metropolis_4
Rock Star
- Messages
- 2,921
It turns out a physical amp is going to be required for some gigs in the next 6 months so I took the plunge and purchased one yesterday. I'm already having second thoughts and buyers remorse and it hasn't even shipped yet.
The amp I decided on is a Divided By 13 JRT 9/15.
I was all set to get either a Dr Z Z28 MkII or a Bad Cat, but I started to worry about the EF86 tubes in them being a hassle and failure point. So at the last minute I went with the /13 instead. I've always wanted to try one IRL and I found a decent deal on one that seems like a good fit, but now I'm thinking it through and starting to worry about a couple things:
1. 5879 tubes.
I know they have a tendency to be more microphonic than 12ax7s and they are no longer made. I'm seriously hoping they don't become a failure point and difficult to source. But they've been used for a long time and they still seem to be readily available right now. Anyone have any experience using these?
2. Volume/Tone flexibility
I started thinking, the volumes on this amp are a big part of how you dial in the tone, but they also change the level, and there is no master volume. I'm worried that means it will be difficult to get the tone I want at the volume I want. I'm also worried the amp is going to fall into the "goldilocks" zone of being too loud for quiet gigs and too quiet for loud gigs.
Mostly I think I've just played every gig for the past 8 years with digital gear and I'm a little scared of changing to a tube amp. It's been a long time and I'm having confidence/trust issues with the idea. I keep picturing the thing falling apart in the middle of a show, squealing and hissing...
The amp I decided on is a Divided By 13 JRT 9/15.
I was all set to get either a Dr Z Z28 MkII or a Bad Cat, but I started to worry about the EF86 tubes in them being a hassle and failure point. So at the last minute I went with the /13 instead. I've always wanted to try one IRL and I found a decent deal on one that seems like a good fit, but now I'm thinking it through and starting to worry about a couple things:
1. 5879 tubes.
I know they have a tendency to be more microphonic than 12ax7s and they are no longer made. I'm seriously hoping they don't become a failure point and difficult to source. But they've been used for a long time and they still seem to be readily available right now. Anyone have any experience using these?
2. Volume/Tone flexibility
I started thinking, the volumes on this amp are a big part of how you dial in the tone, but they also change the level, and there is no master volume. I'm worried that means it will be difficult to get the tone I want at the volume I want. I'm also worried the amp is going to fall into the "goldilocks" zone of being too loud for quiet gigs and too quiet for loud gigs.
Mostly I think I've just played every gig for the past 8 years with digital gear and I'm a little scared of changing to a tube amp. It's been a long time and I'm having confidence/trust issues with the idea. I keep picturing the thing falling apart in the middle of a show, squealing and hissing...
I'm stuck on dirt pedals right now. Mainly because they're cheap enough.
) but for a modeler; it's great. The weirdo eq section for me flat out sucks with pedals.
