EC Tremolux

[andrew]

My friend has an EC Tremolux and wants more headroom. With a strat it's somewhat clean but with a LP he says it is flabby and too overdriven. Fender sent him a schematic and it shows 370v on the center tap of the OT and 190v on the plates of each 6v6. Power tube plates and screen caps are each 16uf. Do 6v6s bring down the voltage that much? Thank you for any advice.

[matt h]

(deleted)

[pdf64]

Yes, recent Fender schematics tend to show test signal Vac in an oval 'box', Vdc in a rectangular box.
There should be notes on the schematic indicating the test conditions etc.

Les Pauls present a very different signal level and tonal balance to an amp than Strat / Tele.
If the design doesn't include much capability to shape the tone, it can be a problem when using a Strat with an amp designed to sound good with a LP, and visa Versa.
Yes, to reduce flub then reduce the value of a cathode bypass and / or signal coupling cap or two, eg a factor in the range of half to a quarter.

It's also possible / part of the problem that the amp may not be able to get bright enought with a LP? Assuming it's a standard tone control, increasing the value of the bright cap (at the CW terminal of the tone control) may help, eg if it's 330pF, try 680pF

I'd love to see that schematic!

[andrew]

yep- 190v in an oval box. I'll relay all the info. Thanks all.

[tictac]

Yea, it would be nice to see a schematic of one of the EC amps....

TT

[Structo]

Man, to charge $2,000 for a new tweed deluxe is great if you are the company charging that price but to put the Eric Clapton spin on it to validate it, not good.

I am pretty sure if Clapton uses a deluxe, his is the vintage tweed Deluxe.

I also imagine that when he plays on stage, he probably has the volume dimed for the distortion factor.

But in reality, the last year and a half he has been sporting a Dumble Overdrive Special.

I wonder what Fender thinks about that?

His tone has been criticized as less than stellar for years.

I like it much better than earlier periods with strat and tweed.

Also he doesn't appear to wear ear plugs......

I hope HAD notices that Clapton is now using a Dumble and may build him a new one, or not.

The debate continues about whether he should pick a Gibson again or not.

A lot of people think Eric should use a LP again but he seems to favor the Fender.
I have to admit. I don't mind his tone so much when he solo's.

His neck solos are pretty good by any means.


Speaking for myself as a long time Fender guitar player and recently acquired a Gibson LP Traditional, I think the Fender is easier to play, but since I am so new to the LP platform, I could be wrong.

[M Fowler]

Seems to be hot rodded to the max already, maybe add a bright cap on the volume pot if none their. Change rectifier tube from 5Y3 to 5V4 or 5AR4 to increase preamp and 6V6 plate voltage. Use JJ 6V6 tubes.

Features include hand-wired all-tube circuitry on eyelet board with premium components; circuit based on late-’50s Fender Deluxe amp model 5E3 (about 12 watts); single channel with high-gain and low-gain inputs; tremolo speed control and footswitch; fixed bias for increased headroom; single 12” Celestion® Heritage G12-65 speaker for increased high-gain playing definition; two Groove Tubes® 6V6GT output tubes, three 12AX7 preamp tubes and 5Y3GT rectifier tube; Mercury Magnetics custom transformers; internal speaker disconnect (allows use of external 8-ohm speaker enclosure); finger-joined solid pine enclosure for warm, resonant tone; lacquered tweed covering with vintage-style brown/gold grille cloth and leather strap handle. Deluxe fitted cover included.

[matt h]

(deleted)

[jaysg]

Three 12ax7's? that's half the problem. Get a 12ay7 in V1.

Dollars to donuts a putting a switch for 1uF/25uF on the input cathode does it. Maybe 2uF if he's feeling sassy.

plug into the other input

[norburybrook]

Man, to charge $2,000 for a new tweed deluxe is great if you are the company charging that price but to put the Eric Clapton spin on it to validate it, not good.

I am pretty sure if Clapton uses a deluxe, his is the vintage tweed Deluxe.

I also imagine that when he plays on stage, he probably has the volume dimed for the distortion factor.

But in reality, the last year and a half he has been sporting a Dumble Overdrive Special.

I wonder what Fender thinks about that?

His tone has been criticized as less than stellar for years.

I like it much better than earlier periods with strat and tweed.

Also he doesn't appear to wear ear plugs......

I hope HAD notices that Clapton is now using a Dumble and may build him a new one, or not.

The debate continues about whether he should pick a Gibson again or not.

A lot of people think Eric should use a LP again but he seems to favor the Fender.
I have to admit. I don't mind his tone so much when he solo's.

His neck solos are pretty good by any means.


Speaking for myself as a long time Fender guitar player and recently acquired a Gibson LP Traditional, I think the Fender is easier to play, but since I am so new to the LP platform, I could be wrong.

Eric's as deaf as a post! Seriously his hearing is shot, it's one of the reasons he's winding down his touring days. All the guy's I work with from that era all have shot hearing. No one knew back then the damage it could do, bit like cigarettes. Fortunately the younger generations have protected their ears better, and at 50 I count myself if that bracket

Marcus

[pops]

I have used 112ay7's in all positions in several amps, works great especially if you are not dimed anyway. Doesn't hurt to change some tubes around it's easy and reversible.