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Post subject: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:05 am
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So I have a DeVille, bought it for a song used at guitar center. It sounds pretty good.

I had a few questions. Keep in mind, I play a Squier Strat for practice, and a Billy Corgan artist start when I gig. The Corgan is way more ballsy with those DiMarzios, and I want to set up my amp in a way that makes that guitar shine. Practice is practice, and I don't care as much.

1. What other options are there for tubes? I don't think the GTs that came with it are very good. Very muddy. I know these are self-biasing without a mod, so - without modding the amp, can I put another type or better brand of power or pre-amp tubes in? Any recommendations?

2. I occasionally use my Matchless Hotbox, a preamp stomp box. Makes a huge difference, and really makes my Corgan Strat sing. Makes the amp sound totally different (better). Is this damaging to the amp, though? I can't play above 5 volume without it sounding unnatural.

3. Any speaker mods that you can suggest? If the speakers are causing the amp to sound weird at a high level of volume, maybe those stock speakers need to go.

..... Or maybe I just need a new amp! Overall, the DeVille was a deal and I'd like to see what I can do to make it shine.


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Post subject: Re: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:25 am
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Hi mnemonicus,

The HRDvl has an adjustable bias, small blue pot, so you can use any brand of tubes that you like as long as you set the bias properly for the output tubes. Preamp tubes do not require a bias adjust, they are "self biasing". As far as which tubes, it depends on the sound that you want, early breakup or clean headroom. Check your output tubes for a color and number rating, and check the preamp tubes for type and maybe another label, to see which direction that you might want to go.

Usually, pedals won't harm the amp, but if it sounds like crap when cranked, you might be over-doing it a little. In this case, you might benefit the most from some new preamp tubes, maybe some lower gain tubes like a 5751 in V1, and/or even a 12AT7 in V2 and a balanced 12AT7 in V3. I really like the GT 12AX7-C for great drive channel sound and great clean channel sound when used in all three positions.

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Post subject: Re: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:49 am
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For tube options, might want to have a look at these:

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph ... gory_id=32

Just don't waste money on gold pin tube options. Totally unnecessary.

Also, watch this:

http://www.eurotubes.com/euro-Fender-HRDV.htm

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Post subject: Re: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 11:22 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
Just don't waste money on gold pin tube options. Totally unnecessary.


+1!

It's a guitar amp, not a goddamm lunar excursion module.

:lol:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:32 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Hi mnemonicus,

The HRDvl has an adjustable bias, small blue pot, so you can use any brand of tubes that you like as long as you set the bias properly for the output tubes. Preamp tubes do not require a bias adjust, they are "self biasing". As far as which tubes, it depends on the sound that you want, early breakup or clean headroom. Check your output tubes for a color and number rating, and check the preamp tubes for type and maybe another label, to see which direction that you might want to go.

Usually, pedals won't harm the amp, but if it sounds like crap when cranked, you might be over-doing it a little. In this case, you might benefit the most from some new preamp tubes, maybe some lower gain tubes like a 5751 in V1, and/or even a 12AT7 in V2 and a balanced 12AT7 in V3. I really like the GT 12AX7-C for great drive channel sound and great clean channel sound when used in all three positions.


Yeah, I would like cleaner headroom, a little more compressed than normal. Same clean tone. All channels with a little more output.


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Post subject: Re: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:33 am
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Do you guys suggest new speakers other than the stocks?


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Post subject: Re: Tube Options and Mods for Hot Rod Deville 212?
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 11:38 am
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That really depends upon your ear and what type of music you play -- both, extremely subjective parameters. For "modern" rock tones you might consider Eminence's Swamp Thang or Celestion's V30. Weber 12F150's or 12A150's would yield a more vintage vibe for blues or classic rock.

It's a tough call to make.

HTH

Arjay

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