TC Electronics RH450 - volume knobs defective?

[Jeffrey Wash]

I recently purchased an RH450 through Zzounds website. It was sold to me as "blemished" due to having a small scratch on the chassis - otherwise it's considered new, comes with full warranty.

I love the amp - very much intend on making it a permanent part of my rig. But I'm not sure about the volume and tone controls: the Gain control raises volume fairly smoothly up to about 30% volume (around 9 o clock position), then there is a BIG jump in volume to the next little click on the dial. It's the same with the Master Volume - fairly smooth volume increase until a certain point, then one small turn creates a BIG volume change. Is this normal?

For loud gigs it won't be a problem, but if I'm playing a small, more intimate environment where I want a finer degree of control at lower volume levels then I can see this being an issue.

Also, with the tone control knobs I often find that I have to turn the knob 2 clicks before the led changes and the corresponding tone change occurs. But not always. Is this normal?

I really like the amp - it's a keeper for me. If this behavior is characteristic of all the the RH450 line of amps then I'll live with it. But if this is a problem with only this particular amp then I'd like to send it back and exchange while I'm still in the warranty period.

Would very much appreciate hearing from other RH450 owners on this...

 

[Jeffrey Wash]

bump...

 

[KJung]

This is normal... HOWEVER, it is primarily due to the post EQ/preset gain being set at full volume (which is the default). It makes the master volume knob a bit jumpy around 9 o'clock.

In shift mode, the tubetone knob becomes the preset post EQ volume knob. This is a GREAT feature when you have presets with different EQ profiles, or presets with the gain knob setting optimized for different instrument outputs. Wonderful, and like every other control (except master volum) it is stored in the presets.

I recommend setting the 'default post EQ volume' at between noon and 3 o'clock. That will result in your master volume control not getting such a hot input signal, and it will be much smoother throughout its taper, and will be more usable throughout a larger percentage of the taper.

It took me a while to figure this out, and is a typical issue with new users. TC should really set that secondary gain control at noon from the factory.

K

 

[KJung]

A little more info for you.

Since the RH450 preamp is solid state, you don't use the gain control for tonal purposes (like tube grind). So, here is how you optimally set the amp:

1) Set the pre gain knob just below the clip light coming on at your hardest, lowest playing level. The best way to do this is to turn the master down so you don't blow you ears out, then play as hard as you ever would on your open E while adjusting the gain knob to just below the clip light coming on. That light should NEVER come on (i.e., you want a clean but still relatively hot signal going into the pre), so you might have to turn it down just a touch more once you are on the gig, since we all play a little harder than at home when the adrenaline starts pumping.

2) Set your EQ, tubetone, compression, etc. to the level that sounds good to you on your primary preset (the one you will use most often). When you have the tone and effects right, then set the 'post gain' volume (i.e., the tubetone knob in shift mode) to noon.

3) Store that setting. That is your main 'default' amp setting.

4) If you have multiple basses, do the same thing.. setting the pregain optimally, then EQ.

5) THEN, adjust the post gain setting for bass number 2 (or EQ setting number 2 if you only use one bass) so that the volume of your main preset and the second preset is the same at a given master volume setting.

6) Store that preset and continue.

This will result in the master volume taper being quite smooth and even, and all your presets being the same volume with either different tone settings or different basses. Of course, you might not want them the same volume... another cool use of the presets is to set two presets identically EXCEPT for the post gain shift mode volume. This results in you having a normal and 'boost' preset for soloing, with the only difference being the overall volume... and you don't have to touch the master.

Hope that makes sense.. there is a LOT of power in those presets and controls!

 

[Cactoose]

Thanks very much for this info, a huge help. I also thought I had a flawed unit!

The head is perfect in every other way, but that volume boost at 9 o'clock does cause problems.

I appreciate the time youve taken putting this info together.