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Post by redunlap on Dec 30, 2009 14:48:16 GMT -7
After reading some recent posts, I feel liberated enough to come out of the closet. I hate my RX ES. There, I've said it. I feel like a traitor to this group, but I have to be honest.
I made the mistake of getting this thing while I had an ear infection. When my ears cleared, I was not a happy picker.
I know a lot of other members really love these amps. I guess we all have to go by what we hear and like.
Here is what I hear:
Harsh, Icepick trebble I can't tame. ( I've tried several speakers) (Keep in mind this is comming from an OLD GUY with High Freq hearing loss due to too many years in front of a Marshall Stack)
Lack of full bottom end.
To get decent drive, the volume has to be near full with OD on. The amp is way too loud by then. Tried a Leash, tames volume, but destroys the tone.
I am about to try a speaker one of the other members suggested.
I am interested to hear from others about the Master Volume mod, quicker break-up tubes, EQ, or any other method used to massage this amp.
Whew ! I feel better now.
Rod
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Post by taswegian on Dec 30, 2009 15:00:10 GMT -7
Hey Rod, have you compared it with other RXES's? I a big beefy, big bottle tone kinda guy and the RXES I heard was pretty spectacular, especially thru a 4x12. Big tight bottom and clear but not piercing highs with a KILLER crunch on od. But I played it through an old Marshall quad and the Z-Best.
I can understand someone not liking the RXES. It's a very hi-fi boutiquey kinda tone. But I'd make sure the amp is in perfect nick before dumping it because as I said, the one I played could have covered everything for me. I was so blown away I swore it was my next Z amp.
Maybe send it to Doc Z for the MV mod and have him give it a good look over. The MV mod would make it much more versatile volume wise and probably easier to sell if you decide it's not for you.
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Post by redunlap on Dec 30, 2009 17:30:03 GMT -7
Thanks.
I've played it through my 1960a as well as a couple of 2 x12's. I think you're right about having them take a look while the MV mod is done. Haven't played another one. I've got a Marshall DSL100 with 34's, 90's Bassman re-issue, Blues Deluxe re-issue, Valveking 212 and a 60's Blackface Princeton. The RX es is the only one I can't get along with.
I really want to use this amp. It's built like a Tank and has some good Mid range tone. I just seem to allways need to run one of the other amps along with it.
I appreciate your response.
Rod
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Post by taswegian on Dec 30, 2009 17:52:36 GMT -7
No worries, hopefully it comes back sounding more to your liking.
Just another point, we tried 3 very sought after overdrive and boost pedals in front of the RXES, comparing them to the Overdose switch and it was not contest. The Overdose won 100% hands down. It didn't have to be cranked to produce a wonderful crunch but it was getting loud for club use. The MV would fix that though.
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Dec 30, 2009 19:20:43 GMT -7
TRAITOR!!! TRAITOR!!! TRAITOR!!! Sorry, couldn't resist! ;D ;D ;D
Rod,
Can you tell me (us) where you're running your controls (how low you've set the treble, mids and how high you've set the bass - and whether the numbers you're listing are o'clock or the numbers on the dial).
The RxES is bright(er) than any of my other Z's, but I have found that some of the brightness that is there when playing alone is what cuts through in a band mix and it sounds great.
Normally for small venues, I bring out the Carmen Ghia - have for quite a while. I got a chance to play outdoor one day on a big stage and brought out the RxES instead. The Bass Player couldn't stop commenting on how great it sounded, and how he had forgotten the sound of it since I hadn't played with it for so long.
In situations in the past when I didn't bring the CG and the RxES seemed too large, I would turn it up and set the level a little lower on the Keeley Comp to cut the signal a little so that I could still get the drive (and I use the High Input) (I've also done it the other way, increasing the level to push the front of the amp, but having the volume lower) - using a 52RI w/ stock pickups, a Blue Floral w/ Fralin Blues, Will Ray ASAT Z-3 (hot pickups), and a Pink Paisley w/stock pickups. I used to use an Airbrake, but since using the compressor's level knob, I've stopped using it so much.
Would like to help more if I can. . .
