Smallbox BE-Channel very bright

  • Thread starter Thread starter MrFlexx
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MrFlexx

MrFlexx

Active member
I got myself a Smallbox a while ago and have mainly been using the Plexi channel as I think it sounds amazing. Thick and fat tone. But when I switch over to the BE channel it all sounds really bright. Is it supposed to sound way brighter than the Plexi channel? The treble is like an icepick and nasal and make it sound very thin. My settings is:

Pres: 10 o'clock
Bass: 2:30
Mid: 1 o'clock
Treble: 11 o'clock
Volume 1: 10 o'clock
Volume 2: 10 o'clock
Gain 1: 1:30
Gain 2: 2 o'clock

I thought that the BE channel supposed to take over where the Plexi finishes. I've tried lowering the treble and the presence but it all sounds sounds ckoked...a bit like Eric Johnson sound.
I use a Marshall 1960BX with 25w Greenbacks. Is there any way of making the BE sound like the Plexi channel but with more gain? Any mod?
 
That does not sound right at all. The channels on my Small Box head blend pretty seamlessly. It sounds like you are having a problem with your BE channel. I think you may need a repair and not any mod work.
 
MrFlexx":3rj1w5go said:
I got myself a Smallbox a while ago and have mainly been using the Plexi channel as I think it sounds amazing. Thick and fat tone. But when I switch over to the BE channel it all sounds really bright. Is it supposed to sound way brighter than the Plexi channel? The treble is like an icepick and nasal and make it sound very thin. My settings is:

Pres: 10 o'clock
Bass: 2:30
Mid: 1 o'clock
Treble: 11 o'clock
Volume 1: 10 o'clock
Volume 2: 10 o'clock
Gain 1: 1:30
Gain 2: 2 o'clock

I thought that the BE channel supposed to take over where the Plexi finishes. I've tried lowering the treble and the presence but it all sounds sounds ckoked...a bit like Eric Johnson sound.
I use a Marshall 1960BX with 25w Greenbacks. Is there any way of making the BE sound like the Plexi channel but with more gain? Any mod?
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Do you have the channels backwards in your mind? What about your bright switch?
 
Mine wouldn't be overly bright with those settings. I guess it may sound bright relative to the plexi channel though if you have the bright switch in the middle. Maybe try some new preamp tubes?
 
Am I wrong, but the bright switch ain't suppose to do nothing on the BE-Channel? I haven't tried new preamp tubes yet but will. I live in Sweden so it'll cost me about $400 in shipping and return. I can tell you that as of now the BE-Channel lacks bottom, balls and punch. Sounds like playing through an AM radio :thumbsdown: As I said the Plexi-Channel sounds awesome...it's in your face and every note hits the chest like a wrecking ball :rock:
 
MrFlexx":2591t268 said:
Am I wrong, but the bright switch ain't suppose to do nothing on the BE-Channel? I haven't tried new preamp tubes yet but will. I live in Sweden so it'll cost me about $400 in shipping and return. I can tell you that as of now the BE-Channel lacks bottom, balls and punch. Sounds like playing through an AM radio :thumbsdown: As I said the Plexi-Channel sounds awesome...it's in your face and every note hits the chest like a wrecking ball :rock:
Click to expand...
Yes, the bright switch only affects the plexi channel and it is less noticeable as you turn up the gain. Sounds like something is wrong, the BE channel should be thick and chewy. Though to me it is a little less immediate and punchy compared to the plexi channel because it's more compressed. Maybe try emailing Dave to see if he could help you troubleshoot it.
 
I would definitely try a preamp tube change!! They can make an amp sound good or bad for sure.
 
Dave I hope you can chime in because this happened to me today. I pulled the chassis and hard wired a SAT switch without drilling the chassis just to see if it was something I wanted to install. I wasn’t able to figure out how to effect only the BE channel leaving the plexi untouched. Tried installing it on V1A BE’s first cathode but there was no effect. It worked when i installed it V2b right before the tone stack but again it effects the plexi channel. So I removed it and put the chassis back into the head and started playing and noticed it now is really thin bright and shrill. Same guitar, same cab nothing in the loop. Thought maybe I somehow desodered the 500p cap on the socket that filters high end but it was fine. Totally perplexed why that would happen....any idea?
 
BrentSP":2w0l30w3 said:
Dave I hope you can chime in because this happened to me today. I pulled the chassis and hard wired a SAT switch without drilling the chassis just to see if it was something I wanted to install. I wasn’t able to figure out how to effect only the BE channel leaving the plexi untouched. Tried installing it on V1A BE’s first cathode but there was no effect. It worked when i installed it V2b right before the tone stack but again it effects the plexi channel. So I removed it and put the chassis back into the head and started playing and noticed it now is really thin bright and shrill. Same guitar, same cab nothing in the loop. Thought maybe I somehow desodered the 500p cap on the socket that filters high end but it was fine. Totally perplexed why that would happen....any idea?
Click to expand...

Brent you defiled my baby! :gethim:
 
tripstan":35sm26nl said:
BrentSP":35sm26nl said:
Dave I hope you can chime in because this happened to me today. I pulled the chassis and hard wired a SAT switch without drilling the chassis just to see if it was something I wanted to install. I wasn’t able to figure out how to effect only the BE channel leaving the plexi untouched. Tried installing it on V1A BE’s first cathode but there was no effect. It worked when i installed it V2b right before the tone stack but again it effects the plexi channel. So I removed it and put the chassis back into the head and started playing and noticed it now is really thin bright and shrill. Same guitar, same cab nothing in the loop. Thought maybe I somehow desodered the 500p cap on the socket that filters high end but it was fine. Totally perplexed why that would happen....any idea?
Click to expand...

Brent you defiled my baby! :gethim:
Click to expand...

Well hell she’s a very finicky baby then lol
 
ok so 2 different problems I imagine. 1st guy the BE channel is brighter then the plexi channel somewhat. Should be a bit brighter and a bit less bass. Should not be radical. Maybe the first preamp tube.. As for the 2nd guy not sure what you did when you were in there but you did something or just a preamp tube went bad.
 
RACKSYSTEMS":1blf9np6 said:
ok so 2 different problems I imagine. 1st guy the BE channel is brighter then the plexi channel somewhat. Should be a bit brighter and a bit less bass. Should not be radical. Maybe the first preamp tube.. As for the 2nd guy not sure what you did when you were in there but you did something or just a preamp tube went bad.
Click to expand...

Must be a preamp tube because there’s not much to the SAT curcuit once you have the 2 diodes and 1M mounted to the switch. 1M to ground and .1/10k to cathode pin. Really strange ordeal, I’m sure it’s an easy fix just figuring it out is a PITA
 
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