CCV Preamp Tube Layout

[steve_k]

As per Mark, the preamp layout is as follows:

V1 - Input High Gain
V2 - Cathode Follower High Gain
V3 - Cathode Follower Clean
V4 - Input Clean
V5 - Phase Inverter

My current set up is:

V1 - NOS RFT
V2 - Ruby HG+
V3 - Ruby HG+
V4 - GT R3
V5 - Sovtek LPS

And, of course, SED Winged C's biased around 48mA.

 

[SLOgriff]

(Tone and feel) Comparing to the SLO, what should I expect when I finally receive the "coveted" 2nd-Run CCV?!? Would you say more aggressive and meaner than?

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[steve_k]

(Tone and feel) Comparing to the SLO, what should I expect when I finally receive the "coveted" 2nd-Run CCV?!? Would you say more aggressive and meaner than?

Thanks,
Bryan

The CCV has several voicing options, depending on how you set the style switches and drive. In full-on, Jose assault mode, it is incredible. It will be more well rounded, thicker and definitely more bottom end than you are used to with the SLO, even the modded one. One trait it will have in common is that no matter how much gain you throw at it, the attack will hold together and be tight and articulate up top. I will go on to say this, those ARS/Tesla tubes don't do the amp justice. Good tubes, just not for this amp. You are also going to need to run it through something other than the front loaded SLO cabs with the Eminence speakers. I am running mine through the Bogner Ubercabs with 25 watt Scumbacks and I think I found their bottom end limit. I expect one of them to spit a coil out soon. Waiting on my Cameron cabs to show up.

Steve

 

[SLOgriff]

Well I have a newer FL Ubercab collecting dust right now....contemplating speaker changes. Are Front Loaded cabs NOT a good match for the CCV?

 

[steve_k]

Well I have a newer FL Ubercab collecting dust right now....contemplating speaker changes. Are Front Loaded cabs NOT a good match for the CCV?

The certainly wouldn't be my first choice. FL cabs usually project for amps that need a little help in the mids and on top. The CCV needs no help there. I think you will have trouble dialing them out. You will find that the EQ controls pretty much operate in their on domain and are independent of each other, as opposed to them being more interactive on the SLO. I think you will lose some of the amp in an FL cab. Of course, this is my opinion, and that don't mean shit. I've got a Bogner FL out there, and will check it out for you.

Steve

 

[SLOgriff]

Well I have a newer FL Ubercab collecting dust right now....contemplating speaker changes. Are Front Loaded cabs NOT a good match for the CCV?

The certainly wouldn't be my first choice. FL cabs usually project for amps that need a little help in the mids and on top. The CCV needs no help there. I think you will have trouble dialing them out. You will find that the EQ controls pretty much operate in their on domain and are independent of each other, as opposed to them being more interactive on the SLO. I think you will lose some of the amp in an FL cab. Of course, this is my opinion, and that don't mean shit. I've got a Bogner FL out there, and will check it out for you.

Steve

Thanks brother! Might have to move the Ubercab for something else. How about a Marshall 1960BX with greenbacks?

 

[steve_k]

Well I have a newer FL Ubercab collecting dust right now....contemplating speaker changes. Are Front Loaded cabs NOT a good match for the CCV?

The certainly wouldn't be my first choice. FL cabs usually project for amps that need a little help in the mids and on top. The CCV needs no help there. I think you will have trouble dialing them out. You will find that the EQ controls pretty much operate in their on domain and are independent of each other, as opposed to them being more interactive on the SLO. I think you will lose some of the amp in an FL cab. Of course, this is my opinion, and that don't mean shit. I've got a Bogner FL out there, and will check it out for you.

Steve

Thanks brother! Might have to move the Ubercab for something else. How about a Marshall 1960BX with greenbacks?

Perfect choice.....and for the long haul, the best choice over any front load, for the CCV.

Steve

 

[steve_k]

Has anyone tried using a brighter tube for V4... input clean? I always have the treble on channel 1 set really high (around 3 o'clock) and was considering something like a GE 12AX7. I have several high gain Westinghouse GE long plates I may try...

I'm using a C8 right now.

Throw one of your EI's in there.

I am running an EI in V1 and GT C8's in 2, 3, an NOS RFT in V4 and a matched/balanced Ruby HG C9 in V5. I like the RFT in V1 too, but the EI has a little more pep.

Steve

 

[OUTLAW1969]

Steve, did you ever receive your order of RFT's from Russia?

 

[steve_k]

Steve, did you ever receive your order of RFT's from Russia?

Not yet. I got the tracking though and it will probably be about 10-14 days I would imagine with EMS/USPS. They will go to the US first, then I will get them over here in my next care package.

SK

 

[steve_k]

Has anyone tried using a brighter tube for V4... input clean? I always have the treble on channel 1 set really high (around 3 o'clock) and was considering something like a GE 12AX7. I have several high gain Westinghouse GE long plates I may try...

I'm using a C8 right now.

Throw one of your EI's in there.

I am running an EI in V1 and GT C8's in 2, 3, an NOS RFT in V4 and a matched/balanced Ruby HG C9 in V5. I like the RFT in V1 too, but the EI has a little more pep.

Steve

I tried Ei, RCA, GE and a few others... I preferred the C8 for the thickness and gain. The Ei did sound good though and it was ever so slightly brighter.

EI's are hit or miss and can be a little noisy. A good one is indeed good though. I need to buy a tube tester for $500 instead of using an amp

Hypothetically speaking - do you find it easier to brighten up a dark amp or darken up a bright amp?

 

[steve_k]

Has anyone tried using a brighter tube for V4... input clean? I always have the treble on channel 1 set really high (around 3 o'clock) and was considering something like a GE 12AX7. I have several high gain Westinghouse GE long plates I may try...

I'm using a C8 right now.

Throw one of your EI's in there.

I am running an EI in V1 and GT C8's in 2, 3, an NOS RFT in V4 and a matched/balanced Ruby HG C9 in V5. I like the RFT in V1 too, but the EI has a little more pep.

Steve

I tried Ei, RCA, GE and a few others... I preferred the C8 for the thickness and gain. The Ei did sound good though and it was ever so slightly brighter.

EI's are hit or miss and can be a little noisy. A good one is indeed good though. I need to buy a tube tester for $500 instead of using an amp

Hypothetically speaking - do you find it easier to brighten up a dark amp or darken up a bright amp?

I have 40 Ei's... a lot have Mesa labels... so I know they are good, and of course, I try more than one Ei I only have 2 noisy Ei's though.

It depends on the amp... I have some GE's that will rip your face off if used in a Marshall. Or you could pop in a JJ and make the Marshall sound dull, dark and lifeless Since I primarily have Marshalls, I find it easier to tame some of the brightness with different tubes.

Yeah, its a tweaker kind of thing.......