dogula":3h6nm0td said:
The reliability is frustrating becuase the amp sounds so good. What do you mean when you say "line level" for the effects loop? There is a push button on the loop that reduces (or increases) the level of the loop so you should be able to use pedals or rack effects. In addition, you can use the loop like a solo boost. That is how I am compensating for the volume drop.
the loop doesn't have a line level switch. im not sure what the dB rating is for it, but it works well for everything i have tried, as it's a tube loop (pedals, rack, stand alone boost)..it has a parallel/series switch....very different. but yes, you can use your loop like a solo boost, this is how i currently run mine (i use a 12bz7 tube in the loop slot for a small bump in gain and output
)
re: volume drop, i'd investigate preamp and power amp tubes first.
i didnt gig mine, but jammed with a band for like 4 months. the other dude was playing a marshall mode 4 (blech) and occasionally would play through a spidervalve and another combo.
the tourmaster easily ate all of those amps for lunch volume/cutting wise...even on 10 watts/half power.
they're a pretty middy amp, but not thick mids...thinner in the hi mids register, but you can tailor the tone very nicely with the tone knobs. the first 2 channels alone, there are limitless tones in, and you can boost either of those two to sound really nice. each channel builds off where the one before it left off:
as in
clean1-clean2-od1-od2
each channel has useable vintage/modern switches and contour switches
od1 is where it's at in this amp IMHO. od2 is a little harder to dial in, but, you can get some killer metal sounds out of it if you take the time and learn the amp.
the power grid switching alone is really nice for knocking down the levels for home use. it's a really well thought out, intuitive feature for an amplifier.
tourmaster amps sounds great with 6L6GCMSTR in the power section (i've also tried sovtek wxt 5881 and the stock groove tube 5881s) for band volumes...the ruby tubes stay stronger and hold up better under higher volumes, the 5881s each got mushy after hi volume use for over an hour, but DID sound fine at home levels. when you start pushing those 5881s though, they tend to feel mushy.. i've also ran EH el34s for a few practices, strictly on full power all channels 100 watts mode, and liked it at home/low volume but it also started getting too mushy for my tastes at band volumes. i dont recommend el34s for this amp though. stick with the recommended 6L6/5881/kt66 in the manual. you're going to gain the least amount tonally from this amp with power tube changes anyways, and, like i said, the ruby 6l6 will get you what you need versatility wise, and they're a hardy high volume tube from my experience.
preamp tubes....these amps can use just about any 12v 9pin pinout. i'll save you the trouble.
leave the stock groove tubes in the following slots:
6 loop
7 reverb or if you have any laying around, try an eh12ax7 here...it's a tad brighter and more watery..but not as deep sounding to my ears. sovtek 12ax7wb sounds good here too, if deep, dark reverb is your thing.
if you change any preamp tubes, change:
v5 to a JJ short plate ecc83s. this controls the contour knob on the OD channels
v8 to a sovtek LPS or a mullard cv4024 12at7 if you're not a metal tone guy
DONT put a tung sol in v4, it'll burn out quick.
other than that, season v1-4 to taste
i personally like:
v1 shuguang 12ax7b
v2 RFT
v3 shuguang 12ax7b
v4 sylvania 12ax7
this cocktail gets me a nice, versatile mix for rock, blues, metal, hair metal, etc.
i also did some of my own mods to this amp but thats a whole nother story.
if you get the tourmaster, i can help you beyond that.
be warned though, if you buy one used, make sure you know what you're getting.
i would look for one new...check the serial# and make sure it ends with an "M" as in, it's been modded to the latest factory spec, and has the upgraded power transformer. some of the earlier versions had some power transformer issues.
if you wanna do some more reading, i've posted a ton on the tourmaster right here in this forum....my tube travels, replacing my power tranny, reverb tranny, etc.
good luck on your choice and tone travels.
