New Tourmaster owner

[mlamarche]

Just got it today...won't be using it at my friday night gig due to bandmates' paranoia...they want to hear
it at rehersals first...so I'll be using my rack rig ...still don't have it dialed in anyway....will I be better off using my rack effects unit with this amp or going with pedals...if pedals, front of amp or effects loop ...plan on going line out to PA ...any tips on that? what about the power grid, do you use it or is it always full up...sorry for all the ????'s but I'm anxious to get going on this amp...so far I love how it sounds in my
studio....

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

Just got it today...won't be using it at my friday night gig due to bandmates' paranoia...they want to hear
it at rehersals first...so I'll be using my rack rig ...still don't have it dialed in anyway....will I be better off using my rack effects unit with this amp or going with pedals...if pedals, front of amp or effects loop ...plan on going line out to PA ...any tips on that? what about the power grid, do you use it or is it always full up...sorry for all the ????'s but I'm anxious to get going on this amp...so far I love how it sounds in my
studio....

I use pedals to great effect. I use them through the loop and find it really good. I have never put the line out through a PA but I find it too noisy to record with. I use the power grid all of the time- It makes a "big but subtle" difference particularly at gig volume. Cranked up, 100 watts on the clean channel stays clean, low wattage on the distortion channel brings in power tube distortion and adds some grind. It does affect the volume output. If you need sheer LOUD, you gotta go with the full 100 watts.

YAY!!!!!! ANOTHER OF THE DYING BREED OF TOURMASTER FANS AMONG ALL OF THE REBEL/RENEGADE CLONEHEADS!!!!! GO TOURMASTER- THE LITTLE (WELL, NOT REALLY!) AMP THAT COULD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mlamarche]

I still haven't gotten the chance to really play it yet..we did a gig last night and I had to use my old rig in order
not to freak out my bandmates ....I 'm a big tube addict, have you tried different preamp tubes with this unit?
I trend to JJ's ....but am open to new ideas..although so far the stock setup seams pretty good...I try to get a close
DiMartini/Lynch/Van Halen type of 80's shred tone ....this unit seams to have it in there altough I have not found it yet...
any tips?
thanks.
Michael, lead guitar with Assassin in So. Fla.

 

[Len Rabinowitz]

It really sounds pretty good with anything. I don't really play those styles so I can't help with that.

Here's what I have in the preamp section now:

V1: Input gain stages to all channels, first gain stages of clean/vintage channels (channels 1 and 2)
Ruby 12AX7AC5 slect HG+
V2: First and second gain stages of overdrive channels (3 and 4) Tung-Sol
V3: Second and third gain stages of overdrive channels Penta 12AX7M
V4: Third gain stage and cathode follower of overdrive channels Penta Labs 7025F
V5: Contour circuit buffers for overdrive channels Ruby 12AX7AC5 select HG
V6: Reverb drive and return Ruby 12AX7AC5 select
V7: Effects send buffer and effects return mixer Ruby 12AX7AC5 select
V8: Phase splitter Sovtek LPS

I just have regular old groove tubes in the power amp section. Sounds great! Just make sure to bias it right.