Overdriving tube amps and crossovers: do they ever play nice?

christw · #1 10-22-2011, 09:28 PM

Looking at the fEarful crew among a few others. I know people like these cabs for being clean. What are they like when you get dirty? How would say one or two 15/6/1 hold up to my SVT running hot with an overdriven preamp? Would it have hf fizzle? Would it roar like it should? Would it sound wonky? How about a 120w Sound City? Or my B15-N when it's up and running?

Anyways, I'm asking, if it's normally extremely clean, does it always sound awkward when it's dirty? Or was Bob Saget's career and my cabinet experience just a fluke and there is something that can do everything for me?

will33 · #2 10-22-2011, 09:31 PM

I'd leave the tweeter out and just do a 15/6. The distortion should sound fine with a paper cone carrying the highs.

rpsands · #3 10-22-2011, 09:38 PM

I dirty the hell out of my 15/6. I wouldn't hesitate with the horn specified in the fEarful plans of just turning the attenuator down if needed for dirt. It's a high xover point and very robust.

christw · #4 10-22-2011, 09:43 PM

Okay, so I just need to avoid these big name cabs with full-range ten's and a hf driver that only adds painful and shrill sounds to the fray...

JGR · #5 10-22-2011, 09:45 PM

I would go with 15/6s which is what I'm in the process of building; I like dirt and anticipate they will work very well. Talking with GB, he uses all kinds of OD, distortion, and other effects, and has had great results - I certainly trust his opinion.

will33 · #6 10-22-2011, 09:45 PM

Ya, it's the tweeter that sounds crap with overdrive. The fearfuls is way better incorporated than "regular" bass cabs but I'd still leave it out, the 6 reaches plenty high.