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Post by telego on Apr 6, 2015 5:50:26 GMT -7
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and need some help to resolve a problem with a Carmen Ghia I just purchased. I already have a Route 66 so I am familiar with Dr Z.
The Ghia serial starts with a T so I assume it is about 2009. It sounds wonderful at lower volume just rehearsing with the guys but when we are doing a show at gig volume the Ghia is just not cutting through the mix, bottom strings seem to be punchy enough but tops are fuzzy and lifeless. I am running volume at 1 o'clock, its plenty loud enough but my solos are lost in the mix on my telecaster. I mostly use the bridge pup. I do not have this problem with the Route 66 so I can rule out a problem with the guitar. Carmen Ghia has a 5751 in v2 and a EH12AX7 in v1, JJ 5Y3 Rectifier and matched JJ power tubes. Amp seems quiet enough but does start to hum a bit once past 2 o'clock.
I have not tried swapping preamp tubes around yet but I was thinking about replacing them as the power tubes and rectifier are new. Would appreciate if someone could chime in here. There could be a few more things I could try like raise the treble side of the bridge pickup which is an Antiquity 2. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 6:29:33 GMT -7
What speaker/cabinet are you using w the Ghia.
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Post by telego on Apr 6, 2015 6:54:41 GMT -7
What speaker/cabinet are you using w the Ghia. Hi there, Well cab is a 2 x 12 with a Celestion Gold and a Blue, same cab as used with the Z Wreck. Cheers.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2015 7:32:50 GMT -7
Are you sure about those power tubes? (that they are new and in good working order)
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Post by southmusic70 on Apr 6, 2015 8:23:11 GMT -7
Where is your tone control set?
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Post by telego on Apr 6, 2015 15:16:19 GMT -7
The power tubes are new, put them in myself, they seem to be working fine and brought them from a well respected audio shop where I have always brought my amp tubes from. I have the tone set at 12 o'clock. Bottom strings get a little dark if I take the tone past that setting. Have ordered a Jan 5751 and I will try it in v1 and put a JJ12AX7 in v2 and see what happens as it appears this works for some people on this forum. Failing that I might try a 5751 in both positions as one of the posts I read on this forum has done this with positive results.
The original owner told me he has not changed the preamp tubes since he has owned it, so that could be about 6 years or so, they may be a bit worn out, but not sure if this would cause the problem I am having.
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Post by doctorice on Apr 6, 2015 15:40:01 GMT -7
Where do you set the controls on your RT 66? Are either of the tone knobs up past noon?
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Post by DRZ on Apr 6, 2015 15:43:46 GMT -7
Is the Z Wreck 2X12 cab wired for 16 ohms? An older Ghia only has 4, and 8 ohm outs ? Also try a Tung-Sol 12AX7 in V2 not a 5751 for a bigger stage tone. Also remember a Ghia is only a 12 to 15 watt amp, not many amps with that low wattage will hang with a full hard hitting band. Z |
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Post by telego on Apr 6, 2015 16:06:46 GMT -7
Is the Z Wreck 2X12 cab wired for 16 ohms? An older Ghia only has 4, and 8 ohm outs ? Also try a Tung-Sol 12AX7 in V2 not a 5751 for a bigger stage tone. Also remember a Ghia is only a 12 to 15 watt amp, not many amps with that low wattage will hang with a full hard hitting band. Z
Yes cab is 16 ohm rated, running it from 8 ohm out on the Ghia which was recommended rather than buying a new cab, I will buy another cab if it will fix the problem. I have the option of buying a well priced 2 x 12 cab with WGS ceramic speakers rated at 8 ohm.
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Post by DRZ on Apr 6, 2015 16:57:24 GMT -7
You can re-wire that cab to Parallel it will then be 4 ohm , use the 4 ohm tap of the Ghia. Running into a 16 ohm load will not harm the amp, but will alter the true tone of the map do to the mismatch, and according to Ohm's Law will decrease it's output wattage.
Just re-wire the cab I think it will help at no extra cost to you.
Z |
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 6, 2015 17:01:11 GMT -7
If you do have both 4 and 8 ohm outputs on the Ghia, then I'd consider wiring the Z Wreck 2x12 in parallel to give me 4 ohms, and plug it into the 4 ohm output on the Ghia. It will be louder, and a lot less money than another cab. Plus it's easy to switch back and forth between the two setups.
EDIT: Looks like I was writing at the same time as you, Doc!
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Post by DRZ on Apr 6, 2015 17:03:27 GMT -7
If you do have both 4 and 8 ohm outputs on the Ghia, then I'd consider wiring the Z Wreck 2x12 in parallel to give me 4 ohms, and plug it into the 4 ohm output on the Ghia. It will be louder, and a lot less money than another cab. Plus it's easy to switch back and forth between the two setups. EDIT: Looks like I was writing at the same time as you, Doc! Great minds think alike....
Z
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Post by telego on Apr 6, 2015 18:56:46 GMT -7
You can re-wire that cab to Parallel it will then be 4 ohm , use the 4 ohm tap of the Ghia. Running into a 16 ohm load will not harm the amp, but will alter the true tone of the map do to the mismatch, and according to Ohm's Law will decrease it's output wattage.
Just re-wire the cab I think it will help at no extra cost to you.
Z
I feel a bit stupid here, why did I not realize 2 x 8 ohm speakers in parallel = 4 ohm.
Thanks for jolting my mind on this. I will do that right now and will take your advise on the tubes. Cheers
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Post by telego on Apr 8, 2015 6:31:27 GMT -7
Ok, cab rewired, tubes in, the thing came alive, punchier and the fizz has gone. This is how it should sound.
Thanks for the advise guys.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2015 7:12:22 GMT -7
The Happy Ending!
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Post by DRZ on Apr 8, 2015 8:28:24 GMT -7
Chinese Massage...........
Z
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