Ceriatone Forum

i really want a smoother sound out of my overtone on the cleans and especially on the overdrive.
i'm using a G&L S-500 (strat) and a 4x12 with celestion 25 watt greenbacks. also there a little more highend than i want but i think if it was smoother it wouldnt bother me as much.

Anytips would be usefull

thanks,
JD

this is the sound im sort of going for

http://www.youtube.com/v/1b_XLo0hNRs&hl=en&fs=1
http://www.youtube.com/v/xu6Td2Rjw7k&hl=en&fs=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/2ed_0MwtAsU&hl=en&fs=1

The easiest mod I did was changing the snubber caps on V2 to 330pf & removed the treble pass cap on the master volume.  This smoothed out the top end significantly for overdrive tones- but there's loads of mods you can do that change the tone, check out all the previous mod posts.

Clean tones are a little more tough,  more and more I find I just set the amp for low/medium Overdrive and use the volume control/picking technique on the guitar to get a cleanish sound; then use a pedal (I use an old silicon fuzzface- I'm a big fan of Eric Johnson) for  big overdrive. I find if I want 'squeaky' clean then I usually have the amp on clean boost as I like the 'flat' sound of the amp- maybe a little mild compression helps from a stompbox too. 

Works for me!   8)

I get this tone by having all the switches down, EQ settings 5-7 (depends on p.u.'s and guitar), OD and Ratio about 7 ( my internal trimmer is set at 9.5, if yours is higher, 5 may work better for the OD). Presence: 5-7(same as EQ). I usually match the Volume and  Master at about 5. OD on, PAB (boost) on.

Quick question, because I'm still getting to know the amp:

If the PAB in on, doesn't that take all the tone controls out of the signal path?  In essence, would it matter where you set the T/M/B if the PAB is engaged?

Correct-

PAB engaged removes the tonestack for boost.  Presence control still works though...  I find the boost works best for clean tones- it gets a bit too compressed & mushy for overdrive- but everyone's technique & set-up is different- just keep experimenting & see what's best for you- took me a couple of months to really nail my sound- especially playing live-  now I'm REALLY happy... I usually keep the treble & the mid boost off, 'rock & jazz' switched to 'Rock'... tones around 12 o'clock - maybe a little cut or boost in the bass/treble depending on venue, pre-amp around 6-7 for a Strat, maybe 5-6 for the Les Paul. Master vol depends on venue- usually around 4-6... internal OD trimmer around 10 o'clock.

This is easily the most articulate & well balanced toned amp I've ever owned- and now I've retired my vintage Marshall plexi & Fenders.  ;D

Okay I'm sure it is, but given that the PAB takes the EQ controls out of the circuit, is it still possible to change the sound of the amp by changing component values inside it, for example to give a more scooped clean tone?

thanks everyone :) my ots is the updated one so the snubber caps are already 330pf, but im thinking about going a little bit higher

When did you get your OTS?  I just got mine a few weeks ago & it's snubbers are still at 390pf.

i also got mine a few weeks ago around august 8th

on a side note...

once i get some cash i'll be changing the V1 and V3 tubes to mullard 12ax7's and the V2 to a tungsol. if i decide to change the power tubes i'd go with winged SED's.

right now its got all JJ's and they seem pretty cheap.


I need some cash so if anyone is interested in a 1974 Marshall JMP check the classified section or PM me thanks :)

If you can try G12-65, it sounds smoother compared to Greenback.

Don't the snubber caps on V2 only effect the dirty channel? this will not change your cleans.

Speakers would be a good starting point. Try it through  a couple of different cabs. If possible take your head down to a shop?
 A Jensen or (Eminence style one) might be a better starting point...If you are chasing smoother cleans. I'm personally not a big fan of the 25w celestions for fender/vox chime. They don't sound very good in the open back cabs like Vox or Marshall Blues breaker. But in a 50watt Marshall and Quad they are a different story.

I have noticed that different valves play a role too.
Sovtek LPS are quite bright and have allot of gain (they do sound good though), an EH 12ax7 is a bit softer sounding and the standard Sovtek is quite flat(if you want to tame the amp). I don't think you need to go NOS to pull a good sound. There are plenty of options round and at $15 or less a pop it's as cheap as changing strings.

I noticed a fair bit of difference between a old EI and the LPS in the V2 (dirty channel) too.

Power valves ..."Winged C" work the best for me, also check your Bias that effects the tone too. Remember you can also run EL34 too.

Nick

i was thinking of getting a 2x12 from weber with a G12-65 and G12-30 with an alnico magnet (weber makes them) but right now i dont have the money for that. and right now my only source of income is from small gigs

The snubbers are on V2 the lead channel and the originals were 220 pf. 330 or higher are from the newer version amp.

Jake- if you lower it from 330 to 220 does that make it smoother or just lower the gain?

neither it would give you more highend on the od channel

Thanks for clearing that up!