Studio .22+ graphic EQ question

[DS-1]

Ho guys!

I've purchased a .22+ in very good shape from the early 90.

I really like the sound. I've found that the eq seems not to affect the sound when in LEAD mode, while in RHYTHM mode it works fine (I'm using the DOWN button position "EQ IN" and it doesn't work).

Also, it seems that LEAD MASTER affects the sound in LEAD mode only slightly (it basically adds a little bit of gain).

What should I check to find if I'm doing it in the property way?

Thanks in advance for the reply!

 

[JustPassingThrough]

The manual is always a good place to start.

 

[DS-1]

The manual is always a good place to start.

I've checked the manual and also see a couple of videos on YouTube to see how exactly the two volumes work and I think my amp is not working properly (or it has been modified to do something else).

I've tried changing v1 and V2 preamp tubes to check if they're were broken, but nothing changed. I think I need a tech repair for it

 

[J.H.]

From the manual

LEAD MASTER This control, which is operative only in the Lead mode, works together with the regular Master to determine your Lead volume. It is "in series" with the regular Master, and is located "before" it in the signal path. It is also located just before the Effects Loop, and therefore acts as an effects send control for the Lead mode (whatever level is set here is the level your effects will receive), whereas the regular Master is placed after the Loop. You'll most likely find your ideal Lead/Rhythm balance with the Lead Master somewhere between 3 and 5; its exact setting, of course, is up to you.

GRAPHIC EQUALIZER (Optional) This feature greatly expands the tonal flexibility of your Studio .22 Plus. (But for those who've opted not to order this option -- don't worry! All of the R & D for tonal performance was conducted without using the Equalizer, so that it wouldn't be necessary for getting great tone.)

The EQ selector switch (located to the right of the sliders) offers three modes of operation: EQ AUTO (upper position); EQ OUT (center unlabelled position); and EQ IN (lower position). In EQ AUTO, the equalizer is activated automatically whenever you switch to the Lead mode, and is turned off when you switch to Rhythm. In effect, this gives you a separate tone preset for Lead. In EQ OFF, the equalizer is off in both modes, but can be footswitched remotely on or off with the optional EQ Footswitch (which connects to the rear panel EQ jack). In EQ IN, the equalizer will be active in both Lead and Rhythm (but cannot be footswitched remotely). Although there are hundreds of different ways to set the Graphic, there's one setting that's particularly popular: the classic “V” Move the first and last sliders about three-fourths of the way up. Move the second and fourth sliders two-thirds of the way up. Move the center slider about three-quarters of the way down ... then fine-tune the sound using just this center slider. You'll hear how a slight adjustment at the 750 Hz position makes a dramatic difference in the sound. This “V” setting makes the amp sound bigger, bolder and stronger... especially at very soft playing levels.

 

[DS-1]

From the manual

Ok!

in my case, the two channels have a lot of difference in terms of volume. The clean channel is around 1.5 to match the LEAD channel on 10. Also, the LEAD channel seems not to have a lot of gain. I have the same amount of gain on both channels (I've seen a couple of videos of YouTube about the studio .22+ with the graphic EQ and the LEAD channel seems to have a lot of gain, compared to the clean channel, using the same settings).

Always in my case, the graphic EQ just doesn't work in LEAD mode.

I think mine has some modification inside.

 

[J.H.]

Interesting. I noticed you mentioned swapping the V1 and V2 tubes, what about V3?

 

[DS-1]

Interesting. I noticed you mentioned swapping the V1 and V2 tubes, what about V3?

I tried to change all the tubes. I used 5x 12ax7 from Mesa and two Sovtek EL84 to test. Nothing changed.

Here's a couple of pictures of the board. It seems that the main transformer has been changed. Also, some parts are soldered from the other side of the PCB (as seen in the picture).