Champ 600 with MIM Tele

[waaronl]

Hey guys I made a little clip of my Champ 600 amp with a 6L6 tube instead of the 6V6 that is the only thing I have done to the amp.

I am by no means a pro, the playing is a little sloppy, I get a little "shaky" when I start to record something, I just wanted to get this out and let people here a stock Champ with 6L6 and a stock tele.

Please let me know what you think! (Don't be to mean )
http://www.box.net/shared/vde2yis3qx

I used the neck pickup for the rythm track then I started off in middle and went to bridge for the lead stuff.

Aaron

[Don Miller]

very nice...that sort of recording is a good way to get to know your gear, how to make it sound the way you want it to, what licks and tricks (like flipping the selector switch) fit where, and to figure out how to play in a multiple instrument situations....you got a nice Marshall Tucker-ish vibe going there...keep it up!

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by Don Miller

very nice...that sort of recording is a good way to get to know your gear, how to make it sound the way you want it to, what licks and tricks (like flipping the selector switch) fit where, and to figure out how to play in a multiple instrument situations....you got a nice Marshall Tucker-ish vibe going there...keep it up!

Thanks a lot Don, I am going to put the 6V6 back in and give it another go (sometime soon) I am pretty impressed with this little amp, it is def not very loud but it has a good sound IMHO.

Aaron

[Don Miller]

Ive got one too...I swapped the tubes and speaker but primarily because I never worked much on an amp...I took it to jam sessions a few times but it just didnt have the ump to stand alone, and miking it defeated the "plug and play" aspect of the sessions...

I keep it under the table where I do my recording and it mikes up real nicely...its amazing how many of the classic guitar parts we all know and love were done on Champs or other small amps...I wasnt paying attention when they sold all the nice old Vibrochamps and such for $250...and the Champ 600 is a reasonable alternative IMHO...

I do alot of recording just like yours...rhythm track and then work the lead out over it..Im not a particularly spontaneous lead player and dont always think well on the fly so
I have to at least draw a map of where Im going..and Ive found those basic recordings to be a great learning tool for both my lead and rhythm work...and how they fit together. I try to work with a metronome or drum track too...98% of my recordings never see the light of day but hopefully the end result of the work will eventually show...

Post the version with the 6V6 when you do it...Im currious to hear the difference...

[Professorbx]

How did you like it with the 6l6? When I tried it, I thought that the 6v6 sounded a little smoother. My favorite swap is a 12at7 instead of the 12ax7-it gives a little more clean headroom and sounds a little more like the classic Champ tone.

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by Professorbx

How did you like it with the 6l6? When I tried it, I thought that the 6v6 sounded a little smoother. My favorite swap is a 12at7 instead of the 12ax7-it gives a little more clean headroom and sounds a little more like the classic Champ tone.

You know it was ok, it has more bass it seems..
I have already put the 6V6 back in because I figured why change it, I am thinking about replacing the grill cloth and a few other little simple things but ehh it works you know.

I need a good 6V6 to put in it.
The 12AX7 is a Sovtek which seems ok but the 6V6 is some chinese no name thing.

What brand 12AT7 did u use or does it not even matter?

Aaron

[Professorbx]

Originally Posted by waaronl

You know it was ok, it has more bass it seems..
I have already put the 6V6 back in because I figured why change it, I am thinking about replacing the grill cloth and a few other little simple things but ehh it works you know.

I need a good 6V6 to put in it.
The 12AX7 is a Sovtek which seems ok but the 6V6 is some chinese no name thing.

What brand 12AT7 did u use or does it not even matter?

Aaron

I pretty much just use JJ's these days, they have given me by far the most consistent results. When I wanted to have a more high-gain tone I switched to the JJ ecc83-they stupidly gain-ey. The 12at7 that they make is very smooth, as close to a NOS as I have found in a new tube. When I tried the EH tubes they actually had some major crackling issues-three different tubes no less. Wasn't exactly something that would make me come back.

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by Don Miller

Post the version with the 6V6 when you do it...Im currious to hear the difference...

