Really stupid question...

[Plagueskill]

I recently bought a Peavey Classic 20 (first tube amp), very gainy, but thats another story. A power chord sounds fine, but when I try to clean up the amp, and play an E minor for example it just sounds kind of "noisy", not much clarity. I know its not supposed to have a vox kind of sparkle, but its still annoying. Could it be the speaker or what?

[rangercaster]

do you have humbuckers or single coils on your guitar ??? whatever signal hits the amp is a huge factor ...

[Plagueskill]

Originally Posted by rangercaster

do you have humbuckers or single coils on your guitar ??? whatever signal hits the amp is a huge factor ...

Slightly lower quality HB's.....

[Green Lantern]

Is it possible for you to record a short sound clip and post it here?

[uriah1]

Could be lots of things..maybe someone swapped in a cheap speaker..or bad connection,
or dying tube

[Durtdog]

I've not played a C20, but have owned a Delta Blues and C30. In my experience, these amps respond very positively to new tubes. It worked miracles on both of mine.

That's where I'd start, fresh tubes.

[frankthomson]

Originally Posted by Plagueskill

Slightly lower quality HB's.....

there's ur prob

[Plagueskill]

Originally Posted by Durtdog

I've not played a C20, but have owned a Delta Blues and C30. In my experience, these amps respond very positively to new tubes. It worked miracles on both of mine.

That's where I'd start, fresh tubes.

The owner I bought it from had sovtek 12Ax7's in and an RCA tube (I forget what kind) in the pre-amp, maybe they're old.

[losergeek]

Might also just need to roll back the volume on your guitar if it's fully open

[DaBender]

I used to have one. IIRC, it has separate "GAIN" and "MASTER" knobs. Keep the gain low and the master high.

[chrisgblues]

Originally Posted by Durtdog

That's where I'd start, fresh tubes.

I'd have to disagree with that. The tubes might be the culprit, but that's certainly not where I would "start".

Start with the cheapest/easiest components as per typical troubleshooting techniques.

For example, if you have another guitar (or access to a friend's guitar) try that. It's free and you might notice a major improvement due to pickup impedance. Or not.

Or try tons of different settings on your tone stack. Most amps sound different when you turn them down compared to when they are opened up, you have to compensate with treble/mid/bass controls...that's why they are there.

Try a different cable if you have one lying around. Not likely, but...

If you are using pedals, take them out of the chain for a minute and try that.

If you do all that and it still sounds bad, try outputting the head to another cabinet if you have one, or borrow one. If it sounds better through a different cabinet it's probably the speaker...if not, you have saved yourself from buying a speaker.

If all that is ruled out, then it's something in the head...you can then try swapping out tubes if you have some (that are matched) or buy them if you must. Or it could be a cap job too, but costs can vary.

You get the picture...don't start spending money until you have ruled out other possibilities.

JMHO. Good luck.

[backline]

Do you live near me.?
Would be happy to give you a hand if you do.....
Best

[jefrs]

You have to learn your new amp.

You have to play with the knobs and learn what they can do, it takes a while.

Fiddle with the tone controls, try the "446" BMT setting and drop the gain for clean.

Roll back the vol knob(s) at the guitar to clean up, they should rarely be at 10 except for during a lead break.