Question Amp Question: How do I get rid of the mids?

[candid_x]

Other than speaker and tube mods, what else is there?

EDIT: As far as speakers go, that thread you posted is making me lean toward either a Vintage 30 (obviously) and a Swamp Thang.

Glad it was helpful, but just keep in mind that another sampling may find very different results. First one I'd want to try in that amp is an Eminence Wizard, which is big sounding, crisp but with strong and tight bass - not focused in the mids, as is the V30. More like the H30, but rated for 75 watts.

These samples are credibly true to life, including the comparative volumes.

Eminence - The Art and Science of Sound

 

[candid_x]

The red white and blues would be another one I'd love to try in that amp, for a more authentic Fender tone. Though cleans through the Wizard wins hands down, if you like hi fi. (and head room)

 

[Sasquatch]

I just bought an MXR 10 band EQ and it works great in the effects loop of my Roadster.

I use the MXR 10 also. It is a great pedal for making adjustments.
Really a great piece of equipment.

 

[eegor]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I've also narrowed down some tubes based on my own research. I've got my eyes set on some Tungsol 12AX7s and a pair of Groove Tubes GT-EL84-S tubes.

 

[beej]

Do a search for "blues jr mods" ... lots of pages come up.

The one I've seen frequently is complaints about the tone stack. Change some values to get more range out of the controls. Helps get around the "boxy-ness". This makes a big difference on a lot of amps. (One of my Guytrons just had some secret ninja changes to the tone stacks ... very very cool.)

Also, complaints about the biasing. Add a variable bias or just cool it down a bit.

 

[candid_x]

secret ninja changes to the tone stacks

 

[eegor]

Also, complaints about the biasing. Add a variable bias or just cool it down a bit.

I have no idea what this means. Could you possibly explain this?

 

[candid_x]

I have no idea what this means. Could you possibly explain this?

In non-technical lingo, when an amp allows you to bias, you can control how hot the tubes run. Evidently Beej found complaints about this amp running too hot, and suggests an adjustable bias mod.

 

[beej]

Guy made some neat changes to my amp. The Treb, Mid, Bass pots control all of what they're supposed to. If you crank the amp up and turn down T, M and B there is zero sound coming out of the amp- it's dead quiet. You can dial this amp in exactly how you want it to sound, it's amazing. (Next amp I buy will be a hand built Guy Hedrick special, no doubt about it). But I digress ...

In non-technical lingo, when an amp allows you to bias, you can control how hot the tubes run. Evidently Beej found complaints about this amp running too hot, and suggests an adjustable bias mod.

I've seen a few people complain that the new Blues Jr amps were biased too hot. On this amp it's easy to cool it down. But while you're tweaking, nice to add a pot to adjust the bias so you can tweak it whenever you want to. Definitely affects the overall sound of an amp.

But in all ... if you like this amp, stick with it and try and get it to work. Possibly mod it, change the tubes, speaker, etc. However at a certain point (and if you're not a tweaker), it's important to bite the bullet and identify that you want something else. But you might find with a bit of work it's the right amp (and thus save you money).

 

[RocketRalf]

Not just beej, I've read it before. Check this page out, apparently this guy's mods are famous: Bill's Blues Junior Modification Pages--Home

 

[eegor]

... it's important to bite the bullet and identify that you want something else.

I already know I want something else. I've bitten the other bullet: I can't afford a Mesa. I'm going to mod the crap out of it and make it sound as good as possible. I've just accepted that this is the only amp I'm going to have for a while, so I'm going to make the best of it.

 

[RocketRalf]

Tell me (us) your findings/results!

 

[eegor]

Well, after beej said to do a search on "blues jr mods," I did so, and the very first result was the one you mentioned on the last post of page 2: Mr. Billm. I looked around, and have decided that I need a Tone Stack mod, a TwinStack mod, and an adjustable bias mod. I've emailed him already about having him do it for me (I'm waaaay too inexperienced for this stuff). I'm also going to replace the speaker, most likely with the tried-and-true Vintage 30, and replace the tubes. I'm going with the Tungsol 12AX7s, but haven't decided on EL84s yet. If anyone knows of any EL84s that will actually boost the output a little, it'd be awesome if you share your knowledge.

 

[beej]

Great!

I'm a fan of JJs for EL84s. These days, very consistent and seem to last.

 

[candid_x]

Also a JJ fan, but personally found their EL84 to sound pretty bland, where as Sovtek EL84M I've found, surprisingly, to have more dynamic and punch. Most Sovtek tubes sound linear to me but these are very musical sounding to my ears. Also more headroom than the JJ. M stands for Military, so they're also quite stout.