chewy notes on D-style amps

[JHP]

I have a 102 and have used a bunch of different value bright caps and currently have no bright cap and the OD is easier to manage. No harshness at all. I like the amp better this way.
However the chewy reference Jing Chi recording has the bright cap. RF playes loud though. It's gonna sound different pushing some air.

What is the rest of the signal chain? Rack fx? Mixer? Tubes? Pedals in front?

[greg54]

What is the rest of the signal chain? Rack fx? Mixer? Tubes? Pedals in front?

Mark has been really patient with me, helping me trying to get the harshness out, and I really appreciate his willingness to help and his patience.

JHP: It's just amp and loop. No pedals in front, no rack fx. As for tubes: NOS preamp, and TAD power tubes.

Greg

[JHP]

I've had Dumble clones before that were voiced similar to this one that didn't have harshness at low volumes. So I know it can be done.

With my 102 with the bright cap in the key to smooth OD at any volume was where the master was set. Depending on the the taper of the pot it should be between 4-7 if it's less than a 30% taper pot then up to 6-7
Of course the trick is finding the balance because as the master goes higher and OD gets smoother the cleans get darker.

Also with my D-Lator past 10:00 on the drive can add harshness.

What are the length of cables to and from the Lator? The average is 6-7' You could go longer 10-12' That will smooth things a bit.

If you are going for RF tone consider that he is using a volume pedal that adds capacitance and 20-30' of cable before the amp and running a delay in the loop.

[greg54]

I just checked, and my cables are only 3'. So I should look into longer cables. I will also keep playing around with the knobs on the loop and amp.

Structo said his bright cap was a 30pf. I may try that if all else fails.

Greg

[sepulchre]

Have you tried backing off the tone a little on your guitar?

[greg54]

I always run my volume and tone on the guitar on 10. But it's worth a shot to see if rolling back a bit on the tone might help.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Greg

[tag101]

I'm new at this, so please bear with me.
I was wondering what creates the "chewiness" on the notes with D-style amps.

In the video below, around 1:55, the notes are "chewy" - for lack of a better description.
What changes do I have to make to my amp to increase that chewy texture?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edOCecK7v5A

This is not meant to be a put down, or anything negative at all, so please do not take it that way. If you want that sound, dead on, get yourself a Quinn 183 clone. I can 100% nail any tone in that clip with nothing but a Quinn 183, Trex roomate in the loop, and using a PRS semi hollow Artist 3 with 57/08 pups, Mesa 4/12 with G12H30 speakers. That "chewiness" is one of the missing elements in every clone I tried until Quinn nailed it. Its the only amp other than certain Dumbles that will give you that tone. No Dulator, Master bright caps or special cables needed. Right out of the box, it will NAIL those tones. I have heard a few other "183" attempts now, and they were not even in the ballpark. Grab a Quinn 183 and be done with struggling to get authentic Ford type of D tones. They are one and the same. On top of that, you will be able to get all kinds of much richer, harmonic drenched tones by turning the presence and treble way up, still with no harshness. Buy one and enjoy! You DO have to know how to adjust your technique to mimick Ford however. If you cant do that, practice will get you much farther than any amp will.

[greg54]

I appreciate the suggestion, Tag. I really do. But I had a Quinn...and I like what I currently have.

Mark Kane is really great to work with. I have no complaints. Just trying to get this harshness thing under control.

Greg

[tag101]

I appreciate the suggestion, Tag. I really do. But I had a Quinn...and I like what I currently have.

Mark Kane is really great to work with. I have no complaints. Just trying to get this harshness thing under control.

Greg

Hey Greg,
Did you have a Quinn 183 clone, or a different model? Really interested because the Quinn 183 will nail those tones with no adjusting or tube swaps, cable lengths, bright caps or etc etc. If you had a different model and live in the N.jersey area, feel free to stop by and play that clip and use my amps and guitars to check for yourself. No knock on Mark kane or anyone else. I know Mark is a really good guy, and I am sure his amps are excellent. Its just the tone you are looking for is easy to get with the Quinn. Certain dumbles just get that tone with no fuss. Its just the way they sound. Plug in, and there it is. Its the reason I bought 183 to begin with. Nothing else could get that sound, and I tried everything. Dumble 183, plugged in, there it was! Any volume, almost any guitar. cake!

[sepulchre]

Tag, just curious - do you play humbuckers or single coils?

[da Geezer]

I always run my volume and tone on the guitar on 10. But it's worth a shot to see if rolling back a bit on the tone might help.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Greg

Work the volume knob, too!

Try backing it down a bit (1/2 to 3/4 up....depends on the guitar) THEN adjust the amp to taste. I bet that will go a long way towards getting better tone.
Then you can tweak the volume & tone on the guitar "on the fly" for more or less "chewiness", or OD, or brightness....whatever you want will be right there at your fingertips.

I used to do the same (run the guitar controls all the way up) and it revolutionized my tone when I learned how to use them for what they are intended.

G

[greg54]

Hey Greg,
Did you have a Quinn 183 clone, or a different model? Really interested because the Quinn 183 will nail those tones with no adjusting or tube swaps, cable lengths, bright caps or etc etc. If you had a different model and live in the N.jersey area, feel free to stop by and play that clip and use my amps and guitars to check for yourself. No knock on Mark kane or anyone else. I know Mark is a really good guy, and I am sure his amps are excellent. Its just the tone you are looking for is easy to get with the Quinn. Certain dumbles just get that tone with no fuss. Its just the way they sound. Plug in, and there it is. Its the reason I bought 183 to begin with. Nothing else could get that sound, and I tried everything. Dumble 183, plugged in, there it was! Any volume, almost any guitar. cake!

The Quinn was a decent amp. I think Shad called it an SDOF1. It was his version of Bludo's Ojai. I've watched youtube videos of the Quinn 183, and it's not my taste, to be honest. A little too gritty.

This Mark Kane amp gets the tone I want. Like I said, it's just the harshness. And the harshness is pretty much only at bedroom level volumes.
I have no desire to replace it.
Thanks anyway, Tag.

Greg

[greg54]

Work the volume knob, too!

Try backing it down a bit (1/2 to 3/4 up....depends on the guitar) THEN adjust the amp to taste. I bet that will go a long way towards getting better tone.
Then you can tweak the volume & tone on the guitar "on the fly" for more or less "chewiness", or OD, or brightness....whatever you want will be right there at your fingertips.

I used to do the same (run the guitar controls all the way up) and it revolutionized my tone when I learned how to use them for what they are intended.

G

I've never messed with guitar knobs in the past. I may try it and see if I don't get irritated.

Thanks!
Greg

[Zippy]

This Mark Kane amp gets the tone I want. Like I said, it's just the harshness. And the harshness is pretty much only at bedroom level volumes.
I have no desire to replace it.
Thanks anyway, Tag.

Greg

Have you considered running it into an attenuator or isolation cabinet? That might get you back in the preferred Tone Zone at the levels you desire.

[greg54]

Have you considered running it into an attenuator or isolation cabinet? That might get you back in the preferred Tone Zone at the levels you desire.

I use the loop as a master volume, so I don't see the need for an attenuator. I have thought about an isolation cab. That's still a possibility.

Thanks!
Greg