simpy
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Posts: 10
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Post by simpy on Nov 11, 2007 13:01:34 GMT -7
I have a new RXES with the Celestion Gold in it 1 12 combo, and I play only single coil guitars with it, and it seems really bright, even with the treble and mid knobs down on 1.5 and the bass on about 4. Is there a tube suggestion to darken up the tone a little bit. Effects: Wah>Keeley Compressor>Maxon 808>Katana>Keeley CE2>T rex replica. Thanks for reading.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 11, 2007 14:36:56 GMT -7
One thing you can do is turn the tone knob on your guitar. The Gold isn't as bright as the Alnico Blue, but it's still a bright speaker compared to something like the 50W Ceramic Weber Blue Dog.
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Post by telejas on Nov 11, 2007 19:59:49 GMT -7
The RxES is a bright amp, especially when you aren't used to playing this style of amp (AC30-ish voiced). If you are coming from a Fender, Rivera, Boogie, Bogner background the RxES takes a bit of getting used to. My main complaint with the RxES when I first got it was it was *too bright*, but after about a month of gigging with it, I noticed it wasn't as bright and I was turning the treb knob up from 7:30 to about 9:00-10:00. This could be because either A) My ears were getting used to the amp or B) the speakers were finally breaking in (I was running a Weber alnico blue and alnico silver bell - both 50wts).
Don't give up on it... It's one of Doc's best sounding amps!! It'll either break in or grow on you and then you'll have a hard time playing darker voiced amps.
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simpy
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by simpy on Nov 11, 2007 20:14:35 GMT -7
Thanks for all the suggestions. I already do the tone knob thing, but my main guitar is a Mayer strat with the Big Dippers, and, btw telejas, you are right, I am coming from a Fender pedigree. It just seems, as the amp breaks in, it's actually getting brighter. Seems crazy, I bought it in August of this year. I certainly will not get rid of it, I just wandered if a tube swap would help it any. I have tried JJ's in the el84 slots and seems to have made it worse, so I went back to the GT's. Thanks for reading guys, keep the suggestions coming please.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Nov 11, 2007 20:50:16 GMT -7
Thanks for all the suggestions. I already do the tone knob thing, but my main guitar is a Mayer strat with the Big Dippers, and, btw telejas, you are right, I am coming from a Fender pedigree. It just seems, as the amp breaks in, it's actually getting brighter. Seems crazy, I bought it in August of this year. I certainly will not get rid of it, I just wandered if a tube swap would help it any. I have tried JJ's in the el84 slots and seems to have made it worse, so I went back to the GT's. Thanks for reading guys, keep the suggestions coming please. One thing about tubes is they all have a character of their own. You might try a different EF86, you might try different 12AX7's, etc. I know there are a bazillion differently voiced tubes out there. I'd suggest you call one of the tube gurus and tell them what you're trying to do - I'll bet they can make a solid recommendation.
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Post by aj1169 on Nov 11, 2007 22:22:44 GMT -7
For what it's worth, I put an RFT 12AX7 in V1 of my RxES a while ago just to see how it would respond, not because I was unhappy with the way the amp sounded stock, but just to try something different. The RFT is not an overly bright sounding tube, but what I noticed on the RxES with the RFT is that the breakup comes on just a little bit sooner. It makes for a slightly fuller sound overall. I'm not talking about total crunch or anything like that, but you can just hear a little bit of hair starting to grow as the amp goes up. It's still a "bright" amp though, but to me this is what I like. I don't refer to it as bright, but rather articulate. I came from a Vox background and this amp is my #1 amp ever. I can see how someone with a Fender background could have a hard time getting used to this amp.
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simpy
New Member
Posts: 10
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Post by simpy on Nov 25, 2007 12:14:01 GMT -7
Just an update on this, I sent my OD808 pedal in to Keeley and had it modded, now things are much better. I have also found that by having the volume up on the amp, at say, 12 o'clock, it seems to help a little bit as well. The OD808 really comes alive after a few mods, it's a great drive pedal for anyone looking for a cranked blues tone.
