Just ordered a pair of V30's...

[andy474x]

The amp tone quest continues. Over the weekend I tried my SE30 head with a cab loaded with some V30 clones, and when cranked up, it sounded pretty darn good! Definitely different from the speakers in my stock 2x12. The stock speakers are very thick sounding, which is good up to about 2/3 of the MV, but then it gets a lot of low mid flavor that's tough to dial out, and just starts to sound boomy and undefined. That's where the other speakers started to shine, that fullness that comes in toward the top of the MV range has a much better distribution, and the sound still has bite to it. More presence and cut, tighter bass - overall, a more responsive feel at gig volume. So, I ordered a set of V30's from Avatar, should have them installed next week. Excited to have my cab up to normal PRS spec. I was tempted by the Emi Governor and WGS Veteran, but I figure PRS probably used V30's for good reason. That "mid spike" that the other companies often claim to remove from their clones, is probably what helps the V30 to cut in a mix so well. Of course, this is all speculation on my part, we'll see what actually happens when they go in!

The downside is, the cab I used sounded a little thin and harsh at lower volumes. So I'll have to play with mic location a bit and see if I can get a good recording tone at home, otherwise maybe I'll build a 1x12 to put one of the stock speakers in, because they sound very full at that level.

Anyone have tips for switching over to the V30's?

 

[László]

Anyone have tips for switching over to the V30's?

Just be patient and let them break in before judging them.

When miking them up, don't go for the center of the cone. You'll get a wonky sound that way.

Instead, mic 'em up between the edge of the dustcap and the edge of the speaker, depending on taste, amp setting, etc. I generally mic mine about an inch away from the dustcap edge for a brighter sound, and if I want something a little darker, I move the mic further from the center (experiment a little).

 

[andy474x]

Thanks Les! I'll be sure and give them some time to break in before judging. Right now I position my mic right dead center, so that will need to change. My e906 also has the high end filter switch, so I'll have to play with position and that switch, to find a good combination. Although I usually try to leave it the neutral position.

Do you find that angling the mic toward the dustcap when you have it off center is helpful?

 

[Deleted member 5962]

What speakers are in your cab now? My first suggestion would have been 2" of Polyfil on the back of the cab... too late for that now.
Also, re: the Gov and Warehouse, they don't get rid of that peak, they just reduce it a couple dB. If you get the V30s and the peak is too much (yes, wait til after breakin) then try a Gov or the Warehouse version. The Mesa version if the best I've heard, but you can only get them from Mesa. Governor is next (IMHO). I haven't tried the Warehouse but I'm sure it's probably right there with the Emi.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

You mic right in the center? Meaning dead middle of the dust cap???

 

[László]

Do you find that angling the mic toward the dustcap when you have it off center is helpful?

I don't do it, but I'm sure it'd depend on the mic.

 

[andy474x]

Haven't heard about the polyfil before, what does that do? Yes, recently I have been mic'ing dead center, although I'm still not 100% satisfied with the tone of that spot. It's bright, but if I move much it gets too dull, and I would rather EQ something out later than try to add something that's not there. Well, really, I would just like to find the sweet spot, but I haven't yet.

 

[László]

Haven't heard about the polyfil before, what does that do? Yes, recently I have been mic'ing dead center, although I'm still not 100% satisfied with the tone of that spot. It's bright, but if I move much it gets too dull, and I would rather EQ something out later than try to add something that's not there. Well, really, I would just like to find the sweet spot, but I haven't yet.

It's not so much a matter of wanting bright vs EQing something out. The dust cap location actually doesn't sound as good as the cone close up in many cases. If you want a brighter tone, it might be a good idea to try a different mic, or set the amp up differently.

At least, this is my experience. YMMV.

