Amps & Other Guitar Gear

A place for our musicians to talk about equipment, technique, theory, etc.
Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

Edit: Wrong info. :)
Last edited by Andy92 on Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

Changing tubes isn't too bad, but you have to be careful when biasing.

Basically you just have to make sure you're careful when you adjust the trim pot for bias. Since the amp is turned on, you can risk being shocked if you accidentally touch a capacitor. You'll be fine as long as you're careful, just be aware that the voltage in the amp is enough to kill someone.

But when you bias, make sure the amp is still plugged into a speaker or the lack of a load on the output will cause damage. You'll need a multimeter and a resistor to measure the bias current...if you've watched videos I figure you know the procedure process though.
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

User avatar
HellRazor1281
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:51 pm
Location: Floral Park, NY
Contact:

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by HellRazor1281 »

I've seen some biasing vids specifically geared for Peavey amps, like the JSX, which I believe has a similar chassis layout to my XXX, where you don't even have to remove the chassis from the case, or even open it up, to access the pot for biasing. So that should (theoretically) drastically reduce the risk of hitting a capacitor, which I know is where the voltage is enough to fry you. I ordered a multimeter that I believe has a resistor as part of the whole setup, so I hopefully should have no issues. But I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks!
Image

Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

Some amps do have an external access point to the trim pot which is really nice. I wasn't sure if the XXX had that or not, but if it does that would make things easier. Good luck!
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

Lukeage
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 6:37 am

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Lukeage »

Electrics:
- Epiphone Les Paul Standard (ebony)
- Epiphone Les Paul Studio (wine red)
- Gretsch Electromatic G5235 (solidbody with no Bigsby) (black with walnut back/sides)
- Vintage Icon v100 (honeyburst)
- Squier Affinity Telecaster (butterscotch blonde, maple neck)

Acoustics:
- Cort MR710F
- Tanglewood Rosewood Reserve

Amps:
- Jet City JCA20H + matching 1x12" cab

FX/pedals:
- Korg Pitch Black tuner
- DigiTech Bad Monkey OD
- DigiTech Hot Head Dist
- tc electronic nova repeater delay
- tc electronic Hall of Fame reverb

Comments:
- Vintage Icon v100 very poorly made guitars IMO. Stock hardware very poor quality, especially the machineheads (Wilkinsons)
- Not sure about the Tanglewood acoustic. Quite a boxy little character. Got a good deal on it. Is pretty good plugged in but not great just on its own.
- Very impressed with the pedals above though the Hot Head can be a little bit narky (slight tweaks can give you a really tinny, buzzy overly distorted sound that's quite unpleasant and just makes things scream with gain... would consider replacing this in the future).

Wants:
- I'd like a hollowbody Gretsch with Bigsby some day.
- Maybe a Strat w/humbucker in the bridge + maple neck, in some kind of washed cherry finish.
- I'd also be really keen to get a 59 reissue Gibson LP...
- AND a space where I can turn the amp up and nobody will care. Even though it's only a 20w head it can get surprisingly loud!!

User avatar
HellRazor1281
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:51 pm
Location: Floral Park, NY
Contact:

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by HellRazor1281 »

Andy92 wrote:Some amps do have an external access point to the trim pot which is really nice. I wasn't sure if the XXX had that or not, but if it does that would make things easier. Good luck!
So it took a while to get the parts I needed to be able to bias the tubes, but the job is done! I was right, the biasing trim pot is on the outside of the chassis, right next to the bias switcher to select 6L6 or EL34 tubes. Biasing the tubes was easy as hell, but time consuming since you have to give it 10-15 minutes running hot to get a consistent reading and make final adjustments. Total cost, less than $100 for the parts and a few hrs of labor and waiting. The Triple XXX is beasting once more lol.
Image

Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

Good deal man! Glad it had an easy access point and you were able to get it done.
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

Bumping this just to move it closer to the top of the forums.
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

PiggySmallz
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:40 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by PiggySmallz »

Current Gear:

Guitars:
Charvel San DImas USA - Candy Red
ESP/LTD EX-351D
Gibson Les Paul Studio Silverburst w/ ebony fretboard
PRS SC250 - Platinum Metallic
PRS Custom 24 - Faded Blue Burst

Effects:
Dunlop Original Cry Baby Wah
Morley Tremonti Power Wah
TC Electronics G Major II in the effects loops

Cabinet:
Mills Acoustics Afterburner 4x12 straight cab w Celestion Vintage 30s (Speaker change coming soon)

Amps:
Mesa Dual Rectifier Reborn Multi Watt (2010)
PRS Archon (2014)

Image

User avatar
austinjhnsn
Slip To The Void
Posts: 4142
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:01 am

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by austinjhnsn »

Is that flame on the archon actually a piece of maple?
Image
Thanks Timo!

