What a Difference a Day Makes

[dfrattaroli]

My M4 rig was sounding bad to me for 4 days. Tonight, just my guitar into the M4 and VHT 2502 and Bogner OS 2x12 sounded great on every mod.

My "good" EG5 settings are

Ch. B
Gain: 1:30
Master: 10:30
Bass: 11
Mids: 10:30
Treble: 10
M4 master was only at 10:00

It sounded great. Thick, smooth, chewy and dark-ish.


The MHG and EG3/4 were sounding great too with the treble at noon.

Still would like to try a Randall RT2/50. I'm selling my VHT for the time being. Minty pristine condish.

Dave

 

[Audioholic]

yeah interesting how our tone can sound good to not so good from day to day. frustrating. I have a rt2/50 for sale if your interested

 

[bruce egnater]

You realize it is not the gear that sounds different each day...it is our ears. I know, everyone says tubes are inconsistent and don't sound the same every day. That is simply not true. Our hearing is affected by so many things such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, our mood.....it is our ears that are inconsistent, not the gear. Try to be the designer and have everything sound different every day.

 

[Audioholic]

You realize it is not the gear that sounds different each day...it is our ears. I know, everyone says tubes are inconsistent and don't sound the same every day. That is simply not true. Our hearing is affected by so many things such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, our mood.....it is our ears that are inconsistent, not the gear. Try to be the designer and have everything sound different every day.

while I think there is a good point to the room, our ears, etc etc effecting how we hear things 95 of the time, I have listened to recorded proof of a particuliar amp or so, no change in anything, and the recording did differ slightly from one day to the next, so I do believe its possible for some things to change, specially when you are using gear that can sound different as it warms up, or inconsistent current etc etc.

sometimes the gremelins just show up

 

[marvcus]

You realize it is not the gear that sounds different each day...it is our ears. I know, everyone says tubes are inconsistent and don't sound the same every day. That is simply not true. Our hearing is affected by so many things such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, our mood.....it is our ears that are inconsistent, not the gear. Try to be the designer and have everything sound different every day.

while I think there is a good point to the room, our ears, etc etc effecting how we hear things 95 of the time, I have listened to recorded proof of a particuliar amp or so, no change in anything, and the recording did differ slightly from one day to the next, so I do believe its possible for some things to change, specially when you are using gear that can sound different as it warms up, or inconsistent current etc etc.

sometimes the gremelins just show up

Sho' 'Nuff!

 

[jkdsteve]

I sho' would like to try a VHT at some point...what they go for used?

 

[Anonymous]

My M4 rig was sounding bad to me for 4 days. Tonight, just my guitar into the M4 and VHT 2502 and Bogner OS 2x12 sounded great on every mod.

Y'know I was having some issues with power in my complex so I picked up a voltage regulator and noticed an improvement. My tone is more consistent for sure.

 

[dfrattaroli]

You realize it is not the gear that sounds different each day...it is our ears. I know, everyone says tubes are inconsistent and don't sound the same every day. That is simply not true. Our hearing is affected by so many things such as temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, our mood.....it is our ears that are inconsistent, not the gear. Try to be the designer and have everything sound different every day.

We definitely hear things differently from time to time. And if Bruce Egnater believes tubes are consistent, then that's good enough for me. But I do notice that certain appliances cause oscillation (or similar effect) in the power when my rig is running and I can hear the sound change by simply playing the guitar as someone turns that appliance on and off.

Try this today for some fun. Power up the rig and start playing. Then, on the same circuit, plug in a floor fan and turn that bitch on. Tell me what you hear.

But I agree Bruce. When things sound bad, it's probably my ears.

Regards.

Dave

 

[dfrattaroli]

My M4 rig was sounding bad to me for 4 days. Tonight, just my guitar into the M4 and VHT 2502 and Bogner OS 2x12 sounded great on every mod.

Y'know I was having some issues with power in my complex so I picked up a voltage regulator and noticed an improvement. My tone is more consistent for sure.

