Zed
Full Member
Posts: 236
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Post by Zed on Jul 8, 2023 12:13:27 GMT -7
Hey gang. I recently scooped up an older ghia head and I really like it but I have a question, specifically for those who have sent in their ghia for updates. I find the amp seems choked down sonically, almost like I can tell it wants to be more chimey or that there’s something holding it back from really singing. I’m considering swapping the tubes for the 6n14n s that are in my maz. Any thoughts?
Regarding any updates, anyone send theirs in and notice any difference in the way the tone control acts? Hoping for a bit more useable range. Mine goes from kinda thin/spanky to pretty muddy.
Really cool amp, I’m just wondering if this what the ghia is all about or if I need a different speaker or an update of some kind? Or maybe I’m after a z wreck and I don’t know it yet haha.
Thx guys
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Post by purpletele on Jul 8, 2023 13:18:07 GMT -7
Hey gang. I recently scooped up an older ghia head and I really like it but I have a question, specifically for those who have sent in their ghia for updates. I find the amp seems checked down sonically, almost like I can tell it wants to be more chimey or that there’s something holding it back from really singing. I’m considering swapping the tubes for the 6n14n s that are in my maz. Any thoughts? Regarding any updates, anyone send theirs in and notice any difference in the way the tone control acts? Hoping for a bit more useable range. Mine goes from kinda thin/spanky to pretty muddy. Really cool amp, I’m just wondering if this what the ghia is all about or if I need a different speaker or an update of some kind? Or maybe I’m after a z wreck and I don’t know it yet haha. Thx guys I would start with a new set of tubes. That will get you to a new base line of performance, |
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Post by scottyc13 on Jul 9, 2023 3:38:28 GMT -7
Change the power tubes. I bought a matched set of NOS Russian 6n14n tubes from Rogue 8 on Reverb, who is a member of this forum. Night and day difference. My Ghia head had cheap EL 84 and was a bit harsh. With the NOS tubes it became smooth and glorious.
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Post by John on Jul 9, 2023 6:32:21 GMT -7
When I had my Ghia, I had a power tube break so I had to buy new tubes...and I went with the 6n14n. They sounded beefier and muscular compared to the stock JJ. (They also took a lot longer to power up which kind of freaked me out the first few times)
I'm not saying the 6n14n tubes were 'better'...just different. I would say they took the amp away from 'chime-like' tones. But the Ghia to begin with isn't that much in the chime camp. (It surprisingly has a lot of vintage Marshall tones to my ear.) But if you already have them in your Maz, I'd give them a try.
I would also look what the phase inverter tube is. If I remember correctly, a lot of the earlier Ghias were built for 5751 PI tubes, but lots of people stuck 12ax7 in there. Which will change the overdrive characteristics. (a personal preference choice)
Also, I found myself setting the Ghia's tone control to a little on the bright side...then compensating with a slight rollback on the guitar's tone knob....just to the point where any harshness is gone. This also helps if you want something extra bright (for maybe a solo?), and all you have to do is flick the guitar tone control wide open. Roll back when you're finished.
And further, what speaker are you using?
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Zed
Full Member
Posts: 236
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Post by Zed on Jul 9, 2023 10:02:46 GMT -7
When I had my Ghia, I had a power tube break so I had to buy new tubes...and I went with the 6n14n. They sounded beefier and muscular compared to the stock JJ. (They also took a lot longer to power up which kind of freaked me out the first few times) I'm not saying the 6n14n tubes were 'better'...just different. I would say they took the amp away from 'chime-like' tones. But the Ghia to begin with isn't that much in the chime camp. (It surprisingly has a lot of vintage Marshall tones to my ear.) But if you already have them in your Maz, I'd give them a try. I would also look what the phase inverter tube is. If I remember correctly, a lot of the earlier Ghias were built for 5751 PI tubes, but lots of people stuck 12ax7 in there. Which will change the overdrive characteristics. (a personal preference choice) Also, I found myself setting the Ghia's tone control to a little on the bright side...then compensating with a slight rollback on the guitar's tone knob....just to the point where any harshness is gone. This also helps if you want something extra bright (for maybe a solo?), and all you have to do is flick the guitar tone control wide open. Roll back when you're finished. And further, what speaker are you using? all good suggestions, thx. Right now I’m using a 2x12 open back cab with an older Weber silver bell and blue dog speakers. Both alnico. |
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Post by frankie on Jul 10, 2023 10:45:11 GMT -7
Hey gang. I recently scooped up an older ghia head and I really like it but I have a question, specifically for those who have sent in their ghia for updates. I find the amp seems choked down sonically, almost like I can tell it wants to be more chimey or that there’s something holding it back from really singing. I’m considering swapping the tubes for the 6n14n s that are in my maz. Any thoughts? Regarding any updates, anyone send theirs in and notice any difference in the way the tone control acts? Hoping for a bit more useable range. Mine goes from kinda thin/spanky to pretty muddy. Really cool amp, I’m just wondering if this what the ghia is all about or if I need a different speaker or an update of some kind? Or maybe I’m after a z wreck and I don’t know it yet haha. Thx guys It's possible you have an earlier Ghia with the conjunctive filter, which is in place on some models when the power tubes that we had available to us were very top end heavy and peaky. That will take some top end off and add some compression. You can send a shot of the internals of the amps to either repairs@drzamps.com or media@drzamps.com to confirm this. The tone control works to sweep the mids, it's not like a normal tone control, it's more like wah induction control, and it's part of the design. |
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Zed
Full Member
Posts: 236
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Post by Zed on Jul 10, 2023 11:21:48 GMT -7
Hey gang. I recently scooped up an older ghia head and I really like it but I have a question, specifically for those who have sent in their ghia for updates. I find the amp seems choked down sonically, almost like I can tell it wants to be more chimey or that there’s something holding it back from really singing. I’m considering swapping the tubes for the 6n14n s that are in my maz. Any thoughts? Regarding any updates, anyone send theirs in and notice any difference in the way the tone control acts? Hoping for a bit more useable range. Mine goes from kinda thin/spanky to pretty muddy. Really cool amp, I’m just wondering if this what the ghia is all about or if I need a different speaker or an update of some kind? Or maybe I’m after a z wreck and I don’t know it yet haha. Thx guys It's possible you have an earlier Ghia with the conjunctive filter, which is in place on some models when the power tubes that we had available to us were very top end heavy and peaky. That will take some top end off and add some compression. You can send a shot of the internals of the amps to either repairs@drzamps.com or media@drzamps.com to confirm this. The tone control works to sweep the mids, it's not like a normal tone control, it's more like wah induction control, and it's part of the design. Lol. Don just sent me an email with this suggestion. I think what I’m describing is compression and I didn’t realize that haha. He’s also suggesting a better rectifier and preamp tubes. |
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