Got a DC-5,Not had it long, but its not really singing to me

Swirly · #1 04-15-2004, 05:32 PM

Hi guys.

A few days ago i got a second hand Mesa Boogie DC-5 and began playing around with it.
Now granted im in a small room and hvnt been able to crank it more than about 3 on the master volume, and the fact i havnt had it long. But it really hasnt made any good first impressions on me, ive been tweaking around all day with it (Playin basic stuff due to RSI), and yet i still cant get a saturated high gain sound at all.

The most i can get out of both channels is quite a gritty medium gain sounding crunch. And when playing with lead sounds, the notes seem very flat and lifeless, hard to explain unless you hear it i guess lol.

Maybe my expectations are to high after just a few days, but has anyone experienced the same?

Any possible settings i could try etc?

strat110 · #2 04-15-2004, 06:46 PM

I had a DC-5 a couple of years ago (head model). At first mine sounded like yours, so I put some new powertubes in it and it made a world of difference.

It takes A LOT of tweaking to get the tones out of it, which is one of the reasons I don't have it anymore, plus I am more of a Marshall nut.

Check out the sample settings in the DC-5 manual (available at the Boogie site if you don't have it) as they are a good starting block.

Swirly · #3 04-15-2004, 07:18 PM

Im not sure how old the tubes are, or what ones (first tube amp this is), i imagen some differnt ones would possibly give me more of the sound im after, although atm the amp just isnt doing anything for me. I really cant get anythng THAT heavy from it, or at least anything i would be happy to play leads on.

The clean is quite nice,and i like how it can give quite a warm bluesys sound with some gain added,but thats all i can really get right now. Ill keep tweaking and see what i can get

(Tried the manual settings btw)

power freak · #4 04-15-2004, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swirly

Im not sure how old the tubes are, or what ones (first tube amp this is), i imagen some differnt ones would possibly give me more of the sound im after, although atm the amp just isnt doing anything for me. I really cant get anythng THAT heavy from it, or at least anything i would be happy to play leads on.

The clean is quite nice,and i like how it can give quite a warm bluesys sound with some gain added,but thats all i can really get right now. Ill keep tweaking and see what i can get

(Tried the manual settings btw)

Try changing the first preamp tube (V1) for a higher gain more agressive tube, this might help make things a bit heavier.

strat110 · #5 04-16-2004, 06:35 PM

What guitar/pickups are you using with it?

Swirly · #6 04-16-2004, 07:01 PM

Im using an RG570 with standard V7/V8 pickups. Not amazing, but new pickups wont change the sound as dramatically as i feel it should be.

CoolFlavorCrystals · #7 04-16-2004, 08:29 PM

Oh yes it will, an Evo or Breed is like night and day compared to the stock pups. Swapping pups is the cheapest way to change your tone, new tubes and maybe a different speaker might help as well.

somata · #8 04-17-2004, 02:00 PM

i'm curious why you bought it then?

all the suggestions here are good ones...i played the head version at a shop about a month ago, and was able to get some great heavy sounds out of it, so a tube swap might help as might a pickup change...although you might try adding an eq pedal before going that route to juice it up a bit...

Swirly · #9 04-17-2004, 03:30 PM

I bought it a)As it seemed quite a good versitle amp and i was in the market for one

b)As it was cheap and i was thinking about making a profit on it if i dont keep it.

strat110 · #10 04-17-2004, 05:49 PM

I would just get a couple of new powertubes, maybe get a tech to look it over, would prob only be £40 to have it serviced.

Its fixed bias so just pop the new power tubes in, mine had the stock Boogie 6L6's, I put in some Ruby 6L6's (cost about £30 for the pair) and it made a world of difference. There are two tube companies that advertise in the back of guitarist and guitar magazine, one is watford valves and I cannot remember the name of the other, but both are very good for service and would probably even be able to recommend the right make valve for the tone you are after from it.

Mine sounded very good with my RG3120TW, but ultimately I went back to Marshall as it was where my head was at.

Percivere my friend, I had mine for over a year before I sold it.