VERY ugly sound when playing at high volume

[Basterd]

Hi,

I own a 2:90 amp, when i play at low volume its sounds great but when i turn it over to loud (like half way and up) the tone becomes really "ugly", way less tone "definition" as if the tubes cant hold the tightness of the sound, way to "over-driven".

Ive tried some EQ tweaking but this doesnt solve the "ugly-sound".

Is this a case of old tubes?!?! power or pre tubes?!?!

I know the storys on tubes when you play louder they color the sound more, but this just does not sound right. Ive owned a Marshall 9200 but never experienced this type of uber uglyness when playing LOUD.

Please help me here with some advise.

Thanks.
SiNNiX

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

How old are the tubes?

 

[Basterd]

How old are the tubes?

I dont know, its a secondhand, its the 2:90 with the blue power light, so maybe someone can tell me what years the 2:90 were build with that blue power light.

Ive looked at the mesa webiste but i cant find any info on "build years" or something.

 

[Basterd]

more then 40 people read my question but no one who can help me here?!?!?!

 

[Platypus]

Loss of tone and definition screams old power tubes, try replacing them!

 

[Timbre Wolf]

more then 40 people read my question but no one who can help me here?!?!?!

Sorry, Basterd - I thought you liked the "ugly" sound, as a good thing. Guess there's a big difference between "ugly" and "wicked," "killer," or "baaad." 8)

Here's a quick thing to try - take out your tubes, one at a time, and then re-insert them, to be sure they're properly seated. I've heard tell about recent JJ tubes having small pins, and this would also cause problems as vibrations jiggle your tubes (don't know if you've got JJs, but its worth knowing about this).

Also be sure its not a speaker or cab problem. I'm not sure if a renegade vibration is what you've been describing, but if it is... Try another speaker cab, if available. I've had some ugly vibes from cabs as their fasteners loosen over time. Tightening screws & bolts will help in this case.

Best of luck!

- T

 

[Basterd]

more then 40 people read my question but no one who can help me here?!?!?!

Sorry, Basterd - I thought you liked the "ugly" sound, as a good thing. Guess there's a big difference between "ugly" and "wicked," "killer," or "baaad." 8)

Here's a quick thing to try - take out your tubes, one at a time, and then re-insert them, to be sure they're properly seated. I've heard tell about recent JJ tubes having small pins, and this would also cause problems as vibrations jiggle your tubes (don't know if you've got JJs, but its worth knowing about this).

Also be sure its not a speaker or cab problem. I'm not sure if a renegade vibration is what you've been describing, but if it is... Try another speaker cab, if available. I've had some ugly vibes from cabs as their fasteners loosen over time. Tightening screws & bolts will help in this case.

Best of luck!

- T

Nope i dont like the ugly sound, its to "harsj" not "smooth" when playing lets say over "3 o'clock" (both channels, 2 cabs), stupid drummers . When i lower the volume to about 1/3 its sounds oke, thats the strange thing, to me.

Ive tried an other amp with the same other gear and no "ugly" sound so the speakers are fine.

Ill try to re-fit the tubes, they are standrd mesa tubes btw. When i replace the tubes do they have to be "mesa" brand? or do other "same-type" tubes work aswell? http://www.drtube.com/tubeshop.htm


Thanks for the info!

 

[Timbre Wolf]

When i replace the tubes do they have to be "mesa" brand? or do other "same-type" tubes work aswell?

From a technical point of view, you do not have to use Mesa tubes. However, they do clearly state that if you do not use their tubes, you'll void the amp's warranty. If you do not use Mesa power tubes, you must make sure the power tubes you use will allow your amp to operate in the correct bias range.

It is a matter of taste whether you use Mesa tubes or not, and personally I would not use them. But when I had a 2:90, I had it professionally modified so I could adjust the bias for non-Mesa, NOS tubes. The combo of better (IMO) NOS tubes, and adjustable bias, really brought out the best in the 2:90.

If you do not wish to go to the extra trouble to either ensure the new power tubes will work okay, or to get your amp altered for adjustable bias, then I would recommend just sticking with Boogie's tubes - it makes things a lot easier (if not quite as toneful).

Cheers!

- T

 

[Kewayne]

I'm having the same problem with my dual rectifer tremlo-verb. THE clean sounds fine, but the overdrive channel sounds like ASS! If got any furthur info, it would be appreciated.

thx
wayne

 

[Brewski]

Hey Basterd, Try reseating tubes as mentioned above, or replacing them.

First would you try backing off just a little on the volume of your guitar and see if that helps at all? Sometimes hot pickups can hinder the tone that you're after. This doesn't cost you anything to try. If it sounds a little better by backing off of your guitar volume, then you might try lowering your pickups a little to help.

If you're guitar is sounding good on other amps, then disregard the volume/pickup thing and focus on your tubes.

I just thought that it might be worth a shot.

 

[Russ]

I would say get the amp retubed with a set of tubes that will either be higher headroom or just don't play as loud. Also your choice of speaker might be the culprit here. Try different speakers too. It sounds like you are just losing definition as you get louder. Also do not forget that you will need to reevaluate your tone settings as you get louder too. I am sure you already know that part though having had a 9200.

 

[HipKitty]

I know this is an old post, but for the sake of education to the masses....consider a proper filter cap replacement. Bad, ugly sounds at high volume usually indicate worn or low grade filter caps. F&T, Sprague Atom and JJ brand filter caps are your best bet. Boogie usually uses Sprague Atoms, but if they've been "beat to death" by heavy use, and time has worked it magic, they can require replacement just like tubes.

 

[Guitarzan]

Do you change your EQ at higher volumes?