Amp cooking / Launch Pad

[Luca]

Hello everyone! Very happy Tone Press user here!

I came across the "How to cook a tube amp" article by David a while ago and it captured my interest.
With my rig (Telecaster into Tweed Bassman) I always find that my dirt pedals (especially fuzzes) work bad if the amp is set too clean, let's say below 4.5 on the volume knob. They get buzzy, thin and just unpleasant to hear.
When the amp is turned up at its sweet spot, barely breaking up, everything works better.
Now, the problem is that setting the amp at 4.5 as a semi-clean platform for pedals makes things too loud for my needs.
If I step on a boost (first or last in the chain), the amp is hitted harder, the sound improves, but again: too loud.

I was wondering if the "cooking method", using a Launch Pad at the end of the chain, will ensure that nice interaction between amp and pedals that occurs when the amp is turned up enough, but keeping the volume at a lower level (let's say amp set at 3-3.5).

What's the best option to approach this situation (other than using a lower wattage amp )?

Thanks.

[David Barber]

Yes, the LP should help at the end of the chain. The LP will not help of the problem is speakers that need volume to overcome "hi fi" qualities at low volume. What speakers are you using?

[Luca]

Thanks for the reply David.
The amp is a Victoria tweed Bassman with 4 Jensen P10R speakers.
Those speakers are beautiful played clean or slightly pushed, but they become a little harsh in the high-end and farty in the lows when pushed at higher volumes. I'm searching around for better speakers, but I still have no precise idea of what are the best for this circuit (suggestions anyone?)

So, will the LP work for me, really without any volume increase? Why if I do the same thing you describe with a Klon or other boosters, I get the cooking effect together with a ton of volume added? It's that amount of volume that I'd like to tame.

Thanks

[RussB]

you need an attenuator

[admin]

Thanks for the reply David.
The amp is a Victoria tweed Bassman with 4 Jensen P10R speakers.
Those speakers are beautiful played clean or slightly pushed, but they become a little harsh in the high-end and farty in the lows when pushed at higher volumes. I'm searching around for better speakers, but I still have no precise idea of what are the best for this circuit (suggestions anyone?)

So, will the LP work for me, really without any volume increase? Why if I do the same thing you describe with a Klon or other boosters, I get the cooking effect together with a ton of volume added? It's that amount of volume that I'd like to tame.

Thanks

You will be able to turn the volume down on your amp, no worries about extra volume, we are only hitting the first stage harder, then attenuating with the volume knob of the amp.

I like Eminence ragin cajun best when working any sort of overdrive and clean combo.

[hobbyist789]

This is not entirely in the same vein as the original post, but nonetheless applicable to "amp cooking." I just came across these insights from FX guru Roger Mayer:

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electri ... Mayer.aspx

His advice on hitting the first preamp tube sounds pretty darned close to David's "amp cooking" procedure. Imagine that!

[gonzo-x]

i have been experimenting with this for quite a while...

i have a DDSS and a TP....

but use another brand pedal (aw c'mon, now, settle down out there.....) for my 'boost'.

that said, my feeling is that there is only really one spot for an amp, and that is it's 'Sweet Spot'.

and you cannot force it, it just is, what it is.

that said, once i found my sweet spot on my amp, where the boost is getting it 'cooking', and everything is playing nice together, at that point, i'm incredibly loud (60 watt tube head).

so

i use an attenuator.

works perfect.



set the amp where it need to be, then use the attenuator to get the output volume where IT needs to be.

my solution, anyways....

[hamerman]

With regard to speakers, I've had good luck with Eminence Copperheads in my Princetons. I've already read that Celestion is making a new 10" speaker that is supposed to catch a lot of the "Greenback" vibe.