C
Cotton7
New member
New Rebel 30 owner and I cannot say enough about how cool this little amp is. However, I am experiencing some issues with nasty, flabby distortion (IMO)coming from the power tube distortion when cranking this little monster up at 1 watt. My prior experience with other amps that are way to loud (been playing semi-professionally for over 25 years) is that the power tube over drive is thick and rich in harmonic content with added sustain. My Rebel sounds absolutely awesome at bedroom volumes but, when I get the Power tubes pushing, the distortion just gets fuzzy/flubby/nasty. I've emailed Egnater Support a week ago. No response.
Here is what I've done to try and rectify this.... I started by replacing all of the power tubes. First I went with a set of JJ EL84s and a set of Mesa STR 417 6V6s. The saturation tone improved slightly but, still unacceptable. I switched power tubes again to Mullard EL84s and Tung Sol 6V6GTs. Again, a little better but still flabby when pushed. Ive tried biasing the tubes a little colder (35mVDC on each side) and a little hotter (45mVDC on each side) with each tube swap.
I then started rolling preamp tubes... The amp had stock EH 12ax7s in it which actually sounded pretty good. I replaced them all with Tung Sol 12ax7s. Ive been tube rolling different tubes every since from JJECC83s to Mesa 12AX7s to Penta Labs 12ax7s. Its still there.
The most notible change that I can pin point so far that helps this issue a little is switching the V5 position to a 12AT7. However, it somewhat sterilizes my tone at lower volumes. So I dont like it. Ive ordered NOS Phillips 5751 for the V5 PI position in hopes that it will provide the needed dynamics while cleaning up the power tube saturation issue.
My question is.... is this just the nature of this amp when the power tube section is pushed into overdrive? If yes, that is disappointing because this is one of the main reasons that I purchased this amp. The ability to get rich power tube distortion without making my ears bleed. I love my Boogie Mark IV as well and it sounds incredible in the rare chance that I can crank it up loud enough to push the power section on it without getting a ticket for disturbing the peace.
Any input will be greatly appreciated! I love the tones on the amp. I want to be able to crank up the power tubes in order to enhance those tones.
Here is what I've done to try and rectify this.... I started by replacing all of the power tubes. First I went with a set of JJ EL84s and a set of Mesa STR 417 6V6s. The saturation tone improved slightly but, still unacceptable. I switched power tubes again to Mullard EL84s and Tung Sol 6V6GTs. Again, a little better but still flabby when pushed. Ive tried biasing the tubes a little colder (35mVDC on each side) and a little hotter (45mVDC on each side) with each tube swap.
I then started rolling preamp tubes... The amp had stock EH 12ax7s in it which actually sounded pretty good. I replaced them all with Tung Sol 12ax7s. Ive been tube rolling different tubes every since from JJECC83s to Mesa 12AX7s to Penta Labs 12ax7s. Its still there.
The most notible change that I can pin point so far that helps this issue a little is switching the V5 position to a 12AT7. However, it somewhat sterilizes my tone at lower volumes. So I dont like it. Ive ordered NOS Phillips 5751 for the V5 PI position in hopes that it will provide the needed dynamics while cleaning up the power tube saturation issue.
My question is.... is this just the nature of this amp when the power tube section is pushed into overdrive? If yes, that is disappointing because this is one of the main reasons that I purchased this amp. The ability to get rich power tube distortion without making my ears bleed. I love my Boogie Mark IV as well and it sounds incredible in the rare chance that I can crank it up loud enough to push the power section on it without getting a ticket for disturbing the peace.
Any input will be greatly appreciated! I love the tones on the amp. I want to be able to crank up the power tubes in order to enhance those tones.