axpro
Member
- Messages
- 628
Okay... putting on my flameproof suit....
I've been playing 20 years or so, owned some very nice vintage and modern amps, boutique, custom wired by me and a lot of crap.
Backstory: since my divorce, i (like many in my place) have MUCH less gear than i used to. I needed a cheap 100 watt head for a rock/metal band i am playing with, and found this local and cheap.
It's NOT a "Great" amp, but it's pretty workable. It's the modern BV120H with the mirror back of the head cab, to make it look fancy and pretty. The gain channel is too hissy, but it's got 5 stages without a cathode follower, it's trying way too hard, kinda like the earlier 5150 amps. With the gain under half and the treble dialed back a bit, it's pretty usable.
Part of it I am sure is that my cabinet is a Z-best 2x12. That cabinet could make anything sound thick and meaty.
So, question being, anyone tried any mods to these to tame it a little noise wise? Back when i had a 5150, I used to put a 12at7 or au7 in the first stage to dial back the gain a bit. From the schematics i have found, there isn't a bright cap or anything. Personally i'd like to notch back the brightness a big step. THe clean is sterile but usable, but if i could tame the gain a little, I think this would be a perfectly fine setup for at my practice space.
I am not looking for "HOW COULD YOU PLAY SUCH A PEICE OF *^&%$*^!!!" type comments, If i had my way i'd be using a Soldano again, but for $200 and a couple of pedals i wasn't going to use anytime soon, this should do nicely.
Just want to know if anyone has tried any tube swaps or "small mods" to tame it a bit. Not looking to gut it and rebuild, I have a 2203 clone that should be finished this month, just want some opinions on ideas to tame this wee beastie!
I've been playing 20 years or so, owned some very nice vintage and modern amps, boutique, custom wired by me and a lot of crap.
Backstory: since my divorce, i (like many in my place) have MUCH less gear than i used to. I needed a cheap 100 watt head for a rock/metal band i am playing with, and found this local and cheap.
It's NOT a "Great" amp, but it's pretty workable. It's the modern BV120H with the mirror back of the head cab, to make it look fancy and pretty. The gain channel is too hissy, but it's got 5 stages without a cathode follower, it's trying way too hard, kinda like the earlier 5150 amps. With the gain under half and the treble dialed back a bit, it's pretty usable.
Part of it I am sure is that my cabinet is a Z-best 2x12. That cabinet could make anything sound thick and meaty.
So, question being, anyone tried any mods to these to tame it a little noise wise? Back when i had a 5150, I used to put a 12at7 or au7 in the first stage to dial back the gain a bit. From the schematics i have found, there isn't a bright cap or anything. Personally i'd like to notch back the brightness a big step. THe clean is sterile but usable, but if i could tame the gain a little, I think this would be a perfectly fine setup for at my practice space.
I am not looking for "HOW COULD YOU PLAY SUCH A PEICE OF *^&%$*^!!!" type comments, If i had my way i'd be using a Soldano again, but for $200 and a couple of pedals i wasn't going to use anytime soon, this should do nicely.
Just want to know if anyone has tried any tube swaps or "small mods" to tame it a bit. Not looking to gut it and rebuild, I have a 2203 clone that should be finished this month, just want some opinions on ideas to tame this wee beastie!