Questions about EL34s

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boyedav":1sgcz8kf said:
MonsterTone":1sgcz8kf said:
Well, this thing sounds nothing like the 2x12 version I used to have. Sounds remarkably close to the EVH I had. The gain channel is just way too much. I’m looking for more of the marshall voicing with more gain. I remember I used to be able to get that kind of sound out of my 212 xxx. I just assumed this amp would be about the same. Bummer!

Any other tube combos I should look at in similar price range that would cover the sound I’m going for?
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If you want a Marshall-esque combo the DSL40CR is hard to beat for the price, even new. It seems to address the gripes some had about the DSL40C, although there are plenty of guys who think the DSL40C is great as is.
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Agree completely with this.

That said, I would avoid the older original DSL 40..........I had one of those in the late 90's and it got so hot you could cook eggs on it (I had a fan installed) but the 40C apparently corrects that problem. That amp has plenty of gain on tap, but (as usual) I found that keeping the gain down and using a pedal to boost the front end sounded much better.
 
Well, I just got back from checking out the Jet City 20w head. It was good, but the store also had the Blackstar 20w head. Blackstar knocked it out of the park with the hot rodded, modded-marshall tone! Running through the Jet City cab it sounded phenomenal. I think I’ve found my amp!

See, I just never liked the DSLs. I never saw what was so outstanding about them. IMO, the Blackstar’s tone would run absolute circles around that of the DSL. Not that DSLs are bad, they’re just not great. Very muddy, and they don’t get a good gainy tone for more 80s shred stuff like I like. They’ll get you AC-DC, but they won’t get you VH.

Now some Qs:

1) Is the 20w Blackstar head paired with the jet city 2x12 cab plenty for bands and gigging?

2) Are there other cabs I should look at?

Thanks!
 
MonsterTone":2e36ev1k said:
1) Is the 20w Blackstar head paired with the jet city 2x12 cab plenty for bands and gigging?
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Loud enough? Depends on the drummer, but maybe, yeah. Powerful and big like a 50-100W amp? Probably not.
 
Rex Rocker":2deru3ox said:
MonsterTone":2deru3ox said:
1) Is the 20w Blackstar head paired with the jet city 2x12 cab plenty for bands and gigging?
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Loud enough? Depends on the drummer, but maybe, yeah. Powerful and big like a 50-100W amp? Probably not.
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It can be mic’d though, right? I’m just trying to figure if it’s a good gigging amp.
 
You might have issues getting pristine cleans at gigging volumes........ If that matters.
 
Rex Rocker":2tz2ndp1 said:
I used to have JJ E34L's in my old XXX head. I gotta say, I much prefferred 6L6's. I have no experience with other EL34's in the XXX, but I wouldn't recommend the E34L's. Way too stuffy and cloudy in the low mids.
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I tried JJ 6L6's, JJ E34L's, and have had three or four other sets in the JSX and I like the JJ E34L's best so far anyways. The voicing on the XXX and JSX is quite different though.
 
Welp, I picked up the blackstar 20w head today! I’m a happy camper with the tone it’s got! Picked up a peavey 1x12 cab with the celestion g12m greenback. It’s decent, but I think this head would come to life better with a different speaker. But this arrangement definitely gets me in the ballpark for the sound I wanted.

Any recommendations for a starting point for settings for a VH/Nuno type tone? Thanks!
 
We can't dial it in for you! ? LOL get at it!

Congratulations on the amp. Cheers!
 
Well, I found my settings! I’m super impressed and happy with this amp! With the right guitar, pickups, and speakers, this amp would be killer! It’s actually the first amp that I think responds to my fingers like I want it to. For my money, when it comes to the hot rodded Marshall tone, this amp will run with the best of them!

The only thing it needs is maybe just slightly, and I mean slightly, more tightness on the bottom end, but I think that could be fixed easily.

Think I might start looking for a different cab/speaker for it. It’s got a greenback g12m now. Is there a better option out there for hard rock?
 
Pentatonic":2yvgbv80 said:
You might have issues getting pristine cleans at gigging volumes........ If that matters.
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You'll also have a problem hearing yourself with a drummer, at least any drummer I've played with has always been a hard hitter. Also, I'd consider a 4x12 with some more efficient(louder) speakers. GBs are great but won't be as loud as a V30 for instance, at the same spot on the volume knob. A 20w amp through a 1x12 with a greenback in a club...no way I'd hear myself with any drummer I've ever gigged with.
 
