Suffering Heath
44 posts
Apr 14, 2014
6:56 AM
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For those still interested, this weekend's gig was to be a showdown between my 1965 Kalamazoo Model II and my new VHT Special 6. The Kalamazoo has JJ12AY tubes in the Preamp and Tremolo spots. The VHT has a Sovtek 5751 in its preamp slot. I'm using a modified BluesBlaster with a Shure CM "premium" element.
After some time at the shop, the Kalamazoo returned to me the day of the gig - it had a blown fuse. The gig was a wedding cocktail hour – just me and an electric/acoustic guitar - and the plan was to set up both amps, switching from song to song, so that I could judge accordingly. It was to be youth vs. experience.
A few minutes before I left I was struck with a feeling, and I decided to check the Tremolo knob on the 'Zoo. I plugged it in and got no discernible difference in sound, none of the beloved whum-whum-whum like I’d sucked on a nitrous tank in the parking lot of a Dead concert.
I decided that the showdown could not take place as scheduled, as that feature of the 'Zoo is special.
So, I headed out the door with just the VHT 6 in tow, the Kalamazoo slumped unhappily in the corner, trying – but not quite succeeding – to remain proud.
I was really, really happy with the Special 6. I pulled the volume knob to engage the Gain Boost. On “High Power” she was too loud at Vol. 3, Tone 6 (it was a wedding, after all). I switched to “Low Power” and set her at Vol. 5 and Tone 6. Lovely sounds. Effortless and creamy. The Digitech RP350 I use for effects (rotary, reverb, delay, phaser, and univibe, mostly) got along very well with her. I was pleasantly surprised, and wanted for nothing.
The ‘Zoo is back at the shop of the little old man who's in no rush, and the showdown has been rescheduled for a gig coming up in two weeks which will give me the opportunity to be louder and more discerning.
Heath
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http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluesprofessors
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Bass410man
17 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:10 AM
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Heath,
The tremolo on a Kalamazoo II will only work with a 12AX7 and no other tube.
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HawkeyeKane
2466 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:12 AM
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Bass410man is right. It HAS to be a 12AX7 in that socket for the trem to work. Doesn't explain your blown fuse however. Usually a bad rectifier tube is a leading cause for that.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Suffering Heath
45 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:13 AM
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Really?? I did not know that! I wonder why that is, and if it effects the sound...
Thank you for that information!
I actually did put in a 12AX7 in that slot and DID get sound, but didn't get the tremolo sound.
Heath
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http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluesprofessors
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Frank
4159 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:14 AM
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Thanks for being a musical martyr so to speak for us Heath, this is pants crapping suspense :)
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ridge
498 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:18 AM
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@Frank - ...Sounds like you're just trying to justify soiling your britches :)
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Ridge's YouTube
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Frank
4160 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:45 AM
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You got a dirty mind ridge - you must have a few skid marks yourself?
PS...never trust a funny fart, unless you like wet humor :)
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HawkeyeKane
2467 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:48 AM
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Heath, the reason the trem only works with a 12AX7 (and Greg may want to confirm or correct me on this), is because a Zoo Deuce's tremolo is built upon a specifio bias vary, hence why there's only a speed control and no depth control to go with it. Without the correct amount of voltage which the 12AX7 supplies, the tremolo circuit won't oscillate the way it should. Anything less than the voltage gain of a 12AX7 is deficient.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Suffering Heath
46 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:54 AM
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Thanks, Hawk - that totally makes sense.
Heath
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http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluesprofessors
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harpwrench
821 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:55 AM
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I'd put an AX back in the preamp too while you're at it:)
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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Suffering Heath
48 posts
Apr 14, 2014
7:59 AM
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Wrench -
I find that with my particular style, I'd rather have the amp's volume set higher with a lower gain tube. With an AX, I can only get to about Vol. 4 before it gets too hot...
An AY allows me to get to around Vol. 7, and I feel the sound is richer (to my ears, at least).
Heath
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http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluesprofessors
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HawkeyeKane
2469 posts
Apr 14, 2014
8:01 AM
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FWIW, I usually run my Zoo at 7 on the volume when I have an AX7 in the preamp. Gets me nice distortion indeed. Keep the tone down low and it's very fat sounding for a 5W amp. Have you tried a 5751 in the preamp instead of a 12AY7?
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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harpwrench
822 posts
Apr 14, 2014
8:09 AM
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I imagine they're all different along with our mics, AY is too much of a drop for mine. A 5751 smooths it out a bit though.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High performance harmonicas.
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Suffering Heath
49 posts
Apr 14, 2014
8:09 AM
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I haven't tried that, Hawk - but I definitly will (one I get an answer to my other thread question about safely swapping tubes). I have a Sovtek 5751 in my VHT Special 6 which I'll try!
Thanks, gentlemen!
Heath
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http://www.reverbnation.com/thebluesprofessors
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HawkeyeKane
2471 posts
Apr 14, 2014
9:05 AM
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Well....to answer that question, there's really no risk to the amp by pulling a preamp tube after you power it down. The risk is more to you burning your fingers on it. Give it ten minutes or so to cool down after you shut her off.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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