Tom
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Post by JASON (aka jgleaton) on Dec 30, 2009 21:46:45 GMT -7
Well, I second what Tom said above, The RX ES is a tight, articulate high fi sounding amp with an immediate percussive attack and based on the Voxy side of things... so it may be that it's just not your flavor. But, if you're willing to work with it a little... I'd send it back to Doc for the Master Volume. Best $ you can spend on it, tames it and makes it VERY usable at lower volumes! Also, for me, Weber Speakers are perfect for this amp... I prefer and HIGHLY recommend the Silverbell with the RX ES... In Alnico rated at 50 watts warms it up and smooths it out... and If you can run it loud enough for 2x12's... I like to mix a ceramic ( silver or bluedog at 50 watts) along with the Alnico Silver. .02
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Post by wally on Dec 31, 2009 1:04:11 GMT -7
what tha...... this is the first Ive heard about a mv mod...can doc do it to the original rx and how much is it?
p.s. i felt the same way about my rx at home then when i got it on stage it was a beast....cuts thru the mix...
p.s.s. have you tried a brake lite?
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Post by rcrecelius on Dec 31, 2009 6:59:16 GMT -7
I thought my RxES was too bright when I first got home with it(if youve searched you probably read my thread about it) but I found that once you get on a stage, you need that clarity/brightness to cut through the mix as others have suggested. I could see that if you were in a band that plays at reasonable volume levels(my band doesnt), it still might be too bright...I definitely want to get the MV mod done to mine after the 1st of the year.
Sorry if I missed it but, what guitars are you using?
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Post by Tom the Guitar Guy on Dec 31, 2009 8:05:31 GMT -7
Also, The for me, Weber Speakers are perfect for this amp... I prefer and HIGHLY recommend the Silverbell with the RX ES... In Alnico rated at 50 watts warms it up and smooths it out... and If you can run it loud enough for 2x12's... I like to mix a ceramic ( silver or bluedog at 50 watts) along with the Alnico Silver. .02 To add, I'm running my RxES through a Weber Silver/Blue combo but with Ceramics (50 Watts ea). Occasionally I'll run it through a 2x10 combo (Dr Z speakers)
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Post by ormond on Dec 31, 2009 11:18:51 GMT -7
I'd cut your losses. Stop pouring money into something you already biased against. You can sell it for a decent amount of money....maybe enough to get a MONZA.
I have the RXES and I love the rich, creamy tones and I can get rid of the treble problem you describe by dialing it down...my only problem is how loud it has to be before it starts breaking up....and I do not like using my Z Brake.
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Post by miroslav on Dec 31, 2009 11:59:10 GMT -7
Don't feel bad...I've posted the same remarks about the RX ES I bought just a few weeks back. VERY hard ice-pick-in-ear kind of highs!!! I run the Treble down at like 7:00-8:00 and I STILL can’t dial it out. One thing though...I find that it has plenty of low end, and I even have that dialed down too...but I've tried it with the Mid and Bass up higher to see if I could balance out the highs...and no dice...the prickly highs just NEVER go away. I'm going to try and fix it with the right speaker combination. So far, I like how it sounds with a Celestion G12H30 the best...though they only run at 30W. I tried an Eminence Cannabis Rex last night, hoping the hemp cone would do the trick…and it's not too bad, but still a pinch brighter than the G12H30 (though it's a brand new Cannabis Rex, so maybe it will break in…?). There are 2-3 other speakers that promise "smoother highs"...so I'm not giving up on the RX ES just yet, and I have to say, I love how it sounds with chords...clean and sparkly…though again, if you over-pluck the B and E strings....MAN they DO zing your ears!!! AFA the MV mod...mine already has it. I run it at about 10:00 in my studio, with the Volume at about 1:00. With that setting I can engage the ES boost and not have it take my head off. But AFA trying to use the MV and Volume for any heavier overdriven tones…nope, it just doesn’t sound that good to me (I got several amps that do overdrive way better). That said…I don’t think the RX was really meant for heavy OD. If you dial in just a bit of hair…it sounds good. But too much OD, and the low end gets all weird, IMO…and then of course, there still the prickly highs,. But I think for a live gig, the highs would not be as much of an issue as when playing at home or in the studio….which seems to be what others are saying, that the highs help you cut through in a live gig situation. Anyway…if I can just smooth out the highs…I will probably keep the amp, as I do have other amps…so my feeling is that the RX would add a flavor the others don’t have…even if I don’t play it as often. If it was my only amp…then I wouldn’t keep it, as it’s not the type of sound I could enjoy most of the time. Oh…I also have yet to try different tubes, as it still has the stock tubes, which I think are all JJ’s. I think it’s the EF86 front end that gives the amp the prickly highs, and I notice that my Rt. 66 has “some” of that flavor, but the 66 is easily dialed into sweet tones…and the highs don’t follow you no matter what you do like with the RX! I will try one of the Mullard EF86 tubes that I have…and maybe a different EL84 set.
