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Post by detuned on Feb 17, 2011 9:15:42 GMT -7
I find the Remedy to be a really percussive amp. With my strat, there's a "boinginess" (for lack of a better description) on the lower strings, & a slight harshness (especially hitting a first position A chord on the bridge pickup) that I just can't dial out without losing all the high end.
I can soften it up a bit running it simultaneously with my Maz Jr, although the high end is still a little clangy.
Anyone have any tips to round out the sound a bit? I've tried both fiddling with the tone controls & the channel volumes, but I can't quite get there...
Help!
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Post by John on Feb 17, 2011 11:17:24 GMT -7
Turn the 'normal' knob up....a lot. Much higher than the 'high' volume.
I've found this cures a lot of the brightness the Remedy is known for. Especially with single coils. Turn it back down for humbuckers.
Personally, for my tele, I run the high volume about 1:00...,but the 'normal' volume...up around 2:30
But all of this is still with the bass eq around 9:00
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 17, 2011 11:20:34 GMT -7
Yeah, what John said. Also what speakers? They make a GIANT difference.
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Post by detuned on Feb 17, 2011 14:05:30 GMT -7
Speaker is a Scumback H55 - a lot like a Celestion G12H30, but with more omph in the bottom. I've used this speaker with a couple of amps & really like it. Don't think it's the speaker.
The only beef with turning the volumes up that much is that the amp will break up a lot if I do that, & I'm trying to keep it clean. Plus it'll be too volumetric...
I'll try adjusting the Normal volume though. Thanks!
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Post by John on Feb 17, 2011 14:24:42 GMT -7
Personally, I can't stand the G12H with the Remedy. I was fortunate do be able to do a shootout between the G12H, V30 and greenback. One right after the other. Greenback was the winner, the V30 was a somewhat close second. (but only if you're going for a rather hard rock sound)
And the G12H was just plain awful. There's a real bright sizzle to the G12H, and the Remedy really brings this sizzle out. With some amp/guitar combination, it works, with others, it doesn't. And to me it doesn't work with the Remedy.
But for the amp itself, if turning up the normal knob makes it too loud...turn the high volume down.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 17, 2011 14:30:19 GMT -7
Speaker is a Scumback H55 - a lot like a Celestion G12H30, but with more omph in the bottom. I've used this speaker with a couple of amps & really like it. Don't think it's the speaker. The only beef with turning the volumes up that much is that the amp will break up a lot if I do that, & I'm trying to keep it clean. Plus it'll be too volumetric... I'll try adjusting the Normal volume though. Thanks! You owe it to yourself to connect with a buddy and try something different, if only to see how dramatically it can affect your tone. Dr. Z himself has said that the speaker is the single most tone influencing item in the entire signal chain. I'm not suggesting you buy a new speaker - I'm suggeting that you let the idea that it might help into your field of consideration.
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Post by detuned on Feb 18, 2011 7:48:45 GMT -7
Oh, I've tried it with a bunch of speakers. A greenback, a V30, plugged into a 4X12 I have with some crummy old Celestions, & my Maz Jr combo with the Doc's 10's in it.
I'll keep looking, I guess...
Thanks!
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 18, 2011 8:13:23 GMT -7
Oh, I've tried it with a bunch of speakers. A greenback, a V30, plugged into a 4X12 I have with some crummy old Celestions, & my Maz Jr combo with the Doc's 10's in it. I'll keep looking, I guess... Thanks! AH! Ok then, I can shut up about that. It's just so often here I see guys saying, "It hurts so bad when I keep pounding this hammer into my face!" but never get the idea to not do that. So if it's not your speakers, and it's not your settings, then I agree you might want to experiment with some different tubes. They can also make quite a large difference...
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Post by detuned on Feb 18, 2011 11:40:55 GMT -7
Thanks Steve.
Yeah, I actually dig the Scumback quite a bit - sounds especially killer with my old Fender Showman...
I've tried a couple of different JJ 12ax7s in there, & an E-H 12ay7.
Something else? Something NOS?
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Post by skeets1640 on Feb 18, 2011 13:05:19 GMT -7
Haven't tried this but what about using Tung Sol 6v6's aren't they suppose to be smoother sounding then the JJ's? Just a thought. I got a pair to try in my Z28 but haven't busted them out yet.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Feb 18, 2011 14:19:18 GMT -7
I wish I could offer up some tube suggestions but I'm using the stock tubes and digging it quite a lot. So I haven't wanted to do any experimentation here.
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Post by John on Feb 18, 2011 15:01:42 GMT -7
I still say: With the 'high' volume off, turn the normal volume up to a loudness you like, then turn the high volume up to taste.
If that doesn't do it, perhaps the Remedy is just too bright for you.
Also, could be your strat pickups? (But I doubt it.)
