Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post

Ricky D. · April 17th, 2009, 10:09 PM

Hey Screaming Eagle- I think I misinterpreted your original question, and my response was a little off-target. My mistake.

I guess I've seen too many threads where people think that they can get more clean headroom by putting a lower gain tube in V1. Of course, since the headroom is limited by power tube clipping, they just get the same volume at the point of clipping at a higher volume control setting.

I've wondered too about why that 5E3 front end is so sensitive. My Mission 5E3 is at max volume around 3 1/2 on the volume control, and the onset is pretty abrupt. I usually use the #2 input (which is 6dB down) just to get a more useable range on the control.

I like the versatility theory the best. Input sensitivity is such a basic design parameter, I'm sure it wasn't ignored. But even with the BF amps I had in the 70's, you were into OD around 6 - 7 out of 10. So whatever the rationale was, Leo didn't stray too far as the designs evolved: you could always turn it up and drive the power stage into clipping.

April 17th, 2009, 10:09 PM	#27 (permalink)
Ricky D. Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Maryland Age: 58 Posts: 1,951	Hey Screaming Eagle- I think I misinterpreted your original question, and my response was a little off-target. My mistake. I guess I've seen too many threads where people think that they can get more clean headroom by putting a lower gain tube in V1. Of course, since the headroom is limited by power tube clipping, they just get the same volume at the point of clipping at a higher volume control setting. I've wondered too about why that 5E3 front end is so sensitive. My Mission 5E3 is at max volume around 3 1/2 on the volume control, and the onset is pretty abrupt. I usually use the #2 input (which is 6dB down) just to get a more useable range on the control. I like the versatility theory the best. Input sensitivity is such a basic design parameter, I'm sure it wasn't ignored. But even with the BF amps I had in the 70's, you were into OD around 6 - 7 out of 10. So whatever the rationale was, Leo didn't stray too far as the designs evolved: you could always turn it up and drive the power stage into clipping.