Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

[toolstylie]

I've always liked how my Peavey XXX has sounded in recordings, but recently my band has been playing out more. I've noticed at high volumes the amp sounds rather harsh and piercing. Is there any way to warm this amp up? Here's what I'm using:

Fender American Strat w/ hot rails in the bridge
JJ 6L6 tubes and a low gain pre-amp tubes (also JJs). I bought the low gain kit from Euro-Tubes.
Marshall 1960B 412 cab.

I usually have the gain around 11 o clock tops. Anyhow, I've been considering looking for a different amp, but I have a suspicion that I'm not dialing it in quite right as it has an active EQ and such. While at gig volume the thing simply sounds shrill to my ears I can't figure out how to fix that.

I'm looking for a clear, lower gain metal tone. We use lots of full chords and very little palm-muting. It's lacking the warmth/clarity I'm looking for. As far as band comparisons go, something along the lines of Primordial, Agalloch, Drudkh, Alcest, Wolves in the Throne Room... if you know these bands then you may know what I mean. Clear, earthy, yet distorted.

Thanks in advance, I know this isn't an easy one...

 

[Wattage]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

You don't mention what channel you are using and I am not familiar with those bands but just some basic things I would look at. Also which XXX do you have and what are you running for speakers?

Hot Rails are a very compressed sounding pickup with a lot of output defeating most of the low gain pre's attributes to my thinking and really the HR's are not what I would call a "clear" sounding pickup. I'd look at a Vintage Rail if you want to stay in that family or if you really want the output and the clarity you might look at the JB Jr., not a big fan of that one myself though.

As for the XXX anything past 12 o'clock puts you in the active range on the Crunch and the Ultra channels, the louder you get the more effect that will have on the overall sound. I'd get the volume up and slowly dial in the eq and forget your low volume settings keep in mind you have a guitar that isn't really sending out a signal that is very clear.

 

[TSE]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

The trick with that amp is not to go too extreme with any of the eq. I used to have an XXX in my old bm band. I would start with V1 and work my way out from there. Try a new production Russian Mullard ri or any 12AX7 that is known to be smooth and warm. The JJs are grainy on top with thick low-mid, but not real warm IMO.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Another trick with the Ultra/XXX/JSX amps is to crank the master volume and use the channel volumes for level adjustment. This gets more power tube thickness in your tone.

I'm wondering if you have experimented with the damping switch on the back as well? Try it in different positions and re eq your amp with each setting to find the one that's most pleasing. Don't just switch it and judge it with the same eq settings you currently have.

As mentioned, maybe pickup a new preamp tube. With these amps, one change in one of the preamp spots can have a dramatic change for your tone. I suggest either a Mullard or Tungsol for warmth and harmonic complexity. Particularly in the V1 or V2 spots.

I imagine you mainly use the crunch channel for your gain? It is the more musically pleasant gain channel of the two. The XXX's ultra channel is very over the top and is known for it's buzz saw gain, so maybe keep that for your leads if you want a warmer rhythm tone.

As for eqing the active eq sections, think of 5/10 on the dials as zero, 4/10 as -1 and 6/10 as +1. It is this way because active eq's both cut and add output to the frequency. If you turn the treble down to 2/10 the amp will be quieter, and if you put it at 8/10 the amp will actually be louder.

Some of the thinness and shrill highs you are hearing also most likely have to do with the G12T75 speakers in your 1960A. These speakers have lots of top end sizzle and are often referred to as spiky in the highs. They are not the "go to" speaker for warm sounding tones. (unless your cab has V30's)

If you use the amp at loud volumes prominently, eq the amp at loud volumes.
Often players eq their amps at low to moderate volume levels then turn it up for practice or a jam/gig and are unsatisfied with the sound.

Good luck!

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

You could always sit in the dark playing the guitar, and turn knobs until it sounds right.

The active EQ sections are way more sensitive than passive ones, so anything above 5 on the dial starts to push the frequency past the full up point of a passive control.

 

[saladin]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

EQ pedal in the loop will do it.

 

[devastone]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

EL34s, and of course playing with the EQ until you get it right. I had a 60W combo, same preamp as the head, I loved that amp with 6CA7s! May have been the best amp I've owned (liked it better than the Mark IV I had and it may have edged out my Soldano Hot Rod). You can see it to the side in my avatar.

Big question of the day, what speakers/cab are you running through? That may make all the difference.

