Rudy
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by Rudy on Oct 31, 2018 11:32:54 GMT -5
Just got my QR back yesterday evening. I was having some issues with the volume dropping roughly 25% while I was playing. It sort of sounded like a bad cable but I went through everything, tried everything I could think of and finally talked to Scott and sent it in to be looked at. Turns out it was a bad cap on the main PCB. While it was there I also had Scott do the Drop B+ mod to it. I bought the amp new in 2012 before that was an option. I knew what to expect with the Drop B+ mod. I knew it would be subtle and a lot of it would be a feel thing. This is just my opinion but I've got to say that while its subtle it also makes a big difference! I didn't bother Scott with the specifics of the bad cap since he's extremely busy and I'm no electronics expert by any means. What I'm curious about is besides the volume issue, would that bad cap affect anything else? Is that something that would slowly degrade and go bad over time to where I maybe didn't notice it until the volume problem? The amp just seems so much more alive all around. He did tell me the tubes were good to go so it still has the same tubes I sent it out with. I don't know, maybe its just because its been awhile since I've played my baby but between the fix and the mod my QR sounds the best it ever has!
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Post by splawndude on Oct 31, 2018 14:22:05 GMT -5
A bad capacitor can definitely affect the performance, tone and volume of your amp.
Yes, they go bad over time but usually that is a very long time. Kind of surprising in an amp that is only 6 years old but like they say, they don't make them like they used to. Not Scott you understand, Scott did nothing wrong nor does he source cheap sh!t, but he doesn't make the caps and in general - capacitors, resistors, transformers, tubes etc are not made like they used to be made back in the day.
As far as how your amp sounds better....that is hard to say right.
I have a feeling the at bulk of the improvement is that new capacitor. I do not have the B+ option nor played a Splawn with the B+ option. I am assuming it sounds better to you even with that disengaged.
Additionally, just the process of taking the amp off of its perch and having Scott touch it is probably going to make it sound better. I mean he gave a look over so there might have been little things he did that are also helping. Like cleaning sockets for example or checking the bias.
Enjoy!
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Rudy
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by Rudy on Oct 31, 2018 22:38:50 GMT -5
You're absolutely right, it sounds much better even without the Drop B+ switched on. And I completely understand and place no fault on Scott for a capacitor that went bad. I know he sources these components and doesn't skimp on the quality of them. Yeah it sucked having to send it back but I understand these things happen. And having to send it back just helped me to get that mod done that I wanted. And something else I forgot, and I'm going to show off my lack of guitar amp electronics knowledge now. To have the Drop B+ mod done on my amp Scott had to replace whichever transformer it is behind the power tubes. I believe that's the power transformer and not the output. So that may also have something to do with the better overall sound and tone in my opinion.
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Post by gtrjunior on Nov 1, 2018 6:52:45 GMT -5
I have the Drop B+ option on my QR and while tonally there’s not really a difference, it makes a big difference in feel. It’s much more chewy if that makes sense.
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Rudy
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by Rudy on Nov 1, 2018 10:03:02 GMT -5
That's exactly it. I'd bet if I was to let someone play through it who has only been playing for a few years that they probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two settings. Its a big subtle difference and I'm extremely happy I had it done.
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Post by splawndude on Nov 1, 2018 16:34:11 GMT -5
Now I wanna do it  |
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Post by gtrjunior on Nov 1, 2018 19:31:53 GMT -5
Go for it!!
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Rudy
Junior Member
Posts: 57
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Post by Rudy on Nov 1, 2018 22:31:54 GMT -5
What he said!
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Post by cn2667 on Nov 2, 2018 10:33:37 GMT -5
Now I wanna do it I live about 15 minutes away from their shop and Im tempted in getting it on mine cause I dont have to really worry about shipping. But my next 2 purchases are going to be new headshells then a new 2x12. I have to wait until the wife gets over being mad at my last couple purchases before I can do anything. |
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Post by briman on Nov 2, 2018 19:07:48 GMT -5
Now I wanna do it I live about 15 minutes away from their shop and Im tempted in getting it on mine cause I dont have to really worry about shipping. But my next 2 purchases are going to be new headshells then a new 2x12. I have to wait until the wife gets over being mad at my last couple purchases before I can do anything. Lol your wife sounds like my wife lol |
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Post by cn2667 on Nov 6, 2018 18:26:51 GMT -5
I think most married musicians are in a similar boat.  |
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tjdjr1
Junior Member
Posts: 70 
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Post by tjdjr1 on Nov 11, 2018 8:14:13 GMT -5
I think most married musicians are in a similar boat. Ditto here since I got back into the band gigging deal I have bought my used QR, 16 Traditional LP,17 SG, a 2nd 4x12, tons of pre-amp tubes, pickups, and replacement speakers. Along the way I sold things like a spare jet city 50h, pickups, speakers, and pedals. Every now and then she see's me on a guitar page and says "I don't think you need another guitar already do you"? I don't think a musician will ever have enough. |
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Post by gtrjunior on Nov 11, 2018 18:15:44 GMT -5
I’m lucky in that my wife totally encourages the music/band thing.
When she and I first met, I played in a gigging band but after that disbanded I really didn’t play much guitar for a couple of years.
Then one day I came home from work and she had gone out and bought a 5 guitar stand and had my guitars out on display.
She told me that she thought maybe if they were out and accessible then I might play more....
Well she was right!!
As far as buying new gear, she doesn’t care what I buy as long as the household bill money is in the joint account every week.
Same goes for her...as long as the bills are paid she can buy whatever she wants for herself.
Not a bad deal...
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Post by cn2667 on Nov 11, 2018 18:44:13 GMT -5
I pay 100% of our bills and on time but my wife still tries to tell me what I can and cant buy. We dont have kids and I work 3 jobs compared to her 25 hour a week job. I dont care what she buys with her money but she seems to want to complain about what Im buying. I love my wife and she has a lot of great qualities but if she would be a bit more laid back when it comes to this I would be the happiest man I could be. I dont even have much, like 3 guitars, 2 amp heads, and a 2x12 cab that I've purchased over the past 4 years. And its not like I would go bankrupt buying gear if she didn't bitch.
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Post by gtrjunior on Nov 11, 2018 20:01:39 GMT -5
Oh yeah, you absolutely need more gear.
I have 3 amp head with 2 cabinets and 11 guitars.
Not to mention a full PA system, hundreds of dollars in cables, recording equipment...the list goes on and on
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