Rd 50 fuzzy overdrive

Swaffy101

I really like the RD50 it cuts in a mix like no other. My issue is when I get past 7 1/2 half the gain starts to turn into fuzz. Is there any mods or suggestions on how to alter that to be more overdrive ish? 
Im a cable straight into the amp kinda guy so i don’t want to use a pedal. I just roll the volume back on the guitar.

Thanks!

Dan

Music Man Equipment
MM 2-10-65

Member for

10 years 9 months
Profile picture for user mm210

mm210 Fri, 08/09/2024 - 15:10

You get above any amp above 7 1/2 and it's going to get gritty and with SS IC's, they do tend to get fuzzy. I hope somebody here has a better idea for you. My only choice would be to start sapping IC's for something cleaner but not having been inside of an RD 50, I don't know if they are socketed or soldered/surface mount. I'm not much help here.   Mike. 

Full Name
Doug Coffman
Music Man Equipment
5-RD50 112s,two in white pinwhale with EVM12Ls
1-RD50 Head
1-212HD150

Member for

1 year 1 month

twangdang Sat, 08/10/2024 - 07:17

I have always had the same experience with the limiter channel.From 8 to 10 on the gain it sounds more like fuzz,and the bass response is very loose sounding.There are many mods to remedy that on this site.Most involve changing bias values on the 12ax7 limiter tube.I decided on a different route with mine[for now].I just use a standard MXR Dyna Comp with the output at Max and sensitivity at Min.I leave it on all the time and set it on top of the amp.Seems to tighten up the bass response on the limiter channel and adds a bit of sustain at lower gain settings.My gain is at 6 currently,getting the sustain of "10" without the fuzz factor,and guitar volume tweaks clean it up.Also helps level out some of the transients on the clean channel.FWIW,all my tones are a set a little less than half with the bright off on the clean side

Full Name
Danial Swafford
Music Man Equipment
RD50 112 white with EV

Member for

5 months 2 weeks

Swaffy101 Thu, 08/15/2024 - 14:40

Thanks gents for the replies! I haven’t been on the site for a few days because it’s difficult to navigate compared to other forums. 
I’m starting to get used to the amp (limiter gain at 7) seems to be the sweet spot. I’m used to playing with a smidge more gain but I’m honestly loving how it is sounding for blues/rock. It is fast becoming my favorite amp I currently own. I honestly (this week) like it so much more than my amplified nation overdrive reverb.  The rd-50 is one of the few amps I have ever played that doesn’t get lost in the mix playing live without being too bright.
Took a couple of gigs to get used to how fast this amp responds. No sag at all. I love it!

I have read through hundreds of forum pages about the amp and mods. That could be in the future but gonna run it stock for now. I haven’t opened it up to see if it needs caps or anything. It’s pretty noise with reverb on but only when you are not playing.

 

Images
Full Name
Danial Swafford
Music Man Equipment
RD50 112 white with EV

Member for

5 months 2 weeks

Swaffy101 Thu, 08/22/2024 - 14:31

I’m used to other forum formats like the gear page and my Les Paul. This forum probably is easier to navigate on a desktop more so than on a phone.


Dan