I started a new thread but here it is:
http://www.box.net/shared/lr0k3vrh7s
That is with the stock 6V6 back in there.

I also have a Blues Jr for more jam sessions this is just a fun little guy for the house.

[mudbean]

Specs, please - what's your recording setup? Microphone? Preamp? A picture would be cool, too.

mud

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Specs, please - what's your recording setup? Microphone? Preamp? A picture would be cool, too.

mud

Amp is stock, the first clip is a 6L6 tube, the second is the stock 6V6 tube.

Telecaster is a Mexican standard 2004 Model it is also stock except I put a Fender stamped Ashtray bridge with 6 Individual saddles on it that I got from a guy here on this board.

I am using some Magnavox microphone I got from Wal-mart, the mic is plugged straight into the front of my computer.

I used Reaper because it is free.

I am using nothing else, any reverb or echo is just the cheapy microphone I guess!

I will try to get a picture later, the wife has the camera in her car and she is at work.

Aaron

[Don Miller]

Sounds alittle thicker and warmer in the first clip..a little thinner but with more "sparkle " in the 2nd...altho some of that variation could be due to mike placement, room characteristics, etc...the brief chorus-reverb etc at the start of the 2nd clip could be some sort of soundcard-software thing going on..perhaps a little latency (lag) for a couple seconds...that can occur with even the top of the line gear when going direct. There are interfaces that will fix that for about $100 and up...or a driver update might cure it..in any even its not extreme and seemed to fix itself quickly..I dont think it is the mike because everything else is clear..all the little variables can drive one crazy!...

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by Don Miller

Sounds alittle thicker and warmer in the first clip..a little thinner but with more "sparkle " in the 2nd...altho some of that variation could be due to mike placement, room characteristics, etc...the brief chorus-reverb etc at the start of the 2nd clip could be some sort of soundcard-software thing going on..perhaps a little latency (lag) for a couple seconds...that can occur with even the top of the line gear when going direct. There are interfaces that will fix that for about $100 and up...or a driver update might cure it..in any even its not extreme and seemed to fix itself quickly..I dont think it is the mike because everything else is clear..all the little variables can drive one crazy!...

Yeah I think that a new 6V6 may help, the tube that is in there is just some Chinese 6V6 no name just made in china written on it, that can't be good.
The 6L6 was a Sovtek which are not the best in the world but not bad.

I am pretty happy with the amp, I think it sounds great for what it is!

Aaron

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by waaronl

I am using some Magnavox microphone I got from Wal-mart, the mic is plugged straight into the front of my computer.

Sweet!

Hi Aaron - don't sweat the photo. One thing you want to pay close attention to when doing A-B comparisons: the amp and mic must be in the exact same place in every test - amp same place in your room, mic exact same place in front of amp - these things have a dramatic impact on how the recorded track sounds. Same amp & guitar settings would help, too.

Otherwise, you can't compare. Sure, your clips sound way different, but there are too many variables at play to make a worthwhile assessment.

mud

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Sweet!

Hi Aaron - don't sweat the photo. One thing you want to pay close attention to when doing A-B comparisons: the amp and mic must be in the exact same place in every test - amp same place in your room, mic exact same place in front of amp - these things have a dramatic impact on how the recorded track sounds. Same amp & guitar settings would help, too.

Otherwise, you can't compare. Sure, your clips sound way different, but there are too many variables at play to make a worthwhile assessment.

mud

I had it about as close as I can get it.
The mic was just hanging over the top of the amp, I don't own a stand, I am not that great at playing so I try not to invest a lot in microphones and the such.

I put Seymour Duncan STR-1 and STL-1B in the guitar today oh man those things sound great!

Aaron

[Don Miller]

Those are nice very pickups....there is likely a noticeable improvement over the stock MIM pickups.

Youre on your way!

[waaronl]

Originally Posted by Don Miller

Those are nice very pickups....there is likely a noticeable improvement over the stock MIM pickups.

Youre on your way!

I am sure trying.
I really want to try to learn some "country riffs"