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Post by janinedoubly on Jan 17, 2008 16:56:10 GMT -7
Another thing to try is to run the treble control al the way down. Because Z uses the EF86 in the tone stack, you can get some nice dark tones even with the treble all the way off. I just recently used the RX ES for a CD and when I needed a "dark" tone, especially when overdriven, I found the treble to be a little too much. I took the treble all the way down and it was very usable. Most passsive treble controls sound horrible when taken all the way down. Not so with the RX ES. Speakers can also help. Z's 2 x 10 cabs are great for taking a bit of the brittleness off the top end.
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Jan 17, 2008 21:00:49 GMT -7
Hey Simpy, Welcome to the forum...
Another REALLY good easy change you can try that will make a dramatic difference in your amp is Different Rectifiers... especially NOS ones will give you alot of variations on the RX theme tonally. can spend alot or not too much, I've gotten some nice ones from Mike at KCA and the Tube rectifiers outta last a LONG time... so even if they cost a little more to me they are worth every penny.
I actually like the stock Sovtek in my RX ES but I also used the mislabled NOS 5AR4 from Mike in BOTH Maz's and the RX ES with great results... got more headroom.
But to really fight the Brightness, and the Celestion Blue/ Gold can be pretty bright even after they are broken in, perfect for some styles/ players and maybe not for others. This is why I like the Weber's myself... the Bluedog and Silverbell sound VERY good... and the Tone Tubby speakers sound amazing with the Maz JR/ SR and I'm also liking them with the RX's for a fuller, rounder style tone with a little less chime and more fatness.
So the speakers can help ya dial it in for YOUR sound a little better too.
Just my $.02 YMMV ;D
Jason
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Post by azatplayer on Feb 3, 2008 1:29:41 GMT -7
I changed my Dario EF86 out for an old Valvo my tube guy had laying around. It darkened the amp heaps, made it very warm. That was in the house. But when i actually gigged the thing later, i found it was too dark on stage, and really could of had the Dario back in it. Ive left the Valvo in it tho, as its simply too much amp for the gigs i do. I may get a Jr for that very reason.
So yes the EF swap will darken it some with the right tube, at least the Valvo over the Dario. I have a JJ E86F that i have not tried yet, will do it now and post the findings. Cheers Azat
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Post by azatplayer on Feb 3, 2008 1:57:56 GMT -7
Wel just swapped the JJ in, correction its an EF806S. And its pretty sweet. Longevity i think is the thing with EF86's. So time will tell, but it has a slightly brighter tone than the Valvo. Not bad tho, when i dig in on the strat it gave up some pretty pleasing grind, i like to run on the edge of breakup, generally clean. I just love this amp.
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Post by stratosphere on Feb 11, 2008 23:20:45 GMT -7
I found that Tung Sol 12AX7's were not as bright as other 12AX7's. They seemed to calm down the my Maz some
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Post by cementman on Feb 12, 2008 17:42:20 GMT -7
i think myles rose suggests a 12ax7C in the v1 slot. i have, have used it and it does darken a bright.
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Post by frank4001 on Feb 13, 2008 7:43:18 GMT -7
I pulled mine out last night...hadn't been using it much...I got to say its a great sounding amp even with the treble on ZERO. I had it dialed in great in the high channel and no OD. With the GB's in its really not allot louder than my Tremolux. I 'm going to start using it more even at the small gigs...Don't be afraid to start the treble on zero and go from there..I ended up with it up slightly but, I know, on a gig e you might need some more...you know how that goes..I think many folks don't give the GB's time break in either...I know I felt it was way too trebley(?) when I first got it...I think a beam blocker or some duct tape over the coils till the speakers break in may be the ticket...Hope this may help some folks. I, like many others, am so comfortable with my BF Fenders that I just tend to grab them first....time to let this thing out again. Maybe its psychological, Treble on 2....I'll have to get over it!..I'm playing strats and tele's for reference. I have Tung Sol Pre-amp tubes and a Mullard EF86 in it.
