This is a lot like what I did for Tommy's XTC... I changed component TYPES but left the values alone. Some people will say this makes no difference whatsoever. I say BS. 
A few things to consider before we go to the clips... I recorded this with a very low buck (yet decent sounding to my ears) rig. Then it was converted to digital with a stock sound card, then converted to MP3, and God only knows what you guys are listening to it on. It's missing a lot of the nuances that you're going to hear in person, yet you can still hear a difference. It's not night and day because again, I'm NOT changing out values of parts, just type.
For those who like such things, here's my signal path:
Ibanez 570RG with a ToneZone pickup in the bridge. Cable to RM100, EL34 ruby power tubes. The JTM modules are both new - one is modded, one is bone stock. I did swap the preamp tubes between modules, they were stock EHs. Cab used was a JCM800 w/75 watt celestions, SM57 miked straight on, about 1" outside edge of where dust cap is. That went to an M-audio audiobuddy preamp, into stock HP sound card. Tracks recorded into Adobe Audition, then I used reverb and compression/limiting in Ozone 3 (saved a preset, and used same one on both clips). All controls on JTM modules were dimed, so I couldn't be 'off' a little on one or the other.
Enough excuses... here are clips:
http://members.cox.net/vht50/stockJTM.mp3
Stock has a nice loose overdrive, A little harsh on the top end. Sounds good to me, just kinda like a tube amp about to explode.
http://members.cox.net/vht50/moddedJTM.mp3
It's close, but after listening to them several times I hear a little less harsh high end hash on the modded, *but* more highs. You can hear my hand squeak more prominently on the modded than the stock (about 4 seconds in), and it's not just crappy technique on my part on the modded clip.
Low end is a little woofier on the modded, but that can be 'fixed' by changing values on C3, and the mids are a little more dimensional on the modded than stock. The stock one is a little scoopier and a bit flatter to my ear... not as many frequencies swirling about.
Please note that in person the difference is more prominent. No, a JTM isn't going to sound like an XTC by changing out the stock values for better parts, but you can get a little better tone.
Next step is to start modding the JTM for real...
Pete
A few things to consider before we go to the clips... I recorded this with a very low buck (yet decent sounding to my ears) rig. Then it was converted to digital with a stock sound card, then converted to MP3, and God only knows what you guys are listening to it on.
It's missing a lot of the nuances that you're going to hear in person, yet you can still hear a difference. It's not night and day because again, I'm NOT changing out values of parts, just type. For those who like such things, here's my signal path:
Ibanez 570RG with a ToneZone pickup in the bridge. Cable to RM100, EL34 ruby power tubes. The JTM modules are both new - one is modded, one is bone stock. I did swap the preamp tubes between modules, they were stock EHs. Cab used was a JCM800 w/75 watt celestions, SM57 miked straight on, about 1" outside edge of where dust cap is. That went to an M-audio audiobuddy preamp, into stock HP sound card. Tracks recorded into Adobe Audition, then I used reverb and compression/limiting in Ozone 3 (saved a preset, and used same one on both clips). All controls on JTM modules were dimed, so I couldn't be 'off' a little on one or the other.
Enough excuses... here are clips:
http://members.cox.net/vht50/stockJTM.mp3
Stock has a nice loose overdrive, A little harsh on the top end. Sounds good to me, just kinda like a tube amp about to explode.
http://members.cox.net/vht50/moddedJTM.mp3
It's close, but after listening to them several times I hear a little less harsh high end hash on the modded, *but* more highs. You can hear my hand squeak more prominently on the modded than the stock (about 4 seconds in), and it's not just crappy technique on my part on the modded clip.
Low end is a little woofier on the modded, but that can be 'fixed' by changing values on C3, and the mids are a little more dimensional on the modded than stock. The stock one is a little scoopier and a bit flatter to my ear... not as many frequencies swirling about.
Please note that in person the difference is more prominent. No, a JTM isn't going to sound like an XTC by changing out the stock values for better parts, but you can get a little better tone.
Next step is to start modding the JTM for real...
Pete
