Possible to Make My Skyline HRM (El-34) Clean Channel More SSS-Like?

[jfs322]

Hi Everyone,

Quick Question: I've got a Skyline HRM clone (EL-34) that I primarily use the clean channel only of (and I use pedals for dirt). I also have a SSS #004 clone that I love pairing with it, as it adds a lot of treble chime and bright spank to the ODS cleans. However, it's not practical for me to lug around two huge amps, and so I'm wondering if the ODS clean channel can be modded to retain the fundamentals of the Skyline El-34 cleans but add in some of that treble chime and spank that I find in my SSS #004 clone? If it's technically possible from a circuit standpoint, it'd definitely make it easier for me since I can shed the SSS and make the whole thing more portable. Without having attempted to mod the amp, I've done things like engage the bright switch and turn the presence control way up, but it's just not the same sound as blending in the top end and chime from the SSS #004 clone.

Thanks!

[xtian]

Do you have the Rock/Jazz switch? The ODS sounds a lot more "chime-y and spanky" in Jazz mode.

[jfs322]

I do. Although I almost exclusively play in the rock mode, so my goal is to keep that fundamental tone of the ODS in rock mode and just tweak the tuning of the treble if possible. Granted, I'm not an amp builder/tech, so I'm not sure if what I'm looking for is actually feasible from a circuit standpoint. In other words, can I keep the base tone of the ODS in rock mode and just mod the circuit to tweak the treble tuning without affecting the mids or bass -- or is an amp circuit so interdependent that you can't adjust one part of the spectrum without affecting the rest of the frequency response? Thanks!

[xtian]

That’s what the Treble control is for.

Srsly; Jazz mode will get you a lot closer to your goal than Rock mode. Turn your master volume all the way up. After you evaluate this setting, then try describing how you wish the tone was different.

[JD0x0]

3 way bright switch. Find a cap value that gives you the chime you want at your typical volume settings.

They're going to be significantly different as the preamp biasing on the HRM tends to use the 220k/3.3k + 150k/2.2k plate cathode combos where the SSS uses fender like biasing with 100k/1.5k. The bright cap is an easy solution if you just want more treble and chime.. If it brightens up the OD too much you can add a variable treble roll off to your OD or adjust snubbers to compensate.