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Post by chetz on Feb 19, 2011 1:24:42 GMT -7
I bought some old RCA tubes and the Remedy was transformee from a great amp to an out of this world amp. I also put a Mullard longplate in the V! slot and then a couple of RCA blackplates in V2 and V3. I have a bunch of tubes and had to fiddle with it a fair amount.
Peace, Jeff
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Post by jimfla on Feb 19, 2011 11:22:34 GMT -7
I have the Tung Sol 6v6s in my Remedy. They are smoother than the JJs, I like them better.
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Post by detuned on Feb 19, 2011 17:28:35 GMT -7
Yesterday I tried a couple of different tubes in V1, with mixed results.
Didn't care for the various JJ's I had lying around, or the Tung-Sol, but enjoyed (of all things) an old Russian 12AX7 (relabeled Fender), although it was a little aggresive fort tastes.
The eventual winner was an EH 12AY7, which, while not as sweet as the Fender, lowered the gain just enough so I turn it up a bit, which was a big help.
I think I'll look into some NOS 12AX7s next...
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Post by detuned on Feb 19, 2011 17:30:38 GMT -7
On a related note: does anyone know what V2 does? V1 supplies the gain to both channels, & V3 is the PI, bit what's V2 up to in there?
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Post by bluzman on Feb 19, 2011 18:51:08 GMT -7
Probably the tone stack
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Post by John on Feb 19, 2011 19:22:28 GMT -7
On a related note: does anyone know what V2 does? V1 supplies the gain to both channels, & V3 is the PI, bit what's V2 up to in there? The Remedy is a 'cathode follower tone stack'. And that means the tone stack follows the second tube (V2) The tone stack takes away a little juice, so V2 builds up power from V1...and blasts it through the tone stack on it's way to the PI. Then Fender for their black face amps, put the tone stack inbetween V1 and V2...using V2 as a boost/recovery after it's gone through the tone stack. But doing this changed tone, gain and feel.
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Post by detuned on Feb 19, 2011 20:40:25 GMT -7
Very informative - thanks John! A little "k" yer way!
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Post by detuned on Mar 2, 2011 11:15:32 GMT -7
An update: I was quizzing Myles in the Xperts section, asking tube advice for the "smoothing" issue, & here is what he said.
----------------- OK ... let's take a look here ....
To clean things up overall you might want to try a 5751 in the phase inverter. That will also smooth things out.
The EH 12AY7 is not a tube I would pick for 12AY7 use. I would go the NOS route on a 12AY7. the AY7 is not going to be a bright or snappy tube. It is all compromise. If you want bright and articulate look for a longer plate 12AX7 for V1 and we can try to tame the amp via the phase inverter.
What is in V2? The only Russian tube I would use there is perhaps a Tung Sol Reissue. Since it is just one amp and you don't have an issue of trying to get a lot of tubes to build a lot of amps you may want to consider an NOS USA medium plate tube from the 60s / 70s like an RCA 7025, GE or Sylvania. These are all neutral and articulate.
I am not a fan of JJ 6V6s. Personal taste. They sound more like a 6L6 than a 6V6. Some folks love that. I don't.
The JJ also used to be rugged. These days I see about a 50% rattle rate right out of the box. Electrically they are generally very sturdy.
I like the Russian Tung Sol marked tubes a lot.
Hope that helped.
Happy playing.
Myles
-----------------
For your edification & amusement...
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Post by detuned on Mar 23, 2011 11:26:54 GMT -7
Update:
I took Myles' advice regarding my Remedy, although I didn't go all NOS (tax season).
JJ ECC803s in V1, Tung Sol 12AX7 in V2, & NOS JAN Phillips 5751 in V3 to tame the output. I haven't got 'round to replacing the 6V6s yet (again, tax season!).
MUCH improved. The 803s is full of long plate goodness, lots of sparkle & character, & the 5751 smooths out the amp nicely. Almost all the hardness & "sproinginess" is gone, & my strat sounds almost Jim-like. If only I had the chops to back it up!
Myles rocks majorly. If you're looking to get a little more of a retro early Marshall sound out of your Remedy, I recommend this setup. :-)
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Post by bradtfw on Mar 23, 2011 11:37:20 GMT -7
I'm glad to hear that you were able to get what you wanted from the Remedy without having to spend too much.
Did you try/consider a 12AT7(ECC81) for V3? I like the idea of making the output section smoothe and cleaner. I wonder if the 5751 is right for me as well.
Did you look into the gold pin ECC803 for V1?
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Post by John on Mar 23, 2011 11:52:02 GMT -7
I would have thought he would recommend a 5751 in v1...not the pi.
