dissapointment at the guitar store

guitargatler · 03-28-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by presbystrat

BTW, my church may be getting rid of an old tube PA amp when they update their sound system; I have been thinking about trying that out with a guitar cab and my modeling pedal.

A tube amp would be awesome! If it doesn't sound too good you could always try bypassing the preamp with a tube guitar preamp or something.

presbystrat · 03-28-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitargatler

A tube amp would be awesome! If it doesn't sound too good you could always try bypassing the preamp with a tube guitar preamp or something.

Actually I think it is just a power amp so I would plug directly in. If you are having a clipping problem could it be because you are putting an instrument level signal into an input designed for a mic level signal? I'm not an expert on this sort of thing; but it may be possible that a modeling pedal may correct this because it puts out more of a line level output. I don't think acoustics have this problem going directly into a PA because most A/E's have preamps. This is where someone with more expertise steps in to correct me.

presbystrat · 03-28-2006, 12:06 PM

I have never tried plugging my electric directly into my PA combo before so I just did. The sound isn't terrible. I don't get the clipping problem. What I get is this kind of compressed sound (seems like everything is pushed toward the midrange). I get a similar sound with my Zoom 504 acoustic pedal. It could be a useful sound for some things. You still should try a modeling pedal with your setup; you will get a broader pallette of sounds at the very least.

guitargatler · 03-28-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by presbystrat

Actually I think it is just a power amp so I would plug directly in. If you are having a clipping problem could it be because you are putting an instrument level signal into an input designed for a mic level signal? I'm not an expert on this sort of thing; but it may be possible that a modeling pedal may correct this because it puts out more of a line level output. I don't think acoustics have this problem going directly into a PA because most A/E's have preamps. This is where someone with more expertise steps in to correct me.

Yea the amp actually has two inputs on every channel, a high z and a low z. The low z is a mic in and the high z is an instrument in.

The problem with the clipping only happens when I push the channel gain up and push the low up and then go to turn the main level up.

thomaspg70 · 03-28-2006, 02:40 PM

My friend has a Line 6 Uber Metal DS pedal and it's awesome. Go for it.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 03-28-2006, 03:48 PM

you will get better results with a guitar amp. Yeah, it can do clean acceptably, but once you start using much distortion, its going to suck. Try a little tube amp instead of a pedal.

presbystrat · 03-29-2006, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

you will get better results with a guitar amp. Yeah, it can do clean acceptably, but once you start using much distortion, its going to suck. Try a little tube amp instead of a pedal.

Very true. Even with a modeling pedal my setup does not do distortion well but neither do a lot of SS amps. I mostly play the clean amps on my modeler with mild to moderate OD and it does fine for most of the P&W that I do. I'm sure that tube amps can do better at clean sounds too and I may get one some day. For now, I have what I need even if I don't have everything I want.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 03-29-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by presbystrat

Very true. Even with a modeling pedal my setup does not do distortion well but neither do a lot of SS amps. I mostly play the clean amps on my modeler with mild to moderate OD and it does fine for most of the P&W that I do. I'm sure that tube amps can do better at clean sounds too and I may get one some day. For now, I have what I need even if I don't have everything I want.

I am a huge fan of the Epiphone Valve Jr. The head version is tube, and runs $100. The combo is nice but needs grounding mods, but is only $120. (which are easy to do btw)

I love the tone of it, though the 8 inch speaker of the combo lacks the cleanest bass by virtue of it being an 8.

Anyway, the valve Jr is a mean little clean-classic rock amp. (Though there are a bunch of gain mods to increase its gain to a harder distortion.)

Its worth major consideration.

presbystrat · 03-29-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

I am a huge fan of the Epiphone Valve Jr. The head version is tube, and runs $100. The combo is nice but needs grounding mods, but is only $120. (which are easy to do btw)

I love the tone of it, though the 8 inch speaker of the combo lacks the cleanest bass by virtue of it being an 8.

Anyway, the valve Jr is a mean little clean-classic rock amp. (Though there are a bunch of gain mods to increase its gain to a harder distortion.)

Its worth major consideration.

I checked on Ebay and it looks like used combos go for about $85. Thats sounds like a pretty good value and more within my means. Could I run a line-out to my PA combo which has a 12 inch speaker?

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 03-29-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by presbystrat

I checked on Ebay and it looks like used combos go for about $85. Thats sounds like a pretty good value and more within my means. Could I run a line-out to my PA combo which has a 12 inch speaker?

there is no line out... If you get the head, it has outs for various cabs at 4, 8, and 16 ohms. (Id reccomend the head over the combo unless you want to do a bit of soldering) the stock combo is good, don't get me wrong, and I am not planning on altering the speaker in it at all.

guitargatler · 03-29-2006, 11:13 AM

the valve jr. looks like it's just a 5 watt power amp. Is there a difference between getting the valve jr and getting just a tube power amp?

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 03-29-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitargatler

the valve jr. looks like it's just a 5 watt power amp. Is there a difference between getting the valve jr and getting just a tube power amp?

5 watts is decently loud, and yes, its a full amp, not just a power amp. It uses a 12ax7 for the preamp stage, and a el-84 for the power amp stage. Don't get hung up on wattage numbers though, its plenty loud for practice, church, and could easily be miked for other venues. I wouldn't gig with a metal band with it, but for most uses, 5 watts is sufficient.

You won't get good sound out of just a power amp. But the valve Junior is not a power amp.