|
Post by swampcooler on Nov 5, 2019 7:32:19 GMT -7
Hello everyone,
I think my Z-Lux has too much reverb going on. I can only turn the verb knob to the 8:30 position, that's barely cracked open. My notes are awash, drifting away. Seriously, I have no need for the remaining adjustment range. It's also too bright, very splashy.
This is a brand new amp, less than 10 hours on it. The reverb is mostly unusable IMO. I checked the tubes, they are correct. I was thinking about swapping V4 out as the Tungsol 12ax7 is always a little hot and a bit thin way up in the high end. Not one of my faves. Something mellower might reduce the reverb gain and the brightness.
Your thoughts and comments are appreciated . . .
|
|
|
Post by scottunzicker on Nov 5, 2019 9:16:54 GMT -7
Swampcooler - Welcome to the forum! I think your instincts to check the tubes first are spot on. I'm sure you're familiar with Dr. Z's tube/bias page on the website, but here you go, just in case: drzamps.com/support/tube-info/ It being such a new amp, I'm kind of scratching my head as to what might be going on. If the reverb cables were reversed, it'd probably sound too thin (not enough reverb as opposed to too much). If the pan was bad, same thing; not enough reverb. I agree that since V4 is the reverb recovery tube, maybe swapping in a 12AT7 instead of the 12AX7 would tame it a little bit. Worth a try, at least. Just out of curiosity, are you using the boost feature? I've found that I have to roll off reverb when I've got the boost plugged in (usually with single-coil guitars), and crank it up when I'm not using it (humbuckers). Also, is there a correlation between the preamp volume setting and the reverb level? Just some thoughts. Since Dr. Z, himself, regularly looks at these forums, maybe he'll chime in with some things to try. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 5, 2019 9:25:50 GMT -7
Just out of curiosity, are you using the boost feature? I've found that I have to roll off reverb when I've got the boost plugged in (usually with single-coil guitars), and crank it up when I'm not using it (humbuckers). Also, is there a correlation between the preamp volume setting and the reverb level? Just some thoughts. Good luck! My thoughts as well. With the boost engaged, there is a lot more signal flying around inside that chassis making the reverb seem overkill at times and requiring a knob adjustment. The more gain, the stronger the reverb effect. This holds true in most all amp designs.
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Nov 5, 2019 9:27:35 GMT -7
Swampcooler - Welcome to the forum! She's been a Z-talk member for 14 years! Good advice tho Scott....With a Z amp, always start the trouble-shooting with a long look at the tubes....I'd replace the reverb driver (V4) asap and see what that does.... Also, as stated, toggle the boost on and off a few times while listening to the verb....
|
|
|
Post by scottunzicker on Nov 5, 2019 9:45:32 GMT -7
Swampcooler - Welcome to the forum! She's been a Z-talk member for 14 years! Good advice tho Scott....With a Z amp, always start the trouble-shooting with a long look at the tubes....I'd replace the reverb driver (V4) asap and see what that does.... Also, as stated, toggle the boost on and off a few times while listening to the verb.... Oops! I just saw the "New Member" designation and was trying to be friendly. My bad.
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Nov 5, 2019 23:42:58 GMT -7
She's been a Z-talk member for 14 years! Good advice tho Scott....With a Z amp, always start the trouble-shooting with a long look at the tubes....I'd replace the reverb driver (V4) asap and see what that does.... Also, as stated, toggle the boost on and off a few times while listening to the verb.... Oops! I just saw the "New Member" designation and was trying to be friendly. My bad. It's all good, brother!!!
|
|
|
Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Nov 6, 2019 10:26:52 GMT -7
If it turns out not to be a tube problem, you might try replacing the pan, which is a long tail pan, with one that is either a medium or short tail one. I did that to an amp that had too much wash at the end of the note very early on the dial like I think you are describing. A short tail will get you almost a slap back sounding reverb. The medium in that amp made the knob respond more like a traditional Fender style reverb with less well like verb at the extreme than a Fender. There are charts on the web that tell you what each number means that is on the pan. You need to get a pan that has all the same numbers, but the one that indicates the tail, and then get the tail you want. You can just drop it in and all will be well. Found a link mooselander.com/spring-reverb-tank-7-digit-code-explained/
|
|
|
Post by scottunzicker on Nov 6, 2019 11:32:12 GMT -7
Marc - Fabulous information. Thank you!!
|
|
|
Post by swampcooler on Nov 7, 2019 7:42:57 GMT -7
Thanks everyone for the info.
The Sovtek LPS in V4 is a bit less splashy and bright compared to the Tungsol, but there's still too much reverb in the first tiny bit of the dial. I like delay best anyhow, so not a problem. Just working on breaking in that speaker. Yahoo!
|
|
|
Post by DRZ on Nov 8, 2019 17:24:45 GMT -7
Don't put a LPS in V4 , way too much gain. Try a Soviet 12AX7 WB, or even a Soviet 12AU7. Never thought I would hear " Too much Reverb on a DR.Z Amp "
Z
|
|
|
Post by Rockerfeller on Nov 9, 2019 7:01:49 GMT -7
Hello everyone, I think my Z-Lux has too much reverb going on. I can only turn the verb knob to the 8:30 position, that's barely cracked open. My notes are awash, drifting away. Seriously, I have no need for the remaining adjustment range. It's also too bright, very splashy. This is a brand new amp, less than 10 hours on it. The reverb is mostly unusable IMO. I checked the tubes, they are correct. I was thinking about swapping V4 out as the Tungsol 12ax7 is always a little hot and a bit thin way up in the high end. Not one of my faves. Something mellower might reduce the reverb gain and the brightness. Your thoughts and comments are appreciated . . . My experience with the ZLux is that the Verb at 8:30 is only slightly wet. I typically run it at 10-noon. 8:30 is barely noticeable. Is the problem there when you bypass any pedals and go straight into the amp?
|
|
|
Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 9, 2019 7:52:02 GMT -7
I loves my Lux’s Verb (and trem, particularly the fact that you can set the speed nice and slow without the need to change the cap values). I’ll always consider it the perfect amp.
|
|
|
Post by perryr on Nov 9, 2019 18:38:51 GMT -7
My guess is the input volume is set high, which sends a higher signal to the reverb circuit. If the input volume is set low for a clean tone, the signal is lowered to the reverb circuit. It’s a double edged sword, if you design it for a big lush reverb when the amp is set Fendery clean, the reverb is going to get intense when cranking the input volume.
|
|
|
Post by swampcooler on Nov 11, 2019 7:51:43 GMT -7
I just put an EH 12AY7 in V4 and it does allow for more range of adjustment on my verb. I think it sounds a bit smoother too, less springy and splashy, more warmth/depth. Just where I wanted to go. Thanks Doc.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2019 17:39:07 GMT -7
This is exactly the opposite of my experience with the Z-Lux. Nice, fat, clean tones, very subtle reverb to the point that, if I wanted to surf, I'd probably add a reverb pedal to my board to supplement.
|
|
|
Post by thatstatuemoved on Dec 9, 2019 11:53:56 GMT -7
I agree with FleaLux--the reverb on mine is very subtle even when dimed.
|
|