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Post by benallison on Oct 28, 2006 8:52:41 GMT -7
I have a Z28, and I can't even turn it up to 9 o'clock. Maybe in a loud bar if I'm lucky. I can usually only turn it up to 7 o'clock, and often I can only move the volume knob a hair above 0. However, with such a small turn the volume levels are finnicky at best -- a hair turn, it's off, another hair turn, it's too loud, with no inbetween.
I was wondering if maybe lowering the power of my tubes would allow me greater volume control at lower volumes. I want to be able to turn up more, so as to dig into the tubes, but not increase my volume so quickly.
Currently, I have the following tubes in my Z28:
Sovtek 5AR4 JJ 5751 GT 6v6's (#6 rating) Western Electric EF86 (I think).
Anything I can do besides getting an Airbrake?
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Post by Telemanic on Oct 28, 2006 9:48:39 GMT -7
Well first i would say that normaly yes you probably could use a tube swap to tweak it a bit, but it sounds like your seriously volume limited here. I dont think at this point, if its that sensitive of a jump in volume, your going to get an appreciable change by tube rating alone. For me i find the amp sits pretty well volume wise in a small to med. club, but i still would run the brake on maybe 2. If thats not an option, your in the classic how do you get the tone without the volume zone, and the classic solutions might be:
1) think about a possible speaker change ( small decrease in volume) 2) using a drive pedal of some sort 3) use a combination of tubes, speaker, and pedal, ....cumulative? 4) think about a lower powered amp, or one w/master volume (MAZ 18)? etc.
5) and of course if ya really love the 28, you might want to re-evaluate the airbrake thoughts, it works amazingly well!! And remember, the 28's magic lies in no small part, in the upper reaches of the volume knob!! This amp begs to be cranked! Good luck!
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Post by benallison on Oct 28, 2006 10:05:33 GMT -7
It's looking like an Airbrake for me then!
I tihnk you're right about tube swapping. It might help, but will it be all that drastic...doubtful.
My Z28 is the 2x10 combo, with DR Z's speakers. Don't know if I'm keen to change them. The amp sounds PERFECT when I can turn up, so changing a key component like speakers might hurt me...
I run a few OD's for "gain" -- the OCD and Diamond J-Drive.
I don't want to crank the Z28 to get OD's sounds. I just want to be able to turn it up so that the cleans have the slightest tad of hair on them, and where the notes are just a bit fuller.
I think an Airbrake turned on a few clicks will do it, I was just hoping for a solution that didn't involve more gear! ;D
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Post by kledbet on Oct 28, 2006 10:17:36 GMT -7
Try Tung Sol 6v6 tubes and get them rated at #4. They are a bluesy kind of tube with not as much clean highs. The other thing you might try after the tube change is try running the bass and treble at 3 to full, this will overdrive the amp more at lower settings. It uses the same principle of design as the Route 66. The Air Brake is a good investment and seems to work very well with this amp. Aside from that, the Maz 18 with the master volume control as mentioned by telemanic is an option....
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Post by Curt on Oct 28, 2006 17:50:21 GMT -7
When I had a Z/28 I PREFERED it with the AirBrake FWIW.
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Post by JD on Oct 28, 2006 18:39:33 GMT -7
I have both the Z 2x10 cab and a Z 1x12 cab with a Vintage 30. The 1x12 cab has slightly less volume.
I also use an Airbrake and have it on 2 for the smaller clubs 50 to 75 people and 1 or 0 (i.e. off) for larger bars 75 + people. With those settings I set my V at 1, T-12, B-11. The use a Fat Boost for some leads and an FD-2 for other leads. My main Strat has some underwound Fralins in it.
Note that the Airbrake at a setting of 3 or 4 really affects the tone as the result of the speakers not being hit as hard. At a setting of 1 (maybe 2) it's affect on tone is minimal.
J.D.
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Post by UnclePat on Oct 28, 2006 19:14:23 GMT -7
I had to use this at a gig last night. Volume was never above 9AM....more like "8:30" or so. But the tone knobs were at 4PM or better. It was a beautiful thing, and didn't kill anyone in the front seats. I run a super-efficient speaker too... a lesser one would have helped even more in the volume control dept.
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Post by rcrecelius on Oct 29, 2006 7:48:56 GMT -7
ben, do you have any pedals that are on all the time that might be sending a hotter signal than say the guitar alone would? Since you can barely crack open the volume at times, maybe you need a Mini for those smaller gigs...
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Post by benallison on Oct 29, 2006 18:34:21 GMT -7
No pedals on all the time. And with my Tele, it's too hot. Don't get me started about my Les Paul!
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