AmpTalk.com

[jftl]

Hello all,

New user, and new to amp tone tinkering as a whole. As mentioned in the topic header I have a 79 (I think) Peavey Duece. From what I've read about the Duece it has a SS preamp and tube power amp (hybrid). The amp gets outstanding clean tones (super loud) if I crank the post volume and use the pre to set the level, if I do the opposite I get a very fuzzy buzzy kind of distortion. I'd like to get a more "natural" sounding distortion if that makes any sense at all.

Let me give you some background so you know what direction I'm hoping to go. I play at my church, and I've been going direct into the PA using a PODXT. While the POD has great versatility, I'm never been 100% happy with the distorted tones coming out of it, so I'm looking at going analog. I've had the Peavey for a long time, but never really used it because of the distortion issue. Most of today's christian artists are using AC30's from what I've read, but I'm not necassarily looking to copy that tone. I'm just trying to get this amp to sound better.

What could I do to help this amp ? I've read a lot of different options like running a tube preamp into the power amp jack, using a attenuator, using one of those tube volume boxes, or just using pedals to shape the sound. I have some electronics experience, so I think I would be capable of building something if it would help, or modifing the amp (that would freak me out, but I'm willing to try). I won't have the money to buy a new amp for quite a while, so I'm just trying to find a way to make this one useful in the mean time.

Thanks for your time!
jftl

[tw001_tw]

jftl - Aren't the Dueces something like 80 or 100 watts using 4 6L6's?
(I've never owned one, but have looked at them a number of times) and
I'm almost certain you are correct about the ss preamp -and thats the
issue (primarily) with your distortion problems. (of course there are
exceptions) but primarily speaking most 6l6 based amps are designed to
get gain/overdrive using the preamp tubes. But since your amp doesn't
have the preamp tubes to overdrive for the pleasing distortion.....
(other amps rely on both power and pre-amp, and others more the power
amp tubes for the overdrive). (I suspect there is also a little balancing game
you could play between pushing the power tubes with a stronger preamp
signal - but with your ~100 watts - that would be way loud - so
maybe a good attenuator, but...)

If I were you, I would keep it, and look around / try out some overdrive
pedals. But then again, I'm a fan of old Peavey stuff. You may also get
a little better results with hotter pickups - but I think the pedal route
would be the easiest - and I suspect you could find one that would really
suit your needs.

When was the last time you changed the tubes?

[jftl]

Hello tw,

Thanks for the reply. I believe it is 120 watts (or at least that's what the tag says). I haven't looked at the tubes, and I'm assuming they are original (I've never replaced them). I will be keeping the amp either way. I'm just trying to see if there is anything I can do to get that natural amp distortion or not.

I've never used an attenuator before. I see there are some that you can build online. Is that a good way to go ? I will likely go the pedal route as I already have some that might work. I'm just curious.

Thanks!
jftl

[tw001_tw]

120watts, huh? Yeah, I bet thats a monster of an amp - cool
personally - and I'm not a super expert on attenuators - I would use a pedal.
I find attenuators either a - doesn't decrease the volume as much as I
like/expect/want or b - seems to 'flatten' the tone. If you get an attenuator, I
would drop a little extra cash and get a good (used) one - so (a good one) to
reduce the negative effect on tone (hopefully) and used so if it doesn't work
out you could sell it for minimal loss. What kits are you looking at? They
make attenuator kits that will handle your 120W?