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Post by petegalaxie on Jul 15, 2010 7:01:12 GMT -7
I've had my Galaxie now for a little over a week. It is a 2007 model (w/Presence knob). It's the combo with 2X10 Dr. Z speakers and the Brake Lite attenuator. I'm currently playing a Stratocaster through it, although I'm considering getting myself a 335, but for now, it is the Strat. I generally keep the Brake Lite at 2 clicks, Treble, Bass and Presence all around noon-ish, with adjustments to get various levels of dirt. Channel 1 seems pretty smooth even as I turn the Volume up past noon. Channel 2, right from the lowest levels, seems to be extremely biting - very punchy, and for my tastes, maybe too punchy. Back in the late 70's/early 80's, I had a Marshall 100w Super Lead with 5881 power tubes and a 4x12 cabinet loaded with Celestion Greenbacks. I let that amp go for a steal when I was moving into an apartment - do I ever regret selling that amp! The Marshall, as I remember, was nice and smooth even with the Volume turned up - I used to play it with the Volume set at around 7. It didn't have that real shrill sound that I'm getting out of the Galaxie. My question is can the Galaxie get that nice smooth tone at the high volumes, especially in Channel 2? Would a different speaker combination or a different set up tubes give me less piercing tone? Thanks for any opinions you might be able to offer!
Pete
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Post by mtlrecords on Jul 15, 2010 7:38:26 GMT -7
When it comes to the Galaxie, I have no familiarity with a "piercing tone". In general, I find myself boosting the treble and presence a bit, with most guitars, even bright ones like my Jazzmaster.
The Galaxie, channel 2, can get you into Marshall JMP or JCM territory, but it ain't a Super Lead Plexi. I love the sound it gets though!
The Galaxie is tube rectified and generally more warm and smooth (Fender/Boogie) than chunky and punchy (Marshall/Hiwatt), at least mine is, to my ears. I prefer the Galaxie through a Z-Best than with a 2x10 or 1x12, but others may prefer the 10's. First step is to check all your tubes, have a tech bias the amp and then play around with other tubes. Also, since your buying a used amp, it never hurts to go through it with a fine tooth comb- check all connections, try de-oxit where needed, check speaker cones, cables, etc.
Such a great amp...just might take some fiddling to get it where you like it. Although, it really isn't the Dr. Z Marshall Plexi- that is the Remedy!
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Post by petegalaxie on Jul 15, 2010 8:13:37 GMT -7
Thanks for the reply! Great info. ;D I got my Galaxie brand new from Humbucker Music. They still have the 2007 models, and I like having the Presence control instead of a Master Volume.
I remember the Marshall to have sweet, singing sustain. as opposed to a lot of distortion. Would 5881 tubes give more of that type of tone and can they be used in the Galaxie without re-biasing? I'm new at playing around with different tubes and I don't want to damage the amp!
I'm also thinking it might be the 2x10 speaker combination that is giving me the sound that I am describing as "piercing". Maybe I'll try a 2x12 extension cabinet. Can anyone suggest which speakers would be a nice compliment to the 2x10's? Something to mellow out the tone a bit?
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Post by Joey Beverages on Jul 15, 2010 8:40:17 GMT -7
not sure what to recommend as a 212 speaker pairing to go with a 210 Galaxie ... however, I was more than satisfied when using the G12-65 in my 112 combo and runnin' the extension to my Z 210 cab
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Post by mitch8686 on Jul 18, 2010 0:36:58 GMT -7
I don't know how much playing the amp got while it was a Humbucker, but the speakers may not be broken in yet. That said, if it did get a fair amount of playing while there, then try swapping out the preamp tubes first. If it's still too much for you on channel 2, try putting a 5751 in V1. It'll tame things down a bit while retaining the character of the amp.
As far as 12's to compliment the 10's, I really like the Weber Silver/Blue Alnico 30w combo with mine. Very smooth and creamy with that nice Alnico breakup..... I also have a 1-12 with the WGS G12-65 clone in it. It's very different than the Webers, but, still sounds great to me.
I haven't tried the 5881's, but, I've heard that the NOS 6L6 wgb's are close tone-wise. That may be the way to go. I've been meaning to try a set, but haven't gotten around to it.
Anyway, good luck. Let us know whatcha figure out........
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Post by jimmysmith on Jul 18, 2010 7:22:14 GMT -7
they advertised the 2007s at humbucker as "brand new in the box"
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Post by mitch8686 on Jul 18, 2010 14:26:24 GMT -7
they advertised the 2007s at humbucker as "brand new in the box" Well, in that case, it could very well be that the speakers just aren't broken in yet.
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Post by petegalaxie on Jul 19, 2010 6:40:24 GMT -7
The more I play through the amp, the smoother it is sounding. I don't know how long the speakers take to break in, but I think I'm starting to hear a difference. I'll give the speakers a good chance to break in before I start swapping tubes. How long do you think should it take for the speakers to get "nice and broken in"?
Thanks! Pete
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2010 8:41:02 GMT -7
I've heard people do different things to break in speakers. One thing is play classical music thur a speaker over night. Besides playing it.
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Post by mitch8686 on Jul 19, 2010 18:44:07 GMT -7
Well, I'm not sure how long Doc's 10's take, but, I'd say somewhere in the neighborhood of 20hrs. Maybe? I'm really not sure. When they break in, you just know it. The sound is wayyyy more musical. My webers took awhile to break in, too. It took some high volume playing with my Gal before they were loosened up completely. Anyway, give it time. Just keep playing the crap out of them and they'll come in eventually. Play loud, too, if you can. That helped mine alot.
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Post by Jan on Jul 21, 2010 22:19:27 GMT -7
DrZ 10" speakers are rated at ~ 70W each. They need to be rode hard for a day or two to loosen up. There are lots and lots of threads here about breaking in speakers, especially in the speakers section of the forum.
For extra creamy in 12", try something in the Greenback family, like a pair of G12M or one or two G12-65. When broken in the Galaxie/Greenback combination will give you that old Fender Deluxe sound that still makes grown men weep.
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Post by gtrnstuff on Jul 23, 2010 19:02:38 GMT -7
I bought a used Galaxie a while back. It's a cool amp, very different from a Marshall. The chunky rock tone in CH2 is very nice though. I tried KT66, went back to 6L6. Finally decided to let this amp be what it is. Based on a tweed Super. The old style phase inverter starts distorting before the power tubes, so you don't get the same response as, say a tweed Bassman. Hope you find a use for its voice. It's not my everything amp, but when it's right, it's really right.
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Post by petegalaxie on Aug 5, 2010 6:39:49 GMT -7
Just about a month since I got the Galaxie. It has really mellowed out! The speakers have broken in and no longer give me that harsh sound. This amp is just what I was looking for and more. Thanks to everyone for posting their thoughts and comments!
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Post by mitch8686 on Aug 5, 2010 9:08:54 GMT -7
Great to hear, Pete! I'm glad it came around for you. The Galaxie is one of those "love it" or "don't love it" (not gonna say hate, cuz who could hate any Z, right?) amps. There's a small, but very loyal, following with this amp that seems to be growing. I've found that most people just need time to warm up to it. But once they do, it's THAT amp; at least for me it is. Anyhoo, glad ya like it!
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