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Post by detuned on Mar 25, 2011 20:00:20 GMT -7
I would have thought he would recommend a 5751 in v1...not the pi. Actually, I'm thinking about that too... Although I like the long plate goodness in V1 - very sparkly! 12AT7's an odd tube, same with the 12AY7 I tried in V3. I'm not sure they're the most toneful choice for V1 or 3. Typically you see them driving reverb or tremolo...
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Post by bradtfw on Apr 5, 2011 5:55:37 GMT -7
I went ahead and tried out these tube suggestions. I was ordering some new tubes for my Hiwatt and thought that I might as well put a JAN Phillips 5751 and a JJ ECC803s Gold Pin into the cart as well.
I played it for about one minute last night, but my immediate reactions are that I like it. The output section breaks-up quite a bit later on dial and that is fine with me. I bought some other tubes to play around with, but haven't had the chance just yet. I'll report back with details on my findings.
I have come to realize that I am looking for a much different sound from the Remedy than most people. I like a high-headroom power section with ice-cold mids, which is why I bought a Hiwatt.
I already have a Marshall that gives me great classic crunch and higher gain sounds. Also, my Marshall has more presence and depth when achieving similar tones. However, the Dr. Z is more touch sensitive and more articulate in the midrange. It is also much easier to get power tube break-up when desired.
In order to make the Remedy less redundant in my lineup I'm trying to get some different tones out of it. I am likely going to order some Tung-Sol 6V6s and see if that gets me closer to the tones I have in mind.
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Post by detuned on Apr 5, 2011 9:25:45 GMT -7
Brad, I'm with you! That's exactly the sound my old 50 watt small-box Marshall got, & what I'm chasing...
I'm going to try the Tung-Sol 6V6s next too; Myles recommended them as smoother than the JJs.
It's amazing how versatile the Remedy platform can be with only a few tweaks.
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Post by Andy 67 on Apr 5, 2011 9:55:31 GMT -7
I placed a NOS Telefunken in V1, and I think that the 'crispy' highs that i first heard in the Rem soon disappeared, and I think it now has even more harmonics... Just my +2. Tons of tone!!
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Post by bradtfw on Apr 5, 2011 10:35:13 GMT -7
At first I really liked playing the Remedy with the volumes at 2:00 or above for that great overdrive into total fuzzy distortion. After the honeymoon I realized that I wanted to get some more use out of the dial from 9:00 to 1:00. It is great that it can go there without having to get super loud, but tastes change and now I'm looking for a more mild-medium overdrive. I'm chasing the tones on "High Voltage." I still haven't pulled the trigger on an SG, but if/when I do I'm sure I will be well within reach Good to know about the Telefunken in V1. So many tubes out there, good to have a refferal. Do you know if they are smooth plates or ribbed plates? I really like the way Telefunkens sound in my father's 66' Vibro Champ. Perhaps I will steal one for a bit to give it a test
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Post by Andy 67 on Apr 5, 2011 10:40:21 GMT -7
At first I really liked playing the Remedy with the volumes at 2:00 or above for that great overdrive into total fuzzy distortion. After the honeymoon I realized that I wanted to get some more use out of the dial from 9:00 to 1:00. It is great that it can go there without having to get super loud, but tastes change and now I'm looking for a more mild-medium overdrive. I'm chasing the tones on "High Voltage." I still haven't pulled the trigger on an SG, but if/when I do I'm sure I will be well within reach Good to know about the Telefunken in V1. So many tubes out there, good to have a refferal. Do you know if they are smooth plates or ribbed plates? I really like the way Telefunkens sound in my father's 66' Vibro Champ. Perhaps I will steal one for a bit to give it a test Sorry, Brad, the only thing I can tell you is that it was a long plate one... Hope it helps. Tons of tone!!
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Post by bradtfw on Apr 6, 2011 8:20:08 GMT -7
I tried a balanced JJ ECC803s in V3 last night. It brings back the power tube breakup and makes it a bit more harmonic and bigger when compared to the stock Tung-Sol. You will definitely notice a change with a JAN Phillips 5751 in V3, but this one is much more subtle. I went ahead and purchased the balanced triode option for all of the tubes that I intended to try as a PI. Some would say that this is a waste of money. Some would say that the power section of a guitar amplifier is so unbalanced that it won't matter. Some would also say that you should try to make your power section unbalanced because it makes for more harmonic content (even/odd order, I don't really know which). To this I say, come on it is only $2! Also, I will let the OT and power tubes handle the creation/reproduction of harmonics. I am simply eliminating variables by starting with a balanced PI. If I find it to be sterile sounding I will purchase a tube blindly and hope that it is not balanced? Also, did I mention that it only costs $2 more to buy a preamp tube that is likely much closer to the manufacturers specifications. As you can tell, I have an opinion or two on the above matter. I'm still playing around, but science experiments get annoying to everyone in the house when they involve loud repetitive music. Until next time. I hope more people experiment with tubes in the Remedy. It would be interesting to compile a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
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