Good pedals for tightening up a 2Ch Dual Rec?!

[Botch]

I've read a number of posts where people have mentioned certain pedals they use to tighten up their Rectos but I've always been a plug in and play kinda guy so I've never really considered using one before. However, I'm getting more and more curious and thought it'd be cool to get a nice big list of ones to try out. I love the tone of my amp so a pedal that didn't colour the sound too much would be awesome. Cheers guys.

 

[Chris McKinley]

A graphic EQ used in the effects loop, not in front of the amp, will do it if you lower the 200Hz slider to taste. "Tightening" an amp's low end means getting rid of the muddy sounding frequencies, which generally center right around 200Hz.

You can also use one of the many overdrive pedals available. While there are many models out there, there are two general categories they fall into. Some are full-range, in that they provide overdrive in a somewhat flat EQ curve, boosting bass, mids, and highs somewhat evenly. Others are variations of the TS-808 Tube Screamer overdrive, which tends to emphasize the upper mid frequencies more than the others. Because they reduce bass overall and thicken the mids, the Tube Screamer types will generally tighten the bass of your amp a little more than the full range types, but depending on taste, both can do it sufficiently. It really comes down to whether you want the kick in the mids (usually desired for soloing) or the full range drive which tends to preserve your original tone a bit more.

Unlike the graphic EQ and certain other types of effects pedals, overdrives are always used in front of the amp, and never in the effects loop. They are specifically designed to be used with a before-the-amp placement.

 

[Silverwulf]

A graphic EQ used in the effects loop, not in front of the amp, will do it if you lower the 200Hz slider to taste. "Tightening" an amp's low end means getting rid of the muddy sounding frequencies, which generally center right around 200Hz.

You can also use one of the many overdrive pedals available. While there are many models out there, there are two general categories they fall into. Some are full-range, in that they provide overdrive in a somewhat flat EQ curve, boosting bass, mids, and highs somewhat evenly. Others are variations of the TS-808 Tube Screamer overdrive, which tends to emphasize the upper mid frequencies more than the others. Because they reduce bass overall and thicken the mids, the Tube Screamer types will generally tighten the bass of your amp a little more than the full range types, but depending on taste, both can do it sufficiently. It really comes down to whether you want the kick in the mids (usually desired for soloing) or the full range drive which tends to preserve your original tone a bit more.

Unlike the graphic EQ and certain other types of effects pedals, overdrives are always used in front of the amp, and never in the effects loop. They are specifically designed to be used with a before-the-amp placement.

While an EQ in the loop would do the trick, he mentioned he's a "plug and play" kind of guy. Sticking on the FX Loop, fooling with the balance between Master and Output, finding just the right slider to move the right amount, etc...would seem a little too much work for a plug and play guy in my opinion.

@ Botch, I'd go with the OD pedal, and something in the Maxon OD808 or Tube Screamer vein as mentioned above by Chris. It's quick and easy, plug and play and fool proof. Put the Gain at "0" (off), the Output anywhere between 12 Noon and max, and the Tone to taste, though I think you'll find the sweet spot in the 9-10 o'clock range. That's the way probably 95% or more of guys are tightening Rectos when you hear them talk about using a pedal to do so.

 

[Chris McKinley]

Silverwulf,

I guess I'd rather err on the side of providing too much useable information than to just assume that operating a graphic EQ slider and a footswitch is "too much work" for anyone. I'm not talking about Botch here, but if a guy were so lazy that he can't be bothered to learn how to operate something as simple as a guitar effects pedal, it'd be hard to sympathize with him if he complained about his tone. This stuff isn't exactly rocket science, besides, Botch did ask about the kind of specific information that I provided. If it turns out he still likes the plug n' play approach then good for him...at least now he's got more information to make choices.

 

[Silverwulf]

Silverwulf,

I guess I'd rather err on the side of providing too much useable information than to just assume that operating a graphic EQ slider and a footswitch is "too much work" for anyone. I'm not talking about Botch here, but if a guy were so lazy that he can't be bothered to learn how to operate something as simple as a guitar effects pedal, it'd be hard to sympathize with him if he complained about his tone. This stuff isn't exactly rocket science, besides, Botch did ask about the kind of specific information that I provided. If it turns out he still likes the plug n' play approach then good for him...at least now he's got more information to make choices.

No problem with it, just saying the OD pedal is probably a better bet for a plug and play guy. Were you disagreeing?

And using an EQ in the loop is a lot more complex than "operating a simple FX pedal." You then have no choice but to use the FX Loop, which requires a balance of not only the outputs, but the send/return of the loop itself. Plus, you'd have to have a basic understanding of the frequency ranges. Even with a 10 band EQ, you'd have to know what the frequencies meant (200hz vs 4khz), what and how much you should cut, what effect each would have on your tone, etc. There's a lot more of a learning curve learning to that than plugging in an OD pedal and turning 3 knobs to where someone told you to try that will likely get him the exact result he's looking for. Not everyone cares to learn about the in's and out's of the tonal spectrum, but it's doesn't make them "lazy." Just my opinion.

