Tone changes at higher volume

[danielalanperkins]

I can see on a scope that the PI and output tubes are not compressing. The master on 3 or 4 is pretty loud and unpleasant sounding. This could just be the reaction of my ear to higher volume. Perhaps in a larger room, it would be less noticeable. I was just wondering if anyone else had encountered this and what they may have done to deal with it. Thanks for your suggestions!

[Reeltarded]

well.. if the pics in the scheme are your amp.. defeat the graphic is a good start, probably.

I don't know what doesn't sound good sounds like. We are dancing about literature.

[Stevem]

Is this unpleasantness once the pick attack is faded and just the note is ringing?

[danielalanperkins]

I would have to say it's at least partially related to pick attack. At low volume the pick attack is quite percussive and pick harmonics are easier to come by. Some of this is lost at higher volume and the highs become a little harsh.

[Stevem]

If we are talking about a multi pickup guitar does this pretty much happen on both the neck and bridge pickups, are you pickup(s) maybe set too close to the strings, you can try lowering them a bit just to rule out that effect.

[danielalanperkins]

Yes, it affects the tone for all pickups. The neck pickup is less harsh at high volume just due to it's tonal nature. I have both bridge and neck pickups fairly low (on a les paul) as it is since I prefer the tone of it this way. I have played around with this some though.

I may try a single-ended output tube configuration at some point to see how that behaves. If I am canceling harmonics in the differential output, perhaps it's more pronounced at higher volume. I have also heard of capacitor coupled outputs in lieu of an output transformer. That might be interesting to try.

[TUBEDUDE]

I find, generally, master volumes suck tone at anything under max output. The lower they're set, the suckier the tone.
Set the master wide open and set controls for a good tone. Can you get a good tone there? If not,
the output stage and or feedback elements need adjustment.
Once that is satisfactory, roll down the master volume until you get the volume desired. If too much attenuation is dialed in to get the desired volume, your low volume tone may suck.
OTOH many players seem to like the super compressed buzzy distortion that reminds me of a bee in a soda can.
In short, make the amp sound good with the master maxed. Then roll in the master and adjust the controls for lower level playing.

[Stevem]

No OT you say!
You will need different output tubes and more output tubes and I believe a duel rail power supply.