|
Post by jhansenku on Jul 27, 2015 14:05:03 GMT -7
So I picked up a very nice used RX Jr head recently. I ordered a matching 1x12 cab and installed a WGS Et-65. I used the amp at band practice the other day. My fellow other guitar player plays a RX EX with a 2-12 Greenbacks. His sound was just superior to mine. We did some ab ing of our rigs switching the cabs heads etc.... He just had his head retuned too. It wasn't so much the cab, but more the head. My cab really sounded pretty good with his head too. So here our my options: Sell the Rx Jr head and get a used Zwreck head? Retube my Rx Jr because i have no idea about the tube life and that may help a lot? I've checked into tubes and that's going to run me about $200.00 Looking at Tangram El 84's, Tesla Ef86 and Mullard reissue 12 Ax7s. Probably won't change rectifier tube. Any thoughts? I know I won't ever get the head room he has but it just seemed like there should not be that much difference in those two heads in my opinion. I really have liked the you tube videos on the Zwreck head.
|
|
|
Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jul 27, 2015 15:25:56 GMT -7
Pretty sure the Z-Wreck will have WAY more power & volume than the Rx Jr. I recently compared my Rx Jr to my Prescription ("similar" 4-EL84 layout to the 'Wreck) and the big guy absolutely smashed it in overall volume. Just something to keep in mind if you switch.
Aside from that, though, I wouldn't discount a re-tube; it might just get you some "better tone." The 12AX7 in V1 will be really important, as will an NOS EF86 in V2. But in my opinion, for this amp, the rest of 'em don't need to be fancy/rare/NOS stuff. JJ or E-H EL-84's aren't too expensive, but they're good. And as for the rectifier tube.. if it works, it works.
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Jul 27, 2015 21:44:49 GMT -7
Man, just try JJs first and if that makes a big difference then you know it's the tubes. Since you aren't familiar with the current tubes, I'd replace them all. Even the rec tube. If you must have one NOS tube it should be the ef86. The others sounds great with new production JJs, Tung-sol, or EH. I like JJ and Tung-sol preamp tubes. I also tried JJ gold pin ef86 and thought it was good. Didn't have any reliability issues with it but I had several NOS go microphonic on me.
Also, I was not a fan of the et65 with the Rx. It was just missing something. Didn't have the right mids for me. But, I know everyone wants something different so maybe that's what you're after. If haven't already, try it with a greenback, green beret, weber silver bell, or even a g12h30 sounds good with it. The celestion alnico cream wasn't out when I had my RX Jr, but I think that speaker would be glorious with it. The gold was ok but a little too bright and stiff for my liking.
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Jul 27, 2015 21:46:40 GMT -7
That said. The Z-Wreck is a tone machine. Can't go wrong with that one. But it begs for an alnico speaker. Go gold or blue and gold in a 2x12.
|
|
|
Post by telejas on Jul 28, 2015 9:21:18 GMT -7
I've had the RxJr and now have a Z-Wreck (also had the RxES). The RxJr just didn't have near enough headroom for me playing live with my band, but the tone was there...... I did do some comparing of it with my RxES with an attenuator (a recording). I honestly couldn't tell a difference on the recording. When the attenuator was out of the recording, there was a slight difference but not much. I do remember thinking the RxJr sounded much "smaller" compared to my RxES, but that's because it was/is. The Z-Wreck is a powerful amp, but doesn't have the headroom the RxES has, but still has more about double the headroom of the RxJr. It's not quite as hi-fi sounding, because the Rx-- is a little scooped in the upper mids, giving it a more hi-fi type of tone. But the Z-Wreck doesn't really need to sound hi-fi with all the other goodies it has going on. The Wreck does have a stronger mid-range and not quite the "cut" (super top-end) range the Rx-- has. Both take pedals well, but the Wreck takes them better IMO due to the stronger mid-range. The Wreck is also tighter, where the Rx has a looseness to it, especially in the low end..... I think this is in part to the EF86 circuit. I'd probably try new tubes first, they're MUCH cheaper. If you have to go in stages, start with power tubes first. As jesslm02 said, if you do any NOS, make it the EF86. There are some pretty good production tubes out now and Dr. Z has built his amps to sound good with current tubes. Obviously, NOS all the way around is better.... But not sure you're going to hear as much difference as you think you would, or you're going to pay......Except with the EF86. That's my $.02 worth
|
|
|
Post by jhansenku on Jul 28, 2015 10:08:09 GMT -7
I've had the RxJr and now have a Z-Wreck (also had the RxES). The RxJr just didn't have near enough headroom for me playing live with my band, but the tone was there...... I did do some comparing of it with my RxES with an attenuator (a recording). I honestly couldn't tell a difference on the recording. When the attenuator was out of the recording, there was a slight difference but not much. I do remember thinking the RxJr sounded much "smaller" compared to my RxES, but that's because it was/is. The Z-Wreck is a powerful amp, but doesn't have the headroom the RxES has, but still has more about double the headroom of the RxJr. It's not quite as hi-fi sounding, because the Rx-- is a little scooped in the upper mids, giving it a more hi-fi type of tone. But the Z-Wreck doesn't really need to sound hi-fi with all the other goodies it has going on. The Wreck does have a stronger mid-range and not quite the "cut" (super top-end) range the Rx-- has. Both take pedals well, but the Wreck takes them better IMO due to the stronger mid-range. The Wreck is also tighter, where the Rx has a looseness to it, especially in the low end..... I think this is in part to the EF86 circuit. I'd probably try new tubes first, they're MUCH cheaper. If you have to go in stages, start with power tubes first. As jesslm02 said, if you do any NOS, make it the EF86. There are some pretty good production tubes out now and Dr. Z has built his amps to sound good with current tubes. Obviously, NOS all the way around is better.... But not sure you're going to hear as much difference as you thing you would, or you're going to pay......Except with the EF86. That's my $.02 worth Wow, thanks for that great advice! Yeah, I think I'm going to go with new tubes first. Mainly power and the ef86. Any thought on a Badcat Unleash? Using it with the Rx Jr?
|
|
|
Post by jesslm02 on Jul 28, 2015 10:46:43 GMT -7
The Unleash is one of the better attenuating devices I've used. Even still, at extremely low settings, it affects the tone like any other device. Where the Unleash shines in my opinion, is in it's re-amping capabilities. So if you want to make the Rx Jr louder, I think it would be perfect for that. As for lowering the volume, I've never heard an attenuator that sounded as good as the master volume on the amp.
|
|