Amp distortion question

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 09:49 PM

Does any one have an amp with enough distortion that they don't need a distortion pedal? I've spent hours fiddling with my randall rt50h and I feel like I need a pedal to hear the tone I'm looking for.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 04-12-2012, 09:51 PM

Get a new amp. From what I've heard, those amps blow.

Joking aside, did you try using a boost? They sound like they really need one, IMO. Otherwise, I'd sell it or trade it for something like a Peavey Ultra, Peavey 6505, or a better Randall like a T2, V2, or RH300 which should nail the tone you're looking for more easily

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeHasTheJazzHands

Get a new amp. From what I've heard, those amps blow.

Joking aside, did you try using a boost? They sound like they really need one, IMO. Otherwise, I'd sell it or trade it for something like a Peavey Ultra, Peavey 6505, or a better Randall like a T2, V2, or RH300 which should nail the tone you're looking for more easily

I have been looking at a 6505, but I don't really have money, and I'm saving up for a guitar, but as soon as I buy that, and a 4x12 cab, I have a lot of shit I want to sell and could probably make enough money off of. Thanks!

Augminished · 04-12-2012, 10:16 PM

I would think about boosting it before you do anything.

Also how long have you owned it and have you ever replaced the tubes?

In my opinion amp comes before guitar if you are looking to improve your tone the most.

texshred777 · 04-12-2012, 10:22 PM

I agree amp tone trumps guitar in overall tone.

My Mesa gets plenty of dirt without a pedal, but I'm getting an Xotic BB Preamp anyway...

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 10:22 PM

But I'm saving up for my first 7 string, and I don't like the one I have now.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 04-12-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothic Headhunter

But I'm saving up for my first 7 string, and I don't like the one I have now.

You can always pick you up either a used Digitech Bad Monkey to boost the front end of the amp for now. You can pick one of those up for under $25, and it can keep you busy until you get your new amp.

And if you like it enough, you can probably use it in front of the future amp.

Augminished · 04-12-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothic Headhunter

But I'm saving up for my first 7 string, and I don't like the one I have now.

I get it. You don't have a seven but you have an amp. It makes sense. I did the same thing. Bought my first seven when I had a Fender Frontman

What about your tubes?

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 10:28 PM

6L6, but I think I can bias them to EL34.

Sephael · 04-12-2012, 10:30 PM

My Dark Terror has more than enough distortion without having to turn the gain above noon.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 04-12-2012, 10:32 PM

Also, just curious, did you buy the amp new or used? Did you just recently buy it?

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 10:35 PM

Bought it new, had it just long enough to be illegible for the 30 day full refund deal.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 04-12-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothic Headhunter

Bought it new, had it just long enough to be illegible for the 30 day full refund deal.

Aw, damn. Nevermind.

7stringDemon · 04-12-2012, 10:38 PM

Want a 6505 but can't afford it?

Get a used 5150. Same amp, half price.

Don't want to get something used?

Get a Bugera 6260 (stupid decision). They're crap but they sound great. They're a 6505/5150 copy. Not as good as the real thing though.

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7stringDemon

Want a 6505 but can't afford it?

Get a used 5150. Same amp, half price.

Don't want to get something used?

Get a Bugera 6260 (stupid decision). They're crap but they sound great. They're a 6505/5150 copy. Not as good as the real thing though.

Elaborate?

HeHasTheJazzHands · 04-12-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothic Headhunter

Elaborate?

The older units were known for crapping out due to cheap components. They're supposed to be built a lot better now.

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 10:44 PM

Oh.

7stringDemon · 04-12-2012, 10:49 PM

I forgot about that. They fixed some stuff. We'll see in a year if they're bluffing then, right? That's about the lifespan of the old Bugera's.

However, the best Bugera is still far short from a 5150/6505 in terms of build quality. Obviously, tone is an opinion but most choose the 5150/6505 over the 6260/6262 in tone as well.

Oh, by the way, you know how there's the 6505 and the 6505 PLUS? Well Bugera has their own version of that too.