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Post by awesome on Dec 31, 2009 12:35:20 GMT -7
hmm... i dont understand alot of these comments. i dont hear any "ice-pickiness" with my RXES, and i find it to have a VERY full lowend. though i suppose it doesnt have the low mid thickness that is inherent in 6L6 amps.
also, while it gets hairy before 12 0'clock that is where i start really noticing it, and thats w/o the Overdose on.
i did switch the V1 preamp tube to a NOS 5751 to smooth it out a little more and reduce the gain a bit later on, but my impressions were about the same as when i first bought it.
I have heard the lowend will suffer in tubes that need changing, and i would suggest a darker EF86 and an NOS 5751 in V1 to anyone that thinks the RX has piercing or too much highs.
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Post by ecsong187 (Edwin) on Dec 31, 2009 12:40:45 GMT -7
Hey Awesome. I think the ice pick is usually a big issue with single coils and the RXES? At least that's what I experienced. Anyways my advice is to look for something else. You have tried tons of speakers and still aren't happy and I wouldn't keep throwing money into it. Why not just sell it or trade for another Z that fits what you want? I loved my RXES for a while, but one day. I had the same issue I couldn't stand the RXES sound that everybody loves. I guess my ear for tone just changed. Now I have a Stangray and love it to death! Good Luck Edwin
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Post by miroslav on Dec 31, 2009 18:03:18 GMT -7
I think it's all how your ear responds to the tone of a given amp. I've always had issues with sharp high-end sounds...my ears are very sensitive to them, so an amp like the RX really hits me in that zone.
Heck...the Carr Hammerhead I just go, has the "Impact" switch...which is mainly 4 different versions of brightness. I only like it on #1, which is the darkest sounding of the 4.
Some guys love that snappy jangle and bright pop. I don't even like playing single coils all that much, especially Strats, which to my ears are WAY too bright and ice-picky. I never understood how guys can stand the bridge pickup on a Strat!!! ;D But then there are many that love that tone. So yeah, it's all about your how your ears react. The guys that hear the ice-pick highs are NOT imagining it…while neither are the ones that say they don’t hear them.
What I don't want to do…is turn my RX into sounding like one of my other amps...so I'm trying to walk a thin line...and have it end up where it retains the sparkle but with just a bit more smoothness and less piercing quality.
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Post by redunlap on Jan 1, 2010 17:21:15 GMT -7
Thanks to all of you for the comments. I really appreciate the input.
I am gonna stick in a set of my favorite tubes and send it back to the Doc for the MV mod.
I wont get rid of it. I've been running a chorus through it with an ABY with my Marshall. Just haven't been able to get it to suit my needs as a stand alone.
For the guys that asked, I've ran my SRV, a Lonestar, a 1976 LP custom and a 335 through it.
As a couple of you suggest, it may just not suit my ears.
After I get through with the Mod and tubes and a few more speaker trials I'll post my results.
Thanks Again, Rod
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Post by redunlap on Feb 22, 2010 18:05:46 GMT -7
Just a note of thanks to all that had suggestions, and an update.
Long, long story made short: After not finding a speaker in my collection that I could use with the RXes, I re-started from the beginning with the Marshall 1960 a. This cabinet now has probably 200 hrs on it and I (and everyone else) noticed the Marshall head was sounding much warmer. Good results. I can get the treble up to 30% without the harshness. Also, with the volume at 50 % when I hit the OD I am getting some nice grit and pinch harmonics. I have found my best results when I split the 1960 a into 2 8 ohm pairs and use only one side of the cabinet. (Still run the DSL 100 on the other side)
I went back to some other cabinets and wound up with the old un -acceptable harshness.
I am now set up with the 1960a split and using the Marshall head ABY with the RXes on the cabinet with very good results. I am also using an MXR analog delay set for a minimum effect. Also, I have found that the Clapton pedal (Digitec I think) has some subtle drive on a couple of the Modes that work well with the RXes.
Bottom line, to me, the RXes is the most sensitive amp to both speaker and guitar that I have owned. I am running both an SRV and a Lonestar strat (both have Texas special pick ups) with good results. I still can't get either of my Les Pauls to blow my skirt up with it like Marshall or Bassman. There are some good tones now that I haven't found before. I have found some very good mids and a tighter bass.
Again, thanks for the assistance. A couple of you shared your experience with finding the speaker that suited your ears. That led me to keep trying.
I'm still not in love with this amp, but I am glad to be able to use it.
