Re: Unusual Amp. Mod question

["M. N." <mnessmith@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Grant wrote:
"I've been using a great little amp (a '59 Gibson Skylark) with an 
Electrovoice 638. <snip> The problem is that even this little 5 watt amp can 
be TOO  LOUD! It's got surprising volume for such a small amp, and if I get 
it past 4 or so on the volume pot it's too much. It's frustrating to not be 
able to get the tone I want out of the amp, but I can't drown out my band 
mates either."

=========================================

Andrew gave some good advice in an earlier post about trying tube swaps. 
With that said, lower-gain tubes on an amp that small MIGHT leave you 
feeling the amp's lost its edge or sparkle or shine (or whatever really 
technical term you'd use to describe its mojo). If that happens, one option 
might be to try gigging with the amp turned around. This might mute it some 
and make it more managable. I once played a private party gig with a guitar 
player where I turned my old Pro Junior around and set it against the wall 
so the only volume I was getting was from the back of the amp (it was still 
probably too loud :-0 but the PJ puts out a LOUD 15 watts). Another option I 
could recommend if you have the extra money to spend, would be the Harp 
Commander straight into the PA. I do think this would give you fat amplified 
tone at reasonable volumes. The bottom line, though, is I agree with Andrew 
that it wouldn't be wise to do anything drastic to a '59 Gibson Skylark.
MN

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