#1
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Fender Ramparte Tube Swap
Today I decided it was finally time to swap the tubes and see what a difference it made. I had some old JJ 12au7 tubes lying around so I pulled the Sovtek 12ax7 tubes I had in the amp out.
The amp definitely has a lot more head room. I also feel like it sounds warmer. I’ve never disliked the tone from this amp, but it has also never blown me away. With my Rickenbacker plugged in and these tubes it definitely sounded quite nice. I also tried it with the stereo out and the bridge pickup into the gain and the neck into the clean channel; gave it quite a bit of body and a lot of options for sound with mixing them. For a simple amp I do like the sound of this one. I don’t get to play it as often as I’d like with a two year old around, but I like having it for when I can. These amps get a lot of bad raps, but I think for their price you get a lot of amp. They do have a good sound, it’s just not “Fender” tone that comes to mind for me.
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#2
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Had my eye on both the Excelsior and Atomizer when they were still in production - sorry I didn't move on either one...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#3
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Great! I found that to be true in the 5E3 Tweed Deluxe as well.
Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#4
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Quote:
play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#5
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Quote:
Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#6
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Some of the small signal tubes, 12au7 and variants can be quite economical and as you've noted have a real effect on the sound. I really like some of the old Sylvania's, Telefunken's and Electrohome's to name 3. JJ's I really like for power tubes.
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"pouring from the empty into the void " |
#7
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I haven't tried either of those....but of the series the other one I dig is the Vaporizor.....something about those 10" speakers and a guitar.
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |
#8
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Even more economical when they just happen to be ones I have sitting around in my box of guitar odds and ends! Sonically it makes an enormous change!
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---------------------------------------------------------------- '74 Guild D25M ‘11 Guild D130 '07 Seagull Artist Studio Burst 12 '08 Norman Protege B18 '08 Rickenbacker 610 ‘18 Gibson SG Special |