A little update....I have been able to tame the brightnes by playing the amp up all the way...Basically the tone changes a bit when run wide open. With a strat or tele I turn up all the way, Treble up about 1/4, Mid up half or little past and bass up about 1/3 or so. When I turn down the guitar the amp sounds less bright than if I had say the amp up half way and the guitar turned up a bit more...Now I get great clean, when backed off, with smooth treble and when I turn up the guitar all the way it's overdrving and sustaining and all the the other good stuff. I e-mailed Dr.Z about installing a cut control and Brent e-mailed back that one could not be installed...I have a local tech that says he can do it but by running the amp like this there is no need to mess with anything....Try it. Amp on 10, T= Up 1/4, M= 1/2, B= 1/3...Control it all from the guitar...High Input...Dose or not...
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Post by carrjimi on Jun 3, 2008 12:22:56 GMT -7
my RXES came with a AEL (Mullard) EF86 new and it was very bright. Not bad, just bright. I swapped in a Dario miniwatt and it toned it down quite a bit.
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Post by ajnewkirk on Jun 4, 2008 20:29:11 GMT -7
I think a beam blocker or some duct tape over the coils till the speakers break in may be the ticket... +1 on the Beam Blockers. I installed one in my RSEX and right away the hi-endiness of the amp was much more controllable with the treble knob. The only thing to watch for...if you over-tighten the screws that hold the Beam Blocker on it will cause the blocker to actually come into contact with the speaker when it moves outward. Make sure you get the screws snug, but don't crank them down.
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traciiguns
New Member
MY VERY FIRST Z!!!!!!!!
Posts: 43
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Post by traciiguns on Jun 26, 2008 20:07:14 GMT -7
I just picked up the same amps and DR Z told me to give the gold time to break in a bit and the brightness should relax into a comfortable place
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Post by 6strang (aka Paul) on Jun 27, 2008 5:55:55 GMT -7
I like the beam blockers...but they can take some getting used to. They can take some of that shrill factor away.
Tracii - I saw your new amp line at Z-fest and I was so fired up for you. Just a killer set up. I will see ya sometime if you all make it up to Michigan. My best, Paul
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Post by mcdyasz on Nov 11, 2014 11:25:57 GMT -7
Another thing to try is to run the treble control al the way down. Because Z uses the EF86 in the tone stack, you can get some nice dark tones even with the treble all the way off. I just recently used the RX ES for a CD and when I needed a "dark" tone, especially when overdriven, I found the treble to be a little too much. I took the treble all the way down and it was very usable. Most passsive treble controls sound horrible when taken all the way down. Not so with the RX ES. Speakers can also help. Z's 2 x 10 cabs are great for taking a bit of the brittleness off the top end. From reading the manual, it says the EF86 is "post-EQ" and for gain only. Apparently V1 is the EQ tube and the EF86 in V2 is for gain. That is how I read it. Anyone?
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Nov 11, 2014 15:38:34 GMT -7
You read the manual? ? isn't that cheating?
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Post by mcdyasz on Nov 11, 2014 16:27:02 GMT -7
Could be-
I got my Rx Jr last week and was trying to figure out why a 12AX7 was in front of the EF86 so I searched old forum posts (more cheating) to see if there was a topic on the tube chart for the amp and found a post that mentioned that a manual can be found on the Z website.
It appears that the 12AX7 in V1 is purely for a "traditional" tone stack and that the EF86 is the gain tube for the preamp. I bought the amp looking for an EF86 in V1 but with a middle knob in the tone stack. I like the sound and I'm happy with the amp but I can't help wonder what the advantage is to having the tone stack in front of the EF86. I guess the Doc has it figured out.
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