mixed feelings about my new classic 50 head

[iplayloudly]

bought it used a couple days ago, for $240, knowing I could resell it easily if it didn't work out for me. Well it seems to me like the gain is a bit harsher than what I was expecting. It almost sounds more solidstate than my XXL head, which really is solidstate. Any ideas for smoothing out the tone? I want to get a smooth bluesy overdrive from it. It really only sounds good when it is cranked. Now this isn't my first tube amp so I know they sound better cranked, but I kinda thought master volume amps wouldn't be effected by this as much. The guy I bought it from said the tubes are about 6 years old, so maybe a retube would help? I'd hate to drop the money on tubes if it won't make much of a difference.

 

[dstroud]

bought it used a couple days ago, for $240, knowing I could resell it easily if it didn't work out for me. Well it seems to me like the gain is a bit harsher than what I was expecting. It almost sounds more solidstate than my XXL head, which really is solidstate. Any ideas for smoothing out the tone? I want to get a smooth bluesy overdrive from it. It really only sounds good when it is cranked. Now this isn't my first tube amp so I know they sound better cranked, but I kinda thought master volume amps wouldn't be effected by this as much. The guy I bought it from said the tubes are about 6 years old, so maybe a retube would help? I'd hate to drop the money on tubes if it won't make much of a difference.

I'd stick a Tubescreamer, Bad Monkey or some sort of booster to smooth out the gain if you don't want to crank it. Tubes can make a difference, but if you can get what you're looking for out of a pedal, you might want to try that 1st.

 

[D-Rock]

I would also put a lower gain preamp tube in the 1st position. Something like a 12AT7.

 

[Mudder]

I would also put a lower gain preamp tube in the 1st position. Something like a 12AT7.

A 12at7 or a 5657 would be a good call for V1. I think you might like a warmer tube as well. What are the power tubes? 6L6?

 

[iplayloudly]

I would also put a lower gain preamp tube in the 1st position. Something like a 12AT7.

A 12at7 or a 5657 would be a good call for V1. I think you might like a warmer tube as well. What are the power tubes? 6L6?

EL84, and it has sovtek 12ax7 preamp tubes in all 3 slots

 

[Mudder]

I'm a big fan of EI for EL84, nice mids, clear highs. For a 12at7 I've been using Penta Labs and those have been real solid tubes as well.

 

[blackba]

Try some different brand tubes if you have them. I find Sovteks to be harsh in general. Also try a 5751 or 12AT7 in V1.

What speakers/cab are you using?

 

[bill]

for my 20 watt I run 60% gain pre-amp tubes and various tube screamer type pedals in front of it.

 

[peaveyT60]

run the presence on 0, highs 12, mids 6, and lows at 3. put the pre on 7 post on 9 and master at about 3 and it should help smooth it out. also, a thick, non fizzy tube at V2 helps, like a JJ12AX7(probably the only application where a JJ preamp tube sounds good in ). at lower volumes, they are a bit fizzy, but at gigging volumes they sound absolutely fantastic!