SVT II - no gain control

[xinchao]

I have an older (early 90's) SVT II (non pro) all tube head.
This head has only one channel and volume control, no gain. So I have to put the volume very low (2 or 3), and I can't get some tube distorsion without blowing everything up...
So, to have a more distorted sound I use a bluesdriver, in front of the amp.

I thought about using a redbox between head and cab, but I never tried yet.
It may be possible to boost the volume in the fx loop, to distort the output tubes and not the preamp tubes ?
I see that some SVT II owners use the EQ to pump up the gain but the control is far from what I expect...

 

[megadan]

The single control is a gain, not a master volume, just to be clear.

Try using a cleaner boost pedal in front of the amp to slam the preamp a little harder; that's what guitarists do.

You could also try it in the effects loop, I'm not sure how the SVT-II is layed out but it's worth a shot for sure.

 

[xinchao]

Try using a cleaner boost pedal in front of the amp to slam the preamp a little harder; that's what guitarists do.

I saw this on a review "do not attempt to crank up the pre-amp tubes but use the O.U.T.P.U.T.-tubes."
that's why I thought it should be better to get distortion with the fx loop or with a redbox

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Just turn the damned thing up

"gain" controls are for the preamp.

Only way to get the output tubes going is to pump more volume through them


(not only way, but the most fun)

 

[LuckyCondlins]

Dude you need to tell us one thing.

Open up the top of the amp.

Pull the plug.

Wiggle the first preamp tube ( farthest tube on the left of the head, and its the closest one to the front) and remove it from its socket.

Read us what kind of tube it is.

If you have lets say a JJ Tesla 12ax7, your going to have headroom for AGES. ei, if your first tube is a JJ than when you crank the volume, instead of distorting, the tube actually compresses itself, so even at 5-6 your going to have a clean and compressed sound.

I put in a Sovtek 12ax7WB in that first slot, JJ in the second, Peavey 12ax7 in the third, and WAMALA, warm, thick, and nice distortion around 4-5.

The thing with these tube amps, is that the FIRST preamp tube is going to be your most important one that will help color the tone, The signal is processed through the first tube, and is split between the second and third. So if you have a clean tube with compression in the first slot, thats basically what you will get.

do u know what I mean? Now, open that bastard up, just wiggle that first tube all the way towads the front closest to that input jack, and pull her out and read what it says on it!

I wont be here, but others will be able to helps

-JohN

 

[LuckyCondlins]

im gonna bump this back up. i want you to tell us what preamp tube you have in that very first slot, closest to the input jack.

this will explain a lot

 

[xinchao]

so the big tubes on the rear side are the output tubes ? i've one or two tubes that are ringing when I touch them, it seems they're a bit old ?

i'll tell you for the front tubes, thanks!

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Sounds like they are maybe becoming microphonic

 

[Ampeg SVT]

They are microphonic, you want to replace those.

Once you get the right set of tubes in there you can crank it with some dirt, I always had a problem with it becoming too farty though.