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Post subject: Replaced tubes in SCXD
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:19 am
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I have had my SCXD for a couple years now and have gigged often with it. At one of our recent outdoor gigs where the temperature was about 100 and we were in the sun it started to make some noises so I ordered a set of JJ 6V6s for it. I replaced them past weekend and used it for our Saturday night show. To be honest, I'm not sure it is much different other than it may be a little louder. It came with Electro Harmonix tubes. I did not hear any dramatic difference. Next I'm going to adjust the bias.

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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 2:53 pm
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To quote Billm :

"The 12AX7 in the SCXD is not any kind of preamp. All of the preamplification is done by an op amp and all of the tone shaping is done by the DSP. The first half of the 12AX7 amplifies from line level to the level needed by the phase inverter. The concertina PI in the SCXD, like the Princeton Reverb, has no gain, so the voltage sufficient to drive the output tubes comes from the previous stage."

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 1:21 am
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If you're trying to change the character of the amp, most people have had the most success swapping the speaker out, rather than altering the tubes. (Disclaimer: I have JJ's in mine and I think it made it sound better, though I can't define or quantitate that difference).


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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:02 am
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I realize that the 12AX7 would not have an impact on the tone. I changed it just because it has been about 2 years and I have been playing it consistantly. I was hoping I would notice a difference with the JJ power tubes.

Don't get me wrong, I love this little amp. That's why I left it stock and gigged with it the last 2 years. The size and weight also have a big impact on that decision as well.

I am not disappointed in the amp at all, I'm quite happy with it. I was more curious about the change than anything else. It does seem to have more clean headroom. But that isn't too important as the band I'm in, we mic everything and try to keep stage volume as low as possible. So I rarely turn up over 4. I'm completely intending to keep gigging with this amp. It sounds great, is only 24 pounds and small so it doesn't take much space on stage.

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:10 am
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It seems like it's pretty tough to get a huge tone difference in a hybrid amp. A friend of mine that has a Bandmaster VM was hoping the same thing and the change is very slight. Unless your preamp tube goes microphonic, they generally last a really long time. I'm still running some from the 70's.

I think the hybrids are what they are. You either love them or hate them. I don't care for them, but I have friends that make them sound great. They just don't fit my style of playing.

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:54 am
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63Supro,

This is my first experience with a hybrid or any DSP tone stack in an amp. Though I am happy with it I am also an equipment junkie. I have enough friends with Egnater amps that I am considering getting a Tweaker with a single 12 cabinet. Just because they sound great and are affordable. At the same time I am considering modifying my Traynor YCV50 Blue as well.

Thank goodness my wife understands me and has the patience of a saint.

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:19 am
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I'm still thinking about a Tweaker. I have two Egnater 112 cabs and I could use an A/B switch. The cab for the Tweaker is open backed. I'll have to try it through one of my closed back cabs to see how it sounds. I was totally blown away by the Tweaker. It's a lot different sounding than my Rebel.

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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:35 am
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I saw a You Tube video of Bruce Egnater talking about the Tweaker and he explained the reasons for using the openbacked cabinet and it pretty much came down to the fact that he liked the way it sounded. So he chose to sell it with the open back.

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Post subject: rebias required
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 9:43 am
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When you add JJ 6V6's you should also re-bias the amp. Luckily the SCXD is relatively easy to do. The factory bias for the Groove Tubes are usually lower than optimal.

There is a thread (sorry, don't have it handy) that talks you through the process pretty painlessly. Google "rebias Fender Super Champ" and you'll find it. I have a little electronic experience and a multimeter, and had no trouble.

It does make a difference - not huge, but noticeable - on the amp. "Fuller" is the best way to describe it. Changing the speaker will change the tone, although maybe not for the better. You have to decide that one for yourself.

I have also heard about changing the OT, Billm sells them. This should open the amp up even more. I was ready to buy but he mentions that a few people have had oscillation issues. I'll wait until this is resolved.


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