Howdy Steve,sliberty wrote:Glenn,
Boxiness is common with all small combos. Even small closed back cabinets can sound boxy. I replaced a Lopoline 1x12 with a larger StageCraft 1x12, and the difference was remarkable.
The fact that one of your guitars has been a problem with respect to muddy and shrill tones, and not your others sort of tells the story. And the fact that replacing pots and caps helped a lot seems to corroberate the same story. Those symptoms are not from your amp or speaker. They are from the guitar.
BTW, old speakers can sometimes be fantastic. Age is not a problem in and of itself. I keep telling myself the same thing about myself as I get older
Now, as for low volumes - this is the age old problem. Even some of the finest amps sound awful at very low volumes. For example, I think that a Marshall 18 watter sounds great on 10, but I think it sounds like crap on 4 (just one man's opinion of course). Attenuators will help you lower the volume level while still pushing your tubes, but they often have their own sonic problems. Most are not very transparent. But you may find one you like. Some here like the AirBrake. I built one, and liked it for a while, bit eventually decided that I was losing too much tone, so I sold it off. YMMV.
I would recommend that you stick to one problem at a time. Since you seem to have solved the muddy and shrill issues with that one guitar, next you might work on getting the perfect tone (for your taste) at rehearsal levels. Once you achieve that (and it might not be possible with the amp you own - it depends on what perfect for you means), you can then attack the bedroom level question.
BTW - the quest for tone is a never ending journey. And it can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very expensive. So try to address it scientifically, and you will be more likely to get there with a few bucks left in your pocket.
I guess I am trying to help you avoid spending a lot of money on the wrong remedies until you finally discover the real problems.
With the improvement so far and what you called the transparency issues, I've given up on anything more than some minor experimentation.
The bass is still not controlled to my liking as are the shrill highs. I appreciate the concept of saving as much money as I can, actually it is a requirement. So the search will initially start with a speaker. I am liking my speaker a more since the changes, but have heard that a good speaker can do away with the boxiness. That I believe is a worthwhile, not super expensive start. I just wish there were more comparison clips done professionally to at least point me in the right direction. I've listened to a bunch.
I may have mentioned in passing above, but a member introduced me to the boutique 1/2 Watt Gilmore Junior amp. From the sound clip running through fair quality computer speakers, it was astounding. I know I will not get this kind of tonal range out of the Fender. If someone had sat me down 20 years ago and played the Fender and the Gilmore side by side, I probably would have foregone the Fender. The volumes I play at are articulated by this little amp through a 12". One day I may build one.
But it is a money thing at this time. I am glad to hear you managed to control the boxiness with a speaker. That is hopeful. As for a separate cabinet at the moment I am stuck between a full or open back. I don't want boomy bass. So maybe I can get the cabinet with a removable panel when I get to that stage of the savings/spending game.
Cheers
Glenn