search4sound wrote:
I read somewhere that one reason why tremolo (aka vibrato) is removed from Twin Reverb and other amps with similar trem circuit is that this circuit can load down the circuit creating suboptimal tone. Any truth to this?
In the case of Jerry's TR mods, I assumed the reason for removing the trem was to free up the tube to be used for an extra stage. Maybe it was both? Related to this, I wonder if anyone has the vibrato mod and has A/B'd the normal channel (stock) and the vibrato channel (extra stage, no vibrato). How do they compare?
In the case of the Princeton, I read that the way the trem is connected does not load down the circuit. So I presume that I can turn down the intensity to 0 and the vibrato should sound the same as the normal channel?
+1 on the tonestack mod. I'll do the cathode bypass caps on the triode stages as well. I suppose I should consider replacing all the electrolytic caps, that amp is almost 40 years old.
Thanks for you recommendation not to upgrade the speaker to 12" or increase the gain - I've long wanted a push pull amp that sounds good at lower volumes. So do you still get shimmering Garcia clean with a 10" speaker?
What about preamp tapping the Princeton? Anything keeping me from doing that? Is it done the same way as with a TR?
I don't recall reading that Jerry disconnected the trem stage. I'll have to check Waldo's age and see. In any event, I've put a pull pot on the intensity of the trem on a few bigger fenders and it is an effective and simple way to increase gain (and volume). On the princeton, you can turn intensity all the way down... simpler and sometimes more effective method would be to use a shorted rca jack in the footswitch slot. By default on that amp the trem is on. The shorting jack will turn it off. Not the same as removing it though.
The jbl d110 (or K/E) is a three inch voice coil... slightly different tone from the 12 or 15", but close enough for what I need.
The electrolytics in the cap can are said to last longer than others, but if it were my amp, I would not leave the originals in. The other electrolytics that are on the board will effect tone... the tantalum capacitors that alembic used will sound different, and that's an important part of Jerry's tone.
I have not looked at the princeton for a preamp tap... but can't immediately think of any reason it would not work... just in a mono version.
best of luck!