|
|
Post by Silverwulf on Mar 24, 2008 9:58:00 GMT -5
With that said, I'm also not an advocate of modding a brand new amp since you'd likely void the warranty. I'd rather use a volume box in the loop and deal with it. Just stating the advantages of having one. Honestly, I'd trade the solo knob for a MV. I think I'd get more use out of it since the moment you spike in volume, half the sound guys around here pull down your fader anyway, so it becomes less effective. It works well if you're in a bar and not mic's up though...or just have a soundguy that lets it fly...I hardly ever find that around here though...  |
|
|
|
Post by windsen on Mar 24, 2008 10:59:06 GMT -5
yea i've never used the solo boost live. these amps cut through plenty on their own. a second master in place of the solo volume would be a cool feature. but really i don't mind using the volume box trick when i need it at home.
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Mar 24, 2008 13:42:01 GMT -5
as a means of reining in the volume? I guess that'll work....
but like DD and SE said...it's not going to act like an attenuator..and I don't think it's going to get you super cranked tones at mousefart volumes...
ask people who've modded their old plexis to have a PPIMV...they STILL generally use an attenuator even with the master volume mod to get the true tone of the amp out without having to blow out the windows...
anywho, I get tones I'm happy with at just about any volume..maybe I have a tin ear or something...or maybe it's just cause I've used it on stage and in the bedroom for three years so I know how to adjust accordingly for each situation...anyway, when I want a little more rage at really low volumes, I kick in the OD808
with all the volume comments people have been making over the years, I think if doing what this tech suggest would actually work in a favorable way, scott would probably have implemented it...not saying that the guy walks on water or anything like that...but it's his amp and he knows it better than anyone...
anyway, let us know how it pans out....I think what you're really looking for is power scaling though..google it..you can buy a kit and have your tech put it in..I think it's like $400....
|
|
|
|
Post by TuskerKevin on Mar 24, 2008 16:04:52 GMT -5
yea i've never used the solo boost live. these amps cut through plenty on their own. a second master in place of the solo volume would be a cool feature. but really i don't mind using the volume box trick when i need it at home. Scott doesn't walk on water?  ..............ooooh right, I get your point. :-) Dang his amps RAWK! |
|
|
|
Post by snappinnecks on Mar 24, 2008 21:45:46 GMT -5
Okay here is what the tech (Matt) told me after looking at the amp further. He advised he can do the mod, but it will require drilling or replacing the solo pot with the master volume. I asked him if it will work like the volume box in the loop giving cranked tones at lower volumes. he said it will. He advised that I could even turn down the volume on the gain channel and turn up the master volume to get even more power tube distortion. He basically said that it will allow to balance the amp channels and pre and power tube distortion.
He also mentioned using the resonance pot for the master volume. If he did that he would do a cap mod to tighten up the low end.
|
|
|
|
Post by SonicExplorer on Mar 25, 2008 1:41:55 GMT -5
Sorry, but I wouldn't let that tech near my amp. If he's trying to lead you in any way to believe this "volume mod" is going to give you power tube distortion then he doesn't even understand basic amp theory. Either that or he's trying to sale-spin the mod at you. One is as bad as the other in my opinion. Not to mention, you are going to probaby reduce the value of that amp quite a bit by having it tampered with, and I believe also void the warranty. In fact, I suppose it is possible Scott could decline to even work on the amp at all in the future, at his discretion.
Dude, listen to somebody who's walked this path many times before: JUST SAY NO AND WALK AWAY. Live with whatever small inconvenience this volume thing is causing you or just get another amp that does what you want.
Sonic
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Mar 25, 2008 7:28:40 GMT -5
the results he's explaining sounds like what's called 'power scaling to me'...which is some kinda built in attenuation in the power section...as I said, I know you can buy kits and have them put in....give it a google....
but just by replacing the solo boost with a 'master volume' ain't gonna do it, if what I know about tube amps (the little that that is..lol) holds true...
we're not tryin' to bust your balls, man..but like SE said...many have been the promises of getting an amp to sound wide open at minimal volumes and many have been the dissapointments...
there's many reasons for this..first off the way the ear interprets things...things generally sound better LOUDER....is it good for you? no....but hey, alotta food that tastes the best ain't good for ya either....lol....also, when you're quiet you're not pushin' alotta air through the speakers which also makes a big difference
sounds to me like you're just a few knob turns away from what you want or you may really not like the amp...
