Does an D-Stile Amp need time to burn in?

[talbany]

Several years back we received one of our Fralin models back for a few upgrades..I tacked in a new transformer same exact one (Even called Paul at MM to make sure wound the same with the same materials).. The differences were very noticeable.. The aged one was smoother less hifi sounding with a definite softening of the bass.

.I doubt seriously winding has anything to do with it.. Although I have had a run of the same transformers sound different over the years so maybe the 2 that I got and Mojo got came off as a unusually good sounding set is well you can decide.. The Fralin I did the test on was 8 years old and used quite a bit in a heavily touring act..
FWIW.. Iv'e replaced quite a few older cheaper low powered amps like Gibson GA's/ Silvertones/and even Tweed Deluxe's with newer MM replacements that help bring back some sparkle and Hifi quality I thought the amp lacked in that department.. Bill Kirchen's Tweed deluxe was a good example.. Before the relpacement he thought the amp sounded flat and lifeless after the repair he started using it on the road again.. So the aging thing can also go the other way on some amps transformers..I have nothing to gain by stating this..Burned in and aged 2 totally different things

The smoothing/warming effect of aged transformers can carry with it a certain appeal particularly in high gain amps!!...

Tony

[CHIP]

Someday, when I have more time I'm going to pull the OPT from my 64 Super Reverb and put it in my Tweaked D'lite and listen for the difference.
cause right now my D'lite sounds more like a Tweed Deluxe than a Dumble. The only thing is I'll probably need to run it through the Super's cab, do to the different impedence.

[jazzcat]

Hi,
now my Ceriatone HRM 100 indeed sounds much smoother after about 100 hours of playing.
Almost too smooth!
I don't know why but it is this way.
It's still like in the layout of Ceriatone.
What can i do next to get a more open tone?
First i think to remove the snubbers.
Then remove the LNFB?
Right steps to be taken?
Thanks

[jazzcat]

Hi,
i forgot to mention that:
If i switch the clean channel to PAB, it sounds for me to much "mid boxy" (Megaphone like).
This mid boxy sound can i hear in the Overdrive too.
Is this because of the snubbers and the LNFB?
I want more sparkle in the ends.
Thanks

[bluesfendermanblues]

Hi,
now my Ceriatone HRM 100 indeed sounds much smoother after about 100 hours of playing.
Almost too smooth!
I don't know why but it is this way.
It's still like in the layout of Ceriatone.
What can i do next to get a more open tone?
First i think to remove the snubbers.
Then remove the LNFB?
Right steps to be taken?
Thanks

Why don't you try a master bright cap of say 47p on the master volume. If thats too much try 15p and interpolate between those two values until the your preferred sound and shades of brightness.

[JD0x0]

What can i do next to get a more open tone?

Why don't you try a master bright cap of say 47p on the master volume. If thats too much try 15p and interpolate between those two values until the your preferred sound and shades of brightness.

If im not mistaken he said he wanted a more "open" tone not brighter. I can see why you went there because he mentioned the snubbers.

[WhopperPlate]

Tried new tubes? After 100 hours tubes will sound darker IMO.

[jazzcat]

Hi,
there is already a bright cap of say 47p on the master volume.
I don't like that sound but its worth to lower the value.
The tubes are o.K. i think.
I read that the Dumble HRM -versions don't have neither snubbers on OD1 and OD2 nor Feedback Loop on the second tube of the clean channel.
How can I avoid or decrease that Megaphone like sound when I switch PAB on. It's not nice for the clean channel too.
(The HRM Tonestack does not affect the clean but only to note that the settings here are Treble about 60 Percent, Bass about 40 Percent and Middle about 40 Percent).
I suppose that something with the PAB is to fix.
How does the Feedback-Loop affect the PAB and how does it affect the overdrive section?