PiggySmallz
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:40 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by PiggySmallz »

Yep, PRS does this with a few of their other amp models as well. Here's a close up of the maple.

Image

Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

PiggySmallz wrote:Current Gear:

Guitars:
Charvel San DImas USA - Candy Red
ESP/LTD EX-351D
Gibson Les Paul Studio Silverburst w/ ebony fretboard
PRS SC250 - Platinum Metallic
PRS Custom 24 - Faded Blue Burst

Effects:
Dunlop Original Cry Baby Wah
Morley Tremonti Power Wah
TC Electronics G Major II in the effects loops

Cabinet:
Mills Acoustics Afterburner 4x12 straight cab w Celestion Vintage 30s (Speaker change coming soon)

Amps:
Mesa Dual Rectifier Reborn Multi Watt (2010)
PRS Archon (2014)

Image
I'll trade you my Roland Cube for all that crap. I'm doing you a big favor here.
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

PiggySmallz
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:40 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by PiggySmallz »

Andy92 wrote: I'll trade you my Roland Cube for all that crap. I'm doing you a big favor here.
Throw in a schecter with a terrible set up and EMGs that need a new battery and you might have a deal. All joking aside, Roland Cubes are awesome little amps!

User avatar
austinjhnsn
Slip To The Void
Posts: 4142
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 12:01 am

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by austinjhnsn »

oh my, piggysmallz, that is a beautiful set up.
Image
Thanks Timo!

Andy92
You Waste Your Time
Posts: 14001
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:52 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by Andy92 »

PiggySmallz wrote:
Andy92 wrote: I'll trade you my Roland Cube for all that crap. I'm doing you a big favor here.
Throw in a schecter with a terrible set up and EMGs that need a new battery and you might have a deal. All joking aside, Roland Cubes are awesome little amps!
Actually it is pretty solid for its price lol.
anguyen92 wrote:Oh well. Deal with it.

PiggySmallz
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:40 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by PiggySmallz »

austinjhnsn wrote:oh my, piggysmallz, that is a beautiful set up.
Thanks man!!
Andy92 wrote:Actually it is pretty solid for its price lol.
I did the Artist Session with Mark when they were in town a few months ago. We were playing through one in the practice room. I think it was a cube, I don't really remember. Anyway, he said that when it came time to track solos, he felt much more comfortable tracking through that and letting Elvis reamp it later on. He had gotten used to using that little amp at home while the kids were sleeping haha.

DeadCell
Come To Life
Posts: 5654
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:03 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by DeadCell »

Updated my cabs thread, but I'll leave it here too. My rig:

Image

Image

(*'s represent pieces of my primary setup)

Guitars:
Schecter S-1 Elite *
ESP LTD H-351FR *
PRS SE Singlecut
PRS Tremonti SE *
Ibanez GSA60
Dean Performer *
Schecter Stiletto Extreme-5

Amps:
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (Rev F) *
Orange PPC212 cab *
Crate XT120R

Effects:
Line 6 POD HD500
Ibanez WD-7 Weeping Demon *
Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff
Boss CH-1 Super Chorus *
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal

User avatar
HellRazor1281
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2013 4:51 pm
Location: Floral Park, NY
Contact:

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by HellRazor1281 »

PiggySmallz wrote:
austinjhnsn wrote:oh my, piggysmallz, that is a beautiful set up.
Thanks man!!
Andy92 wrote:Actually it is pretty solid for its price lol.
I did the Artist Session with Mark when they were in town a few months ago. We were playing through one in the practice room. I think it was a cube, I don't really remember. Anyway, he said that when it came time to track solos, he felt much more comfortable tracking through that and letting Elvis reamp it later on. He had gotten used to using that little amp at home while the kids were sleeping haha.
I did the same one in NYC, he said the same thing. I think it was called Pandora's Box, but I forget the maker's name. Tried looking it up though, no luck. The 'assistant' guitarist played through a Roland Cube.
Image

willy5150
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 144
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:19 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by willy5150 »

Pandora"s box by Korg.. That had some good presets in it, by Vai, and Petrucci..

PiggySmallz
TABN.com Citizen
Posts: 107
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 11:40 pm

Re: Amps & Other Guitar Gear

Post by PiggySmallz »

HellRazor1281 wrote: I did the same one in NYC, he said the same thing. I think it was called Pandora's Box, but I forget the maker's name. Tried looking it up though, no luck. The 'assistant' guitarist played through a Roland Cube.
I was in the same room as you lol I was at the NYC show also

Post Reply