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Post by Tommy Boy on Mar 20, 2008 18:46:45 GMT -7
Ok, I have a problem. I have a Bad Cat Alley Cat and it has two channels: hi-gain and clean. I love the hi-gain channel as I am able to modify with the bass and treble controls on the amp and get that overdriven sound w/o waking the family. The clean channel is what it is - no way to modify the sound of that channel on the amp. Here's the problem, while I love the sound of the hi-gain channel, the clean channel sounds like it lacks clarity, everything sounds muffled. I eMailed Ted Weber and he recommended a speaker (12A125A) to try based on the amp and music I would like to play. However, I am not sure if I am not putting enough faith in my ears. Questions keep coming to mind like - What is the speaker in the Alley Cat now? Will it sound better with the new speaker? The amp is only 2 months old, will it get better as the speaker loosens up? James at Bad Cat knows more about amps than I ever will and why do I think I could improve on his design? Etc. I know one option is to simply buy the speaker and try it but that is an expensive experiment and I am hoping to have a few that have more experience with this stuff like you all come down on the "your and idiot for trying to improve on the speaker that is in there" side or on the "the speaker you chose is better than the stock one in the Alley Cat". Please advise...put an end to my madness Thanks, Tom
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 20, 2008 18:54:45 GMT -7
Well since the clean channel has only volume, the ONLY way you can tweak the tone to your liking is by manipulating other things. You could alter the tone going in, alter the tone in the amp by changing up tubes, or alter the tone after the amp with a different speaker. Obviously if you put an EQ pedal in front of the amp you can get all kinds of EQ going but that won't necessarily produce a tone you like. But the same goes for tubes and speakers, doesn't it?
Speakers make a gigantic difference, and yes they do change once they are broken in, but in my experience they usually get smoother (less top end) rather than brighter. It's probably pretty likely that Ted Weber has given you some excellent advice - not many guys know as much about speakers as he does, and he offers dozens of different designs to apply in all different situations. Yeah, it would be an experiment, but based on my experiences with Ted, your risk is not high - I'm betting you'll be pretty pleased with the outcome.
Meantime, if you have an EQ pedal, try it. If you have a box of tubes like most of us, pop some different ones in there and see if there isn't one that gives you more of what you want.
Hope that helps.
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Post by Tommy Boy on Mar 30, 2008 17:00:33 GMT -7
Thanks bentop.
I am planning on ordering the speaker.
I also communicated with James at Bad Cat and (in addition to the speaker) he suggested that I try changing the pre-amp tube before I send in the amp to have them look at it. So...not sure if this thread should go in the tubes section but in the end thought it was valuable to leave the question in context - Can anyone suggest a replacement 12AX7A pre-amp tube? I am using the amp to play blues/rock and am happy with the hi-gain channel.
Thanks,
Tom
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 30, 2008 17:57:52 GMT -7
Of course you could swap that bad cat for a Z amp and be over it.
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Post by billyguitar on Mar 30, 2008 19:08:25 GMT -7
What kind of guitar are you using with it? I would imagine that amp would sound better with single coils.
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Post by Tommy Boy on Mar 31, 2008 5:57:10 GMT -7
BillyG,
Thanks for asking. I am using a PRS McCarty, so SCs and HBs.
Thanks.
Tom
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Post by texasjim on Mar 31, 2008 9:27:08 GMT -7
You might get Myles Rose's suggestion for a pre-amp tube that would get close to your deasires.
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Post by eliot1025 on Apr 3, 2008 1:52:37 GMT -7
Good advice all around. Here's another option: If you're plugging straight in, a great guitar cable will add lots of clarity (and richness). In your case I'd recommend a Vovox. If they're not solving the problem after break-in, they're easily re-sold. You can get them pre-made from a Vovox dealer or custom made from Lava cable.
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Post by Tommy Boy on Apr 29, 2008 16:12:19 GMT -7
Ok,
Not sure anyone will care but I have solved my problem.
First, I replaced the 12AX7 pre-amp tube. To be honest, this $90 tube (RCA NOS) wasn't any better than the Tung Sol reissue 12AX7 I bought as an extra (hope I don't catch and flack for that comment). Mike at KCA tubes was great as advertised.
The real change was when I put in a new speaker that Ted Weber suggested. I knew as soon as I heard the new speaker it was a winner. I am happy as a clam.
Cheers,
Tommy Boy
(PS Please don't reminded me that I had to replace the existing pre-amp tube with a $90 NOS tube and the stock speaker with a $120 speaker after I spent $1200. And yes, I did play it before I bought it...I never said I was the sharpest knife in the drawer.)
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Post by billyguitar on Apr 29, 2008 16:53:13 GMT -7
I think if you've got what you want now, that's all that matters.
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