Roadster Preamp Tube Suggestions

[Blaklynx]

After years of reading internet forums I've found that a lot of people who're into high gain seem to follow the mindset that "More=More". They want the highest output pickups with the highest gain amplifiers and still boost it for all it's worth thinking that more is better.

While I've never been big into boosting I was a long time disciple of EMGs into a Recto with the Recto on full power. The massive gut punch is addictive.

Over time I've developed a lot of appreciation for lower powered stuff... kind of like what you're doing by bringing the gain down and hitting it with a slight boost. I started using lower output pickups; I reduce the volume on my guitar to clean up the first gain stage and get tighter results throughout the remainder of the preamp; I reduce the tone on my guitar to create more clarity (less fizz); I generally run the bare minimum amount of gain required to get the correct feel in the amplifier and rely more on volume to create the effect I want; recently I've started reducing the power using both the variac and tube rectifier settings... even on my aggressive rhythm sounds. The results are an articulate bone crunch with swirling harmonics that makes me smile every time I hear it.

I'm not saying that my way is right or that you'll even like my results, just encouraging further experimentation all directions imaginable.

Agree. Low gain on the amp is where it's at. Use OD pedals and even cascade 2~3 OD pedals every now and then to get the chugging-palm-mute type of tone. Use one pedal for nice bluesy tones, use 2 for hard rock stuff and use 3 for metal. Usually I just use 2 pedals.

In my Rectoverb, I run a 5751 tube in V1 and the gain dial on the amp is between 10~10.30 oclock. The pedals do the remainder of the work. My amp really is 'low gain' with this tube and settings. It's absurd though because the amp has huge amounts of gain even with the 5751.

And furthet to low output: Malmsteen prefers low output pickups (last I read anything on him some years back). You can always boost the signal but you can't reduce a high ouput pickup without affecting the tone.... this is what I found out.... so Malmsteen was / is onto something.

Seems less = more..... but most learn that after being in denial until 39 yrs of age....lol

 

[Big_Al]

OK I have been mixing tubes in V1, V2 and V4 and just started changing out V6. I have been leaving V3 & V5 alone since the only chinese tubes I have are the JJ/Mesa tubes. Any suggestions or ideas about the type of tube I should use for channels 3 & 4? I know that question is not very clear but I was reading that each tube slot can effect a certain range (treble/mid/bass) in the sound for each channel...or something like that.

I have noticed a big difference is swapping tubes. It has been a lot of fun and makes me appreciate the amp more and more.

THanks!

 

[ChrisOfTheDamned]

Hey guys!

I got the tubes in the mail saturday.
I don't have rehearsal till friday night so I won't know how they sound till then.

I will post an update when I do so!

-Cheers!

 

[Big_Al]

I finally got to play my Roadster out with our band. I was worried that it might not cut through the mix (especially how I typically set the amp tone) but it worked great. I am using EL34 tubes with a mixture of Mesa branded tubes, EH and a Sovtek at V6 (thanks screamingdaisy for mentioning this tube). I have never had this much fun tweaking an amp. I have not been practicing as much as I should because I have been playing around with this amp. The wife and kids will be out of the house all day on Saturday and I have a few more tubes to try. Looking forward to it!

Before I bought this amp, my decision was down to a MKV and the Roadster. I still wonder what the Mark V would have been like but I am very happy with Roadster.

 

[skoora]

I find that if you want a classic hard rock sound from any of the settings on CH 1 and 2 (yeah Clean will get nasty too) put the channel Master almost at maximum. This may not be practical live but definitely for recording. The amp gets more gain and the mids and treble push even more.