There was some mention in another thread to adjust the internal HRM trimmers to get the most out of the OD, so i spent some time doing just that during this afternoon. Glad to report that it has certainly made a difference on the OD on the BM. No longer does it sound harsh and lifeless. Now it blooms the notes much more and has almost that OTS OD character but as some people have describe it, it has a marshall flavor to it, but can certainly be used or the blues. It's very good in it's own right where as previously it wasn't very boos at all. I'm thinking that, in addition to an EQ in the loop might even get me closer to OTS territory.

Okay, not sure if you've been reading some of the current threads, but there was some suggestion about tweaking the hrm trims inside the amp. I had some spare time this afternoon and gave it a go.... It's definitely changed the OD on my BM. While its not as dumble like as an OTS, it's now amazing in its own right. Previously I found that the OD was some what lifeless and didn't really let the notes bloom as it should. I'm thinking an EQ in the loop might get me very close to a OTS OD which I'll find out tomorrow when I pick it up. To be honest, the results were that good that it made me think twice about getting the pedal, but I've already given the seller my word I'd pick it up.

Basically I've just set the bass almost all the way down, and bumped the mods up a little and set the treble a little past 12.

It might be a honeymokn period for me and I'll need some more time to play around with it, but def worth a shot

Im experiencing the same. I'm going to try put an EQ into the effects loop as homesick has as per his other thread to see if this improves things which he's had some good results with. I'm going to try this and will let you know how it goes. I'd imagine converting the BM to a normal HRm would be a big job as the circuitry is quite different. So that would be a last resort for me...

That's an interesting observation

Having played the speaker a little more, I actually found it to be much nicer than the ET65. Much more note definition and it seems to tighten up the bass on the BM which I found muddy with the ET65. To me it seems to bring out the amps true sound without adding any additional coloring. Initally it didnt seem to change the tone too much, but after tweaking the amp some, i found that the tone controls seem to have a greater effect, opening the amps tonal range a little more. Shortly afterward, in addition to the tube change, it completely changed the amp, and to me seemed like a blanket had been lifted off of it. I too have heard that some find it too harsh, where as I actually find that it still maintains the warmth (naturally a dark amp) on the cleans, but brightening it up a little. Different strokes for different folks I guess!

Just through a ceriatone can that I made up

Okay guys, a status update...

So here we are, with a 50w BM with the following changes since it been shipped;

- EVM12L speaker
- Tung sol in V1 & V2
- Sovtek in v3

Wile changing the tubes, I did notice that in V1, there was a JJ whilst in V2 & V3 there were TADs there.

Once all in.... All I can say is wow! The cleans have brightened up a huge amount but still maintaining a certain warmth. The OD is no longer fizzy and just sounds smooth. While if I winds up the gain, it still gets fizzy, but it takes much more before it does now, where as previously it just sounded fizzy even on low gain settings.

Since changing the speakers and tubes, I know I'll need more time to tweak to get it perfect, but now I feel that I'm well on the way now. Only thing is, there isn't much much sustain to the OD as the OTS as ive seen on youtube clips, but then again I'm playing through the strat and there wasnt much sustain before either. Perhaps further tweaking will get me there.

All in all, these changes have really brought the amp to what I expected if not more.....

Oh and another observation, the input knob on the clator seems to have more of an effect on tone now. Winding it back seems to brighten up the amp now which is great. Also, the PAB switch previously seemed to muddy things up, but now it sounds nice and crisp but now just fattening the tone up a little.

Now....to find the time to tweak it....

How mug longer till you get your speakers?

I just got the EV in a moment ago and its very true that the speaker does not color your sound. At this stage, there isn't too much of a difference but oddly the fizzyness in the OD isn't so apparent. It has brightened the amp a tad but it hasn't been too much of a dramatic change. The tubes come in next week so I'll get them in and see how it goes.

I only ended up getting preamp tubes because I don't know how to bias the power tubes. Will probably change them when I get the amp serviced.

I gave the les Paul a good playing today trough the amp an it does seem to like it more than the strat.

Okay, I missed out on the NOS RCA's, so instead I've bought 2 Tung Sol for V1 & V2, with a Sovtek for V3.

Bought the TAD's for the Clator also..... should all be here mid next week. By then, I'll have the EV in and all ready to be tested with the tubes.

Really hoping the speaker and tubes will brighten her up, and help the OD.

This thread is sure getting mighty big

Ive got my eyes on some NOS RCAs for V1 on eBay Australia
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160782194100?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_922

V2, I'm going for JAn Phillips

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160782194100?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_922

V3, I'm going For the sovteks
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160782194100?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_922

Also getting the TAD 7025 or the clator. I think it's clear that I'm taking onboard with the advice on this forum

Thanks Gregg, I was thinking that myself

The person I bought the EV from had an amp with other EV in it. He offered for me to try play and have a listen and I must admit, the clarity and bass response was great! Although it probably isn't a good comparison being the speaker was in a different type amp, but I think the speaker will be a great match with the BM. Nice and bright with a tight bottom end.

On another note, the amp I tried out was a Seymour Duncan, which sounded surprisingly good.

Tubes should be arrive sometime next week, and I've also picked up the les Paul from the guitar tech today as well. Should have everything together ready for testing by next weekend I'd say...

That's great news! You sure sound excited about getting the new speakers.

On my end, I've just picked up the EV today and should be able to get it in this weekend. Need to head out and buy a new speaker cable as the WGS came with one soldered on.

Will probably order the tubes tomorrow....all on track!

Thanks for reminding me why I choose this amp Gregg!

Now I remember, this amp sounds a little more versatile to me, whereas the OTS sounded very particular in it's tone.

I'm sure all the hard work will pay off

Oh sorry, let me retract that comment

 PAB + OD it sounds fizzy and harsh. PAB + clean it sounds muddy

On a side note, I'm getting awfully close to getting the right tones on the OD channel, and I think the speaker change with the tube rolls will get me even closer. Not having much joy with the PAB engaged with the OD at the same time though. Sounds flabby/muddy with it engaged..... Also struggling to keep the cleans good while I'm happy with the OD. Much of the OD tone shaping comes from the drive from the clator which smooths out the OD when rolled up, but it also affects the clean channel. Odd, as I though this affected only the input signal going into the pedals via the FX loop?

To be honest I had a few thoughts that I should of went for the classic OTS non HRM instead of the BM when I first got the amp. I've been looking for that syrupy type OD that's associated to dumbles, but so far it's been closer to a fender hybrid with marshal type drive. It's not that it's bad and is actually good, but it's just different to what I expected.

Its a complex amp and I'm still learning it, so it maybe just a combination of me learning the amp and not having the right speaker and tube combination, not allowing the amp to sound it best. The advice I've received from this forum has been encouraging, and the general consensus has been the BM will get me that well sort after dumble OD.

I'm going to try different tubes and a EVM12L to see if that changes things, but I'd been keen to see if you do take on the HRM conversion and would follow that very closely......