Getting Crunch mode sounds on burn channel

[brandeeno]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I'm really glad I found this forum. So much good info! This question may have already been asked, but I didn't see it after a quick search.

Anyways, I have a 5:25 and I'm getting ready to purchase a 5:50. On my 5:25, I was originally using the clean mode for cleans, and burn mode for my distorted/overdriven tones. However, I have recently fallen in love with the crunch mode. It's just wonderful. So, since I now use the crunch mode for my distortion/overdrive, I have naturally had to move my cleans to the blues mode. It sounds pretty good, but I would much rather have my cleans on the clean mode. Have you guys been able to get crunch mode sounds out of the burn mode? Or is this impossible? Don't get me wrong, the cleans are pretty **** good on the blues channel, but I just like them a little better on the clean channel.

I have tried to dial in that crunch tone with the burn mode, but I haven't had any success. Has anyone else tried this? If you have had success, could you please pass your settings my way?

Thanks in advance. :mrgreen:

 

[vbf]

This may be one option. I recently swapped the high gain jj in V2 with a "mellower" tube recommended by Doug (Doug's Tubes). It really took the edge off the burn channel without neutering the amp. Now the burn channel at lower gain settings is more crunch like than before. Don't get me wrong, though, it's still the burn channel. You may want to call Doug and ask him if a specific tube combo will help achieve the sound you're looking for.

 

[EtherealWidow]

The tube thing could work. All I know is that I'm in the same boat as you. I've tried many times to get the burn channel to sound like the crunch channel, but the blues/burn channel just seems a lot drier than the crunch. :/

 

[brandeeno]

Ok, the tube change seems logical. I appreciate the responses. If the Nomad didn't have reliability issues I would just pick up one of those. I think they had Crunch/Burn on the same channel if I remember correctly.

 

[fredm]

Read your post and thought "hey, thats sounds similar to how I have mine set up".

May not be to your liking, but I like it. By the way my set up is an 2008 American Standard Strat straight into the amp, no effects in front. Delay etc. in the loop. I use the 25watt position too, it sounds less beefy in the 5watt position.

I think the important controls in this situation are Gain and Master. As you can see I use a THD Hotplate. Would be VERY LOUD if it didn't go through the Hotplate. I don't play in public, only at home.

 

[soundchaser59]

I finally settled on using the clean mode at half gain with pedals to get my lead sounds, and the burn mode at almost no gain and with a compressor pedal to get my clean rhythm sounds. I haved the burn gain turned to about 7 o'clock or 730, just barely on enough to get volume but not enough to get grit or overdrive. The compressor is a CMATMODS Deluxe "Ross" clone. I run the bass knob up well over half way to get the low mids I like, but the treble and mid are never more than about 10 o'clock. I do, however, run the contour knobs full on. So far, it works well this way.

 

[UKBoogieboy]

You are getting a 5.50 and you have already got a 5.25 if I read it right.

Use the clean channel on the 5.50, and the crunch on the 5.25.

The clean will be better on the 5.50 because its a 6l6 with more headroom, the 5.25 will be better for crunch because its an EL34 with less headroom.

The 5.25 should go louder on crunch than the 5.50 on clean so you can easily get them the same volume.

 

[UKBoogieboy]

I think the important controls in this situation are Gain and Master. As you can see I use a THD Hotplate. Would be VERY LOUD if it didn't go through the Hotplate. I don't play in public, only at home.

I find that with gain and master both at half on the clean channel you get the best sound, the master doesn't really increase the volume much past 2 o clock anyway, but I find its not very loud, I play my 5.50 in an 8x7 foot room at home, I'm suprised you use the hot plate for the clean channel, or do you only use it for the overdrive channels? Channel 2 is loud, yes.

 

[brandeeno]

soundchaser, I tend to run my contour knobs full on too. I can't really explain what it does to the tone, but I like it whatever it is.

fredm, thanks for the pic man. I will try those settings, but I will have to turn my master down because I don't have a HotPlate. Do you like the HotPlate? I was looking at getting one.

boogieboy, Your idea is the best I have heard yet. I was gonna gig with the 5:50 and use the 5:25 as a backup and for practicing at home. But, I like your idea and that would probably be perfect for me! I guess I would have to get some kind of A/B switch for that to work properly.

 

[soundchaser59]

the 5.25 will be better for crunch because its an EL34 with less headroom.

You probably meant to type "EL84"......even though EL34's do seem to have slightly less headroom than 6L6's.