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Tube Amp Question


savethematches

Question

Posted

I got one of those Crate V50-112 tube amps when MF had them on closeout for $200 a couple years ago. Two channels with a shared EQ, but the channels sound drastically different. Clean channel sounds really good with EQ knobs set at 5, but when I switch to OD channel, it's very dark and muddy. The amp does have two push button switches for mid boost and presence boost which bring the OD channel in line.

Question 1. Is there a way to mod the EQ on the OD channel only? If so, how? I've got a buddy who's an electronics instructor at the local community college. He and his students are willing to take on the project, but they don't know jack about guitar amps/tone. I need specifics to pass on to him.

Question 2. If Question 1 isn't feasible, is it possible to do some foot switch mods? The amp has a two button foot switch, one for channel and the other for mid boost. I would like to have all three functions (channel switch, mid boost, and presence boost) all wired to the same button on the foot switch. That way, when I go to the OD channel, the mid and presence boosts kick in, but when I switch back to clean, the boosts kick out. Is this possible? If so, how?

Question 3. Can the amp be modified to get more distortion? Right now, I can get a really nice AC/DC type rhythm tone with the OD channel dimed. If I kick in my TS 9 clone, that kicks me up into 80's hair band heaven. I'd like to get that level of distortion without having a pedal in front. Es possible'?

Here's a link to the amps schematics.

http://www.blueguitar.org/new/schem/misc_amp/crate_v50.pdf

Thanks in advance for your help and expertise!

1 answer to this question

Recommended Posts

Posted

OK, let's try this approach. I found the mods listed below for the Crate V33 . . . different amp from the same series as mine. Could anyone tell me if these same mods would work on my amp?

Resistor swap:

Change R77 to 470k from 2.2m

Change R4 to 2.2m from 470k

R17 up to 100k

Change R78 to 1.5k

Bypass R78 with a 2.2uF cap

Remove c2 (brings the clean channel back a bit)

use 1/2 watt resistors unless specified elsewhere

Change R75 to a 100k/1 watt

Change R14 to 470k

Added a 2.2k resistor parallel to R15 (this works out to about 1.2k)

Change C10 to .0047uF

Remove C3

Change C2 to 500pf mica (the 500pF cap is actually soldered on top of R6)

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