6260 = 5150/6505
6262 = 5150II/6505+

Figured I'd throw that out there.

Augminished · 04-12-2012, 11:04 PM

If you bought it from a good store see if they will give you store credit. I have done that once before and they were really cool about it. This was a very small shop though.

Not sure how a place like GC would handle it.

Gothic Headhunter · 04-12-2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Augminished

If you bought it from a good store see if they will give you store credit. I have done that once before and they were really cool about it. This was a very small shop though.

Not sure how a place like GC would handle it.

I bought it from GC.

Stealthdjentstic · 04-12-2012, 11:09 PM

Nope, but I have relatively high gain amps.

Augminished · 04-12-2012, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothic Headhunter

I bought it from GC.

I would take it in and see what they say. If they are ass holes just say .... GC.

7stringDemon · 04-13-2012, 01:56 PM

Maybe this will help. Description says that no boost pedals were used or anything like that. This is just the guitar to the head.

cGoEcYk · 04-13-2012, 04:07 PM

I have to kind of "value" heads (Ibanez Thermion and B-52 AT100) and they both have more than enough gain. I don't use an OD or anything (but should probably get one anyway) and they sound great through my Engl cab.

The B-52 benefits noticeably from any kind of retubing, maybe same could apply with the Randall.

Also, some heads like the Thermion in particular need to be run pretty loud- basically at stage volume- for their tones to really come out. For recording it's best to push it even harder (near-earthquake volumes). In general tube amps sound better as you push them but a few I've run across have acceptable bedroom tones.

Is the RT supposed to be kind of a modern high gain head?

fitterhappier · 04-14-2012, 08:56 AM

I watched a few clips (like the one below) and the Randall sounds like it's got the gain - I would say it just needs a good boost in front.

Similar thing happened when I bought my ENGL Thunder 50. It's a great amp, but the lead channel needed a little more oomph to get it to sound the way I wanted. You can hear the difference below in the soundclips. The first one is my ENGL unboosted - second clip is the ENGL (thru a slightly different guitar), but with a boost. The difference is immediately noticeable.

Thunder No Boost by fitterhappier on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
ENGL Thunder 50 - High Gain by fitterhappier on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

From the clips I've seen, it sounds like that Randall has a pretty decent tone. I would say you just need to throw a boost (Tubescreamer or any of the clones) in front of it and you'll be good.

Also - what cab are you playing through?

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04-12-2012, 09:49 PM	#1
Gothic Headhunter Born on a Monday Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Jupiter... And Beyond The Infinite Posts: 685 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Amp distortion question Does any one have an amp with enough distortion that they don't need a distortion pedal? I've spent hours fiddling with my randall rt50h and I feel like I need a pedal to hear the tone I'm looking for.

04-12-2012, 10:16 PM	#4
Augminished Augminished Studio Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 670 Thanked: 26 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I would think about boosting it before you do anything. Also how long have you owned it and have you ever replaced the tubes? In my opinion amp comes before guitar if you are looking to improve your tone the most. Check out my Facebook: Augminished-Studio

04-12-2012, 10:30 PM	#10
Sephael Divine Paradøx Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ky Posts: 1,665 Thanked: 13 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	My Dark Terror has more than enough distortion without having to turn the gain above noon. Atomshipped likes this.

04-12-2012, 10:38 PM	#14
7stringDemon SS.org Regular Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,605 Thanked: 13 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Want a 6505 but can't afford it? Get a used 5150. Same amp, half price. Don't want to get something used? Get a Bugera 6260 (stupid decision). They're crap but they sound great. They're a 6505/5150 copy. Not as good as the real thing though. Music lovers show eachother bands. Guitarists show eachother tones. Trans Blue/Teal Quilt Maple tops

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04-12-2012, 09:51 PM	#2
HeHasTheJazzHands Eck! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,798 Thanked: 47 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Get a new amp. From what I've heard, those amps blow. Joking aside, did you try using a boost? They sound like they really need one, IMO. Otherwise, I'd sell it or trade it for something like a Peavey Ultra, Peavey 6505, or a better Randall like a T2, V2, or RH300 which should nail the tone you're looking for more easily

04-12-2012, 10:22 PM	#5
texshred777 SS.org Regular Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 937 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I agree amp tone trumps guitar in overall tone. My Mesa gets plenty of dirt without a pedal, but I'm getting an Xotic BB Preamp anyway...

