Phaez Amps [merged]

[eaglewolf]

Need help, just got dc-8 yesterday, first impression not good..
is it just me? I feel there is no punch, bottom end, bass.
Any help would be thankful.

I thought the same thing when I got my DC8. The OD was way more than I was expecting using the normal way I adjust the amp, and it was very bright played through the V30's in the Mesa vertical 2X12 I had on hand.

For me, I took Matmont's suggestion to use the gain as a master and the master as the gain and found tones that worked for me. I'm more of a classic rock player, so that is the tone I wanted. I'm currently using a 2X12 with Eminence Private Jack and Wizard speakers, though I'm not sure that is the best match for that amp either. Still, I was pleased with the results once I tweaked the amp. It seemed to have more bottom end and the distortion was more to my liking. Like many amps, it sounds better with more volume than at whisper-soft levels.

In retrospect, a different amp might have served me better. I do like the size of the amp and the tones I'm currently getting, but if I adjust the amp just a little bit it goes way beyond what I would use. That is the chance one takes when you buy an amp without first playing it. Here on this site we tend to be over the top on every Phaez that comes out, giving some the impression that you can't lose no matter what amp you decide on. That is probably a bit optimistic, as everyone has different tastes. (There are people that actualy do not like a JTM45 if you can believe that, so I'm sure there are people that won't like a particular Phaez.) Randy does make a good amp, but what I prefer may be different than what you prefer.

Give the amp a try, but if you are not pleased with the results you can probably work something out with Randy to modify the amp to something you would prefer for a reasonable price. I think I've read threads here where some did just that.

David

 

[O4two]

eaglewolf, im closer with the eq i added but still no punch. did you have a bigger amp before the dc-8? and feel what i do. over all it does sound very good. I was just hoping this would be the one..

 

[Dools]

cant tell ya, they are marshall label celestions, cab is from late 70's to early 80's
cab label 1960 lead Ive owned it from early 80's. been playing with my eq pedal in front
it seem to help but still not very punchy maybe because only 8 watts? maybe im so used to my boogie studio 22 watts.

I think the 8 watts may be your problem with the bass and those 65 watt speakers. I may be wrong but I think you may need something like 25-30 watt speakers for your 8 watter to push. Again, that's just my 2 cents.

 

[blamo]

does anyone know if the JTM18 is cathode bias? or is it fixed bias?

 

[O4two]

everyday a learning experience, 100 watt daisy cutter?

 

[Batman]

everyday a learning experience, 100 watt daisy cutter?

That would be awesome!

 

[mourguitars]

My CM2 hardwire overdrive as well as a BB overdrive added low end as well has Bass/ Treble, i use that as a boost, add bass a treble to your liking..

I was going to sell my Marshall 4x12 cab after 20 years of a love/hate relationship , it came alive with the Vet 30's in there mixed in with the 75w.Great bass and highs and the vet 30's add what was missing in the mid range.Maybe the 65w speakers roll off the bass,i had a ET65 with a vet 30 and didn't like it..

I play all the 80's metal, KSE, and extreme Alt rock and the DC8 sounds better that my Blackstar Ht-5....Hands Down !

I was planning on trying my Amt P-1 pedal in the loop this week end with some drop B tunings .

For a low watt high gain amp, Phaez are pretty great amps and give me a great tube feel i was looking for......Mike

 

[wrc73]

does anyone know if the JTM18 is cathode bias? or is it fixed bias?

Cathode, no rebiasing for new power tubes.

 

[wrc73]

everyday a learning experience, 100 watt daisy cutter?

Maybe the DC25 or EL34 based DC50 would be the ticket for you? I don't know, I have to think that with the right speaker combination and settings you would get plenty of bass out of the DC8. Just my $0.02 though, I don't own one yet. If 80's rock are your thing maybe an AFD would be the fix?

 

[George Jetson]

Getting closer now....

 

[Dools]

Getting closer now....

Dooooo telllllll

 

[mourguitars]

Tried the AMT P-1 in the loop of the DC8 with the 6v6 tube.....Went thru every drop-c song i new KSE, AILD, BFMV, and Fozzy (don't laugh They ROCK !) Bass at 2, Mid at 11:30, Treble at 1, Gain at 2:30....On the P1. (starting point)

Unless i bought a Axe Fx and Tone matched, i can't get any closer to the tone's of these bands.....My Dc8 sounded like a 5150 or a Mesa. KSE like them or not have a realy good tone..

Playing at home with iTunes, i try to get as close as i can to the tone i'm hearing via Pedals.....I'm dailing in closer tones with this amp than i was with my Rocktron Prophesy with all those EQ's in it.....Plug in Dial and Play!....A happy thing !

Ill Try to upload so pic's of my rig this week end and settings, but every pedal iv'e use so far with the DC8 sounds great.....it takes pedals very well...

Like 1959 said maybe lower watt speaker will help....Back to playing, Mike

 

[O4two]

eq in front helps, but i think your on to something, not enough power to drive the speakers to get more punch. i was going to try it in the loop but eq took a s%$t on me.
had a good scorpions tone going.

 

[Sudsy100]

eq in front helps, but i think your on to something, not enough power to drive the speakers to get more punch. i was going to try it in the loop but eq took a s%$t on me.
had a good scorpions tone going.

Just MHO (and everyone has one, of course), but if those are original UK JCM800-era G12-65's in your Marshall cab, they're fantastic. There is a bit of hype about them, and they do fetch around $150 or so on the Bay, but I've got a 2x12 1936 cab with 'em in it, and it's pretty well the best-sounding cab I own (and I generally prefer V-30s across the board).

I know you don't want to get into a money pit trying different things, but perhaps a 1x12 with a V-30 or a 2x12 with either V-30s or a couple of the G12-65s would be more suitable for an 8W amp?

A 2x12 with Greenbacks seem to be a popular choice here with the DC (either that or Scumbacks or a WGS of some kind). I can't in good conscience recommend newer Greenies, but they do indeed work better with some amps.

Just a thought . . .

Scott . . .

 

[blamo]

Cathode, no rebiasing for new power tubes.

Perfect. Thanks.

 

[George Jetson]

Dooooo telllllll

Randy is in final testing now, should be shipping next week. I'm gonna rock this one out with the Mojotone cab I got on the St. Patty's Day special.

 

[Dools]

Randy is in final testing now, should be shipping next week. I'm gonna rock this one out with the Mojotone cab I got on the St. Patty's Day special.

Surprise circuitry?

 

[George Jetson]

Surprise circuitry?

Nope, it's a straight up Brawler. Simple amp plus simple controls should equal awesome sound.

 

[wrc73]

Nope, it's a straight up Brawler. Simple amp plus simple controls should equal awesome sound.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one, I think a lot of us have been curious about it for a while!

Is it a non-master volume amp??? I'm betting on sweet tones, but LOUD as all outdoors!

 

[George Jetson]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one, I think a lot of us have been curious about it for a while!

Is it a non-master volume amp??? I'm betting on sweet tones, but LOUD as all outdoors!

Yes, no MV on this one. It will likely rattle my fillings when cranked, but I am pretty excited to blast it in the basement studio. It should be quite a departure tonally from Randy's other circuits.