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Post by detuned on Jan 12, 2006 10:08:14 GMT -7
I'm nuts, I know.
When I crank my Mini all the way up, I hear a fair amount of filament rattle from one of the tubes. Less at lower settings, but it's still there.
Anyone else encounter this? Is it considered "normal"? Should I expect a tube swap under warrantee, or am I expected to live with it?
It's not a huge deal, but when you get a new rig, you want it "perfect" out of the box. I want to record with this amp, so the less extraneous niose, the better. Not trying to ruffle feathers here, just genuinely curious...
Also, I'm crazy, but I want even MORE gain. What's the best way to do this? Swap out the 12AX7 for a "dirtier" one, or boost the front end?
Thanks everyone!
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Post by kruzty on Jan 12, 2006 10:36:18 GMT -7
I have that too (it doesn't need to be cranked for me to hear it). It seems to happen only after I've played it for a few minutes. I put a GT 12ax7M in it and that's when I really started to notice it.
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Post by prowler on Jan 12, 2006 11:25:03 GMT -7
I have noticed a bit of tube rattle with my Mini as well. I haven't noticed it when recording though. I *think* the rattle comes from the power tube but I could be wrong.
As for more gain you can try different 12ax7 tubes. Since the Mini only has one preamp tube changing it out can make huge differences in your tone. In addition to that something like an AC Booster might be fun to try.
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Post by zane on Jan 12, 2006 16:21:40 GMT -7
posted by prowler; "I *think* the rattle comes from the power tube but I could be wrong."
BINGO prowler!...Mine started to rattle after about an hour of playing when I first got it ...I fiqured it was the pre-amp tube...I had a bunch of 'em so I swaped it out ...but... after a little bit-o-playing I'd hear it again...I swaped about 5 diferent times....well I finnaly swaped out the power tube & that fixed it!
posted by detuned: "What's the best way to do this? Swap out the 12AX7 for a "dirtier" one, or boost the front end?"
different tubes will give you different amounts of "overdrive" you just have to play around with it a little .
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Post by taswegian on Jan 12, 2006 17:00:39 GMT -7
When I gigged with mine I hit it with the Fatboost for a little more gain and...fat for solo's. I use Humbuckers so it's plenty dirty around 12 oclock. I also have a really thin rattle cranked which disappears when I plug into the Z best which led me to believe it was the speaker, but it's probably the power tube and it just doesn't happen with the other cab plugged in 'cause the combo isn't vibrating as much. It only happens on my g string 12 fret as well. What key doesn't have a G? Doesn't bother me though.
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Post by detuned on Jan 12, 2006 17:21:47 GMT -7
Thanks fellas.
Is this something covered under warantee, or am I on my own?
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Post by prowler on Jan 12, 2006 17:58:55 GMT -7
I don't think that tube rattle would be a warranty issue but you may want to ask Z to be sure.
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Post by jzguitar on Jan 12, 2006 19:59:42 GMT -7
This seems to be pretty common in EL84 combo amps - my Mazerati does the same thing, as well as my Peavey Classic 30. I've been using an extension cab without the internal speaker, so it's not a problem now. I've often wondered if NOS EL84's are less prone to rattle - I'd hate to buy a nice set and have them vibrated to death in a combo!
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Post by foxx on Jan 13, 2006 17:08:08 GMT -7
Yeah, it's the el84's. My new power tubes did not rattle until I cranked it, they will probably all rattle in a combo. I live with it.
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Post by prowler on Jan 17, 2006 8:24:56 GMT -7
detuned...
How do you like your new Mini now that you've had a chance to play it?
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Post by detuned on Jan 17, 2006 10:50:36 GMT -7
Since prowler asked, here's an update:
First, I exchanged emails with the good Doctor, & once he figured out I wasn't a 14 year old metal head ;-), & since I was asking as politely as I could, he offered to send out a new EL84. Yay! So we'll see how that goes...
Again, I wouldn't complain about it except that the rattle is *really* loud, especially around C, C#. Sounds like someone dropped a wine glass back there (They didn't, I checked). :-)
I went through this with my old Fender Hot Rod Deluxe when I retro fitted it with 6V6s, so I know what this sounds like. I solved that one by swapping both a tube, & the position they were in. With the Mini, the position swap is not an option.
Moving on... How do I like the Mini? Honestly, I don't think I've had it long enough to really tell. Don't get me wrong, it's a great amp - great sounds, well built, amazing value for anything with that "Z" on it. But even though it's exactly as advertised, it's not really what I thought it would be. It does the thing that it does REALLY REALLY well, but that's it.
I went through a period where I thought I would return it, because I couldn't get enough (crazy, I know) distortion out of it to go from clean -> insane with a twist of my guitar volume. Then I thought if I swapped out the 12AX7 for a hotter one, I'd get there. Then I thought if I used my Keeley-modded BD2 to boost the bejeebus out of it I 'd get there. But I didn't. The Doc is right (surprise!): the stock tubes in there are the perfect mates for this amp.
Overall, it's a great amp. It records really well - sounds like a stack without the resulting police visit. :-) It responds *really* well to tone adjustments, & cleans up nicely with the guitar volume knob (well, as clean as it gets, anyway). In fact, I like the sound of the amp at about 3-3:30 with the volume rolled off better than at 9 with the guitar volume full up. If I had a niggle, I find the cabinet to be a little nasal-sounding, but again, it's not bad, just a personal taste thing. Any small-box amp's going to give you at least some of that.
I find I like the amp the most after I've been playing a while, & rather than trying to fit the amp to my playing, I begin to use my technique (such as it is) to play to the strengths of the amp. Which is one of the reasons I bought it in the first place - to expand my horizons.
Anyone else sorry prowler asked? :-P
Seriously, it's a great amp, I think I just need to learn how to play it properly, & stop trying to make it do anything other than what it does so well. Right now, I don't love it, but I'm going to try to learn...
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Post by taswegian on Jan 17, 2006 15:05:13 GMT -7
I talk a bit about this in the "mini phenonenon" thread drzamplifiers.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=mini&action=display&thread=1132643400I found the longer I had my mini, the better it sounded and the more I grew to love it. Even though it's very hot, I think you need to remember that the mini creates great amp "overdrive" as opposed to "distortion". If you need it to go further you might have to hit it with a hot distortion or fuzz. I think Brian May would LOVE this amp.
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Post by detuned on Jan 23, 2006 19:21:33 GMT -7
I've posted a new thread with an update on my rattle situation.
Long story short: 1. I'm an idiot, but a happy one. 2. the Doc rawks!
*edit* spelling
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