04-12-2012, 10:28 PM	#9
Gothic Headhunter Born on a Monday Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Jupiter... And Beyond The Infinite Posts: 685 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	6L6, but I think I can bias them to EL34.

04-12-2012, 10:32 PM	#11
HeHasTheJazzHands Eck! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,798 Thanked: 47 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Also, just curious, did you buy the amp new or used? Did you just recently buy it?

04-12-2012, 10:35 PM	#12
Gothic Headhunter Born on a Monday Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Jupiter... And Beyond The Infinite Posts: 685 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Bought it new, had it just long enough to be illegible for the 30 day full refund deal.

04-12-2012, 10:44 PM	#17
Gothic Headhunter Born on a Monday Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Jupiter... And Beyond The Infinite Posts: 685 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Oh.

04-12-2012, 10:49 PM	#18
7stringDemon SS.org Regular Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,605 Thanked: 13 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I forgot about that. They fixed some stuff. We'll see in a year if they're bluffing then, right? That's about the lifespan of the old Bugera's. However, the best Bugera is still far short from a 5150/6505 in terms of build quality. Obviously, tone is an opinion but most choose the 5150/6505 over the 6260/6262 in tone as well. Oh, by the way, you know how there's the 6505 and the 6505 PLUS? Well Bugera has their own version of that too. 6260 = 5150/6505 6262 = 5150II/6505+ Figured I'd throw that out there. Music lovers show eachother bands. Guitarists show eachother tones. Trans Blue/Teal Quilt Maple tops

04-12-2012, 11:04 PM	#19
Augminished Augminished Studio Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 670 Thanked: 26 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you bought it from a good store see if they will give you store credit. I have done that once before and they were really cool about it. This was a very small shop though. Not sure how a place like GC would handle it. Check out my Facebook: Augminished-Studio

04-12-2012, 11:09 PM	#21
Stealthdjentstic Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canadia Posts: 19,984 Thanked: 338 Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Nope, but I have relatively high gain amps.

04-13-2012, 01:56 PM	#23
7stringDemon SS.org Regular Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,605 Thanked: 13 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Maybe this will help. Description says that no boost pedals were used or anything like that. This is just the guitar to the head. Music lovers show eachother bands. Guitarists show eachother tones. Trans Blue/Teal Quilt Maple tops

04-13-2012, 04:07 PM	#24
cGoEcYk Pron Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 584 Thanked: 12 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have to kind of "value" heads (Ibanez Thermion and B-52 AT100) and they both have more than enough gain. I don't use an OD or anything (but should probably get one anyway) and they sound great through my Engl cab. The B-52 benefits noticeably from any kind of retubing, maybe same could apply with the Randall. Also, some heads like the Thermion in particular need to be run pretty loud- basically at stage volume- for their tones to really come out. For recording it's best to push it even harder (near-earthquake volumes). In general tube amps sound better as you push them but a few I've run across have acceptable bedroom tones. Is the RT supposed to be kind of a modern high gain head?

04-14-2012, 08:56 AM	#25
fitterhappier More Productive Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 210 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I watched a few clips (like the one below) and the Randall sounds like it's got the gain - I would say it just needs a good boost in front. Similar thing happened when I bought my ENGL Thunder 50. It's a great amp, but the lead channel needed a little more oomph to get it to sound the way I wanted. You can hear the difference below in the soundclips. The first one is my ENGL unboosted - second clip is the ENGL (thru a slightly different guitar), but with a boost. The difference is immediately noticeable. Thunder No Boost by fitterhappier on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free ENGL Thunder 50 - High Gain by fitterhappier on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free From the clips I've seen, it sounds like that Randall has a pretty decent tone. I would say you just need to throw a boost (Tubescreamer or any of the clones) in front of it and you'll be good. Also - what cab are you playing through?

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