Ultra Plus arrived today....what gives?

[jex]

I know this sounds bad, but right now Im feeling bad for selling a valveking! I played the ultra plus for a while...experimenting with the settings etc. I could not get a sound that I was pleased with. There is plenty of gain on tap, but it just seems to be grainy, fuzzy distortion.
Someone please tell me this isnt normal.

 

[lolzgreg]

I've never played one, it was the 5150 prototype, right?

Maybe it needs new tubes.

 

[Metaltastic]

Nah, it was the predecessor to the XXX (3 channels, resonance switch rather than knob), I think it might've actually come out after the 5150 debuted (or at least around the same time) - don't know why it's not sounding too hot dude, though I've never played the head, and only played my friend's 1x12 version in the room, but it sounded pretty good to me!

 

[TravisW]

I had one that sounded really good (the Ultra Plus came out in the late 90s, which was when I bought mine). Since they have an active EQ, the treble can get out of hand pretty quickly.
Another thing to consider is the tubes that are in it. Mine sounded pretty good with the stock Rubys in it, but better when I replaced them with a set of Sovteks.
If I remember correctly, I typically ran mine with the bass around 6, mids around 3 or 4, and treble never higher than 5. I always set the resonance on the middle setting (it was a 3-way switch, not a knob like the 5150). I always used the crunch channel for rhythms, as the "ultra" channel would get fizzy/muddy a lot quicker. I found the crunch channel a lot easier to mix as well.

 

[IronApe]

I always used the crunch channel for rhythms, as the "ultra" channel would get fizzy/muddy a lot quicker.

+1.
I had one for years, and found the "yellow" channel suited rhythms much better. Although the "red" channel does get a bit fizzy, it shouldn't be completely unusable.

 

[jex]

The eq is definitely touchy. The slightest adjustments are quite noticable.
I dont have a footswitch yet so I havent been able to try the crunch channel. Hopefully it will be better. I'm gonna mess with it some more....I'll get some clips later today. My friend has a valveking over here so I'll get some clips of it as well.

 

[Executioner213]

Mine always sounded really grainy. I'm planning on getting it fixed and selling it so I can buy something else. FRIIIIIED!

 

[IronApe]

Jex, you should be able to select channels with the buttons between the Ultra gain knob and the Crunch volume knob...

 

[Rob Logic]

I actually loved the amp when I bought one back in '98. Orange channel all the way. The active eq can get tricky (not unlike the XXX that I own too). I remembered it being mega cool when I got it, mainly because of the glowing logo that changed colors with switching channels. Paid $1499.99 for the head and cab back then.

 

[jex]

Jex, you should be able to select channels with the buttons between the Ultra gain knob and the Crunch volume knob...

I thought that was just a gain boost.
I'm sure its going to need some service soon anyways. Sometimes when I press the ultra gain button (to lessen the gain) I get some strange volume surges. The sound does improve for that split second.
I havent forgot about sound clips. Will do first thing in the morning.

 

[TravisW]

Okay, sounds like you have a tube that's going bad on you.

re: Peavey logo---I used to have people in the crowd waiting for the logo to turn red, because they knew something "big" was gonna happen.

LOL!

 

[Metaltastic]

Hahahahahaha, that's awesome Travis - an omen!

 

[Rob Logic]

I thought that was just a gain boost.
I'm sure its going to need some service soon anyways. Sometimes when I press the ultra gain button (to lessen the gain) I get some strange volume surges. The sound does improve for that split second.
I havent forgot about sound clips. Will do first thing in the morning.

That was a known issue when I had mine. It was an audible change in volume for a short moment when you changed channels. I wasn't a very versatile player then and rarely changed channels so I never cared Now I would take it into the shop and have them sort it out. Another player in the area had his fixed and it was smooth sailing from there on out.