napalmdeath
Well-known member
Definitely check the bias. Like I noted, mine was 24mA from the factory. At 440 plate voltage, that's under 50%. I bumped it to 60%. It'll make it punchier and better sounding overall.Congrats! I keep telling people that it's a great amp, especially for the $. It's really, really good.
It can be dark, definitely shines with brighter speakers. M65 CBs are no what I'd choose for the Archon, being kind of dark themselves.
I'm running mine with a G12h30/V-type mix. It likes GBs and V30s too.
The G12h30 makes it so I don't have to run the depth and presence as high. An eq or BBE Sonic Stomp in the effects loop helps, too.
Check that the screws are tight on the wire connector next time you're in the chassis. I think they're from the power tranny. One of mine was loose, and the amp would randomly cut off.
Haven't checked the bias or rolled tubes in mine. It sounds great as is, wonder if it can be even better now.
I love using pedals on the clean channel, preamp around 2 o'clock, bright switch off. It eats em up. I usually set the dirt channel preamp gain anywhere from 9-12 o'clock, usually 11ish. Plenty of gain, and like you mentioned, takes boosts great. Especially like the klone with it. Gain at 2 o'clock gets into modern metal territory, grunts and sings with that thick, saturated tone.
Love it, and hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine. Maybe it'll stick around a while?
As far as the Creambacks, that's all I have, unfortunately. But I did ponder changing one to a V30. Was looking at an Avatar Hellatone V30 that's been broken in, or possibly a used one out of an older Mesa cab. I miss my Thiele cabs. I bet this amp would roar with the MC90's.
The Master Volume is so good, I can ditch old tired RP1000 where I use my volume pedal as a poor man's attenuator, and go back to pedals for effects. That's a HUGE upside. It's possibly one of the best, smoothest taper Master Volumes I've had. Does great low volume, yet It's loud AF, but doesn't really take off until past 9 o'clock. Oh, and I do run a BBE Sonic Stomp in the RP's effects loop. People rag on them, but if used in moderation, they just work. I think I have the Lo's just past 1, and the Hi's right at 3. People get all crazy and start cranking the knobs, and yeah, they'll sound like shit!
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