Road King 11 owners question

[rick doeschler]

I have a Road King series 11 combo- love the amp. I'm curious as to how you dial the individual "channel volumes" VS the over all "master volume." Do dial the channel volume's high and master low - or Master high and channel volume lower? I know this is a personal thing but I'm getting a high pitch feedback on channel's 3 and 4. Maybe I have the Channel's to high? I do play in a hard rock band so we do play loud.

Any and all feed back is very much appreciated. Many thanks
WRD

 

[BoogieMan_SC]

Hey there. I've got the same amp and love the **** thing. As for the channel volume vs. master volume usage...
Although as you know, either is doable, but I DO find that unless the individual channel volumes are dialed in at least 10 o'clock on the dial...it loses its thickness at volume that's greater than "bedroom" or home-practice volume....especially on channels 3 and 4. So as long as those individual channel volumes are at 10:00....I can use the master to adjust to "room" volume. Then, the higher I go on the individual channel volumes, the more saturated the sound is. I also keep the amp on "bold" on the "variac" switch.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

You have to play around with it, and trust your ears to find a good balance with what you use the amp with and for. Turning up the output knob does help fatten the tone a bit though...

 

[rick doeschler]

Thanks guy's for your input. This amp is very sensitive, that's why I'm asking for owners suggestions. I do keep it on the Bold setting all the time. I also have been only running either (2) 6L6's or (2) EL34's. That's plenty loud. I've also found that when turning up the volume on each channel does fatten up the tone as mentioned. I usually play Gibson guitars with humbucker's, Fender's sometimes when the song calls for it. Have any of you ever experienced a high pitched, almost like PA feed back, sequel on channels 3 @ 4? Maybe I'm actually to close to the amp and the higher gain channels are reacting to the pickups. I don't think it's a bad tube(s).

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Thanks guy's for your input. This amp is very sensitive, that's why I'm asking for owners suggestions. I do keep it on the Bold setting all the time. I also have been only running either (2) 6L6's or (2) EL34's. That's plenty loud. I've also found that when turning up the volume on each channel does fatten up the tone as mentioned. I usually play Gibson guitars with humbucker's, Fender's sometimes when the song calls for it. Have any of you ever experienced a high pitched, almost like PA feed back, sequel on channels 3 @ 4? Maybe I'm actually to close to the amp and the higher gain channels are reacting to the pickups. I don't think it's a bad tube(s).

Nope. Note however that your treble and gain response seems to increase as the volume is turned up. Try lowering them as you healthily increase the volume. As for the high pitch feedback, doesn't happen with mine. Do you have non wax potted pickups? What Gibsons are you using that gives you that feedback???

 

[rick doeschler]

I'll try and back down the treble and presence a bit and see how that works. My Gibson's are all custom shop Historic Reissue's. Not sure if all of the pickups are waxed or not. They are all stock. I have Marshall's, Matchless's, Fenders and Vox's and non of them have the high pitched sequel that I'm experiencing with the Road King. I'm pretty sure it's operator error. As all of you have experienced, this amp is extremely sensitive and the sweet spot is small.

 

[rick doeschler]

I'll try and back down the treble and presence a bit and see how that works. My Gibson's are all custom shop Historic Reissue's. Not sure if all of the pickups are waxed or not. They are all stock. I have Marshall's, Matchless's, Fenders and Vox's and non of them have the high pitched sequel that I'm experiencing with the Road King. I'm pretty sure it's operator error. As all of you have experienced, this amp is extremely sensitive and the sweet spot is small.

Note: Sorry, double post.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Hmmmm. You might want to check to see if any of your preamp valves are microphonic then...

 

[khingpynn]

+1 on the michrophonic preamp tubes... i keep my individual channel volumes at least at 12 oclock

 

[rick doeschler]

Just replaced pre amp tubes V2 and V3. Gave it a workout- at home- and all seems OK. No high pitched squeals/feed back on channels 3 and 4, even when I get pretty close to the amp at 12:00 master level. I'll take the amp to rehersal and give a real test next week.

Thanks for all the responses- fingers crossed.

WRD