Too Much Boost/OD Damage Amp?

I have a Clapton strat with mid-boost, modded SD1 for distortion, TS9 for overdrive(level up/drive down). If I have all three active together can I damage the preamp/amp? I usually use the mid-boost with the SD1 for rock or the TS9 alone for blues.

I think you'd have to have a massive signal to kill your amp (or your speaker).

I know a dimed NYC Big Muff can DEFINITELY blow an amp, especially if it's already up a bit. However with those three pedals and your mid boost you should be fine, you'll be able to tell if it's too much.

You are not going to hurt your amp at all.

Square waves (distortion) pack a lot more power than sine waves (clean). Everything gets hotter and works harder when you're playing distorted. Speakers usually suffer the most when assaulted by heavy distortion. But if you're just dialing up some nice lead scream and not pushing the amp to full volume, you're probably well within its operating limits.

Like Billm says, in most cases these days, you'll be fine. At worst a speaker will take the most abuse.

What kind of amp, and at what volume do you play it at?

What kind of amp, and at what volume do you play it at?

Traynor YCV40WR, not at high volume. I was thinking about the input side, if I can hit that too hard. Nothing sounded bad, just curious.

That's the nice thing about tube input--it's almost impossible to damage with overload. And pedal manufacturers wouldn't stay in business very long if they sold "amp killer" pedals.

I suppose if you really worked at it, you could drive the grid positive, which wouldn't cause damage, but would sound so awful that you wouldn't do it again.

That's the nice thing about tube input--it's almost impossible to damage with overload. And pedal manufacturers wouldn't stay in business very long if they sold "amp killer" pedals.

I suppose if you really worked at it, you could drive the grid positive, which wouldn't cause damage, but would sound so awful that you wouldn't do it again.

Out of interest: Well designed SS circuits should have diode limiters placed between the input and positive and negative supply rails to prevent reverse biasing of the input transistors. Most good manufacturers like Peavey, Fender, etc include this to prevent warranty returns (although the cause is not a warranty claim). You should find them on the FX Return too!

I suppose if you really worked at it, you could drive the grid positive, which wouldn't cause damage, but would sound so awful that you wouldn't do it again.

I like doing it as an effect sometimes. With a maxed-out Boss GE-7 (or even better, two), one can get some pretty crazy fuzz sounds! :cool:

- Scott

In amps with grid leak biased first gain stages, such as the 5C5 Pro and the 5B/C3 Deluxe, the amp can be damaged by too hot an input signal. Your Traynor should be safe though!