Thanks

[bluesfendermanblues]

Hi,
there is already a bright cap of say 47p on the master volume.
I don't like that sound but its worth to lower the value.
The tubes are o.K. i think.
I read that the Dumble HRM -versions don't have neither snubbers on OD1 and OD2 nor Feedback Loop on the second tube of the clean channel.
How can I avoid or decrease that Megaphone like sound when I switch PAB on. It's not nice for the clean channel too.
(The HRM Tonestack does not affect the clean but only to note that the settings here are Treble about 60 Percent, Bass about 40 Percent and Middle about 40 Percent).
I suppose that something with the PAB is to fix.
How does the Feedback-Loop affect the PAB and how does it affect the overdrive section?

Thanks

First of all you goatta make sure that the PAB is wired correctly and that the realy is in good working order.

I wouldn't change the basic BM (BluesMaster) design too much. Its a well proven design.

However, one modification that I can suggest - I use it in both a #124 and a (ordinary) HRM design - is adding a resistor to the PAB relay, which fatten up the bottom end a little bit.

I didn't invent the mod but found it at this forum. Try a search for "fat PAB" or "PAB mod" to the the original discussion.

See the attachment for further inspiration.

PS: I haven't build a BM yet so perhaps you should search for info from forumites with BM experience.

[jazzcat]

Hi,
it's not the Bluesmaster HRM.
The PAB fat is a good idea.
Is this the so called "Megaboost" i heard about?
How does the Feedback-Loop on the second stage affect the PAB and how does it affect the overdrive section?
This Feedback I found in the Ceriatone but it is not commonly used on Dumble HRM's.
Thanks

[bluesfendermanblues]

Hi,
it's not the Bluesmaster HRM.
The PAB fat is a good idea.
Is this the so called "Megaboost" i heard about?
How does the Feedback-Loop on the second stage affect the PAB and how does it affect the overdrive section?
This Feedback I found in the Ceriatone but it is not commonly used on Dumble HRM's.
Thanks

The mega boost cuts the ground connection of the resistor that sits between the bass pot and ground.

The feed back loop on V1 is not used in the HRM and BM amps. The LNFB cuts some of the lower frequencies. Its part of the sound in the NON HRM amps not in the HRM versions.

[talbany]

The feed back loop on V1 is not used in the HRM and BM amps. The LNFB cuts some of the lower frequencies. Its part of the sound in the NON HRM amps not in the HRM versions

Only HAD knows for sure and this is my own opinion but I think the LNFB on V1B is used to tighten the voice of Overdrive in Non HRM and not so much the clean..

Tony

[erwin_ve]

The feed back loop on V1 is not used in the HRM and BM amps. The LNFB cuts some of the lower frequencies. Its part of the sound in the NON HRM amps not in the HRM versions

Only HAD knows for sure and this is my own opinion but I think the LNFB on V1B is used to tighten the voice of Overdrive in Non HRM and not so much the clean..

Tony

True, but don't you feel like it's working like a tone compressor?(also for the clean)

[talbany]

The feed back loop on V1 is not used in the HRM and BM amps. The LNFB cuts some of the lower frequencies. Its part of the sound in the NON HRM amps not in the HRM versions

Only HAD knows for sure and this is my own opinion but I think the LNFB on V1B is used to tighten the voice of Overdrive in Non HRM and not so much the clean..

Tony

True, but don't you feel like it's working like a tone compressor?(also for the clean)

Sure..there are all sorts of side effects assoc w/LNFB..clipping symmetries frequency response..For me it has the greatest effect when in OD.. Try switching it out the loop in OD with the drive cranked and you will see what I mean..

Tony

[Structo]

I agree, there seems to be more wooly low end when LNFB is off at higher volume.

I like to turn off the LNFB when playing medium low volume.
Same with the mid boost, I like what that brings when turned down.
To me they are kind of like loudness controls, they beef it up a bit when you aren't driving the speakers hard.

But at higher gig volumes I like the control I get with the LNFB on and the tighter bass with boost off.

These amps have a lot of little combinations that pay off if your into twirling knobs and experimenting.

I dare say it is a tweakers amp.

Cracks me up the few times I have had a friend play my amp that even before they strum the first chord, they will adjust the tone stack to their "preferred settings".
I try to tell them it ain't a Fender......