Welcome Skip!
Great to have you on the BluesHarmonica.com team Skip!
How much does wattage affect tone out of a tube amp at high or low volumes?
A simple question that could elicit an awful lot of discussion! Basically, unless an amp has a master-volume or other method of artificially creating distortion, more watts equals more available power, which means a cleaner, less distorted sound than an amp with less power. Not too many harp players use amps with more than 40 watts and most would agree that a low-power amp that is "turned up" will give a better tone than a high-power amp that is barely on.
Thanks for the question. Do us a favor and post a new thread topic next time if the question is not related to the old thread... this way others can see it as well.
Hello Skip,
Thanks for your future help!
If I wanted to lower the gain in my Crate Palamino 32 and I have in my possesion two 12AU7's and two 12AY7's tubes, should I mix and match in V1 and V2?
I'm just trying to get a liitle more of a distorted sound.
Also should I lower the gain on V3 (would that be the reverb tube?)\
Thanks
Harmonica Hank
Hello Hank- Thanks for writing. The bottom line is that any preamp tube substitution that gives you a sound that you like is great! Feel free to mix OR match.
Remember that what you are doing by using a12AU7 or 12AY7 is lowering the gain of that particular stage of the circuit. It won't increase distortion of the stage, but it can allow the volume to be turned up further and help with feedback. It can make an amp "easier" to play, but it won't add distortion. The coolest way to get a more distorted sound is to use a smaller amp.
I'm not really familiar with Crate amps so I'm not sure if "V-3" is part of the reverb circuit. In most amps, I would suggest starting with the FIRST tube in the signal chain (usually designated "V-1"). It can also be helpful to sub for the "phase-inverter" tube in many amps. It is the LAST tube in the signal chain before the power tubes and is usually located closest to them on the chassis.
Thanks for the question. Do us a favor and post a new thread topic next time if the question is not related to the old thread... this way others can see it as well.
Skip
Hi Skip,
I have Kendrick amp...5w voiced for harp...with a 10" Kendrick speaker.
it is all tube...
I was wondering how to get reverb...what about a Fender 63 reissue reverb....
or should i go with a digital setup?
Thank you!
Steve
Hello Steve-
Traditional tube reverb as used in classic amps is a pretty complicated circuit that can not be easily added to existing amps. In fact, adding reverb to your Champ-type amp would involve far more parts and circuitry than the amp itself!
The reissue Fender reverb unit would be an option but I must admit that I can't think of any harp players who pack them around to gigs. They do sound cool and would be fun for certain tunes, though.
I would start with some of the inexpensive pedals that are $100 or less. The Danelectro reverb pedal is mentioned to me often. Later, you could try some of the more expensive ones!
One last thing that can work really well at home is combining your main amp with ANOTHER small amp that has reverb (even a very budget solidstate amp). Blend in just a little....
Skip
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone! I look forward to helping as many amp enthusiasts as I can.
We need to start a new thread with it's own title for the next question. Then others can see what your question is about and read it, too. Just go to the top of this page, click on my Forum title, "Ask Amp Repair Expert Skip Simmons," and then select the "New Topic" button.
Skip
Thanks, Dave! Glad to be here.