Another "Just Got My Studio Pre" Post

[axisman5150]

After all the reading and searches on various forums, but this one more so than others, on the subject of Quad vs. Studio Pre I finally decided on the Studio Pre. Basically because there were no Quads for sale but I figured since channel 1 of the Quad and the Studio were essentially the same and there were a few on e-bay, I'd go for it!

Well, I got the Studio Pre yesterday and plugged it in to my rig (VHT 2/50/2 w/6L6's - 2x12 mesa cab w/V30's on one side and KT77's - 2x12 ADA cab w/celestion 75's on the other side) and going with the basic settings found in the manual, I was very impressed!

The Rhythm channel with a little more time of tweaking does have that "Fenderish" tone that everyone talks about. The Lead channel is SWEET!! I found myself playing sus2 power chords and it reminded me of Petrucci's tone from his IIC+ days. Very smooth yet can get crunchy with some dialing.

After playing awhile, I took the top off to see if the stock tubes were still there. I found quite a mix of different tubes. Now I don't know the order the tubes are so maybe someone can help me out here.

When looking at the Studio Pre from the front of the unit from left to right is V1 the one on the left?
Mine from left to right:
V1: Sovtek 12ax7wc
V2: Sovtek 12ax7wa
V3: GT 12ax7c
V4: Sovtek 12axtwc
V5: EH 12ax7 (reverb)

What does each tube position do in the gain stage?

The one that's behind the tube on the left is the reverb, I presume. The circuit board says 12AT7 for that tube, Mine has an EH 12ax7. If I remember from reading about this, there was a newer one that used 12ax7's in the reverb slot, right?

Mine was built in April 1990 and has the dark grey almost black EQ.

Anyways, sorry for the long post but I also wanted to thank everyone on this board for all the help!!

Axis

 

[Whoopysnorp]

V1 is the tube closest to the input jack. I'm not sure what the individual tubes do though...I've read that the Studio .22 engages one of the tubes for the lead mode, while it's inactive on the rhythm mode. I don't know whether that's accurate or whether it applies to the Studio Pre though.

When I got mine, it had a 12AT7 in the reverb position, so when I replaced them I used the same type. My roommate's model has a 12AX7 in that slot. His model has the grey-faced EQ; mine is the darker color. Here it is:

You could try switching to a 12AT7 in that position and see what happens.

 

[axisman5150]

Yeah, thanks Whoop!

I found a thread that gave a link to Tubefreak.com that had the schematics for the Studio Pre and showed what each tube was for and #3 is used for the Lead Mode.

I've already replaced all the Sovteks that were in my Pre.

Now it's:

V1: Tung Sol 12ax7
V2: JJ 803 s
V3: jj 83s
V4: Tung Sol 12ax7
V5: EH 12ax7

The Rhythm channel sounds like it has more life to it now, but I haven't spent much time on that channel yet to tell a huge difference.

The Lead mode sounds more crisp with the JJ 83s than it did with the GT 12ax7c. Now that I know V3 is the main tube for the Lead mode I'll be experimenting with different ones to see what I like best there.

 

[francm]

I just got a studio pre as well. Not sure what kind of tubes are in there right now but I find the clean channel lacking sparkle.

Since you have a mix of JJ/Tung Sols in there, can you try changing them around to see what happens in terms of tone? I'm wondering where I could get the best bang for my buck with the tube selection.

I also wonder how all JJs or all Tung sols would sound vs the mix you have.

Do you have some extra JJs or TungSols you can experiment with?

 

[Whoopysnorp]

I have Tungsols in my V1 and V2 and I think Shuguangs in the other positions. I get lots of sparkle out of the clean channel, but these amps are not necessarily real straightforward to dial in so it can be elusive. To get a sparkly clean, I have the volume set pretty low (2-4 depending on hotness of pickup), treble set at around 6 (any higher and it starts to drive the gain stages too hard), mids around 4 or 5, and bass around 0 or 1. On the GEQ I'm just notching out the middle band a little bit. Sounds very jangly and Fendery this way, and I'm still able to get a wicked crunch.

Oh yes, and of course I have the rhythm bright switch engaged.

 

[francm]

I have Tungsols in my V1 and V2 and I think Shuguangs in the other positions. I get lots of sparkle out of the clean channel, but these amps are not necessarily real straightforward to dial in so it can be elusive. To get a sparkly clean, I have the volume set pretty low (2-4 depending on hotness of pickup), treble set at around 6 (any higher and it starts to drive the gain stages too hard), mids around 4 or 5, and bass around 0 or 1. On the GEQ I'm just notching out the middle band a little bit. Sounds very jangly and Fendery this way, and I'm still able to get a wicked crunch.

Oh yes, and of course I have the rhythm bright switch engaged.

Yeah... I tweaked the settings a little more and with the EQ, I can get the clean to sound better. Its Fendery but still lacks the dynamics I find. Its seems the EQ HAS to be on for the Studio to sound good.

I'll try some different tubes in there as soon as I get a bit of cash.

 

[axisman5150]

these amps are not necessarily real straightforward to dial in so it can be elusive.

So true, I'll dial in a tone I like then I'll do some more tweaking and quickly lose the tone I like and then forget where I was before. So now I make sure to write down my settings once I find a tone I like.

I'm quite impressed with how it sounds direct! Not buzzy or fizzy,you have to keep the treble(4-5) and gain(4-6) down, with the EQ 6600 below center and 2200 just a hair above center. I might actually use this for some of my rhythm tracts mixed in with some mic'ed tracks.

Francm, What amp/tubes/speakers are you using? That will have a bearing on your tone as well.

 

[francm]

Francm, What amp/tubes/speakers are you using? That will have a bearing on your tone as well.

I haven't opened up the studio yet so I don't know what tubes are in there. I presume original Mesas.

For the power amp, I'm going through a 20/20. I also tried going through my Marshall's effect return. The 20/20 actually sounds pretty good with the Studio pre. Its not as in your face as with the Marshall.

Cab is 4x12 closed back Marshall with 2 Made in England G12-75s and 2 Celestion Centurys.

The clean is where I'd like to improve on the Studio.

 

[Whoopysnorp]

How are you running your settings?

A tube change could make a big difference. Also, wouldn't EL84s be unlikely to give you a Fendery clean? I've never used them, I'm just thinking based off what I know about EL84-based amps.

I like the cleans on my Studio Pre and do find them pretty Fendery. However, I gotta admit, the cleans on my Rivera M100 are better. I haven't been able to get my Studio Pre's cleans to have the same kind of bloom and warmth that I'm getting from my Rivera...and that's with the Mesa going into a Roadready 4x12 with two V30s and two G12H-80s and the Rivera going into a 2x12 with a V30 and a Carvin-branded Eminence!

I am real on the fence sometimes about whether the Mesa or the Rivera is a better amp. It's kept me from considering getting rid of either of them, that's for sure, even though I rarely even switch on the Rivera.