Distortion- from the amp or pedals?

[FuzzyAce]

Those Legacy Series amps have a modded Carvin X-100 B / Soldano SLO 100/ JCM 800 / 900 / Jose Arredondo mod versatile tonal variations to them.
The X-100 B did a great Marshall 800 / Mesa Boogie Mark 2C versatility .

I have the first gen version, never tried the later ones. It's a solid amp, and due for some general maintenance. The filter caps are going on 25 yrs old now. Probably ok, but I need to go through it and might even do a few tweaks.

 

[Diary Of An Axeman]

I have the first gen version, never tried the later ones. It's a solid amp, and due for some general maintenance. The filter caps are going on 25 yrs old now. Probably ok, but I need to go through it and might even do a few tweaks.

When storing tube amps in storage, you should plug them in to the wall at least one a year for about an hour, so they stay fit in the long run.
I take my tube amps in at least once every 7 years for maintenance.

 

[FuzzyAce]

When storing tube amps in storage, you should plug them in to the wall at least one a year for about an hour, so they stay fit in the long run.
I take my tube amps in at least once every 7 years.

Yeah I try to use them as much as I can, but a few don't get the love they deserve in more recent years -- the Legacy being one of them.
I do my own work and repairs but usually end up playing my own builds more often than not. Although lately it's been more HX modeling related.

 

[Diary Of An Axeman]

Yeah I try to use them as much as I can, but a few don't get the love they deserve in more recent years -- the Legacy being one of them.
I do my own work and repairs but usually end up playing my own builds more often than not. Although lately it's been more HX modeling related.

I tried many of other folks IR / Modelers; Quad Cortex, ToneX and Kempers.
Great sounding devices, but for me, it has the sound 85% in the ball park, but with tubes dynamics and feel of genuine tubes, like a 12ax7, IRs Modelers fall slightly flat.
I think when you do a "Capture " on those units, it's only a snapshot of the amp of that tube amp, at that moment.
Either way, modellers are great.
What made me view the weakness of IRs, is the use of a volume or tone knob from the guitar.
To my ears, the IR didn't have the gradual gain increase like a 12ax7 tube, it was like cooking with a microwave vs BBQing or using a conventional oven.

To my ears, the volume knob exposed the IR's hot, warm and cold spots, while the tubes in my tube amp collection ( or 2112 SGS) was more thoroughly cooked tone wise.
I had to use that analogy to express my opinion.

Who knows adding some thing like a VHT Valvulator 1 or a tube based preamp in the effects loop can solve that super super low tube simulation of a Kemper.

Then again results and opinions will vary with what the user has in their setups.

 

[gearJunkie]

For naturally clean amps, I've found my new favorite distortion pedal.

The Empress Effects Heavy Menace is pure . So many great sounds from crunch through armageddon with a three band EQ, a "weight" (contour) control, and a foot switchable gate (with side chain input) make this pedal something special.

It easily turns my Two Rock into a face melter.

 

[Eagle]

I’ve long stopped servicing tube gear beyond keeping it clean and well stored when not in use. I also only replace tubes when they start to cause problems. Tubes can last anywhere from 15 minutes to the rest of your life. Don’t take them out just because they have been used for a while unless you know they are not performing properly. Vintage amps will need the caps replaced eventually but it’s a judgement call.
Also finding a tube amp tech that actually has a clue is really hard. All the best ones I used are either retired or dead.

 

[dronerstone]

I’ve long stopped servicing tube gear beyond keeping it clean and well stored when not in use. I also only replace tubes when they start to cause problems. Tubes can last anywhere from 15 minutes to the rest of your life. Don’t take them out just because they have been used for a while unless you know they are not performing properly. Vintage amps will need the caps replaced eventually but it’s a judgement call.
Also finding a tube amp tech that actually has a clue is really hard. All the best ones I used are either retired or dead.

Completely agree on this. I bought a beat-up '73 Ampeg VT-22 15+ years ago, a truly rare beast over here. It's running fine these days, but I went through 3 different techs before I found someone who's capable and actually understands what that amp is supposed to do. Before that, it was usable but still wacky.
Also, good tech will charge some, that's for sure. Last service was 400€, if I recall correctly.

 

[JasonE]

I use both amp drive and pedal drive. I have some tube amps that are either strictly clean amps or they have very good clean channels in them. I also have some tube amps that have really good sounding and responsive drive channels in them. I have found quite a few drive pedals that I like. I am to the point of admitting that I have an addiction to them now. It is tot he point where I have learned about the circuits in them and how to modify them to explore options.

 

[EOengineer]

You guys can get distortion from pedals and amps?! Why didn’t someone say something?

I’ve been razor blading my speakers this whole time.