|
|
|
|
Post by snappinnecks on Mar 25, 2008 8:34:17 GMT -5
I hear what you guys are saying, but here is my limited experience with a master volume. I used to run Randall RM100's. They have three separate channels on the preamp. Density, prescence, effects blend, and master volume on the power section. There was no attentuator or other stuff like you guys were talking about. Those controls worked on the power section and controlled power tube saturation also. You can hear and feel the difference when you have the power tubes cranked up. You also have the flexability of lower volumes. That is what I told the tech I was looking for with this amp. He told me that putting the master volume in the signal chain after the pre would push the power tubes. I don't know how or where or what he replaces or adds. The dude does know his stuff. I have heard some amps he has modded and they do what he told the customer they would do for the most part. I have also heard a couple of clone amps he built and they sound sweet also. Will it work? I dunno. Am I going to try it. No.
Like I said before I love the tone of the Nitro, but the balance and volume issues really cause problems. Using the 150 watt (tons of headroom) Texas Heats brought out a whole new tone from the Nitro that just freakin kills, but at such a volume that it is hard to record and also use live.
I contacted the tech in reference to my issues and the many other extreme volume issues that just about everyone else ( Not all) on this board has with their Splawn amp. He looked at it and gave his advice without opening the amp up. He said all tube amps have common components, signal paths, gain structures, etc. All vary somewhat, but the quality of parts, transformers, caps, etc have a lot to do with tone. I have never had to put a volume pedal, knob, etc in the loop of any other amp I have owned to control extreme volume jumps. I will say that the Nitro's volume taper is much more friendly than my Quickrods was. Again I love the tone! The volume issue........eh.
|
|
|
|
Post by snappinnecks on Mar 25, 2008 8:46:29 GMT -5
Oh yeah Shred.........Love the tone.......hate the volume taper. It is a love hate relationship!
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Mar 25, 2008 8:55:10 GMT -5
that's cool...was just tryin' to give my unsolicited two cents...LOL
now, as far as the volume issue goes..there's three phases I've found...I have an older one so YMMV..
there's mousefart volumes...then there's gigging volumes (9:00 and up on the master)..then there's inbetween..It hink most people have a problem with this inbetween area..where your master is at about 8:00 or so..
what I've noticed is this....if you start off at the inbetween phase of the volume right off the bat, you may not like it....what you should try is this...crank the amp for a few minutes...even if you're not playing through it...the back down to the inbetween area....I don't know if it's a trick of the ears or the power tubes gettin' cooked or what, but it'll sound better after having done that...
give it a shot
|
|
|
|
Post by snappinnecks on Mar 25, 2008 9:06:58 GMT -5
Oh I guess I should clarify. My main reason for the master volume is to be able to have a good tone at a lower level.........less breakup and clipping through a PA. The buzz starts to come out at about 8:30. It grinds at 9:30....At this volume the sound guy is pushing the -10db button on the board and making my tone sound like a Crate combo. If I used the volume box it doesn't project or punch through the mix. Its there, but not what you want the Splawnage to sound like.
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Mar 25, 2008 9:13:26 GMT -5
the solution is simple..don't mic up and crank that mother fooker..that's what I used to do..heHeheEHHeEH
|
|
|
|
Post by snappinnecks on Mar 25, 2008 9:26:54 GMT -5
Believe me I have played some watering holes that I did just that due to sparks and lightening bolts coming out of the mics. You can picture those places........no stage.....pool table next to your cabs.......drunk dude yelling "Freebird".....50 year old drunk trailer skank woman with no bra dancing in front of your pedal board dripping cheap beer making you nervous....no airconditioning on the stage......a spot light hung two inches from the top of your head cooking what little hair you have left up there off.
Oh yeah............good times!
|
|
|
|
Post by shreder75 on Mar 25, 2008 9:27:45 GMT -5
you summed up about 80% of the shows I had over the past three years..lol
|
|
|
|
Post by snappinnecks on Mar 25, 2008 9:34:59 GMT -5
Yep. You leave shows like that wondering if there is a ryhme or reason as to why you just wasted 2 hours of your life playing sweet riffage to drunks that you would avoid in the isle at the Super Walmart.
|
|
..............ooooh right, I get your point. :-)