largely because most don't have a clear idea of what they want the amp to do differently than what it currently does.
I have no issue with doing a mod that addresses a reliability concern and do those routinely. Same with subtle changes such as re-voicing (EQ changes).
Gain related mods are always a trade off. To gain something, you have to be willing to lose something. Most guys don't realize that. When I explain what they will lose they usually elect to not do the mod and add a pedal to their chain.
Don't even consider modding your amp unless you have a clear definition of what you want it to do and NEVER have an amp modded just to say you have a modded amp.
I talk 75% of the guys who come into my shop out of having their amp modded. This is largely because most don't have a clear idea of what they want the amp to do differently than what it currently does.
I have no issue with doing a mod that addresses a reliability concern and do those routinely. Same with subtle changes such as re-voicing (EQ changes).
Gain related mods are always a trade off. To gain something, you have to be willing to lose something. Most guys don't realize that. When I explain what they will lose they usually elect to not do the mod and add a pedal to their chain.
Don't even consider modding your amp unless you have a clear definition of what you want it to do and NEVER have an amp modded just to say you have a modded amp.
Dirtbagg
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
ditto on the fourth, tube amps have a lot of voltage stored in the caps
ditto on the fourth, tube amps have a lot of voltage stored in the caps
mwalluk
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
Here's a thought, instead of modding the amp and potentially decreasing any resale value and the possibility of not liking the mod, sell the amp and buy something you want.
If you're looking to mod the amp, you're obviously not happy with the amp in some aspect of it. Find the right amp for you and make it happen.
Here's a thought, instead of modding the amp and potentially decreasing any resale value and the possibility of not liking the mod, sell the amp and buy something you want.
If you're looking to mod the amp, you're obviously not happy with the amp in some aspect of it. Find the right amp for you and make it happen.
Jakek5150
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
Well, actually, after thinking for a bit, why wouldn't people just buy an EQ pedal instead? I'm probably missing something there, but I've also heard that you can get some more gain out of an amp with the EQ (and gain seems to be a common reason for modding). It seems logical to just buy an MXR EQ for around $80-$120 and make adjustments to the tone with that than pay alot more to get it modified.
Well, actually, after thinking for a bit, why wouldn't people just buy an EQ pedal instead? I'm probably missing something there, but I've also heard that you can get some more gain out of an amp with the EQ (and gain seems to be a common reason for modding). It seems logical to just buy an MXR EQ for around $80-$120 and make adjustments to the tone with that than pay alot more to get it modified.
mwalluk
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
You may find that gain is what you actually need LESS of. A lot of tones use less gain than you think. Try dialing back and missing with the eq some.
Or try a speaker swap.
You may find that gain is what you actually need LESS of. A lot of tones use less gain than you think. Try dialing back and missing with the eq some.
Or try a speaker swap.
Jakek5150
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
This. Once I get the money, I'm hoping to swap out at least 2 of the V30s in my cab for Greenbacks.
This. Once I get the money, I'm hoping to swap out at least 2 of the V30s in my cab for Greenbacks.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: How do you figure out amp mods?
Changing the EQ with a pedal infront of the amp is different than changing the tone stack of the amp. A EQ pedal in front of an amp can be a cool way to target specific frequencies to be boosted.
Glassman hit it right when he said that you need to identify what exact change you want. Seems more like you want to tinker. If thats what your after pick up one of the cheaper kit amps around and have fun building and tinkering to your hearts content.
Too many times I see people get amp mods they dont even really want cause they think the amp tech will sprinkle some magic fairy dust on it and make it magical.
Changing the EQ with a pedal infront of the amp is different than changing the tone stack of the amp. A EQ pedal in front of an amp can be a cool way to target specific frequencies to be boosted.
Glassman hit it right when he said that you need to identify what exact change you want. Seems more like you want to tinker. If thats what your after pick up one of the cheaper kit amps around and have fun building and tinkering to your hearts content.
Too many times I see people get amp mods they dont even really want cause they think the amp tech will sprinkle some magic fairy dust on it and make it magical.
