| Author | Message | ||
     mike mccann |
Is the distortion on an HD-130 coming from the solid state pre-amp or are the power tubes being overdriven? For example, if I turn up the pre-volume and keep the master vol at a reasonable level, am I getting true tube distortion or am I just driving the pre-amp as a distortion box? Thanks... | ||
| michael kaus |
It's coming from the front end. The power tubes are not beingf driven to saturation with the master down. | ||
| c. |
thats why it sounds crap with your master on three and vol on 10 id rather run a nice overdrive pedal than turn the master down - its sounds best at 10 in MY opinion. | ||
| michael kaus |
Well, you've hit on the problem with all the MM's. I run mine as clean as I can get it and buzz it up with three separate and highly modded distortions(modded boss ds1 and two heavily modded but differant blues drivers). Add in the chorus when needed, a digital delay, a compressor, a wah and a volume pedal and you see why I want it clean-too much crap! Any way, the MM's sound best when they are asked to do just that-reproduce clean sounds with tube overtones and get the grind somewhere else. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Mike. | ||
| cerebral |
I don't know if its something funny about my amp or just the style I play, I dig the distortion that comes from the preamp. At least actually on the bandstand - at home I think it is lacking. But what I have noticed over the years is, in a gig situation, you can be standing next to your amp on stage thinking it sounds great, but that greatness might not actually make it out front. We host a jam a couple times a month and I let guys play through my rig, and this amp really sounds great out front. Other players have been dieing over the amp too.. they are like "what is that???". I have a script amp and I always run on low power though. So that is probably effecting the sound of the preamp right there because it gets less voltage. I guess thats the neat thing though about music - everyone's tastes are different and there is no 'wrong' answer. One of the jammers last night brought a modded ts-9 and played it through my musicman, and he sounded killer too. | ||
| michael kaus |
The sad part about it- the geese don't know the differance! | ||
| mike mccann |
One and All, Thanks for the feedback. Though logic dictated the obvious, my 'tubes only' prejudice "overdrove" my reason (pun intended)! I would also have to agree with cerebral and Mike K, that despite the solid state foundation, the amps tone is truly amazing when both the pre-amp AND master are cranked. At least that's my humble opinion. Also, when I need to run an outboard effects rack (which is thankfully a rare occasion) the amps cleanliness is terrific. Thanks again gents... | ||
| admin |
If it floats your boat then go for it! Steve |