turning gain way up on Roadster

[jhguitar1]

I have been trying different settings with my Roadster. I tried turning the gain on Channel 3 to 3:00 or more and found that I like it. I am not doing it for more gain, just more saturation. I have emg's which are a little sterile. I'm not doing any chugging palm muting so the bit of mushyness doesn't bother me.I also run it on Spongy and 50 watts so I can get the master volume up more.
Is it bad for the amp to have the gain up like that? I assume it will go through pre-amp tubes faster especially since I also use an OCD, but I don't care as long as I have a tone I am happy with. I just want to make sure I am not doing any damage to the head.

Thanks

 

[fdesalvo]

Crank away, brothah!

 

[Anonymous]

On the vintage channel, you can crank the gain all the way up and it'll still be fine. On the modern channel however, I wouldn't turn it up past 2:00, and even that would be high.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

If you're pushing the master, running EMGs, AND running the gain that high, I'd be worried about ungodly feedback.

Not to mention way OVER saturated tone :wink:

 

[Platypus]

You're rending your tone controls completely useless in this case but it won't hurt anything. If you like it then go for it.

 

[clutch71]

You should be fine at lower volumes but as you drive the master it might bet a little muddy, like Ibanez and Platy said

I don't think you'll damage the amp. I thought I read in the Mesa manual that running the gain and treble higher would shorten the preamp tube life over time.

 

[jhguitar1]

I'm just experiementing with different settings. I love the Roadster but I think it's the EMG's that I am not liking very much. I'm trying to give them a little character.

 

[dmotisko]

I'm just experiementing with different settings. I love the Roadster but I think it's the EMG's that I am not liking very much. I'm trying to give them a little character.

Use a hammer !!!!!!! :lol:

Emg's are great in the studio for being quiet but like you said they can sound a little sterile. There are tons of pickups out there, I would toy around and try some. I am really liking the Dimarzio Tone Zone (bridge) and the Dimarzio Air Norton (neck) combination, they have a nice hot wrap and have great output.