RE:Valvecaster Gain MOD

[brett25]

Hi I built the valvecaster for my first project and it works pretty good, however, I want to lower the gain a bit more. I find even with the gain pot all the way down its still too much gain/distortion for my tastes. Can any valvecaster gurus suggest a good way I can do this? This is my valvecaster here:



based on this layout:

[Jdansti]

Which tube are you using?  I built mine with a 12AU7 and I don't have a problem getting a clean signal. Actually, most people wish that there were more gain. Your pickups will make a difference. Bridge humbuckers are more likely to cause distortion.

What kind of amp are you going into?  Are you overdriving the amp?

[brett25]

hi jdansti,

Im using 12au7 tube, also i am using this with a bass, my amp is pretty clean, no other gain/distortion on my signal. Im getting a bit too much gain when I go through the FX loop on my amp. It would be nice in my case to get a bit less. I figure a different resistor or maybe a diff pot would be the sort of thing i could try, just not sure.

[brett25]

Also is it possible, I wired my gain pot wrong because this knob doesn't seem to do much of anything. IT could be that the gain isnt backing off when i turn it down? I dont know if you can see from my photo?

[Pollinator95]

I don't know much about effects loops, but could it be that it's line-level? Have you tried using the VC between bass and amp?

[brett25]

hey pollinator, yeah i have tried that (VC between amp and bass), but then the gain is too low, its very subtle and nice but a bit low, so im stuck between too low or too high. it is true i can also control the effect of the VC using the gain on the amp head, or by using the level on my sans amp preamp, but i feel as if the gain control on the VC is not effective, it would be nice to dial in the gain from the VC as well. Maybe the pot can be switched?

[Jdansti]

You should hear a change when you rotate the gain pot. Also, does your bass have a built-in preamp?  You could be hitting the input of the VC too hard.

[brett25]

hi jdansti, i have passive electronics in the bass, hows my wiring for the gain pot? maybe its no good as there no change when i rotate it

[Jdansti]

It's possible, but not likely that you have a bad pot.  You can check it with the power off using an ohm meter.

I didn't see any wrong connections in your photo, but it's difficult to see everything on the tube socket. Due to the point to point nature of this project, there's a lot of bare wire hanging out there. Check all of the pins on the tube socket to make sure you don't have any inadvertent connections across pins.  There are lengths of wires and leads sticking out through lugs on various components. Clip these off.  Also make sure that you don't have any leads or wires touching the body of the enclosure or the lid.

Other than that, you might have one or more bad solder joints. I see a few that are suspicious.

[brett25]

ok, thanks alot for that info, i will go over all the wiring, and maybe replace the pot. I hope to improve my solder skills on my next pedal-the fuzz face.