I need a new amp, XXX doesn't cut it

[Metalman_666]

Re: I need a new amp, XXX doesn't cut it

I'm not sure if you already mentioned this or not, but reading the other Tubescreamer thread that's around now got me thinking again... Have you tried playing with your EQ both with the Keeley OD9 on AND off?

Don't forget to play with all the knobs on the pedal while you're doing this. The tone knob on the pedal could make a pretty big difference, so don't ignore it.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: I need a new amp, XXX doesn't cut it

I actually do have a peavey vypyr 15 for practice, it is a fun toy for sure (and guitar rig/amplitube metal/etc). I'll pass on the power attenuator, it is probably unnecessary unless I absolutely have to record some heavy stuff at low volumes (I don't at the moment).

I played with the amp last night. To my horror I had it on "tight", I don't remember doing that so I switched it to loose...much better. I cranked the volume on the crunch channel but I couldn't bear to turn the gain up over 10 o'clock without blowing my ears out but for those few seconds I thought it actually sounded pretty good. I definitely will never be able to use that channel unless I'm playing with a drummer.

The Ultra channel has the advantage at low volumes however. I cranked the volume to max and turned all of the active eqs down to 0. The gain at 8-9 o'clock was more than overwhelming. A slight increase on the bass eq put some meat back into the sound. This is a great setting for bedroom playing. If I was in a position to crank it I would just need to raise the eqs a little bit and I would be all set. My question would be, if I have the volume maxed out but the eqs down super low am I really taking advantage of the power amp at all? It definitely sounds much better than having the gain and eqs cranked and the volume down.

For now, at low volumes, i still prefer the sound with my pedals on (mxr eq, od9) but when I turn it up I'll be sure to turn off the pedals and see what happens.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm clearly a first time tube amp owner. You saved me much time and money because another amp would present the exact same issues to me at bedroom volumes. I think I'll stick with the xxx combo. The only thing on the table for me now is a speaker extension. I'm thinking one of those Krank 1X12 cabinets since they are 16ohms. I'm sure there are better 1x12s but I doubt they are in the $200 range?

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: I need a new amp, XXX doesn't cut it

I'm not sure if you already mentioned this or not, but reading the other Tubescreamer thread that's around now got me thinking again... Have you tried playing with your EQ both with the Keeley OD9 on AND off?

Don't forget to play with all the knobs on the pedal while you're doing this. The tone knob on the pedal could make a pretty big difference, so don't ignore it.

FYI- when I use the OD9 it is volume 10, gain 0, tone at about 6-7. With the MXR I create a very slight scoop with the first 5 bands (boost 1 and 5, cut 2,3,4 like a smile) and then turn down the highest frequency band 6. It really makes a difference at low volumes, gives me more of a crunch, but doesn't sound like total ****ty scoopage.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: I need a new amp, XXX doesn't cut it

FYI- when I use the OD9 it is volume 10, gain 0, tone at about 6-7. With the MXR I create a very slight scoop with the first 5 bands (boost 1 and 5, cut 2,3,4 like a smile) and then turn down the highest frequency band 6. It really makes a difference at low volumes, gives me more of a crunch, but doesn't sound like total ****ty scoopage.

Oh and as for the BBE Sonic Stomp, that was a gift, I wasn't particularly interested in it and wasn't sure what to expect from it. I run it at the end of my effects loop and I don't notice a big difference when I turn it on. But when I turn it off, I feel like my sound has become a little muffled. I have the bass knob at 10 o'clock and the other knob 11 o'clock. I haven't noticed anything negative about using this pedal so I'm keeping it for now.

Since I'm talking pedals here I'll also mention that the standard crybaby with true bypass and red fasel mod sounds excellent, especially under heavy gain. The only thing that could be improved is the sweep range, I think that is an easy mod, I'll get around to it.

I have some digitech pedals, the hardwire tuner is working perfectly, the hardwire delay/looper is much fun for doing 20sec loops, I'm not a delay snob so I can't really say much for the other features of that pedal except that they all work and sound relatively good.

 

[Stef]

Re: I need a new amp, XXX doesn't cut it

sell the amp you don't like.
buy a good sounding amp, even if it's one channel amp - but sounding really good to you

check out vox tube amps with celestion speakers - ac15, ac30, night rain..