soundchaser59
Well-known member
Clean channel on 25 watt setting, gain about 12 o'clock, TMBP knobs at about 12 o'clock, humbucker guitar, 100 watt Weber speaker, and no pedals! Master on full blast.
Jammed with a working funk band today, stood next to the drummer in a small rehearsal room, 5 feet in front of my speaker which was 3 feet off the floor, and I could barely hear myself when I played clean.
I was really hoping the little lunchbox monster would pass this test, but I was, sad to admit it, disappointed. I've never had the "clean headroom problem" thrown in my face like this before, probably because I've always used pedals and played OD with 2x12 cabs. But I think even with my 2x12 cab the clean headroom on this little darling would still not have been up to the job. Of course, this was the loudest band I've ever played with, horns and all. But even the horn players were telling me to turn it up, and I couldn't.
When I stepped on the switcher for the lead channel, things were just right, perfect for this little gig. At least that part was fun. But it's no fun banging on the neck with a heavy pick because I can't hear myself or "feel" what clean rhythm sound I'm making.
So now what? Grab the Mark IIB with the EV speaker? Look for a Express 5:50? Reverend Hellhound? VHT? Or go back to the Rivera 55 watter? Or.......what?? I usually shy away from the Fender stuff, great legendary cleans, but the lead OD sounds I've never bonded with like I did with the Rivera I had.
Maybe I need to revert back to the more efficient speakers, like some of the Eminence or the old reliable EV's?
Jammed with a working funk band today, stood next to the drummer in a small rehearsal room, 5 feet in front of my speaker which was 3 feet off the floor, and I could barely hear myself when I played clean.
I was really hoping the little lunchbox monster would pass this test, but I was, sad to admit it, disappointed. I've never had the "clean headroom problem" thrown in my face like this before, probably because I've always used pedals and played OD with 2x12 cabs. But I think even with my 2x12 cab the clean headroom on this little darling would still not have been up to the job. Of course, this was the loudest band I've ever played with, horns and all. But even the horn players were telling me to turn it up, and I couldn't.
When I stepped on the switcher for the lead channel, things were just right, perfect for this little gig. At least that part was fun. But it's no fun banging on the neck with a heavy pick because I can't hear myself or "feel" what clean rhythm sound I'm making.
So now what? Grab the Mark IIB with the EV speaker? Look for a Express 5:50? Reverend Hellhound? VHT? Or go back to the Rivera 55 watter? Or.......what?? I usually shy away from the Fender stuff, great legendary cleans, but the lead OD sounds I've never bonded with like I did with the Rivera I had.
Maybe I need to revert back to the more efficient speakers, like some of the Eminence or the old reliable EV's?
