Paul Reed Smith Tuxedo "30" Combo Amp

Tonehunter

New Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2015
Messages
15
I'm new to the forum, just picked up one of these used. Does anyone have any experience with these amps and how to dial them in? There isn't a whole lot of info on these
Combos anywhere any help suggestions would be appreciated.
 
The PRS designs - especially the vintage inspired amps - lend themselves well to experimentation. They aren't designed to yield one really good sound, but a whole slew. When in doubt, put all tone controls and master volume at 12:00. Put the guitar volume at 6 then adjust the amp volume to just past a gritty break up. Then adjust the guitar volume down for a clean tone or up for a lead tone. Then twist the tone controls to spice to taste. Again, start with the guitar's tone at about 6 and see where that leads you.

These amps tend to really shine when the master volume is above 2:00.

Oh, and welcome! And congrats on a great acquisition.
 
Last edited:
Boogie's suggestions are excellent. Here's another thing I like to do with a new amp:

Set all the tone controls to zero. There will probably be no (or very little) sound, since you're filtering out all of the frequencies. Start by turning the treble control up slowly, and take it to the max of its range. This will tell you the frequencies the treble control affects. Then turn that one back down, and do the same with the mids and the bass. You should get a very good "by ear" idea of the frequencies each of the controls in the tone stack operate on. It may help you dial in the amp.

As Boogie says, these are old school style amps, but they're very versatile if you make use of the volume control on the guitar to control your gain. He's right on as to how to set the amp up, and with a good guitar like a PRS whose volume and tone controls are actually designed to do something besides go to "10", you'll get the hang of it in no time.

Finally, a lot of players of PRS single channel amps simply dime the master and use the gain control the old school way. I tend to find that a bit too loud for my studio, so I start with the master about noon, set the gain control, and then re-set the master to the level at which the amp sounds best. Which as Boogie says, is usually 2-3 o'clock, though that will vary; on my HXDA 50 watt, it was sounding great by 11 o'clock on the master. My new HXDA30 needs 2-3 o'lock on the master, which is the point where the power tubes start to take over the tone and everything isn't all about the preamp tubes.
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys this is really great info, now it's time to go have some fun with my new score.
 
There's one for sale at my local shop. There asking $1000 for it. Tone hunter is this close to what you paid. Is it a good deal is what I'm asking. It's a combo.
 
Mark Ace- I am new to the forum and know there are some rules in regards to price, so not to sure how detailed I can get with what was paid for my amp last week. It was less than the amount you posted.
 
In my humble opinion I believe they worth quite a bit more than what you found. It's handmade In the USA boutique amp with Sewell in the mix sure it's not a multi channel amp but I think it's a sleeper, that's what Paul himself called it in the videos I saw online. Keep in mind I have only had the amp for a few days now and I am just starting to get some good tones out of it so far I think it is a killer combo. I did pay a few hundred less but I'm not sure what condition the one you are buying is in. Mine was an early model made in 11-09, it did have some wear and scratches on the tolex, if the one you are looking at is in mint condition that could justify the difference as I have seen them go online for quite a bit more in mint condition. I believe they were a few grand brand new. Hopefully that helps, if I had to sell mine I would ask for more than what you have found it for.
 
Thanks again. It is in mint condition but I really liked my mesa express 5:50 plus and I can't have both. 2 kids in college. I also don't want to trade for it. So I guess I'm passing right now.
 
Back
Top