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Post subject: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:20 am
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I've owned my tremolux for a long time. I like it, but lately it is just not doing it for me...
the bass is MASSIVE, while the mids are scooped... I've trid compensating this with a 3EQ dirt pedal, cutting both amp's bass setting and the pedals, while boosting the mids on the pedal, and highs on both... but it just sounds off... even worse if I forego the pedal.


first, I play at low volumes... amp on 2, 2.5 max if I kick it to 3, I use a dirt pedal as a master volume to bring it down a notch... the tone is a lot better on higher volumes, but that's just not realistic... I no longer have a soundproof basement to jam in(old tornado shelter in lubbock) so this thing is a monster sound in a 11x11 room.

2) the speakers COULD be the issue... I'm using 2 12" Peavey Scorpion speakers. these bad boys are huge, and I think handle 200watts RMS each.

3) I'm pretty much a humbucker guy, I have a charvel that splits coils, but my main guitars are a LP standard with a Duncan JB bridge, 50s style wiring and an SG with modern wiring.... even the coil split on the charvel buckers sound a little dark, but it does have kinda heavier sounding pickups(duncan demon bridge, and a bill lawrence L500R neck)... it's my "metal" guitar :)

I know I'm not a great player, but my amp sounds nothing like this clip...
http://youtu.be/RjkJ2iwB3MY

could the amp have an issue? are the speakers just that bad?

also, I finally picked up a footswitch for the tremolo, and I find the effect very subtle... is this normal? was the effect on these amps more subdued? or does it go up in volume(making it harder to use at low volumes)?


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:47 am
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When were the tubes last changed?

When was the amp bias last checked?

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 8:00 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
When were the tubes last changed?

When was the amp bias last checked?



about 8 years ago


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 11:53 am
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Rhust wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
When were the tubes last changed?

When was the amp bias last checked?



about 8 years ago


Might want to look into doing both of those. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 12:11 pm
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how often should tubes be replaced and or rebiased?


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 1:41 pm
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Rhust wrote:
how often should tubes be replaced and or rebiased?


When statements like this are made:

"I've owned my tremolux for a long time. I like it, but lately it is just not doing it for me..."

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 2:32 pm
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lol, I found part of my problem, well, kinda 2 parts...

1, I put a small piece of carpet under my cabinet, and moved it away from the wall(open back cabinet) open back + these insanely high wattage speakers could be hurting my tone at low volumes?

2, when I lifted the head I checked the tubes, one power tube was not fully seated, it may have been jostled the last time I moved the amp or something... also, I removed the channel jumper... but I might try that again, now that the tube is back in place...

it sounded MUCH better with my 50s wired LP... the bass was much more balanced, I put bass at about 5 and treble at 6.5 and it sounded great on all 3 positions...

the other thing is while my LP was being rewired to 50's style, I was using my modern wired SG... I hope to mess around with that more tonight and see if the BASS is still insane on that...


the tubes still need to be checked for bias... I'm sure.

before when I've had to replace the tubes, they would cut out, crackle or something, not just get dark sounding


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 3:03 pm
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After 8 years, a little maintenance is long past due. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 3:11 pm
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I'm sure it is :)

I feel like such a noob... I bought this amp when I was 17... no one told me about biasing or anything, I've just picked up a little here and there, and for 8 years guitar has been on hold, now I'm trying to claw my way back into it, and juggle a family, and I'm learning everything...

hell I think last week was the first time I'd even heard of jumpering!

I've had these speakers for 20 years too, I traded a zoom 9000 for them+2 Seymour duncan pickups (to go into my charvel)

if I do need new tubes, what brands to you recommend? I think all 4 12ax7s and both 6l6gc are EH, and the rectifier is JJ currently... I think that was the tubestore recommendation 8 years ago...


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:13 pm
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Rhust wrote:
if I do need new tubes, what brands to you recommend? I think all 4 12ax7s and both 6l6gc are EH, and the rectifier is JJ currently... I think that was the tubestore recommendation 8 years ago...


I use JJs in all my amps. I buy them from

http://www.eurotubes.com/

Give them a call for recommendations on tubes and biasing the amp. They are very helpful.

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 12:32 am
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KCANOStubes.com is a great site; I've been dealing with Mike now since 2001.

For your Phase inverter tube, try a Mullard CV4024 - it makes a big difference on Fenders.

If you find out there's more issues with the amp and would rather sell than fix, let me know as I'm in the market for a blonde or blackface Tremolux head.

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 6:48 am
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nedorama wrote:
KCANOStubes.com is a great site; I've been dealing with Mike now since 2001.

For your Phase inverter tube, try a Mullard CV4024 - it makes a big difference on Fenders.

If you find out there's more issues with the amp and would rather sell than fix, let me know as I'm in the market for a blonde or blackface Tremolux head.



cool tip on the tube.

as far as selling:
the idea has been kicked around, since in reality, my 'gig' is a 12x12 room with wood floors... I can't go past '2' unless my wife is somewhere else. using a dirt pedal for an extra volume control adds noise/hiss. and times have been tough... but in the end, I don't think I can part with it... I might try to buy a lil' night train or Blackstar HT1(or any of a host of amps with a nice tube crunch, but master volume or power soak built in) to compliment it but I can't see it really replacing it.

I will get all the maintenance/check out done, then go from there.

what is your opinions on these Peavey scorpion speakers? are they ok, or are they gimping this amp? I never noticed them being too bad in college, but I was also playing very loud and drinking heavily :)


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 2:42 pm
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have any of you biased your own amp using one of these probes?

http://www.eurotubes.com/eurotubes-Bias ... oltage.htm


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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 3:35 pm
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Rhust wrote:
have any of you biased your own amp using one of these probes?

http://www.eurotubes.com/eurotubes-Bias ... oltage.htm


I use this along with a DVM:

http://www.amp-head.com/product_info.ph ... ucts_id=70

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Post subject: Re: tremolux tone troubleshooting
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 5:50 pm
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Rhust wrote:
cool tip on the tube.

as far as selling:
the idea has been kicked around, since in reality, my 'gig' is a 12x12 room with wood floors... I can't go past '2' unless my wife is somewhere else. using a dirt pedal for an extra volume control adds noise/hiss. and times have been tough... but in the end, I don't think I can part with it... I might try to buy a lil' night train or Blackstar HT1(or any of a host of amps with a nice tube crunch, but master volume or power soak built in) to compliment it but I can't see it really replacing it.

I will get all the maintenance/check out done, then go from there.

what is your opinions on these Peavey scorpion speakers? are they ok, or are they gimping this amp? I never noticed them being too bad in college, but I was also playing very loud and drinking heavily :)


Glad to help out where I can.

On the scorpion speakers, your tremolux puts out shy of 35-40 watts, so those speakers are definitely overspec'd for the amp. I've been very happy with Warehouse Speakers G12C's in my closed back Bandmaster 2x12 cab i use with my Showman as well as the Dr. Z Mini Z - just sound sweet and not harsh. I'm still thinking of selling my 2 Weber California ceramics with aluminum dustcaps in my Bandmaster combo to replace with them; I find the Webers a little bit harsh, but hard to tell how much of that is the open combo construction.

At home, I run my Bandmaster through a Dr. Z Brake Lite; they now make the Brake Lite SA, or Standalone, that's the perfect size (50 watts and under) for your amp. Slightly affects the tone, but makes a loud amp usable. If you do decide to part, I'll ensure it gets a good home...

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