I'm planning on trying that.

 

[dfrattaroli]

I sho' would like to try a VHT at some point...what they go for used?

Checking ebay's closed auctions I see them in the $800-$850 range. Mine is in the classified section and is in new condish. I'd like to try the RT2/50.

 

[bscfo1]

This is the most frustrating thing, I can't tell you how many hours I've wasted spinning EQ pots and eventually coming back to the same settings.

I will say this though - my Rockmaster tube preamp will thicken up very obviously when it warms up. Jeff has one - have you ever noticed this?

Not one of my favorite artists but I read an article about Prince (or whatever his name is) that said that after recording, he would put away the masters for months and then listen to them again with fresh ears. We don't have that luxury, but at least the pros have the same problem it seems.

 

[aeroic]

This is the most frustrating thing, I can't tell you how many hours I've wasted spinning EQ pots and eventually coming back to the same settings.

I will say this though - my Rockmaster tube preamp will thicken up very obviously when it warms up. Jeff has one - have you ever noticed this?

Not one of my favorite artists but I read an article about Prince (or whatever his name is) that said that after recording, he would put away the masters for months and then listen to them again with fresh ears. We don't have that luxury, but at least the pros have the same problem it seems.

I'll tell ya Dave...I think you should really try out a RT2/50. I am just more and more impressed with it as the days go by. I don't miss my VHT in the least.

The ease of being able to change tubes for recording...from 5881s to EL34s to 6550s...EL84 (with my yellowjackets) is just plain awesome. I can't say enough good things about it. Not that the VHT's are bad...They aren't in the least. I just really dig the RT2/50.

The thing that makes the biggest difference to me though in the signal chain...is the speaker. Honestly that's the biggest tonal variance in the whole chain...right there with the guitar. You might want to think of trying other speakers.

Just a thought...and if you have questions on what speakers to try...well...i've tried them all

 

[dfrattaroli]

Eric, I've been looking at new speakers as well: G12K-100 and G12T-75. I have a Bogner OS 2x12 w/ V30s. I'd like to try the G12Ts in there. I also have 2 CAA 1x12 cubes with Eminence Governors in them. I really like those speakers in a 1x12 because they're smoother and a little darker than the V30 and I prefer that especially in a smaller box. But I would like to try the G12Ks in those cabs.

I wouldn't mind trying a CL80 either.

Dave

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

Biggest link in the chain is using the pink erasers from Walmart attached to the back of the magnet of speakers!

 

[aeroic]

Eric, I've been looking at new speakers as well: G12K-100 and G12T-75. I have a Bogner OS 2x12 w/ V30s. I'd like to try the G12Ts in there. I also have 2 CAA 1x12 cubes with Eminence Governors in them. I really like those speakers in a 1x12 because they're smoother and a little darker than the V30 and I prefer that especially in a smaller box. But I would like to try the G12Ks in those cabs.

I wouldn't mind trying a CL80 either.

Dave

I'm using 1 K100 and 1 T75 in each of my TM212s.

Eric

 

[EWSEthan]

Yeah, tone definitely changes day over day, but Im willing to bet the main component of this is our hands.

 

[dfrattaroli]

Shipped off the VHT today. I have an RT2/50 coming. Might have it by the end of the week.

 

[jmgman69]

Shipped off the VHT today. I have an RT2/50 coming. Might have it by the end of the week.

An influx of RT's I see Congrats hope you like it !!!I sure do.

 

[aeroic]

Shipped off the VHT today. I have an RT2/50 coming. Might have it by the end of the week.

throw some svet 6550s in that bad daddy....and be ready for some ROCK!

 

[dfrattaroli]

Shipped off the VHT today. I have an RT2/50 coming. Might have it by the end of the week.

throw some svet 6550s in that bad daddy....and be ready for some ROCK!

What else will it take? KT77s? KT88s?

I have to download a manual or something.

Dave