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Author Topic: 1/2 power mod on a 50watt OTS ?  (Read 32190 times)
JohnE
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« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2008, 11:01:21 PM »

In my case it's our singer who complains I'm too loud... Only two decades ago people played with 100 watt Marshll stacks. :Smiley
I've ordered mine with a Pentode/triode switch. I suppose that will affect tone but I don't know to what extent. I'm still waiting for the amp -- it's on its way and should be here any day now!


Make the singer go out and buy himself an In Ear system !!!! :-) 
It's a "she" -- nuff said. Grin

I play with a with female singer who kicks ass and she usually ups the volume ante with her voice alone as the gig goes on. That's why I keep the double OD pedal in reserve. As she really starts belting things out (with great musicality I must add), the drums come up and everyone has to play louder. I usually sand bag the guitar volume a little at sound check and then come up as the night goes on. If you start out too loud at sound check they cut your output at the mixer and the you can't catch up later.  My amp tech is totally against any kind of half power switch. I have a THD attenuator and it is only good for practice, it saps too much tone.  So the baffles, the G SHarp and pedal volumes are the only tools I have that seem to keep the tone with a manageable volume.
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JohnE
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« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2008, 11:09:49 PM »

Pentode/Triode switch is going to mess up your tone.  Attentuator is much much better solution.

Use the return of your FX loop to control the final volume.

50 watt OTS is LOUD.  You have to push some air to get those great tones.  I do not think there is an inexpensive way around this.

Baffles are typically made out of clear plexiglass.  That is a decent idea, more stuff to lug around though.

Using OD pedals for me with this amp kind of takes away the whole mystique.

Mystique, eh? To each his own, but I just like great tone which is why I use the OTS. My OD pedals, set usually a quarter or less on the gain change the tone minimally, but for the better. It still sounds like the OTS and no other amp, but maybe a bit fuller and tighter depending on the Guitar and pedal settings.
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wyatt
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« Reply #17 on: December 10, 2008, 01:34:02 AM »

I had Nik do that mod to my 50 watt ODS,  it cuts alot of the tone out.   have you thought about putting a speaker in a box with a mic?   I've seen things like that adverised but never have used one

I've had that mod done as well. What I'd like to know is will the tone cut also happen if the switch is not engaged?

As noted, in Pentode mode, the amp works exactly as intended.  Triode mode just turns off part of the tube, total output is about 1/2.

In Triode mode the amp is going to seem muddier and much, much looser and softer sounding, especially any power tube breakup.  It's not just a Tonal change, but a total change in how the power amp responds, breaks ups and sounds. 
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Franne500
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« Reply #18 on: December 10, 2008, 09:29:35 AM »

One will definetely be better off with a 2x12 if volume is a problem.

JohnE  - What kind of material do you use for the baffle ? Do you stille hear the amp on stage or do you have your guitar in the monitors ?

I REALLY don't like my guitar in the monitors...... Gets too spikey and strange   Smiley

OK, don't laugh but... I use the panels on our PA rack. I think it is an SKB or something. These flat, double wall, plastic panels cover the front and back of our roller rack that holds our mixer, power amp, etc. I got the idea from Joe Bonamassa who plays through (4) 100W heads and (2) 4 x12 cabs in relatively small venues at times. His baffles are clear plexi glass.

If I stand over the speakers I can hear them, but I make a point at sound check and throughout the gig to keep the monitor mix up so my amp does not overpower the mix. It is important to me to hear what is going on with the rest of the band. 

Also, if you don't like your guitar sound in the monitor there is something wrong, probably at the board. The sound at the monitor is not necessarily what is heard on the floor but it is the best indication you have when on stage.. For me it helps me keep in time, etc. So it is very important to have the monitors setup properly



There's nothing wrong with my sound coming from the cab or at the mixer - it's just that a monitor is not designed for guitars :-)  That's the way it has always been - some people have no difficulties with their guitarsound in a monitor..... and some do :-)
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Jimmyd
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« Reply #19 on: December 10, 2008, 11:49:53 PM »


Mystique, eh? To each his own, but I just like great tone which is why I use the OTS. My OD pedals, set usually a quarter or less on the gain change the tone minimally, but for the better. It still sounds like the OTS and no other amp, but maybe a bit fuller and tighter depending on the Guitar and pedal settings.

I admit I haven't spent alot of time with my OD pedals with the OTS because the OTS sounds so good by itself.   If  I have to, I'll bring in my pedalboard, which for the OD side of things currently contains a Zendrive, Xotic BB and RC booster.  I do think your opinion is valid.  Guess I want to keep the tap dancing to a minimum.

I know one of the reasons I hate guitars in the monitors is because I spent $$$ on my equipment for what sounds pleasing to my ears.  The monitors never sound as good as my rig and we don't typically have the time to sound check at a gig to work out EQ details.  It's mixed on the fly starting at song one.