For the gear nuts out there, here is a list of some of the stuff I use:
Marshall DSL 100 Peavy Valve King 212 1964 Fender Princeton 90's re-issue Fender Bassman Fender Blues Deluxe Bugera 1960 (Chinese clone of a 1959 Plexi. This is a $450 tube head that surprised me) SRV strat Lonestar Strat !971 Les Paul Gold top with P-90's that I bought new Had a 1958 Gibson Korina Flying V that someone wanted much more than me 1976 Les Paul Custom, 3 pick up with natural Maple top (all original) Gibson Herb Ellis Model 1970's Fender Coronada Wildwood 1960's Fender Mustang Ibanez 335 knock off (very good guitar) Fender Tele
Rod
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Post by astronome on Feb 22, 2010 21:12:11 GMT -7
get an RC Booster, i use one to balance out my RxJr and it cuts the piercing highs very easily. I dont ever turn the RC off.
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Feb 23, 2010 19:09:59 GMT -7
Maybe You should TRY A STANGRAY??? )) I had to say it, come on LOL!!! The Ray Rules!
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Post by redunlap on Feb 24, 2010 10:57:00 GMT -7
Hi, I'd actually like to try the 67 super ! Thats one of my all time favorites. One of my friends has a 68 silver face with the aluminum trim around the grill cloth. It's pretty close to the 67 Blackface. Can't talk him out of it. I am actually fairley happy with the RXes now (just not enough to drool about). I guess my old ears have that Blackface Fender tone stack sparkle permanently etched in them.
Thanks, Rod
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Feb 24, 2010 13:12:56 GMT -7
I have been a Fender Marshall Guy and I sold My 97' yes a Proto DSL100 which was an amzing amp for my SRZ65RH and I had never played on one , it has been the best amp by far that I own, Now My Stangray! It was a lilttle different than the EL34/6L6 sound but man does it cut have no problem with peircing highs but through a 4x12 Greenback Marshall BV Cab! Its Plexi Style ala JImmy Page!!! if the Scooped mid tone is what your after? the Blackface sound? Bassman, you should try an EGZ I hear they are amazing! I hope you find the right combo with the RXES I was gonna buy that same amp had my heart set on it But I came across such a deall on my Stangray rig I couldnt pass it up. I can get the RXES sound with a little help from my Timmy but the RXES diesnt have the same chime or head room IMO. I'd still like to have one though if I had the $ I'd probably buy a Monza They are smoking for that creamy OD! Cleans??? Good luck keep us posted. You should give the Eminence Swamp Thang Speaker Coupled with a G12H30 or even a Celestion Gold if that doesnt Make it Thick I dont know What will
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Feb 24, 2010 13:14:51 GMT -7
Oh by the way! You aren't a Traitor! Its just not what you have in your head as the tone you expected! Still Do yourself a Favor and try the Stangray SERIOUSLY, You will be amazed!
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Post by redunlap on Feb 26, 2010 9:38:35 GMT -7
Muzacman, I will. Unfortunatly Its a 300 mi rt to my nearest Z dealer. (Atlanta). I love the bulid quality of the Z amps and the support. Part of my problem comes from damaged hearing. Everyone that likes to play loud(like me), should have to spend some time with my ears trying to mix a recording or set up an amp. In retrospect, some hearing protection would have been wise. Catch you later, I think I hear my phone ringing.
Rod
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Feb 26, 2010 15:11:19 GMT -7
Thank you for the Advice, I was just in a Band recently and I kid you not I practiced with my 60 Watt SRZ and a 4x12! Volume at about 4-6! It was rediculous! I tried to bring a lil Line 6 combo to practice, just so that I could say hey! You all have to turn down, This Bass Player Idiot says thats ok will just mic it through the PA! Im no longer with those guys anymore! I know its Rock-n-roll But when You cant hear like Redulap says what good is it! LOL
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Post by miroslav on Mar 8, 2010 11:02:42 GMT -7
You aren't a Traitor! Its just not what you have in your head as the tone you expected! Yeah..that's how I feel. I tried and tried for 3 months to find a sweet spot with the RX ES...tried a bunch of speakers, including the Jensen C12K another RX ES owner was recommending as he had the same tonal issues with his that I had with mine. Apparently, he liked the C12K combinaiton...I on the other hand couldn't hear much diference... ...so, I sold my RX ES a couple of weeks ago. BUT...I sitll have my Dr. Z Route 66...which I love! So I'm not a traitor either! ;D
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