JFALTERW Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hey, recently got an Ampeg SVT-CL (lucky me) and have seen in plenty on vids how cranking up the input gain gives an overdriven/distorted signal. Yet try as i might i cannot seem to replicate this with my head. I use a Squier 70's vintage modified passive Jazz bass and have heard you only really get some grint if you have an active bass, but i'm not sure. Any and all help/advice would be great! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Handwired Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 You should get more than enough grunt with a passive bass - I do with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFALTERW Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 Aye, but i don't. Thus my issue :'( I'm thinking a pre-amp valve or two has gone, but not sure. A bit of help from anyone who has had a similar issue would be fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Did you get the head new or s/h? If it was second hand it might be worthwhile getting it serviced by a tec. Could you post up a pic of the settings on the head when you think it should be grinding, and have you checked both bias lights are green on the back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFALTERW Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 (edited) It was second hand. Both Bias lights are fine, when warmed up and connected to a cab. So i don't believe it's the drive tubes. I wouldn't mind taking it to a tech, just a lil nervous if it needs nay work. I know tube heads are expensive to service :/ And i have had the gain all the way up, and it doesn't really distort or grind at all, just sounds very 'high gain' if that makes any sense... Edited February 7, 2014 by JFALTERW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 What area do you live in? Some one here might be able to recommend a decent tec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 And what cab are you going through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFALTERW Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 I live in Ormskirk, but practice in Preston. So NW England really. I'm not going through a great cab either, trying to get a better one. I have a peavey TVX 4 ohm which is showing its age, and a Behringer BA410(They're both 4 ohms btw. and i don't run them both at the same time, i've tried one and then the other) Not great cabs but all i've got atm... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsy Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 'And i have had the gain all the way up, and it doesn't really distort or grind at all, just sounds very 'high gain' if that makes any sense...' I'm not sure it does..? If you crank the gain to max but keep the volume relatively low with the 'master' then your not gonna get distortion.. Just use a pedal perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anders Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I also have a CL. I have tried a few different preamptubes.They all have given some kind of distortion with the gain-knob on full.I have noticed that it makes quite some difference what preamptubes you use,but I have never tried a 5751 for instance,or even lower gain. http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/shop_Other_brands_OEM_Tubes_Preamp_doubletriodes/5751_GE_NOS_USA_3348 Maybe the previous owner put some very low-gain preamptubes in it.It's easy to check.Unscrew the 4 screws on top and carefully pull the frontplate out until you can reach the two preamptubes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTypeV4 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='JFALTERW' timestamp='1391811209' post='2361698'] I live in Ormskirk, but practice in Preston. So NW England really. I'm not going through a great cab either, trying to get a better one. I have a peavey TVX 4 ohm which is showing its age, and a Behringer BA410([u][b]They're both 4 ohms btw[/b][/u]. and i don't run them both at the same time, i've tried one and then the other) Not great cabs but all i've got atm... [/quote] I believe your amp will happily work at two ohms so you could run both cabs together.. Doesn't solve your gain issue but might be of use to know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='Marsy' timestamp='1391812061' post='2361708'] If you crank the gain to max but keep the volume relatively low with the 'master' then your not gonna get distortion.. Just use a pedal perhaps? [/quote] You should get some distortion with gain on full, regardless of where the master volume sits, as long as the signal is hot enough to overdrive the preamp valves. Cranking the master volume is where the lovely power amp valve distortion will kick in. My first thought was how hot is the signal from your passive bass? On my valve amp with gain cranked, I get minimal distortion through my passive, yet plug in the active and it can be a real monster. When I put my passive bass through a clean boost (eg Markbass Superbooster) it gets filthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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