Post by z4me on Mar 25, 2014 22:59:15 GMT -7
I met matty6strings Sunday and purchased LE #35 of 35 from him. Really liking it, thanks Matt. After playing the amp and reading various posts with valuable information from Myles and other forum members, I think some tube changes are in order to get the most out of my SRZ.
Looking for some direction and suggestions on which tubes to swap out. From what I have learned from the posts, I think that there are a couple of tubes that should get replaced. I am looking for a rock machine, nice smooth gain, more low end if I can get it. I have a Ray for cleans and headroom. So far I am not getting as much gain as I expected, though I understand this is not a modern high gain amp, and I don't want a high gain amp. Right now the gain level reminds me of a Marshall JMP where you might turn the gain up to 10 to get the tone and sustain you desire.
I generally don't like playing with a lot of gain, but enough to get good sustain, and have some left on the gain knob to get more if you want. I find I am playing with the gain in the 2 - 3 o'clock range right now. Maybe I am looking for more saturation and a smoother tone. See the power tubes comment below. I can use pedals for more gain, but with this amp, I am thinking I should not have to. Currently playing a Les Paul Trad with stock 57 pups through a Z 2x12 open back with a gold and g12h-75 creamback. I imagine I will get more low end with a closed back cab though.
Checked the tube situation and here is what I found:
V1 = JJ ECC83S
V2= GE JAN-5751 Made in USA (Other markings 87-37, 88-09, 33173) Thought that I saw a post from Myles saying the 5751 was good for more headroom/less gain. I want more gain, so suspecting this one to swap.
V3 = 12ax7 Tung-Sol Made in Russia (Original?)
Power tubes = GT-EL34-R Made in Russia 1006. Have not seen any other posts thus far mentioning this variant of GT EL34. Read descriptions online saying the break up is a bit harsh and unique sound, slightly edgy distortion when pushed hard. I feel the distortion is good but does seem a bit harsh. Again, was not quite expecting these tones. Another to replace.
Rect = Mesa 5AR4/GZ34. Another to replace? I have a JJ GZ34 that I might swap in place.
I do have a Made in USA 12ax7a tube. Can't tell the manufacturer, but from pics, I believe it to be a RCA short gray plate. I had it in V1 of a Maz Jr and it made that already awesome sounding amp sound better. I was thinking put it in V1 of the SRZ? Either that or use it in V2 of my Ray. Thinking I might get more benefit in the SRZ though.
I appreciate the assistance.
Jerry
Looking for some direction and suggestions on which tubes to swap out. From what I have learned from the posts, I think that there are a couple of tubes that should get replaced. I am looking for a rock machine, nice smooth gain, more low end if I can get it. I have a Ray for cleans and headroom. So far I am not getting as much gain as I expected, though I understand this is not a modern high gain amp, and I don't want a high gain amp. Right now the gain level reminds me of a Marshall JMP where you might turn the gain up to 10 to get the tone and sustain you desire.
I generally don't like playing with a lot of gain, but enough to get good sustain, and have some left on the gain knob to get more if you want. I find I am playing with the gain in the 2 - 3 o'clock range right now. Maybe I am looking for more saturation and a smoother tone. See the power tubes comment below. I can use pedals for more gain, but with this amp, I am thinking I should not have to. Currently playing a Les Paul Trad with stock 57 pups through a Z 2x12 open back with a gold and g12h-75 creamback. I imagine I will get more low end with a closed back cab though.
Checked the tube situation and here is what I found:
V1 = JJ ECC83S
V2= GE JAN-5751 Made in USA (Other markings 87-37, 88-09, 33173) Thought that I saw a post from Myles saying the 5751 was good for more headroom/less gain. I want more gain, so suspecting this one to swap.
V3 = 12ax7 Tung-Sol Made in Russia (Original?)
Power tubes = GT-EL34-R Made in Russia 1006. Have not seen any other posts thus far mentioning this variant of GT EL34. Read descriptions online saying the break up is a bit harsh and unique sound, slightly edgy distortion when pushed hard. I feel the distortion is good but does seem a bit harsh. Again, was not quite expecting these tones. Another to replace.
Rect = Mesa 5AR4/GZ34. Another to replace? I have a JJ GZ34 that I might swap in place.
I do have a Made in USA 12ax7a tube. Can't tell the manufacturer, but from pics, I believe it to be a RCA short gray plate. I had it in V1 of a Maz Jr and it made that already awesome sounding amp sound better. I was thinking put it in V1 of the SRZ? Either that or use it in V2 of my Ray. Thinking I might get more benefit in the SRZ though.
I appreciate the assistance.
Jerry