BE100 Tone Help

[Rayneman]

I recently picked up minty BE100 from a forumite. I believe its the lastest version, one input...though it has 5 preamp tubes...is that the most recent?

First couple of times I used it, I was blown away...one of the best amps I've ever played and I've played quite a few. Anyway, in the last couple of days I've noticed that its sounding really "crispy" like if I had a wah on in almost the full treble position. Now I'd like to say that it didn't always sound like this, but I've only had it a short while so maybe its my ears...I don't know. Its not horrible, but it sounds a little off to me.

I play mostly on the BE channel with the SAT on. No C45 or FAT.

I have a ton of guitars, and it does really allow a guitar's tone to come out, so perhaps this is what it is...its not so trebly/crispy with my Les Paul as it is with say, my Jem. Turning down the presence and treble doesn't really help as then it will get dark and muffled. When I first got it I had the treble at 2 o'clock or a little higher...now having it there would be nearly unusable. This is odd.

I am currently using my trusty recto 2x12 with V30s. I've tried it through several other cabs with similar results.

Perhaps I should try some new preamp tubes? Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[spliffsperlunk]

I had the very same thing happen to me on just one occasion.

Mines also a full clean model with buffered tube loop (I think the latest version has 4 12ax7 and a SS loop) and after firing it up and not touching any knobs since last session It seemed thin and trebly/crispy, I thought maybe some settings had gotten bumped so I checked and adjusted and the amp just sounded different as you mentioned so I shut it down thinking It might have a bad Pre tube or /maybe my ears were playing tricks me and played another amp, Then the next time I powered it up a day or so later it was back to sounding like its awesome self and has since then so I'm at a loss as to what the issue was.

Not long after that I sprayed some Deoxit on the pins and sockets and haven't had any issues since.

 

[Rayneman]

I had the very same thing happen to me on just one occasion.

Mines also a full clean model with buffered tube loop (I think the latest version has 4 12ax7 and a SS loop) and after firing it up and not touching any knobs since last session It seemed thin and trebly/crispy, I thought maybe some settings had gotten bumped so I checked and adjusted and the amp just sounded different as you mentioned so I shut it down thinking It might have a bad Pre tube or /maybe my ears were playing tricks me and played another amp, Then the next time I powered it up a day or so later it was back to sounding like its awesome self and has since then so I'm at a loss as to what the issue was.

Not long after that I sprayed some Deoxit on the pins and sockets and haven't had any issues since.

So as far as you know, THIS is NOT the current/newest version of the amp? It was sold to me as the newest version. I know people get all excited about versions and whatnot...but you spend north of $3K for a used amp and you expect it to be what you thought you were getting.

So I took a look at the tubes...nothing looks amiss I guess.

Plugged her back in and its back...like you said. How very strange, maybe I am losing my mind/hearing, lol.

 

[spliffsperlunk]

Yeah that's just as far as I know, I try to keep up on the various revisions that the BE 100 has gone through but I'm certainly no authority.

I mainly posted that due to our similar issue we experienced , I'm sure Dave will respond if he gets time hes good about that.

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

Well the amp is the current circuit. It is a bit earlier because it has a tube loop. It's around a year old. As far as the sound thing it could be a tube thing. I would be happy to check it out for you.

 

[Gadzz]

Dave outside the fifth tube what is,if any at all different between the two loop styles?
Thanks
Gadz

 

[Rayneman]

Well the amp is the current circuit. It is a bit earlier because it has a tube loop. It's around a year old. As far as the sound thing it could be a tube thing. I would be happy to check it out for you.

Well, if the loop being tube buffered is the only major difference, I am cool with that since the loop works just fine...which is something I can't say about alot of amps.

I appreciate that you will take a look if needed. At the moment, it seems to be sounding as it did when I first got it, which is to say that it sounds great.

 

[RACKSYSTEMS]

The only difference in the loops is the new one is ever so slightly more transparent. This not to say that the tube loop isn't, it still sounds great. Could always update it if needed. If you have anymore issues let me know.