Ampeg Vl-1002

[5150 TONE]

Can anyone tell me what I can do to fix the eq on my Ampeg ? Here is the problem. If I turn the Volume and pre-gain knobs half way up there is very little sound coming from the amp, This is with all the eq knobs at zero, Now if I turn any 1 of the 3 eq knobs up just a little say to 3 or 4 the amp gets really loud.. I would prefer that the amps eq did not do this,More like a volume control then an eq as most amplifiers that I have tried do not act like this at least not so much like a volume..I have several friends that say that the eq should not work like a master volume and I think that ,that is exactly what it is doing?? I love the amp but it makes it difficult to dial in a good tone.with the eq boosting the volume..I would appriciate any help.. Thank you..

[5150 TONE]

Just wanted to add...

I just plugged into my 5150 head to double check and see if the eq on the 5150 acted the same as on the Ampeg VL-1002 ..No.. Not the same when using the eq on the 5150 you get a little bit of volume boost but not like a post volume..It is much easier to dial in a good tone fast when the 3 eq knobs on the head dont act like a post volume..anyone have any ideas what I can do to tame the eq on my Ampeg? I want them to work as an eq not a post volume..Thanks in Advance for any tips on how to cure this problem..

[Enzo]

SO turn down the volume.

That is normal for there to be no sound with all the EQ knobs at zero. Reason is that the signal is grounded that way. We don't usually operate amplifiers with all the EQs zeroed.

Start with the EQs centered, not zeroed. Then set the volume for the level you like, and THEN tweak the EQ.

The 5150 doesn't act that way because it uses a different circuit.

[5150 TONE]

Thanks Enzo..

Thanks Enzo.. You seem to know alot about both amps.. Which circut do you prefer..The reason I was asking is I just puchased an AMP-Head Dual Bias probe,The Tube guitar Amplifier Essentials by Gerald Weber, and The Guitar Amp Handbook by Dave Hunter..

• and quiet a few pre amp tubes to experiment with

I have pulled the chassy removed the reverb tank and set the bias with Kt -88s.. I want to use the Ampeg VL-1002 to experiment with and the next thing I wanted to do was to change the way the eq works so I was asking for some suggestions as how to do it..Oh ya I also bought Lee Jacksons Ultimate Bench Warrior Service Video for the VL-1002.. NOT Much Help there...Thanks again Enzo.. I am recently disabled and wanted to learn amp repair for some income so I am trying to learn as quickly as I can...Only problem is the VL-1002 is loaded with 2 channels 2 seperate eqs, 7 pres and an attenuator as I am sure you well know..So I guess if I could figure this amp out the rest would be easy.. and I just dont like the way the eq acts like a post volume I prefer the 5150 eq circut..

[Enzo]

Well you can learn a lot here certainly. There is good stuff at places like:

http://www.duncanamps.com/
http://www.aikenamps.com/
http://www.londonpower.com/

But I think perception is a powerful thing. The EQ do not act like a master volume, they merely will kill the signal if they are all the way down, all at the same time. But really, who turns the EQs ALL all the way down? How does it sound when you start with the controls all at mid point?

It wouldn't be very difficult to change the VL EQ over to the 5150 circuit. The 5150 uses the plain old vanilla tone stack you see in Fenders and Marshalls.

But think about this, how often do you turn all the EQs down to zero on the 5150? I realize you CAN, but do you?

I don't really have circuit preferences.

[5150 TONE]

Enzo..Thank you ery much !!

Enzo..I cant thank you enough for your help/tips..I am very very greatful..Now if I could only figure out how to put spaces between my thought in this reply so it doesnt look all garbbled..So personally I like to start with a new amp with the post half way up and the pre gain half way up with the eq's and everything else on zero..then dial in the amp from there.. with the eq..I dont know why but I usually like to start there..Sometimes I do start with all the cotrols at mid point..But I feel I get a better sence or feel of the amp with the eqs and all other controls at zero as a starting point..and the post and pre gain set to half way then dial them up either way works of course, its just an old habit of mine stating with my Peavey T-60 and Peavey Bandit back in 1983..Then my 2 Peavey Renouns..That I still have...and now my 5150 and Ampeg VL-1002...Thank you again for all you help and the links I have been reading alot and now know a little more about amplifiers ,but I want to go all the way and be able to do what you do and really know amps inside and out ,,I have wanted this for a long long time and now I am going after it with both feet since I am out of work..with no disabilty or pay from the company for 5 months..Yada Yada ..Bottom line I LOVE amplifiers..Period.and I sure do apprieciate your help..I want to find a local shop to work in... Dr Z is real close and then there is another shop but I know they rip people off like me 2 years ago with a $210.00 charge for bad tubes that I have in the amp right now, because I demanded them back and decided to get a bias probe and put them in and have been playing with them for over 2 months now... They are jj KT-88s and I like the sound better then the el-34s in the ampeg...Sorry fo running on just wanted to show my appriciation to you and thats that now on to play the VL for a few...