New Competition Owner, lots of basic questions :)

[moltisanti]

Hi all, I traded my EVH 5153 last week for an older Competition (without the FX loop volume pot), and while it definitely does what i want it to, it's a totally different animal than anything i've had before (because it's a proper amp!), so i have the following questions:

- EQ - this seems to be the total opposite of anything i've had before, settings that in my mind should sound like cock actually sound ok, and normal tweaks don't have the same effect on this amp as other more pre-amp gainy amps i've had in the past. Any general tips on how to get the best out of the EQ ?

- Cabs/Speakers - i'm running a Matamp 2x12 with 65w Creambacks (like higher powered Greenbacks), what is the general consensus on the speakers this amp seems to like best ?

- Valves, it's got KT77s in it at the moment which i know very little about, what difference would i notice with EL34s in there ?

- FX Loop - +4 or -10db for normal pedals ? I have a Carbon Copy and EHX Holy Grail in there at the moment, or is it better to bypass the loop totally ?

- What's the deal with the solo volume ? Does this impact the overall tone of the amp at all or is it just more volume ?

Sorry for all the questions, but i know this amp will be ace, just need to educate myself a bit to get it there!

Cheers

Rik

[moltisanti]

ok just found this article which covers the eq part: pickroar.com/1003/the-tone-stack-explained-in-english-for-humans/

[Edward]

I noticed not many responses, so here's my thoughts:
EQ - yes this has been said many times. Dial in with your ears not your eyes, I have some strange "looking" settings that sound killer.
Speakers - most people are liking the greenbacks or smallblocks (based on greenbacks). I have tried V30's and did not care for them with my quickrod. Got a splawn cab with smallblocks and WOW - what a difference.
I tried KT77s in my quickrod, but like the EL34s better. Scott has a clip of a nitro with KT77's that sound wicked though. I think the KT77s will give you more thud, and the 34's will give you more crunch (if that makes any sense).
EFX Loop - -10 for normal pedals, +4 for rack effects or high end line level pedals. Listen to both and decide what sounds best without adding noise though.
Solo volume is just more volume when set above regular volume. Tone is the same. (solo button on footswitch will engage OD2 also though).

[briman]

Congrats on owning a competition. It's a nasty amp for good old mean tone with lots of flexibitlity. I have a 2007 version which is more agressive than my quick rod was. Don't know why buy just is. Probably something to do with being only 1 chanel. Just dial down the guitar volume for nice easy cleans on the comp. EL34's sound best in my comp. Edward was bang on for loop and boost questions. Enjoy!

[Ayton(e)]

Late to this one. The forum is near dormant.

The only info you are missing is that the Solo control affects tone even when not in Solo mode. While playing, sweep the control between zero and around 3 to hear it. It's best to leave this at least on 3 or so to avoid thinner tone at home volumes.

You asked about the loop, too. Experiment with bypassing it completely. I prefer the tone with it bypassed. More life.

Real Greenbacks sound great with the Competition, warm with really rockin' mids. One Greenback and one G12H30 in the same 2x12 might be the best combination I tried. Lots of texture, a more solid low end than the Greenies can manage alone. I've now settled on EVM speakers, which have the huge authoritative tone I was looking for, but they won't be everyone's cup of tea.

[moltisanti]

hi all, thanks for the responses.

Well i tried a different cab and it instantly solved a lot of the issues/questions i had. Turns out a stock Marshall 1960B sounds infinitely better than my Creamback cab, it has eliminated the weird highs issue and now the EQ is totally manageable.

I've run it loud with a band with the treble on zero, seems to fatten things up but retain the sparkle on the top, and i agree it sounds better with the loop disengaged, i'm running a carbon copy in the front and it sounds good

[Edward]

My 2 goto settings are: 1. everything at noon, and 2. Treble 0ff, Mids at 3:00, bass and presence at noon. I usually hang in gear 2 od 2 or gear 3 (unless I am playin ACDC or something that demands gear 1). Gain usually between noon and 3:00 depending on guitar and pickups.