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Post by mazmaster on Apr 19, 2006 8:15:03 GMT -7
I have a few very low volume gigs coming up, so I decided to try a pair of #4 GT-EL84-S tubes in my Maz to see if they improved the tone at lower volumes, compared to the normally recommended #5 or #6. To my surprise, they did...very noticeably so, but only when using the OCD pedals for overdrive. With my FD2s, the tone was too soft and mushy. But, with the OCDs, even my normal gig volume tones were much improved...fatter and smoother, with much more usable range out of the Tone control on the OCD and Treble control on the amp. The clean tones were pretty much unaffected by the tube swap at the lower volumes tested.
So, the #4s are better than the #6s when using the OCD, but the #6s are better than the #4s when using the FD2. One more little bit of evidence that everything in the signal chain affects everything else!
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Post by prowler on Apr 19, 2006 11:40:03 GMT -7
The lower rating means the tubes break up easier, right?
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gstan
Full Member
What, me worry?
Posts: 180
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Post by gstan on Apr 19, 2006 12:25:41 GMT -7
Doc actually used to ship the JR with 4's and recommended them. I switched before he changed his recommendation to get more clean headroom. I still like the 4's better with HB pickups, gets a smoother breakup, but for strats and teles the 6's have the chime and clarity.
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 20, 2006 15:10:15 GMT -7
The lower rating means the tubes break up easier, right? Yes, they do, but what I noticed with the OCD is that the tone is a lot fatter, warmer and smoother than with the #6, even at fairly low volumes.
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 20, 2006 15:11:26 GMT -7
Doc actually used to ship the JR with 4's and recommended them. I switched before he changed his recommendation to get more clean headroom. I still like the 4's better with HB pickups, gets a smoother breakup, but for strats and teles the 6's have the chime and clarity. Yeah, I prefer the #6s when using an FD2 upfront, but the #4s when using the OCD. So, the combinations are what intrigued me.
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Post by prowler on Apr 21, 2006 7:32:18 GMT -7
I'll have to try a #4 rated EL84 in my Mini-Z & hit it with my Klon. I really like the Mini/Klon combo so I'm interested to see how it would sound with a #4.
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Post by mazmaster on Apr 22, 2006 9:21:18 GMT -7
I'll have to try a #4 rated EL84 in my Mini-Z & hit it with my Klon. I really like the Mini/Klon combo so I'm interested to see how it would sound with a #4. Let us know how that works out. I have no experience with the Mini whatsoever, so YMMV. But, I'm guessing you'll a smoother, fatter distortion, just like with the Maz.
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Post by dcarambula on May 23, 2006 19:35:19 GMT -7
I am now using xotic pecdals, the rc and ac booster, which have bass and treble tone controls. (not just a global tone pots). Results are good. I find that I also like to use the voodoo sparkle drive for overdrive. I dunno, but I heard a wise guitar player say once that if you start out with a great sounding amp, pedals will generally sound better too, especially if you are a careful tone shaper. I tried turning the cut up and the treble down, and I was surprised to note the effect was different, and need to remember that as a tool also. I liked BW's control setting technique, it makes sense and I will try it. The amp has an amazing low end, clear an bell like, and I find myself using the bridge pickup (fralin strat type) much more than with my super or deluxe. The ghia is equally amazing in this regard...the tone knob is sooo useful, not to mention simple. So far I really like the red coats in the amp, I am used to greenbacks, and I read on this thread that the celestions gb is more efficient, because he claimed more headroom... ? need some expert comments please...Somebody make Kid Ramos aware of these amps, he has an AC30, and a few weeks ago, I caught a show where during soundcheck his reverb went in the crapper....much the reason I got rid of mine in 1970.
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Post by geddins on Jun 16, 2006 8:05:03 GMT -7
I have a few very low volume gigs coming up, so I decided to try a pair of #4 GT-EL84-S tubes in my Maz to see if they improved the tone at lower volumes, compared to the normally recommended #5 or #6. To my surprise, they did...very noticeably so, but only when using the OCD pedals for overdrive. With my FD2s, the tone was too soft and mushy. But, with the OCDs, even my normal gig volume tones were much improved...fatter and smoother, with much more usable range out of the Tone control on the OCD and Treble control on the amp. The clean tones were pretty much unaffected by the tube swap at the lower volumes tested. So, the #4s are better than the #6s when using the OCD, but the #6s are better than the #4s when using the FD2. One more little bit of evidence that everything in the signal chain affects everything else! Thanks for posting this! I'm new to the Z world, and loving my Maz, but 90% of my time is spent playing at lower volumes. I've just ordered a set of the 84s', and am looking forward to seeing how they compare (in regard to breakup volume) to the stock 84s.
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