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Brite switch mods

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Ed Goforth (ed_goforth)
Username: ed_goforth

Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - 11:20 pm:   

I have come up with a mod for the brite switch for those who find the brite switch to be too much. When off they seem a little dull, so you can put a resistor or trim pot in series with the brite cap to tune the amount of briteness.
William Michel (bill)
Username: bill

Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2010 - 02:26 pm:   

Thought I'd put this out there. Has anyone suddenly decided that they need more treble? Here's my story:

I use early model 65 or 130 combos/heads. Test pilot is a 2-10 65, an amp I am most familiar with. I have found nice old tubes which can crank without a spark flying. The 12AX7 is a strong telefunken which intstantly made the sound more delicate as compared even to a Sylvania. You can put it at 10 and the signal shows no tendency to freak. But lately I am turning the mid down and wishing there was more treble bite...some Vox presence...Fender? Maybe I have lost some hearing? I am therefore considering a minor tweak, whatever it takes to get some of that EL 84 sound from a 34 set up. I am happy with the tubes (amperex and tung sol mullard) and the amp, having thoroughly experimented on these. I am pretty sure the speakers are not to be improved upon, though I don't know. Stock box magnet mm 10" speakers, they are, and I think they are not really suspect in this quest. There are mentions of EC distortion mods. I don't know that this is what I am trying to hear. If I throw a set of yellow jackets in with good old tubes the sound is interesting, but you cannot get a clean freight train sound using these at Low Power. High Power is a risk in this case. Fry the tubes or OT in a hurry this way, I have been told.

Anyone ever just have this 'treble' desire just kick in, that is, anyone familiar with these models (130 or 65 early reverb/trem)? If the 'front end' is the only way around this, and it's like saying I want a different amp...that may be. However I like the build of these amps. Suggestions appreciated.
William Michel (bill)
Username: bill

Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - 09:34 pm:   

I suspect the treble boost I am seeking is more of a amp sound issue than a treble issue. The thing about these amps is that you have to bring everything to the table in order to play them at volume, where they were meant to sound at their best, imo. There's little in the way of coloring from the amplifier in itself, which can push you away from, or toward playing, depending on whether or not you are all there, feeling it. It is hard to diss these things unless you are in a bad mood. (anyone ever search out criticism of MM amps online?) How many other amps can you turn up all the way with no signal, and be greeted with near stone silence? Hit a chord and the walls shake. Many amp reviews cite this as a hallmark of superior design with good components.
Ed Goforth (ed_goforth)
Username: ed_goforth

Registered: 06-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2011 - 12:52 am:   

Hi Bill, I know its been a while since your post. Anyway if you are looking for a more presence, chime if you would, the Clapton brite circuit, with a few tweaks can sound sweet, not so in your face like the regular brite switch. I find using a small trim pot in series with that circuit can help tune the right amount of presence and find the sweet spot, then find a fixed resistor for a permanent fix or install a pot somewhere out of the way. When you find the right combination, it can sound very good and not harsh/ice-picky.