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Originally posted by Steve Conner
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Well, you're talking about "the metal guys"... Sure you're not a closet mosher yourself? \m/ 
I am, when learning to play guitar I wore out Metallica records the same way a previous generation would have done with Zeppelin. I kind of regret that now, because in the scheme of things they really weren't that good. And my guitar tone preferences were pretty "modern", though I got into the blues end of things later on, partly on account of my interest in tube amps.
I pretty much agree with Wilder's observations there, except for one thing. I also found that it's easy to get that big, thumping low end at medium volumes, but when you try to make it at gig volumes it just falls apart and mushes up, unless you have a huge power amp and lots of powerful speakers like EVM12Ls.
So instead of lugging some gigantic stack, the fix I humbly suggest is to leave the percussive attack and thumping low end to the drummer and bassist. That's what they're there for! You can use a reasonably sized amp (though "reasonable" isn't a very metal concept!) and instead of using the EQ to scoop out the midrange, use it to focus whatever power the amp has into a really violent buzzsaw grind. You also need less gain once the power tubes start distorting.
There's nothing to stop you cranking up the bass and getting that heavy, thumping tone from the same amp when you're practicing on your own. But I think it's an important concept, this idea that there's no single "ultimate tone". There's just the right tone for the situation, and it can be completely different depending on how loud you're playing, what style of music you're playing, what size of venue you're playing, and who you're playing with.
And I think a good modern amp design should be able to rise to that challenge. You should be able to get lots of juicy distortion at any volume if you want it, from the preamp alone, or if you're playing loud, from the power amp too. And enough tone and EQ knobs to shape the sound in the way I described.
"They want the f***ing moon on a stick" as an old colleague of mine used to say.
I am, when learning to play guitar I wore out Metallica records the same way a previous generation would have done with Zeppelin. I kind of regret that now, because in the scheme of things they really weren't that good. And my guitar tone preferences were pretty "modern", though I got into the blues end of things later on, partly on account of my interest in tube amps.
I pretty much agree with Wilder's observations there, except for one thing. I also found that it's easy to get that big, thumping low end at medium volumes, but when you try to make it at gig volumes it just falls apart and mushes up, unless you have a huge power amp and lots of powerful speakers like EVM12Ls.
So instead of lugging some gigantic stack, the fix I humbly suggest is to leave the percussive attack and thumping low end to the drummer and bassist. That's what they're there for! You can use a reasonably sized amp (though "reasonable" isn't a very metal concept!) and instead of using the EQ to scoop out the midrange, use it to focus whatever power the amp has into a really violent buzzsaw grind. You also need less gain once the power tubes start distorting.
There's nothing to stop you cranking up the bass and getting that heavy, thumping tone from the same amp when you're practicing on your own. But I think it's an important concept, this idea that there's no single "ultimate tone". There's just the right tone for the situation, and it can be completely different depending on how loud you're playing, what style of music you're playing, what size of venue you're playing, and who you're playing with.
And I think a good modern amp design should be able to rise to that challenge. You should be able to get lots of juicy distortion at any volume if you want it, from the preamp alone, or if you're playing loud, from the power amp too. And enough tone and EQ knobs to shape the sound in the way I described.
"They want the f***ing moon on a stick" as an old colleague of mine used to say.
My whole point has to do with that new amp model I was telling you about that I'm designing as one of my amp products specifically for heavy metal. Which is why I opted for the dual rail supply setup, super stiff power supply and 2 x 6550/KT88s. I've decided to do a two power transformer setup with plate/heaters on one transformer while the screens/bias are on the other.
So far if my math is correct -
600Va
300Vg2
5k Za-a
Ig2 (max signal) = 2 x 15mA
600V / 1250 = 480mA peak current
So for the plate/heater transformer this would call for -
450VAC x 500mA = 225
6.3V x 6A = 37.8
So that transformer would need a VA rating of 262.8...round up to 265VA.
For the screen/bias transformer I figure 150mA on that winding. It will be a 225-0-225 ran with a grounded center tap and a dual polarity FWB rectifier for both screen and bias supplies.
225 x 150mA = VA = 33.75
We'll round up to VA=35 for that one.
For a total VA of 300.
Here's the scheme. Not quite finalized yet...just the best one that I've come up with so far. With the cap values and choke shown I'm thinkin' this power amp should be one stiff bastard.
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