Want Pre500 tone? Here's how to get it!

[Anonymous]

I removed C10, C12, changed R110 from 680k to 470k and removed and jumped R322 and this was the result...

http://www.tonefinder.com/files/40-Open%20A%20Clip.mp3 :twisted:

Just some Fear Factory inspired riffs, same settings as before but think I should've lowered the presence a bit.

Sounds cool! I'd leave R322 without a jump, personally. By jumping that, you're bypassing R110 and C9 (tone shaping circuit) and bringing up gain levels further.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Just for somebody else's info.....i put 1 meg gain pots in ch 2 & 3 of my 3ch Triple plus did the red channel presence mod. It sounds killer. I always thought my Triple was lacking in gain, SEVERELY, compared to my buddy's Triple. I ohmed out the stock gain pots....they were only 100k. Aren't they supposed to be 250k, stock?

 

[JCDenton6]

:shock: :shock: :shock: 100k?!? Damn that's crazy man, did someone make a mistake at Mesa building that?
I believe 250k is stock for the Rev G and 3 channel rectos.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

I think so.....i bought it new. I've always had to use a tube screamer with the gain at just over half to get any kind of saturation comparable to any other rectos i have heard. It has 1meg pots in it now and i run the gain at 9 o'clock on the amp and use the OD as a clean boost and it has gobs of gain.

 

[Anonymous]

Just for somebody else's info.....i put 1 meg gain pots in ch 2 & 3 of my 3ch Triple plus did the red channel presence mod. It sounds killer. I always thought my Triple was lacking in gain, SEVERELY, compared to my buddy's Triple. I ohmed out the stock gain pots....they were only 100k. Aren't they supposed to be 250k, stock?

Wow! That's pretty ridiculous.

There's a 20pF cap going from the V2a grid to ground (not sure of the number). If you have a minute to experiment, I highly recommend removing that when using 1M pots. The Tremoverbs don't have this cap, and I feel the top end bite is much better without it.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

I'd have to know exactly which cap it is....i'd never find it even with a schematic, lol.

 

[JCDenton6]

Clips? :mrgreen:

 

[R_ADKINS80]

gunna try to dig out my recording gear and fire up the laptop this weekend. If i get some decent clips i'll link em on netmusicians.org.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

^^^^so does anyone have an idea which cap that is on a 3ch recto?

 

[JCDenton6]

Not sure of the number but it's a small orange ceramic capacitor, should be near the V2 preamp tube socket (I'll search for 3 ch schematics when I get home)

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Cool, I'd much appreciate it.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/60002/mesaboogie_dual%20rectifier%203%20ch.html

i see it on the schematic, but it doesn't say which cap number it is. I am very anxious to try this and unlock more tone! lol

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have a hi res gut shot photo? I might be able to point it out...

 

[JCDenton6]

Do you have a hi res gut shot photo? I might be able to point it out...

Ha, you read my mind. :lol:

You can also remove the 82pf cap and then remove and jump the 2m resistor below that 82pf cap near V1A and replace the 680k resistor with a 470k below that.
You can also remove and jump the 100k resistors on all the cathodes, this is what I did to my Triple and I think it would make your Triple nearly identical in tone to mine, if not exact.

I wish I had been able to record better clips while I was borrowing the SM57... I didn't have the chance to really crank it, it doesn't do my amp justice at all., it sounds much better in the room

 

[R_ADKINS80]

I will try to open the amp up this week and get some gut shots.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

It would make mine clise to that even though it's a 3ch and yours is a 2ch?

Do you have a hi res gut shot photo? I might be able to point it out...

Ha, you read my mind. :lol:

You can also remove the 82pf cap and then remove and jump the 2m resistor below that 82pf cap near V1A and replace the 680k resistor with a 470k below that.
You can also remove and jump the 100k resistors on all the cathodes, this is what I did to my Triple and I think it would make your Triple nearly identical in tone to mine, if not exact.

I wish I had been able to record better clips while I was borrowing the SM57... I didn't have the chance to really crank it, it doesn't do my amp justice at all., it sounds much better in the room

 

[Anonymous]

It would make mine clise to that even though it's a 3ch and yours is a 2ch?

Do you have a hi res gut shot photo? I might be able to point it out...

Ha, you read my mind. :lol:

You can also remove the 82pf cap and then remove and jump the 2m resistor below that 82pf cap near V1A and replace the 680k resistor with a 470k below that.
You can also remove and jump the 100k resistors on all the cathodes, this is what I did to my Triple and I think it would make your Triple nearly identical in tone to mine, if not exact.

I wish I had been able to record better clips while I was borrowing the SM57... I didn't have the chance to really crank it, it doesn't do my amp justice at all., it sounds much better in the room

The cathodes on 3ch Rectifiers have 100 ohm resistors (think that's what you meant) to simulate the LDRs. I'd remove and jump them. The 2M || 82pF circuit is not something you should change if you're strictly looking for Pre500 tone. If you want to mod further, then sure, but otherwise this circuit is equivalent.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

i will be opening up the amp tonight and hosting pics....thanks a million you guys!

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Well it looks like the storm we got today knocked out our internet. All i got is a couple pictures on my phone but they are really clear pictures. Anyone know how/where i can host them from my smart phone? Or does anyone want to pm me an email addy i can send them to so you can view them?

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Just for somebody else's info.....i put 1 meg gain pots in ch 2 & 3 of my 3ch Triple plus did the red channel presence mod. It sounds killer. I always thought my Triple was lacking in gain, SEVERELY, compared to my buddy's Triple. I ohmed out the stock gain pots....they were only 100k. Aren't they supposed to be 250k, stock?

Wow! That's pretty ridiculous.

There's a 20pF cap going from the V2a grid to ground (not sure of the number). If you have a minute to experiment, I highly recommend removing that when using 1M pots. The Tremoverbs don't have this cap, and I feel the top end bite is much better without it.

when looking at the 3ch recto schematic, v2a is for ch1