Roadking one Clean channels ... what distorts them so much??

konstantine RK · Nov 17, 2009

Clean settings (channel 1&2)....Master at 1 O clock
Presence at 1 O clock
Bass ... at 3 O Clock (the bass is not the issue)
Mids .... at noon
Treble at 12 to 1 O Clock
Gain at 8 to 9 O Clock

The cleans on this amp make the speakers sound like they are blown... Is it the pre amp tubes? I have all kinds of power amp tubes and I switch them out like guitar strings (Mesa and JJ's 6L6, 5UGB's and EL 34's)... Or should I be looking at another Mesa amp? I call this amp Good Day Bad day...

Fact is I want to sell this amp and get a simple Randall RM100 that I can trust to have the sound there when I need it but this Roadking is driving me crazy,,, the clean is less than desirable and I have done everything I can to improve it.

Are there certain modifications I could look into? Can the cleans be fixed somehow??? HELP!

b0nkersx · Nov 17, 2009

Sounds really abnormal to me. I have no problem with cleans on my RK, but I don't use a loop (I'm assuming you are?). It might be the preamp tubes. Or if you want a quick fix, try turning your master down and your output up. Drop the mids a little bit too. If you aren't using the loop, then 1:00 on the volume is going to drive the power tubes pretty hard, and you should consider running more tubes and lowering the volume knob so you have more headroom.

konstantine RK · Nov 17, 2009

Yea I think you are right about the FX loop... the Loop just died and when I turn it off it sounds alot better straight through.

You wouldn't know which preamp tube I have to replace would ya?

konstantine RK · Nov 17, 2009

Ok now that the FX loop is not working the amp actually sounds like a freaking champion!!1

Now should I go buy all new preamp tubes or replace the bad tube on in whatever "V" position it's occupying? How do you tell a bad preamp tube? The one that doesnt light up??

I was just about ready to sell the thing but hearing the dry sound of this amp made me do a 180!

Also what KIND of pre amp tubes are best for the Roadking?

b0nkersx · Nov 17, 2009

konstantine RK said:
Ok now that the FX loop is not working the amp actually sounds like a freaking champion!!1

Now should I go buy all new preamp tubes or replace the bad tube on in whatever "V" position it's occupying? How do you tell a bad preamp tube? The one that doesnt light up??

I was just about ready to sell the thing but hearing the dry sound of this amp made me do a 180!

Also what KIND of pre amp tubes are best for the Roadking?

V5 is the effects loop tube (at least in the RKII series 2, but it's in your manual anyway). You can generally tell if a preamp tube is bad by tapping it lightly with a pencil eraser while the amp is on. If you can hear any kind of feedback or crackle through the speakers, it's microphonic. If it doesn't light up, it's worth taking a look at for sure.

Also, from the sounds of it, it doesn't seem like you'll need to replace all of the preamp tubes if it sounds great as it currently is. As to what type, it's really subjective. People like a lot of different things. You'll have to do a lot of reading and experimenting to figure that one out

konstantine RK · Nov 17, 2009

b0nkersx you got it!

It was V5 and the amp sounds awesome!

Im so happy that I kept spares but Im still going to buy a new 12ax7 tomorrow along with other suggested tubes because Im pretty sure the whole pre amp section needs a replacement.

I dont know but the amp is now back to being a ROADKING! And all it was the entire time was the V5 pre amp tube!

Wow I sure am glad Im not afraid to ask dumb questions!

Thanks b0nkersx