 

[toolstylie]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

I use a Marshall 1960B cab, I'm not even sure the speakers as I bought it off a friend for a good price... I assume the stock speakers are in it. I keep the damping on loose (haven't played too much with the other ones, I assumed loose is what I was looking for over tight for full chord and minimal palm muting) and I use the crunch channel almost exclusively for distorted tones.

I have a Little 59 pickup that's been hanging out in a Squier strat I never use. Any chance this would produce a clearer and perhaps warmer sound than the hot rails? Again I'm not looking for ripping modern metal tones, but a decent amount of gain and and a clear full chord sound. I'm considering throwing that in the American Strat to hear how it sounds.

I usually play with the master at about 3 o clock and use the channel volumes to control the overall volume of the amp.

Anyhow, do any of you have experience with Strats through a Triple XXX/Marshall cab? Could it be too bright a guitar? Would something along the lines of Gibson work better? Additionally, if it's the cab... would perhaps an oversized Mesa cab do the trick? I'm obviously trying to fine tune the sound without spending an arm and a leg, but I'm flexible.

An eq in the fx loop is another option, I just don't know how much that would help...

 

[toolstylie]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Oh yeah, and I used to have EL34 type tubes in there. (KT77s to be exact) I have an older Triple XXX and within a couple months one of the tubes blew. I've heard countless things about EL34s struggling in Triple XXXs due to the resistors or something. I switched back to 6L6s to avoid repeatedly buying new sets of tubes. Have other people had this problem as well??

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Oh yeah, and I used to have EL34 type tubes in there. (KT77s to be exact) I have an older Triple XXX and within a couple months one of the tubes blew. I've heard countless things about EL34s struggling in Triple XXXs due to the resistors or something. I switched back to 6L6s to avoid repeatedly buying new sets of tubes. Have other people had this problem as well??

EL34's work fine in XXX's, it's E34L's that require higher value screen grid resisters. They are a specific tube that JJ produces and Eurotubes sells.

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

I'm currently using a Triple X in my cover band. The amp is a metal amp, but I've been able to tame it a little by doing the following:

- Replace the 12AX7 tube in the V2 position with a lower gain tube. I'm currently using a 12AT7. V2 is the first real gain stage for the distortion channels. It lowers the gain and clears up channel 2 & 3 just enough. It still has a TON of gain, but isn't quite so metal.

- I'm using Celestion Greenbacks. Really warms up the sound. I was using the stock 75 watt celestions in my Marshall cab... great speaker for metal, but not warm at all.

- Leave master volume up at least half way (if not 2/3 to 3/4 up). This helps clear up the tone by taking some of the preamp fizz away.

- Use lower output pickups. A Duncan Custom sounds great for heavy stuff, but a 59b gives it a more versatile, classic sound.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Oh yeah, and I used to have EL34 type tubes in there. (KT77s to be exact) I have an older Triple XXX and within a couple months one of the tubes blew. I've heard countless things about EL34s struggling in Triple XXXs due to the resistors or something. I switched back to 6L6s to avoid repeatedly buying new sets of tubes. Have other people had this problem as well??

Yup, screen grid resistors.....Peavey has been putting the correct value resistor in XXXs for E34Ls for at least the last five years or so. Any of the later models should be fine. Mine is good to go and it is from around 2004.

 

[Wonker]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

The head is awesome, play with different speakers combos till you find the sound you are looking for. Trust me you'll like the outcome.

Just my $.02

 

[korovamilkdud]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Well you could probably try a different pickup than a Hot Rails. I'm not sure what else is out there in that output range, but there should be something a little clearer than that. Strats unfortunately, are not my specialty.

I wonder if dropping the output of the pups and going with a higher-gain preamp section would help. Worth a try I suppose.

Big +1 on the speakers though. This is a bit harsh to say, but I almost NEVER hear G12t-75 speakers sound good. They're always either too muffled or too tinny. If you want warm and clear, something else may be in order.

I'd agree with trying some EL34 tubes also. More mids, and smoother than 6L6. 6L6 is great for sparkling clean tones, but these amps seem to able to do that with EL34 as well.

 

[devastone]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Might not hurt to try the lil '59, seems like the Hot Rails can be a little too warm and lose clarity. You should still have plenty of gain on the XXX.

 

[PVFan]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

Yes.

Use the amber channel of that amp. It is ~perfection (get it?), and it doesn't matter about which output tube types are being used.

 

[PVFan]

Re: Peavey XXX... clear/warm tone possible?

also,
when you say at "high volumes the amp sounds rather harsh and piercing"
a bias for new tubes has fixed that several times now for me, and with different amps.