Trouble getting tones I like from Rebel 20

[PRSrebel83]

I purchased a Rebel 20 this past week and have been having trouble getting a smooth, tight tone from it.

I've watched videos that sound amazing. I've also heard one in person at a recent show I went to, and that's actually what set me over the top to get one. The guy had awesome tone, and was also playing the same kind of guitar I use, but through a Mesa 4x12.

Mine sounds too bright, dry, and brittle. There seems to be hardly any compression. Could this maybe be a tube issue? I am using a stock PRS Custom 24 through a 4x12 Rivera cab that has V30's. The cab is old and the speakers are broken in very well. I didn't get a whole lot of time with it (maybe 30 minutes of tweaking) but messed with the EQ as much as I could, and nothing really pleased me. I also tried a Bad Monkey pedal going into the amp, which did help some. but it sounds nothing like the others I've heard.

Any settings or tips you could recommend? I know the potential is there, so I'd really like to give the amp a chance.

 

[BadBluesPlayer]

It could be a tube issue. Try moving the tube mix knob to the 6V6 side and then the EL84 side to see if it's one set of power tubes or the other. If both the sets of power tubes sound about the same, as far as their loudness, then it might be a preamp tube. You can try swapping out the preamp tubes, one at a time, with tubes you know are good, to see if that makes any difference.

Some people check their tubes out by taking a pencil and tapping on each tube lightly with the eracer end of the pencil to see if the amp makes any funny noises when they tap the tube. If you tap a tube and it makes some noise, there's a good chance that tube is bad.

 

[jamme61]

I had the same problems with the 20, bring it back and get the tweaker 15. tweaker has a lot better tone, IMHO. It more bottom end and punch then the rebel 20. Really, try the tweaker, asap.

 

[bbrodie]

Never had a problem with mine. Actually, I have a hard time getting a bad tone out of it. Could be the tubes, could be the speaker cab you're using. Could just be you need to spend more time with the controls. I've had mine for almost two years, gig and rehearse with it constantly and never had any issues with it. I run mine through two 112 Egnater cabs. The Egnater cabinets are voiced for the amp and that may be where the problem lies.