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Post by ronmail65 on Dec 7, 2008 14:55:51 GMT -5
I have had a ProMod for a year or 2 now. I love it, but it is just super loud.
Would I be able to run a Competition w/ KT88s at half power w/ Master Volume on 10 or 11 o'clock at club gigs? (I can't get my ProMod past 8 o'clock on half power) The volume knob is so sensitive it goes from nothing to deafening at the slightest touch / tweak.
And, will it sound like a ProMod? Anybody ever A/B'd 'em?
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Post by kormann69 on Dec 11, 2008 19:02:51 GMT -5
just ordered a competition 'bout 3 weeks ago.
'lthough i 've never A/B'd ProMods and Competitions i have to mention 3 theoretical barks (at least 1 accompanied with a practical bite)
1. Most noticeable: Half power switches on most 100W Tube heads simply disconnect half of the power output tubes (which mostly leaves the pentode mode untouched).
The Competitions half power mode changes the circuitry which runs the power output tubes in pentode mode to run them in triode mode. And compared to pentodes, triodes have different overtone response when they're overdriven as well as different output impedance.
2. The more iron you have in your output transformer the better bass response and headroom can be expected - on the other hand the less hair in the top end can be obtained (so far the theoretical bark). I've ordered a competition 'cause i wanted a fifty watt head with an amount of iron that is not oversized (mostly due to weight reasons - the practical bark)
3. rumors tell that 2 years of proper use could add some extra level of maturity to your capacitors (aging could be a disrespective word) - and therefore a different overall response -compared to a completely new competition- is to be taken into account.
Simply put: After listening to hundreds of demos and clips, test driving various amp heads and getting a basic impression of holy grail amps like Masotti, Elmwood, Diamond Amplification, Cameron, Splawn, Peters, VHT, Diezel, Rath, etc... i have to admit that it is just a matter of taste and perhaps some need for reliabilty which will make you concentrate on one product.
i personally chose a splawn because
- the demos and clips all sounded most pleasing to my ears
- a 50 Watt Model (competition) is offered
- and some kind of mission statement that shows that the ideas of jesus christ aren't forgotten.
Merry christmas
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Post by Jammermatt on Dec 12, 2008 10:33:29 GMT -5
Nice post!
I have not played a Pro Mod, and my Compy has EL34s. However, I have played a QR. The Comp to my ears is not just simply a 50 watt QR. Very very very similar, but there is a difference in tone and a difference in feel. I don't think the average person would notice, and probably lots of guitar players might not notice either. But it is there. If I read Korman right, the QR would have more hair and body while the Comp would have more punch and bite. I would agree with this statement. Also, the 25 watt mode is a very nice feature, and has a different, "saggier" feel to it. To me the 25 watt mode felt more QR-ish, but not as punchy as a QR. I play out tomorrow night at a smallish place, and I'm considering trying 25 watt mode on for size. Also, I think I agree about the aging thing. My amp feels looser 2 years later. It could be that I've improved, but that's a big assumption.
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Post by Jammermatt on Dec 12, 2008 10:35:12 GMT -5
Oh, and to address the 1st post maybe. I'm playing mine at about 9 to 10:00 at the 50 watt setting. Nobody's complained yet. 25 watts should be no problem.
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Post by ronmail65 on Dec 13, 2008 21:11:46 GMT -5
just ordered a competition 'bout 3 weeks ago. First of all, thanks very much for the great explanation in the full version of your post. What tubes are you putting in the new Competition amp and why? Just curious... |
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Post by ronmail65 on Dec 13, 2008 21:26:04 GMT -5
Oh, and to address the 1st post maybe. I'm playing mine at about 9 to 10:00 at the 50 watt setting. Nobody's complained yet. 25 watts should be no problem. Thanks for both of your posts. With regard to the quote above, I've heard that you really need to get a Splawn past 9 o'clock to bring out the full tonal impact. That's why I asked. If I put my PM past 9 o'clock the volume dominate the entire band. With regard to your other post, I understand what you mean about 'punch' and 'sag.' But with regard to 'hair' and 'body'... can you explain a little more. I'm not sure I understand what you mean. I actually had a PM and QR at the same time. I preferred the cut and tightness of the PM over the QR. However, the highs and the presence can get a little out of hand if I don't keep them down. As a matter of context, I generally run the PM with the bass, mid, and gain at noon or a little higher. The treble is a 9 or 10 o'clock and the presence is at 11 o'clock. Almost always on 2nd Gear. I'm also wondering how KT88s (rather than EL34s) would sound in a Competition? |
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Post by kormann69 on Dec 15, 2008 18:29:14 GMT -5
just ordered a competition 'bout 3 weeks ago. First of all, thanks very much for the great explanation in the full version of your post. What tubes are you putting in the new Competition amp and why? Just curious... When i placed the order KT77 were the power tubes i had in mind. (and TunSol 12AX7 for the gain/preamp stages). But Josh advised me to prefer TungSol EL34 over KT77 due to quality issues. I was fine with that. As far as my personal experience and taste is concerned i will stay away from 6L6GC(5881) 'cause i've A/B ed 2 Lee Jackson XLS' one equipped with EL34 and the other one with 6L6GC(5881) and EL34 were much more to my liking. I've never felt disappointed with EL34 - but i wanted to know if a little beam power flavor could spice up my sound so i made an attempt to go with a KT77. Being not familiar with KT88 i never thought about having this tube in a power amp. If i wanted a powerful sturdy output tube i probably would try an EL156 - but i think i'd stick to what i know and stay happy with EL34. |
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