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Post subject: Fritz Mod vs Bright Cap for a DRRI
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:46 am
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Dear Friends,

I want a warmer sweeter sound on my DRRI. I like the sound of channel 1, but I need reverb on it to make it usable. I wouldn't want to waste the reverb tank on my amp.

I've been reading about both of these mods and it seems like the Fritz mod (adding re-verb to channel one which is sweeter and warmer) is easier than lifting and changing (or clipping) the bright cap. What do you guys think? I use a Gibson 339 with 57' Classics, Mogami cable. My buddy, who is an engineer, will help me with the mods and we are going to video record it. We will be re-biasing the power tubes (the original Groove 6V6's tubes) also.

Another question is, would the sound of the amplifier be better with a better cable from the chassis to the speaker? It seems like that cable is very low quality, the connector and the cable itself. I've been noticing that the heat from the pre amp tubes is weakening (you can see the plastic is being affected but not melted) the cable, as it passes just in between two of the pre amp tubes to go to the speaker out.

Any suggestion to what cable I should use for the speaker?

I already replaced the speaker to a RW and Blues from Eminence. Running a combination of groove tubes and JJ's for pre amp.

Thanks a lot.

Antonio


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Post subject: Re: Fritz Mod vs Bright Cap for a DRRI
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 9:57 am
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serge2antonio wrote:
I want a warmer sweeter sound on my DRRI. I've been reading about both of these mods and it seems like the Fritz mod (adding re-verb to channel one) is easier than lifting and changing (or clipping) the bright cap. What do you guys think?


That is the tack I took when modding my 1994 DRRI. The bright cap can be useful in the case of using a guitar with humbuckers, where they often lack the top-end "bite" of a Strat or Tele. P90's are similarly affected and the extended HF response of the vibrato channel can be beneficial.

As for a "better" speaker cable to improve the tone, that's utter BS. The original Fender amps all used 18-gauge lamp cord to connect the amp to the speakers. And those amps are all sonic legends. As far as thermal issues, any speaker cable constructed with neoprene insulation will soften when heated. Unless it's actually contacting the chassis, transformers, or tube shields, there'll likely be no problems.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fritz Mod vs Bright Cap for a DRRI
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 2:15 pm
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I did both of the mods to my DRRI about a year ago. I also had a 339 at the time. I to use the normal channel most of the time for my Strats. Lifting the bright cap makes channel 2 warmer and less ice picky but not exactly the same voice as channel 1. If I had to do it again I think I would leave the bright cap intact and just ad verb and trem to channel one. Might even put mine back that way.

Dave


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Post subject: Re: Fritz Mod vs Bright Cap for a DRRI
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:19 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
serge2antonio wrote:
I want a warmer sweeter sound on my DRRI. I've been reading about both of these mods and it seems like the Fritz mod (adding re-verb to channel one) is easier than lifting and changing (or clipping) the bright cap. What do you guys think?


That is the tack I took when modding my 1994 DRRI. The bright cap can be useful in the case of using a guitar with humbuckers, where they often lack the top-end "bite" of a Strat or Tele. P90's are similarly affected and the extended HF response of the vibrato channel can be beneficial.

As for a "better" speaker cable to improve the tone, that's utter BS. The original Fender amps all used 18-gauge lamp cord to connect the amp to the speakers. And those amps are all sonic legends. As far as thermal issues, any speaker cable constructed with neoprene insulation will soften when heated. Unless it's actually contacting the chassis, transformers, or tube shields, there'll likely be no problems.

Arjay

+1 My old Bandmaster had the lampcord. The important thing I think is it being 18 gauge. I use 16 gauge on my Egnater, but that was only because they were out of 18. Like Arjay said, as long as it isn't touching or really close to the tubes or trannies, you should be fine.

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Post subject: Re: Fritz Mod vs Bright Cap for a DRRI
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:27 am
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" I want a warmer sweeter sound on my DRRI. "

Have you tried a 5751 or 12AY7 in the input section of the amp? You can try one in V1 and compare the tone of the NORMAL versus VIBRATO (with OEM tube) channels. A good 5751 or 12AY7 can warm the tone and take some bite off the top. Easy mod, anyhow.

Good luck with your fix. :)


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Post subject: Re: Fritz Mod vs Bright Cap for a DRRI
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2015 2:09 pm
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viewtopic.php?f=13&t=95207

Here was a what I did with mine, a few good references in this thread above

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