It's a bit of both. There is some IM distortion (I'm almost sure that's the right term) and there is also some buzz/fuzz. I was hoping to address/fix ONE of them and see if the other remained. As you can see just from this thread...the suggestions were all over the map so I really have no idea how to address this.
It seems to me that if the clean channel sounds good...even when very loud...and the OD has these bugs in the tone at any and all volumes...that the power section or even the D'lator would be one of the last places I would suspect. But that's just my guess.
IM distortion
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: IM distortion
Fischerman:
I'm trying to resurrect your old post... Did you ever fix your distortion problem? I have a great sounding amp, but it has a very harsh attack. When I heard you describe your problem, I wondered if it was the same as mine. As far as mine goes, it sounds great other than that initial "splash", as you put it. I'm used to the sound of it, so I don't usually notice it until I consciously listen for it; then I hate it. If I play lightly or moderately, it isn't there. If I pick the strings very hard, then I hear the terrible attack. The sustain, decay, and tone are great otherwise.
I'm trying to resurrect your old post... Did you ever fix your distortion problem? I have a great sounding amp, but it has a very harsh attack. When I heard you describe your problem, I wondered if it was the same as mine. As far as mine goes, it sounds great other than that initial "splash", as you put it. I'm used to the sound of it, so I don't usually notice it until I consciously listen for it; then I hate it. If I play lightly or moderately, it isn't there. If I pick the strings very hard, then I hear the terrible attack. The sustain, decay, and tone are great otherwise.
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Fischerman
- Posts: 819
- Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:47 pm
- Location: Georgia
Re: IM distortion
Hi John,
In a way yes I did reduce it but there was a compromise. IIRC, ended up changing the low gain OD entrance network by adding a cap in series with it...but I'm not exactly sure what value I used. I'm pretty sure it was in the .0047uF range. And then I'm almost sure I changed the 470k//47pF to just a resistor (but I can't remember the value). This increases the smoothness and reduces that splat on the attack but you lose some body and the OD tone gets a kinda middy and nasally. To be honest, I buttoned up this amp with the intention of reading/learning for a while...waiting to see what if any new info surfaces...and then revisiting the amp with a fresh approach (more of an 'anything goes/do what your ears tell you' approach as opposed to a 'WWDD?' approach).
I've also read that these amps don't like a heavy right-hand but...that's just how I play (by design). I've always tried to get a very solid/strong attack without a ton of motion or 'force'...that's just how I was taught. I use a thick pick but I also play with my fingers a lot and I like to pop/spank the strings. I play with a little higher action than many because I like to be able to play hard...I want the guitar to be loud acoustically and project acoustically. And playing Marshalls for the longest time (Marshalls like to be played like that imo) probably reinforced all this. So maybe the ODS just isn't for me but I'm not giving up on it yet. Never played one but I've read the Carol Ann amps are supposed to feel a bit different so it would seem that at least somebody has made adjustments to allow for us heavy handed guys. I wouldn't be surprised if HAD customized some ODSs for heavy-handed guys. Obv SRV had "50 megatons on pressure" from his right hand but he is associated with the big clean machines and not the ODS.
In a way yes I did reduce it but there was a compromise. IIRC, ended up changing the low gain OD entrance network by adding a cap in series with it...but I'm not exactly sure what value I used. I'm pretty sure it was in the .0047uF range. And then I'm almost sure I changed the 470k//47pF to just a resistor (but I can't remember the value). This increases the smoothness and reduces that splat on the attack but you lose some body and the OD tone gets a kinda middy and nasally. To be honest, I buttoned up this amp with the intention of reading/learning for a while...waiting to see what if any new info surfaces...and then revisiting the amp with a fresh approach (more of an 'anything goes/do what your ears tell you' approach as opposed to a 'WWDD?' approach).
I've also read that these amps don't like a heavy right-hand but...that's just how I play (by design). I've always tried to get a very solid/strong attack without a ton of motion or 'force'...that's just how I was taught. I use a thick pick but I also play with my fingers a lot and I like to pop/spank the strings. I play with a little higher action than many because I like to be able to play hard...I want the guitar to be loud acoustically and project acoustically. And playing Marshalls for the longest time (Marshalls like to be played like that imo) probably reinforced all this. So maybe the ODS just isn't for me but I'm not giving up on it yet. Never played one but I've read the Carol Ann amps are supposed to feel a bit different so it would seem that at least somebody has made adjustments to allow for us heavy handed guys. I wouldn't be surprised if HAD customized some ODSs for heavy-handed guys. Obv SRV had "50 megatons on pressure" from his right hand but he is associated with the big clean machines and not the ODS.