The old Super Reverb/ Matt Schofield amp trick

[JB_From_Hell]

A buddy came over with a box of tubes and swapped out a few in my '73 Super. He's had a similar one for a number of years, and pinpointed a few tweaks that needed to be made, and it's screaming like a demon now.

I was just playing my Tele through it, and remembered hearing Matt Schofield describe how he EQs an amp quickly. No cable plugged in, crank the volume until there's some hiss, and turn each knob until you hear the sweet spot, where it sounds like the knob kind of kicked in. I tried it, and straight in, the Tele sounds killer on all 4 positions. I wound up with the treble at 2.75, mid at 5.5, bass at 2.75.

For fun, I plugged in my Lovepedal Les Lius on the Tchula setting, knob cranked, and holy lord... I think this is the best guitar tone I've ever had. It's warm, still twangy, EXTREMELY dynamic, and would sound good in just about any rock, blues, or dirty country setting. Kicked on the boost, and with the Super's volume on 2.5 (no amp breakup at all), it still has a very dynamic tone, but any note is instant controlled feedback.

I'm ditching my plans of replacing the speakers, and gonna spend more time tweaking the knobs and reacquainting myself with this beast.

 

[Demanic]

Just for S&G I might try that trick with my Picovalve. Do you start with the knobs on "1"?

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[JB_From_Hell]

I did. Schofield was talking about doing this with amps like Supers or his Two-Rocks, but I'd be interested in hearing how it works on a high gain amp.

 

[Demanic]

Well, the Picovalve isn't exactly high gain. I usually set it to sound good clean and then use pedals for gain. But then most here already know that.

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[JB_From_Hell]

I was thinking of your Spidervalve.

Plugged the PRS 305 into the Lovepedal/Super. Same settings as the Tele worked great with it.

 

[gsammo79]

I watched Schofield explain this same EQ strategy. It works, man.

 

[Demanic]

I was thinking of your Spidervalve.

Plugged the PRS 305 into the Lovepedal/Super. Same settings as the Tele worked great with it.

Spidervalve is a different beast. Eq ing it is more like eq ing a HD 500. The tube power section responds very well to the input from the modeling. My Picovalve is my "kiss" amp. All tube Class A cathode biased. I have learned to use my ears to dial it in, but I've never tried to adjust it based on what it sounds like with no input.

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[Demanic]

Well I tried doing it with my Picovalve, but without a cable plugged into the input, that amp is dead silent even with the gain and volume maxed.
On a side note, the power supply for my TT Mayhem gave up the ghost today. When I was trying the trick with the amp, I smelled the familiar scent of burning insulation. At first I thought that it might be the amp. I was happy to find that it was only the power supply. It's a weird one though, 120V ac into 16V ac.

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[justFred]

Old super reverbs are my absolute number one amp to play thru. However, at 70 lbs mine is limited to infrequent use in my garage…

 

[hamerfan]

A buddy came over with a box of tubes and swapped out a few in my '73 Super. He's had a similar one for a number of years, and pinpointed a few tweaks that needed to be made, and it's screaming like a demon now.

12ax7 on V6?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

12ax7 on V6?

I think I had it like that, but we went back to 12ATY for the PI. New tubes for the reverb slots, and maybe a new V2 12AX7.

It broke up earlier with the AX7 in V6, but the tone is way clearer and just better with the ATY.

 

[Dave Locher]

I was just playing my Tele through it, and remembered hearing Matt Schofield describe how he EQs an amp quickly. No cable plugged in, crank the volume until there's some hiss, and turn each knob until you hear the sweet spot, where it sounds like the knob kind of kicked in. I tried it, and straight in, the Tele sounds killer on all 4 positions. I wound up with the treble at 2.75, mid at 5.5, bass at 2.75.

Is it a subtle thing, like the sound of the hiss shifts a bit, or a more obvious change?
I have never heard of doing it this way.

 

[PFDarkside]

I thought he did it plugged in?

His goal is to get the most dynamic sound he can, so that flat out it’s compressing and sustaining and backed off it really lightens up. I’ve done it on my V40 Deluxe and got great results as well.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

You’re right, he was plugged in. I’d listened to this as a podcast awhile back and remembered the really hissy part. Regardless, it works either way.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Matt demonstrates at the 26 minute mark.

 

[PFDarkside]

Those shows with Matt have heavily informed my approach to tone the last 4 years or so.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Those shows with Matt have heavily informed my approach to tone the last 4 years or so.

Same. That EQ trick is easily one of the most important guitar tips I’ve ever received.

 

[Dave Locher]

Fascinating! I will definitely try it next time I get a chance to plug in [I play unplugged more often than not; amp time is when no one else is home].
I am really curious to see where my knobs wind up & if I like the sound better.

 

[misterwhizzy]

I saw a Rhett Shull video explaining this method. It works.

 

[GuitarStv]

Well, now I'm going to have to give this a try. It always takes me forever to dial in a sound I'm happy with.