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Post by donnyp on Jul 3, 2022 18:37:11 GMT -7
I recently picked up an original Rx head (1999). It sounds very stuffy or "choked", even with the expand switch on. I owned one a long time ago and I don't remember it sounding dull at all. Any thoughts as to why? All the tubes test good, and the amp works fine; it's just very dull sounding.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 3, 2022 18:54:37 GMT -7
I have four of them - none sound stuffy. What type of cab/speakers are you using?
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Post by donnyp on Jul 3, 2022 19:04:51 GMT -7
Z Best with 2 Heritage Greenbacks
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 3, 2022 20:50:42 GMT -7
donny - here's a video you might enjoy!
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Post by jrl10002 on Jul 5, 2022 9:23:16 GMT -7
Neither of mine sound choked or stuffy either. They are very open sounding.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 5, 2022 12:05:40 GMT -7
What do you mean by “choked”? Do you mean stiff? Like as in feel? Some my call that tight or punchy, or authoritative?
Or do you mean like a small EQ spectrum? Like all boxy mids? That could be power tube related? Maybe your tubes are worn and lack both clarity and punch.
How recently were the tubes replaced? What’s your wall voltage?
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Post by donnyp on Jul 6, 2022 16:04:09 GMT -7
It basically sounds bass heavy with not much high end, unlike the other one I had years ago. I remember that one sounding much brighter. In fact I went back and listened to some sound clips I posted here of that amp and it sounded really great.
I'm not sure about the age of the power tubes since I recently bought it used. I tested them and they all test good, but maybe I'll try a new set.
Good idea about checking the wall voltage, I'll do that right now.
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Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jul 7, 2022 5:51:33 GMT -7
I’d 100% start with fresh power tubes. Maybe swap in some good known preamp tubes if you have them on hand too. Just to see. I guess it’s possible there’s some component failure, maybe in the tone stack or something. Do the tone stack knobs are respond as expected? I had a bad treble pot in one of my non-Z Amps once. It did some weird things.
It may be worth sending to Don for a check up at Z headquarters.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 7, 2022 17:22:46 GMT -7
You might want to peek into the chassis for evidence of possible modifications to the circuit. After 20+ years, it could have been worked on by someone other than Doc’s crew.
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Post by purpletele on Jul 7, 2022 17:48:00 GMT -7
You might want to peek into the chassis for evidence of possible modifications to the circuit. After 20+ years, it could have been worked on by someone other than Doc’s crew. I think that this above has the highest probability. I think it would be fun to see a photo of the chassis!
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