PDC
Junior Member
Posts: 85
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Post by PDC on Apr 5, 2015 10:08:24 GMT -5
Looking for experience and/or feedback here. Playing through the Nitro - all is good. Then it sounds like someone just slowly rolled off all the treble and presence. Amp sounds really dark. Keep playing for a few minutes, voila - the treble and presence greadually return. Seems to cycle like this every 10-15 minutes. Sometimes you play long enough, you think it is miraculously 'fixed' then there it goes. Not a real pronounced or abrubt issue - but definitely noticable. Tubes are all brand new SPLAWN 12AX7Bs and EL34Bs. Just for the heck of it, I swapped in a set of brand new EH 12AX7s and JJE34Ls - Amp sounded great, but the cycling high end was still present. Recurs with any guitar I own. No other buzzing, humming or crackling. Is this a treble filter cap?
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Post by Tempest on Apr 5, 2015 23:48:12 GMT -5
Do any of the caps look bulged at all? I'm not sure how you test them, but that is usually a warning sign.
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Edward
Member
When all was right with the world
Posts: 241
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Post by Edward on Apr 15, 2015 14:42:29 GMT -5
I have also had a similar experience when a Power tube was about to blow. It was combined with volume loss too though.
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PDC
Junior Member
Posts: 85
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Post by PDC on Jun 1, 2016 6:44:24 GMT -5
I'm reviving this old thread because I am about 99% sure the amp is fine and wanted to share what I found. I searched the net (majority of the most helpful results were back here in the forums) and found that several Splawn owners had similar issues when the Master was set too low - particularly when using the effects loop. Explanation is that the power section needs to 'catch up' to the pre-amp section or you get some pronounced imbalance between the pre and power sections. For some folks, it was the low end 'thump' that seemed to fade in and out. Once I nudged the Master up to where you can really hear the power section take over, there is no more fading in and out of the high end 'sizzle' (or any other frequency). Also found you can remedy this by activating the lead boost and nudging that control til it pushes the signal. So, it was a 'bedroom level' only issue and it does not replicate at even low practice or stage volumes. Running the amp in 1/2 power helps push the power section at lower volumes. FWIW I don't generally run my amps that low, but because I first heard this weird symptom at lower levels, I tended to leave it at the lower volumes while trying to chase down the problem. All that did was make the problem persist.
As an aside, I recently bought a Tone Star 2x12 with the Celection 90 watt Alnico Cream Back speakers. These are definitely 'firmer' than the 65 watt creambacks and take a bit more power to move the cones, so even at 'bedroom' volumes the amp is working harder to drive the cab and it sounds absolutely wonderful. The cab is patterned after the 'Z-Best' 2x12 with a 'thiele' style port running horizontally along the bottom of the cab. This thing moves more air and creates more bass than my Creamback loaded 4x12. It's amazing!
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Post by splawndude on Jun 2, 2016 17:49:24 GMT -5
Glad you got it resolved and thanks actually for sharing what you've learned.
I think I've experienced that before too.
Notch the volume up just a touch and BAM - all the tone comes back. Splawns definitely need some power to get going. More so than other amps I've played. Glad you got it sorted.
Congrats on your new cab too. Sounds interesting. I would love to play my Splawn through a ported cab.
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Post by TheFight on Jun 2, 2016 20:12:30 GMT -5
Pretty sure I've had the same thing too at one point. Glad you figured it out though.
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