 

[clutch71]

Ever thought about upgrading the output transformer?

Check out http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/mainframe.htm

 

[fitz8005]

what kind of benefits would an output transformer swap provide?

 

[clutch71]

Per Mecury magnetics web-site... "Axiom Output transformer will give you more vivid harmonic overtones, added sparkle, more dynamic headroom, and much better note separation. Even if you’re into weapons of mass distortion!"

I put one in a DSL 50 and love it. Questions is would have the same effect on a Dual?

 

[MesaENGR412]

I put one in a DSL 50 and love it. Questions is would have the same effect on a Dual?

Or a Triple?? :twisted:

-AJH

 

[clutch71]

Axiom OT MBRK-O Dual primary -- used with EL34 or 6L6 tubes -- 4, 8 & 16 ohm taps $275.00

All the catalog says. Not sure if this would work for a Single or Triple.

[email protected]

for questions.

PM Trace from Voodoo amps too, he can probably offer some insight.

 

[jdurso]

don't mess around with operating on your amp..... i fully agree with Chris on this one.... get a graphic eq and put it in your loop..... i just started a thread on my recent expeience with this on my roadster..... i bought a Maxon Reissue 6 band eq and put it in my loop before my fx unit..... it worked wonders once i found the right eq.... while it's not technically "plug and play" if you put a little time in it, once you find the right setting for your ear just leave them and your good to go.

I'm always sceptical about adding pedals to achieve what i believe an amp should do by itself..... but this was the best purchase i've made in a while.... the eq pedal made the cleans pristine and well defined and the distortion is both brutal and articulate..... this is the same as having a post eq on the amp similar to the Mark IV and some of those fine VHT amps.... I would atleast try it before you think about any serious mods to the amp.... just my two cents.... good luck

 

[Botch]

Ever thought about upgrading the output transformer?

Check out http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/mainframe.htm

Hi! No I don't really want to go down that route because I've got R0050 and I don't really want to mod something that's so rare. I'm not saying it wouldn't sound better with MM tranny, it may well do, I just don't wanna mess with something that's so hard to find these days!

 

[Botch]

Chris & Silverwulf, thank you for your posts, I found them both useful and informative! I actually alreay own a Boss EQ so I'll try out that suggestion first, although I like to bypass the loop completely so I dunno how long I'd stick with that. I am a plug in play kinda guy, to be honest, because my music style doesn't really require me to be more than that. I've actually got a Music Technology degree so I'm more than competent in that area, the reason I asked is because you can read all the text books in the world but hearing opinions first hand, from experienced guitarists is worth a hell of a lot, so thanks for everyone's suggestions so far, it's greatly appreciated! After further research, the Maxon OD808 is looking like just the ticket!

 

[Botch]

A graphic EQ used in the effects loop, not in front of the amp, will do it if you lower the 200Hz slider to taste. "Tightening" an amp's low end means getting rid of the muddy sounding frequencies, which generally center right around 200Hz.

You can also use one of the many overdrive pedals available. While there are many models out there, there are two general categories they fall into. Some are full-range, in that they provide overdrive in a somewhat flat EQ curve, boosting bass, mids, and highs somewhat evenly. Others are variations of the TS-808 Tube Screamer overdrive, which tends to emphasize the upper mid frequencies more than the others. Because they reduce bass overall and thicken the mids, the Tube Screamer types will generally tighten the bass of your amp a little more than the full range types, but depending on taste, both can do it sufficiently. It really comes down to whether you want the kick in the mids (usually desired for soloing) or the full range drive which tends to preserve your original tone a bit more.

Unlike the graphic EQ and certain other types of effects pedals, overdrives are always used in front of the amp, and never in the effects loop. They are specifically designed to be used with a before-the-amp placement.

While an EQ in the loop would do the trick, he mentioned he's a "plug and play" kind of guy. Sticking on the FX Loop, fooling with the balance between Master and Output, finding just the right slider to move the right amount, etc...would seem a little too much work for a plug and play guy in my opinion.

@ Botch, I'd go with the OD pedal, and something in the Maxon OD808 or Tube Screamer vein as mentioned above by Chris. It's quick and easy, plug and play and fool proof. Put the Gain at "0" (off), the Output anywhere between 12 Noon and max, and the Tone to taste, though I think you'll find the sweet spot in the 9-10 o'clock range. That's the way probably 95% or more of guys are tightening Rectos when you hear them talk about using a pedal to do so.

Thanks for the settings, I'll try them out if (when!) I get the Maxon.

 

[clutch71]

Forgot you had 50! Definitely leave that one alone.

How tight are you wanting just out of curiosity?You have one of the naturally tighter DR's made.