Robben Ford Discussion

[enrico]

One of the output valves (6L6) of my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe blew a few weeks ago, and I got it re-valved with a pair of the same type.

It sounds really flat and thin now, especially the drive channel.

I know some of the members of this forum who own the same amp, don't like the drive channel full stop, but I kind of liked it before, now sounds dreadful.
I took it back to place where the changed the valves, and in their opinion, it's normal that when you change valves it doesn't sound as before.
The shop says they valves are working fine and all the checks (bias control...) have been done.
They've actually compared it with a new one they had in store and they say there's no evident difference.

To my ears the amp sounds drammatically different.

Is it just me or something might have gone wrong in the process?
It also smells of burning a little bit, something that didn't happen before.

Any advice please?

[Ron S]

Hi Enrico
I think your problem could stem from either the shop installing valves on the low end of the power scale or a pre-amp tube becoming unstable in the time the amp was away (but I would guess the former).

You can buy valves more prone to overdriving at lower volumes, something I think you probably need on those amps (deluxe and deville) as not only are they loud but the drive channels tend to be low on gain. I had a Deville for a while, great clean but went from deathly quiet to OH MY GOD, THE POLICE ARE HERE! in a fraction of a turn of the vol, also the 'gain' channel was slight crunch at best.

(to answer your question from the next post)
The VC30's are excellent amps, I've used a couple and I own two LC15's very similar tone, very AC30ish great for that gritty/clean tone.

I would have bought the LC30 or VC30 had I not discovered my ENGL Classic Tube, this is an excellent amp with a very close tone to VC and LC range but is more versatile and has a better drive channel IMHO. It also has channel switch and boost, reverb for each channel and adjustable gain on each channel (so you can make the clean crunchy if you need to), and the customer support is great. I had a problem with boost level (not a fault just not enough level of adjustment) the actual designer Horst Langer emailed a PDF of a mod, then emailed a few days later to find out how it worked!

I use it on its own and as a slave to piggyback a LC15 depending on my mood. If you like I can email you some rough live MD recording mp3s of the ENGL and the LC15 to give you an idea of how they sound.

Ron S

Edited to add: You could try a yellowjacket conversion (THD) this would bring your Deluxe into the tonal ballpark of the VC and LC range and can half the volume of the amp therefore driving it harder

[enrico]

many thanks for your suggestions, Ron.
I'm not a very technical guy, but what you say makes sense, though don't know what a yellowjacket conversion (THD) is.

I acually think the problem may be with the pre-amp valves, as the fact that the amp has low gain valves, didn't bother me originally, so...

I looked at the amp you reccomend, very nice I bit pricey though, don't know if I can afford it.

Btw, I've sent you an email with venue contact details in this part of the country, and yes, I'd definetely like a copy of your CD.

[Ron S]

here you go:

http://www.thdelectronics.com/products/yellow_jacket.htm

Cheers for the email by the way. CD on its way soon!

Ron