Jim
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JohnE
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« Reply #20 on: December 11, 2008, 01:35:41 AM »


Mystique, eh? To each his own, but I just like great tone which is why I use the OTS. My OD pedals, set usually a quarter or less on the gain change the tone minimally, but for the better. It still sounds like the OTS and no other amp, but maybe a bit fuller and tighter depending on the Guitar and pedal settings.

I admit I haven't spent alot of time with my OD pedals with the OTS because the OTS sounds so good by itself.   If  I have to, I'll bring in my pedalboard, which for the OD side of things currently contains a Zendrive, Xotic BB and RC booster.  I do think your opinion is valid.  Guess I want to keep the tap dancing to a minimum.

I know one of the reasons I hate guitars in the monitors is because I spent $$$ on my equipment for what sounds pleasing to my ears.  The monitors never sound as good as my rig and we don't typically have the time to sound check at a gig to work out EQ details.  It's mixed on the fly starting at song one.

Jim

Well Jim, you have some great OD pedals so try em, you might like em. I just sold  an RC Booster, mainly because it was too clean and did not add much. I keep coming back to same old TS-808/9 type stuff.

To me, a monitor is just a monitor. Ours are beat up, crappy, peaveys, but they work good enough. Our floor system has wharfdale mains and subs that sound very, very good and that is what counts.

I know what you means about no time for sound check. Especially when you have to set up in same space where there is a pool table that could not be moved until 8pm and your first set starts at 845 pm.  Good sound is paramount to me. Half-assed sound checks are one of my pet peeves. Fortunately, it  does not occur all that often.

Good Luck in your live tone quest.
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m0b1liz3
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« Reply #21 on: May 18, 2009, 10:02:23 AM »

Why hasn't anyone mentioned using 6V6 tubes in the amp to bring it down to approx 20watts?
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Pickmaster
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« Reply #22 on: May 18, 2009, 03:33:25 PM »

6V6s where mentioned several times! You have to read old posts.
They won’t work unless you modify the power section. Better to try ToneBone tube adapter and use EL84s.
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Jimmyd
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« Reply #23 on: May 18, 2009, 04:14:21 PM »

6V6s where mentioned several times!

Nik has mentioned in a recent post (that I'm too lazy to find and quote) that all one has to do is slap some JJ6V6's in and rebias.  Evidentally the JJs are robust enough to take the plate voltages. 

For everyone else out there, good ole Mr. Dumble himself has even built a couple of ODS's around the 6V6 tube.  Not many, but he has done it. 

Jim
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m0b1liz3
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« Reply #24 on: May 18, 2009, 08:53:20 PM »

Nik sent me my kit with 6v6s.  The newer 6v6s can handle the voltage.   I was reading this thread since half power was something I considered at first but decided to try it this way to start.

I would be curious if there are any schematics of the ones that Dumble built himself or if there are any soundclips.
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Jimmyd
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« Reply #25 on: May 18, 2009, 09:25:50 PM »

Nik sent me my kit with 6v6s.  The newer 6v6s can handle the voltage.   I was reading this thread since half power was something I considered at first but decided to try it this way to start.


Is your amp built?  If so, how do you like it with 6V6's?  I've never heard a real good implementaion of the Pentode / Triod 1/2 power switch.  I've given up on that deal.

Jim
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m0b1liz3
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« Reply #26 on: May 19, 2009, 05:11:18 AM »

I am building my amp.  It will likely take a long time at the rate I am going!
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djroge1
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« Reply #27 on: May 25, 2009, 03:06:27 AM »

Has anyone here tried the THD Yellowjackets tube converter? According to their web site, they should cut a 50watt amp down to around 20w.
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hywelg
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« Reply #28 on: May 25, 2009, 10:15:40 AM »

Has anyone here tried the THD Yellowjackets tube converter? According to their web site, they should cut a 50watt amp down to around 20w.

I'd be interested to know aswell. They are quite expensive just to try it and see.
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roadapple
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« Reply #29 on: March 04, 2010, 05:42:56 PM »

I don't see how anyone can say that the OTS 50w is not loud enough.  I play in amphitheaters, casinos, outdoor festivals, fairs, concert venues and am constantly being told to turn down on stage by the engineers, and I've never had the main volume turned above 11 o'clock.

I play through a Bogner Metropolis Duende 1x12 cabinet with an Eminence 50w Cannabis Rex speaker and the OTS SCREAMS.  I use my Kleinulator to help balance the volume.  Tried the pentode/triode switch fix.... TONE SUCKER.  Tried a couple of different attenuators.. TONE SUCKERS....  The Kleinulator is the best thing I've used so far to "fix" my volume excesses.

Still looking though!
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