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Topic: Power Amps & Tone |
Richard Tipple
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2010 2:35 pm |
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How much does a power amp effect tone, if any? I use a rack set up with a Randal power amp. thats getting up there in years, probably, 20 years 
Is there a prefered frequency range of amps for steel ? I dont know the frequency of my old Randal amp, but feel I could do better with a newer Amp. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2010 9:04 am
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| I think the biggest difference in tone with power amps is whether or not they are tube or solid state. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 20 Jan 2010 9:17 am
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There is a big difference in power amps that are designed for musical instrument amplification compared to a "PA" power amp.
The PA power amps have an excellent frequency response but can also affect instrument tone.
A good example is the MosValve 1500/500 power amps that are designed for musical instrument amplification compared to a PA amp such as a Peavey DPC750. Many use the DPC750 (and higher power 1000 or 1400) because they are 1 rack space and relatively light. BUT, it's a flat frequency response, not "voiced" (as Mike Brown of Peavey likes to call it) for instruments and thus the DPC amps tend to lose low frequency response and mid response compared to the MosValve amps.
A good example, I had a Peavey Transtube Fex I was using as a preamp/effects processor and a MosValve 500 power amp. It had a great tone. I sold the MosValve 500 as I had bought a DPC1000 to lighten the load. However, with the DPC1000, I couldn't get enough lows, no matter what I changed or set in the Transtube Fex. I don't have any of it now as I sold my rack system and am now just using a Nashville 112. But, I've seen similar complaints with other amps that were not designed for musical instrument amplification. |
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Adam Sorber
From:
Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2010 9:44 am
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more importantly is what you are using to preamp your signal into any power amp.
_________________
Adam Sorber
Sho Bud PROII custom D-10
Sho Bud PROII custom SD-10
Fender Super Twin Reverb
Fender Ultra-linear Twin Reverb |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2010 10:18 am
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The MossValve 962 has a tone control for each channel.
It's a nice feature for a power amp. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2010 10:26 am
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| I use the MossValve 982. It's the same amp as the 962 but in a one space configuration. Excellent amp. |
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Richard Tipple
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 20 Jan 2010 2:26 pm
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I use a Revelation for a preamp, along with a Lexicon MPX1 into a 15" BW 1504 SB speaker box.
Its high end equipment ,powered by an old amp 
with probably narrow frequency responce.
I can get all the bottom end I want, but theres still somthing missing from the mids on up 
Guess I should sell some equipment & buy a TC ?
If a TC & Revelation dosent cure it,,I QUIT!!
But for now, I want to try a newer power amp,,might save me some $$
Looks like Jack might have the answer, its in the frequency responce of the amp,,thanks Jack, for the explanation & Info.
Now if I can find a good MossValve amp |
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