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Post by Chris Rice on Nov 30, 2007 22:09:40 GMT -7
Any suggestions? I'm running through an old-style Z 1x12" with Vintage 30, a NOS Dario EF86 (from KCANOS) and JJ E34Ls. The 65 side is great, but the 45 side is thin, peaky, and generally uninspiring. I've tried the tone knobs all over the place and a few dozen different guitars. I'm primarily a single coil guy, the humbuckers sound better.
I like it cranked to distortion, but it is not nearly as loud as the 65 side and I really want it to be good for cleans. Different PI tube? I think I have an EH 12AX7 in there now. My clean tone references are a Deluxe Reverb and Pro Reverb and a few others.
Thanks!
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Post by Chris Rice on Nov 30, 2007 22:10:34 GMT -7
Oh yeah, I've also used four other speakers/cabs in singles and pairs.
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Post by kruzty on Dec 1, 2007 8:26:54 GMT -7
If it is an option to not play as loud, you could turn the 65 master down to match what you want to hear on the 45 side. Another thing you could do if you like to crank the 45 side all the way is use the 65 side for cleans.
With the EF86, the 45 side can take pedals real well, so another option is to use a boost when you're on that channel.
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Post by (8^D) on Dec 1, 2007 11:07:52 GMT -7
2 things: 1. Vs. the 65 side, you're not going to get as much output from the 45 side - will be quieter than the 65 (just the head design); and 2. You're not likely to get a Fender clean out of either side of the 6545. Channel/amp voicings are quite a bit different.
If you're running Single-Coil pups and want OD AND clean out of each channel, you're likely going to need a boost or some drive pedal to push a bit. Not enough output difference by rolling the guitar volume down to clean up the dirty amp signal.
I generally run the KT side somewhere in the ballpark of the volume around 2:00, T: 1:00, B: 2:30. Have the 65 side with the Master @ 12:00 (gain variable by guitar/music/pedals/etc) - seems to be a fairly balanced setup. Run that with a Comp @ unity and light sustain, and push each channel with an OCD set for a light volume and drive bump for leads. Works well with single and hum guitars - mostly use the amp, guitar volume for sounds and kick on the OCD for a touch more of everything.
Cab, I've had the 6545 thru a Mesa 412 w/V30s, Marshall 1960A, V30/G12H30 212 cab, Weber 50 Watt Alnico Silver, Weber 1230-55/50 Watt Blue Alnico 212. Every one sounded different and great.
Might also try setting the tone control on your guitar around "7" (out of 10) to take a bit of the bite out.
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Post by rhythmeister on Dec 1, 2007 12:20:53 GMT -7
Hi Chris,
It sounds like you want to use the 6545 the way I do - 65 side for distortion and 45 side for cleans. I'm able to do it, but it did take some tube tinkering.
It is a bit of a challenge because the tubes are shared between both sides of the amp (well, I think the EF86 is only for the 45 side?). But if you swap shared tubes to try to improve the 45, you have an effect on the 65 side. So it is a balance.
I found a remarkable improvement in the tone of both sides by putting a NOS Brimar 12AX7 into V1. I find that this gives me good "vintage" feeling gain on the 65 side, and sparkling single-coil cleans on the 45 side. On the 45-side, no matter what, the volume is relatively lower than the other side, so you have to turn it up to try to match the 65. Also, on the 45 side, to suit my ear, I run it with the bass full up and treble almost off.
I have found the Dario EF86 is the best of any I tried.
In the PI position, I like a long-plate tube. Sovtek makes one - LPS. I think Groove Tubes and JJ also have versions.
If you find the 45 side breaks up too soon, you want to increse headroom on the amp. I don't think this would negatively affect tone too much on the 65 side, assuming that you are getting your distortion mainly from the preamp - ie. running the gain high - and not the power tubes. If that is so, you could go with power tubes picked for less breakup (more clean headroom). With Groove Tubes, I believe that is the higher-numbered sets of E34Ls.
The other thing that Myles has mentioned here is that a NOS rectifier will increase the wattage and clean headroom of an amp. (I hope I got that right.)
Good luck on the quest - it can be done with patience and a good tube budget!
Cheers,
Blair
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Dec 1, 2007 13:33:02 GMT -7
When I use my strat I go with Volume at 3:00 with Bass & Treble at 11:00. I get tons of clean headroom that way. However, I can still get lots of grind when I max out the guitar volume. As for Groove Tubes the higher numbered tubes are the ones with the most headroom (#8 to 10) (4 to 7) are normal range and (1 to 3) break up a lot earlier.
Now I mostly play humbucker equipped guitars and find the following settings balance really well volume wise.
KT45 V, T, B all at 2:00 or V at 1:00 with T&B full on SRZ65 B 1:00 M 1:30 T 11:30 Master 1:00 Gain 10:00 to 12:00
This lets me get unity volume between each channel. Like I said though I usually go with humbuckers but works well with single coils as well.
Hope that is somewhat helpful.
Paul G.
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Post by rhythmeister on Dec 1, 2007 17:07:50 GMT -7
As for Groove Tubes the higher numbered tubes are the ones with the most headroom (#8 to 10) (4 to 7) are normal range and (1 to 3) break up a lot earlier. Paul G. Thanks for noting that - I forgot which way the numbers went! Cheers, Blair
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Post by Chris Rice on Dec 3, 2007 23:42:57 GMT -7
Thanks for the input. If I ever get some free time I'll be trying some of this stuff out.
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Post by Chris Rice on Mar 26, 2008 10:37:38 GMT -7
It's a great amp, but the more I play with it the less I think it's the right one for me. Spent 20 minutes this morning, then switched over to the Pro Reverb and was happier.
Tried some different tubes, think I'll switch back to the Svetlana power tubes that were in it when I first got the amp. At first I loved the 45 side and wasn't thrilled with the 65 side, now it's the other way around.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Mar 27, 2008 19:27:22 GMT -7
I can see that. It took me quite a while to get mine to where I wanted it. I finally wound up with all controls on 3:00 (KT-45 side) and I love the grind I can get when my Les Paul or my JB14 are cranked up. Turn down the guitar and I get a nice fat clean tone that gets hairy when I really dig in. Like I said though it took me a long while to get there. I found my 65 side tone pretty fast and love it. So......I know where you are coming from.
Paul G.
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Post by Chris Rice on Apr 14, 2008 21:08:05 GMT -7
Most of my problem lies with the Vintage 30. I just don't like that speaker. I dropped a Celestion Vintage Lead 80 into the Z 1x12" which brought it right around. Also really liking it through a Weber Ceramic California 12" and an EV 12F. Loud clean speakers do it for me.
Very cool amp, but I don't see it being my main thing. I've enjoyed it, now someone else can.
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Post by rhythmeister on Apr 15, 2008 19:39:28 GMT -7
Most of my problem lies with the Vintage 30. I just don't like that speaker. I dropped a Celestion Vintage Lead 80 into the Z 1x12" which brought it right around. Also really liking it through a Weber Ceramic California 12" and an EV 12F. Loud clean speakers do it for me. Very cool amp, but I don't see it being my main thing. I've enjoyed it, now someone else can. I agree that the Lead 80 sounds way better with this amp than the V30. In fact, I don't have a single V30 anymore. Now only Lead 80s and G12-65s for me (and I also have a single Emi Swamp Thang that is pretty cool for some stuff too.) Cheers, Blair
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Post by ssyrjamaki on Apr 29, 2010 10:53:24 GMT -7
Hey... swapping the power tubes for tung sol el34b will really bring out the 45 side with a les paul... sounds great
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