Racerxrated":2i44l4ia said:
Pentatonic":2i44l4ia said:
You might have issues getting pristine cleans at gigging volumes........ If that matters.
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You'll also have a problem hearing yourself with a drummer, at least any drummer I've played with has always been a hard hitter. Also, I'd consider a 4x12 with some more efficient(louder) speakers. GBs are great but won't be as loud as a V30 for instance, at the same spot on the volume knob. A 20w amp through a 1x12 with a greenback in a club...no way I'd hear myself with any drummer I've ever gigged with.
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For right now, the places I will be playing are very small, and they won’t even let the volume get too loud in there. Actually, to be honest, the main place I will be playing has a tiny stage where I don’t even think a 2x12 or 4x12 would fit. It’s made mostly just for single singer/songwriter acoustic acts, but there have been rock bands play there before recently, and the owner has said he would give my band a gig there. I think I will eventually upgrade to a higher watt head and a 2x12 later on this year when I have more funds to work with, then I’ll keep the 20w head for recording. I’m a farmer, so I’ve got to get my crop sold, then I can indulge in some gear. I’m kind of a beginner with gigs, so I’m just kind of launching this whole journey.

Is the Jet City 1x12 a good cab?
 
I don't think jet city makes decent cabs tbh. The quality isn't there compared to other cabs.

For example I picked up an ampeg 4x12 cab with a quad of British T-75's for $200 all ply except for an MDF back (which Marshall 1960 cabs are iirc). If you want a good budget cab, look into used avatar on the used market.
 
boyedav":14asml21 said:
Check out Mojotone. They built a vertical 2x12 for me, custom tolex and grill cloth, loaded with v30s, $500 shipped. I've got an Egnater Tourmaster 412A cabinet as well which I think Mojotone made, and the construction and sound are as good as or better than any cab I've ever owned.
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Thanks for the tip. I’ll look into them later on this year when I have more money to work with, then I’ll really buy something nice. Right now it’s going to have to be a 1x12 for less than $200. So in that pool, which is the best?
 
Okay, I’ve got some technical questions about cabs maybe you guys can help me get a grasp on so I can make my decision for one. You’ll have to forgive me for not knowing much.

Firstly, I’m pretty sure this is the cab I picked up when I bought the Blackstar head. https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118784/. It didn’t really have a name, but its a Peavey 1x12 with one 25 watt Celestion Greenback.

Now, I noticed that when I was playing through this head connected to the jet city 2x12 in the store, the amp had a “cleaner” distortion, meaning that the cab didn’t seem to be breaking in unwanted ways up as I cranked the amp. It seemed to have more balanced tone all the way through, and just a better sound overall, whereas the Peavey 1x12 seems to break up slightly when cranked, and is more muffled and muddy sounding. I just wonder if a higher watt speaker would offer better tone? Maybe it would take the power better?

I will most likely be swapping the cabinet for something else. Preferably another 1x12, but something a little nicer than the Peavey. I’ve heard Mojotone and Avatar so far, but would like to know what else is out there that is good. I also wanted to ask about the Marshall MX 112, and the EVH 112.

Also, not to question the knowledge of the geniuses here, but this amp most definitely gets ear-splitting loud and roomy. I had it cranked earlier and it sounded massive!

That’s all. Thanks!
 
Should I just swap out the speaker in this peavey 1x12? Is it easy to swap out a speaker? Is there anything you have to do with the impedance or whatnot when you swap the speaker? I’m 100% ignorant about electronics.

And if you could recommend the single best go-to speaker for hard rock for a 1x12 cab, what would it be? Thanks.
 
At least give the speaker enough time to break in before going down the speaker rabbit hole.
 
MonsterTone":1hqnqte7 said:
Well, this thing sounds nothing like the 2x12 version I used to have. Sounds remarkably close to the EVH I had. The gain channel is just way too much. I’m looking for more of the marshall voicing with more gain. I remember I used to be able to get that kind of sound out of my 212 xxx. I just assumed this amp would be about the same. Bummer!

Any other tube combos I should look at in similar price range that would cover the sound I’m going for?
Click to expand...

Just a quick aside before you kick your 40 to the curb - Have you tried the crunch channel with say a tube screamer in front to boost it? Not sure this would do the trick but it's a pretty cheap experiment and you never know until you try.

EDIT: I finished reading the thread and realized that you've already moved on from that amp. :thumbsup: Good luck on your tonequest.
 
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