 

[BMiller]

Haven't heard about the polyfil before, what does that do? Yes, recently I have been mic'ing dead center, although I'm still not 100% satisfied with the tone of that spot. It's bright, but if I move much it gets too dull, and I would rather EQ something out later than try to add something that's not there. Well, really, I would just like to find the sweet spot, but I haven't yet.

I use one of those mics as well with V30s and I pretty much line up one side of the mic with the dust cap giving me a bit less than an inch away. I typically leave the switch in the "Normal" position. No need to angle the mic or pull it back from the speaker in a live setting really. When I use a 57, I do angle it at 45 degrees, pulled back from the grill about an inch or so (this changes as needed) and pointed right at the dust cap edge. Tweak to taste.

As far as the speakers themselves, I actually had that conversation last night with a friend. I suggested the Veterans because when they arrive, they have a decent V30 broken in tone (they break in very nicely!), reduced mid spike (it's still there but sounds more like a well worn V30) and just sound great if that is the sound you want. Weber speakers also makes many models well worth considering (but too late for that).

All I can say with the new V30s is to play em! Run that amp hard, loud, and often! If you have the ability to do so, run a guitar signal through it at volume for hours on end (use a looper or a re-amp track) at volume to break them in faster.

 

[bodia]

If memory serves, won't Avatar break them in for you? Been too long. Maybe they have broken in V30's that they call something else, like their own name? Either way, an email or phone call couldn't hurt if you want to spare yourself of the process.

 

[BMiller]

If memory serves, won't Avatar break them in for you? Been too long. Maybe they have broken in V30's that they call something else, like their own name? Either way, an email or phone call couldn't hurt if you want to spare yourself of the process.

Avatar Hellatone 60 - http://avatarspeakers.com/product/hellatone-60/

I forgot about them as well!!

 

[Deleted member 5962]

So, I'm no micing expert. I know a few guys who are fairly serious recording guys who use V30/SM57. A lot of what I've read starts with the 57 centered on the edge of the dust cap. So half on the cap, half on the cone. Then slowly move out the cone from there. Also, try that spot and slowly experiment with mic axis, but not aiming more at the dust cap, aiming more and more towards the cone. Many like somewhere around 30-45 degrees. Some guys like way in, some all the way out near the edge of the cone. I've never read of anyone micing the center of the dust cap before... but never say never/no rules/your mileage may vary, etc.

The cap sounds different than the cone, which sounds different as you move out from the cap, as Les said. Somewhere on the cone is where you'll find your tone. And that will vary by the volume you're playing at when you record, how damped your cab is, etc. But, I'd get off that dust cap. Unless it sounds like what you want to hear, in which case you can tell me to put a sock in it. But I'd try Polyfil before a sock! LOL

 

[László]

But, I'd get off that dust cap. Unless it sounds like what you want to hear, in which case you can tell me to put a sock in it.

I try not to wear socks when I play. Just a thing, I guess. Haha!

 

[rugerpc]

I try not to west socks when playing my PRS guitars too because of the blowing your socks off thing....

 

[bodia]

I try not to west socks when playing my PRS guitars too because of the blowing your socks off thing....

I'm with ya here. I always go east socks

 

[rugerpc]

D'OH!

sadly, I have no credible excuse.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Mine are marked "left" and "right." You guys must have weird socks! I mean, how does the east/west sock know whether you are facing north or south when you are putting them on? You know, your pants have a zipper so you don't have to worry about north or south, just put the zipper in the front. (I get the strange feeling I could be missing out on a good chance here to make Sergio joke, but I'm not sure what it is. )
Yep, simple "left/right" socks for me.

 

[rugerpc]

That will never catch on.

 

[László]

I like paisley socks.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

imagine the confusion if you had these crazy "east/west" socks and they were TUBE SOCKS! Not only would you not know which foot they went on, you wouldn't know which was the top and which was the bottom. That is just sock madness. "Left/right" toe and heel socks for me! (I bet Sergio has tube socks with the three colored stripes at the top!)

These ARE the socks of disco fans everywhere!