Express Tone Controls
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Express Tone Controls
Do the tone controls on your Express have a dramatic effect? Mine do make a difference, but definitely not as much as other amps. Is this because the amp is hi-gain?
Re: Express Tone Controls
I think it may depend on the cabinet
mine do not have as much affect with an open back cabinet
as they do with a closed back cabinet
Dan..
mine do not have as much affect with an open back cabinet
as they do with a closed back cabinet
Dan..
Re: Express Tone Controls
I would have to say that I haven't run into an amp that didn't have more reaction to knob turning than the Express. When I let someone run with it for a day - people who are into amps - they come back and say things like 'I can get anything with it', or 'Man, I was able to just dial it in like no other amp'. ?? So I am not having the experience you describe with mine. I run either a 4/12 or an open back 2/12. I would agree that the 4/12 has that bigger bottom thing, but the tone and response is similar in either case.
Frankly, I think this is what makes the amp so exciting, tone controls that really work! When I played the Alan Phillips Express clone I had the same reaction. That was that amp that convinced me to have a go at it - since I didn't have $5600.
Looking at your new cab, BTW, I am just stunned by the beauty of the wood - and woodworking, as well. That is one crazy-ass piece of cherry wood, congrads!
Frankly, I think this is what makes the amp so exciting, tone controls that really work! When I played the Alan Phillips Express clone I had the same reaction. That was that amp that convinced me to have a go at it - since I didn't have $5600.
Looking at your new cab, BTW, I am just stunned by the beauty of the wood - and woodworking, as well. That is one crazy-ass piece of cherry wood, congrads!
Most people stall out when fixing a mistake that they've made. Why?
Re: Express Tone Controls
I think that the amp controls have not a big range.. (or other amps have a very bigger tone control range)... the amp sound good in quite all combinations you move them..
you have a unreal and fantastic control of the amp using vol and tone pot of the guitar.. and in this way you will hear every small difference!
I like as Glen to keep all tone and presence pots at mid and use the guitar..
castor
you have a unreal and fantastic control of the amp using vol and tone pot of the guitar.. and in this way you will hear every small difference!
I like as Glen to keep all tone and presence pots at mid and use the guitar..
castor
Re: Express Tone Controls
One thing people don't experiment with is the treble cap. It is normally 500pF, but 50pF is a smoother sounding value, at very least it is worth listening to. I know this isn't the topic discussed.
As far as tone controls go, I think they work about the same as other amps. I don't adjust them all that much anyway. I usually find a sweet spot and stick with it. Another alternative is to download Duncan's tone control program and experiment with different tone control values.
As far as tone controls go, I think they work about the same as other amps. I don't adjust them all that much anyway. I usually find a sweet spot and stick with it. Another alternative is to download Duncan's tone control program and experiment with different tone control values.
Yours Sincerely
Mark Abbott
Mark Abbott
Re: Express Tone Controls
What the hell is a Allan Phillips Express clone. I always thought Allyn Meyer clones were the only ones worth buying?Mark wrote:One thing people don't experiment with is the treble cap. It is normally 500pF, but 50pF is a smoother sounding value, at very least it is worth listening to. I know this isn't the topic discussed.
As far as tone controls go, I think they work about the same as other amps. I don't adjust them all that much anyway. I usually find a sweet spot and stick with it. Another alternative is to download Duncan's tone control program and experiment with different tone control values.
Yours Sincerely
Mark Abbott
Mark Abbott
Re: Express Tone Controls
The Alan Phillips' clone is one of 5 as I hear it. Its in Oregon and it is a beautiful thing. Stevie, the 'Komutt' owner has played it too. I don't think he would dis it. Apparently, AP cloned 5 Express's for 5 original owners, tha's the story I heard. This was before he started rolling with Carol Ann Amps, FWIW.
Most people stall out when fixing a mistake that they've made. Why?
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speed monkey
- Posts: 28
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- Location: Portland, OR
Re: Express Tone Controls
Yeah, that is one bad mofo amp...but I'm reasonably more than sure there are few other bad mofo's out there who can replicate what I'm hearing out of that amprooster wrote:The Alan Phillips' clone is one of 5 as I hear it. Its in Oregon and it is a beautiful thing. Stevie, the 'Komutt' owner has played it too. I don't think he would dis it. Apparently, AP cloned 5 Express's for 5 original owners, tha's the story I heard. This was before he started rolling with Carol Ann Amps, FWIW.
BTW Rooster, ran into another gear slut today who heard your latest build and he was pretty well raving about it, and this character is not easily impressed...nice work.
Steve E
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GainMaster
- Posts: 124
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- Location: Mississippi
- Contact:
Re: Express Tone Controls
On my wreck the treble and bass controls have a pretty good effect but the mid doesn't when wired per the A1a schematic. You can try hooking pins 1 and 2 of the bass pot together. The mid works much better if you move the mid cap from pin 1 of the pot to pin 2. Plan to do that to mine again as soon as I get it back from the studio.strato17 wrote:Do the tone controls on your Express have a dramatic effect? Mine do make a difference, but definitely not as much as other amps. Is this because the amp is hi-gain?
Brian
Re: Express Tone Controls
Steve - 
Er, thanks! Was that Bill A? Yeah, people seem to get this pretty quick.
Oh, as to the Mid control, I wire it with the wiper tied to one outside post? This comes from BF Fenders and newer models, actually, and its something that makes more sense to me since it is the final resistive load to ground for the tone circuit. Honestly, it shouldn't make any difference sonically if the pots are functioning correctly. Fender also did the same thing to the Bass pot in some models, as is presented here, but I didn't do this. Eh, no particular reason to do this to the bass control for my needs. It was more the fact that the MID pot is grounded. Here, if the wiper goes South, I will at least have my circuit intact - albeit with full midrange - but still working. Make sense?
Now, understand, I highly doubt whether a wiper will EVER become internally disconnected from a PEC pot.... But I just do this anyway.
Er, thanks! Was that Bill A? Yeah, people seem to get this pretty quick. Oh, as to the Mid control, I wire it with the wiper tied to one outside post? This comes from BF Fenders and newer models, actually, and its something that makes more sense to me since it is the final resistive load to ground for the tone circuit. Honestly, it shouldn't make any difference sonically if the pots are functioning correctly. Fender also did the same thing to the Bass pot in some models, as is presented here, but I didn't do this. Eh, no particular reason to do this to the bass control for my needs. It was more the fact that the MID pot is grounded. Here, if the wiper goes South, I will at least have my circuit intact - albeit with full midrange - but still working. Make sense?
Now, understand, I highly doubt whether a wiper will EVER become internally disconnected from a PEC pot.... But I just do this anyway.
Most people stall out when fixing a mistake that they've made. Why?
Re: Express Tone Controls
Well you know what thought did....followed a shit cart and thought it was a wedding........Mark wrote:What the hell is a Allan Phillips Express clone. I always thought Allyn Meyer clones were the only ones worth buying?Mark wrote:One thing people don't experiment with is the treble cap. It is normally 500pF, but 50pF is a smoother sounding value, at very least it is worth listening to. I know this isn't the topic discussed.
As far as tone controls go, I think they work about the same as other amps. I don't adjust them all that much anyway. I usually find a sweet spot and stick with it. Another alternative is to download Duncan's tone control program and experiment with different tone control values.
Alan (correct spelling) Phillips
Allyn, don't worry I'm not having having another moment, I'm currently stabilised on my meds.
Just kidding around. Couldn't resist !!
On a serious note, I need another 200 of those fuse holders, can you help ? Give me a shout alan@carolannamps.com