• From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Topic: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

If this has been answered already, just forward me to the proper link wink 

I was just playing about with my Jube, and I'm wondering if there's any real difference in tone between the 50W and 100W switch on the Jubilee? If so, WHY are there these differences? Just trying to understand a bit more about my gear smile

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

TubeSaturation wrote:

If this has been answered already, just forward me to the proper link wink 

I was just playing about with my Jube, and I'm wondering if there's any real difference in tone between the 50W and 100W switch on the Jubilee? If so, WHY are there these differences? Just trying to understand a bit more about my gear smile

I don't have a Jub but I do have a half power switch on one of my amps and it seems to compress the sound more than anything.  There is a slight volume loss but not a huge difference.  Though it is enough for me to prefer leaving it alone and just playing with the amp at full power.  I think using the half power switch allows you more overdrive or distortion at a lower volume but compresses the sound at the same time.  I'm not a technician but that's just how it seems to my ears.  -S

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

I see. I would've tried myself, but I'm at college and I can't really bring my full rig with me...actually, none of my rig. I'm not even allowed to have a small practice amp.

Anywho, thanks for the reply

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • Registered: 2011-02-16
  • Posts: 8

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

In practice it makes the amp a little quieter and warmer, but also adds some hum. It mimics triode operation by connecting the screen resistors to the plate rather then the B+. I certainly doesn't half the volume!

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

I haven't used it in awhile, I do remember a bit of hum, I do remember the tone being different and changing the EQ to make it sound better, and it really wasn't any quieter. So I just put it back to 50 watts.

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

So as far as tone goes, you guys would suggest trying the 50 watt mode? Again, I'd try but I don't have it with me...need something to look forward to when I go home over break

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

I'd just run the thing full bore if you plan on playing it out anywhere.  I really don't see much of a use for the half switch on some amps..  Maybe it's just marketing.  I don't know.  The others are right though, it does change the EQ a bit.  Like I mentioned before, I think the biggest difference was more compression with the half switch on.  Maybe you'll like it that way..  You'll see when you get a chance to tear into it over your school break.  -S

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

I'm excited to try it out. I can get a killer tone at home, but I notice that I have problems cutting through the mix during practice with my band...any suggestions?

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

TubeSaturation what are your settings?

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

It's the same way with me.  I can always make my amps sound good but then had to change settings when I played with the band.  In general, I usually try and keep it rather mid rangey and keep the bass down.  Not quite trebly harsh, but more mids than anything.  Then when we do a sound check, I'm closer to where I need to be.  It also depends on the place you're at too obviously.  But, for the most part I think you have to train your ear to know how a particular sound will be in a live setting.  -Seth

  • From: over yonder....in PA
  • Registered: 2009-02-09
  • Posts: 240

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

When I used my other amp I had to adjust, so I know about all that good stuff. On the jube I generally have my bass at around 6 and my mids around 7 with my treble at 3 or so. Would you reccomend more mids than 7?

"The way I like to look at it is....if that's the last time I ever got to play, I'd better give it everything I've got." -SRV
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

TubeSaturation wrote:

When I used my other amp I had to adjust, so I know about all that good stuff. On the jube I generally have my bass at around 6 and my mids around 7 with my treble at 3 or so. Would you reccomend more mids than 7?

Yeah I usually put my mids just past 12 o'clock and cut back if need be and I put the bass up a bit shy of noon and end up backing it off a little.  The treble, I keep down all the way and bring it up gradually once I get the mids where I like them with the bass.  Thats just how I always end up doing things, but theres more than one way to skin a cat.  If you listen to some of the videos of Joe that are taken real close to the stage or on the side, his guitar sounds a little more raw.  I think you can get a better idea of

  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 197

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

EL34s right?  4 of them?

Usually, a half-power switch shuts 2 of the power tubes off.  The reason the tone changes a bit is that when you shut off half the tubes, the impedance also halves (impedance mismatch), and if you don't change it there will be a tone difference.

I've got an EL84 (x4) amp, and when I switch to half power (2 tubes instead of 4), the tone does get darker & more compressed... until I then move the speaker impedance switch from it's standard 8 ohms to 4 ohms. Then the amp sounds virtually identical to the full-power version, only a little quieter, from making sure the impedance is re-matched after going to half power.

BTW- on a tube amp, an impedance mismatch isn't a big deal...  as long as it's not TOO mismatched. If the amp is an 8 ohm amp, and you're giving it a 4 ohm or 16 ohm cab, that'll be ok (it will affect the tone tho.) However...  only go ONE STEP when mismatching. Don't feed a 4ohm amp a 16 ohm cab (or vica-versa)- at the very least, the tubes will by the farm. Hopefully they won't take any other components out when they do.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

I have taken the two outer EL34s out of a 100 watt amp to simulate the switch, as I heard this is something you can safely do. I didn't notice much difference at all.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

On my Jub I think I have the bass around 6-7 the mid at 7-8 and the treb 4-5. I used to have problems cutting through and sometimes I still do. I use my carl Martin Hot drive and boost the clean boost for solos or I just turn up more and use the guitar volume.

I haven't been using the Jub much don't feel like dragging the 4x12 cab so I have been using my Classic 30 more plus I am playing a lot cleaner stuff now.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: What effect on tone does the "half switch" have on a jubilee?

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I have taken the two outer EL34s out of a 100 watt amp to simulate the switch, as I heard this is something you can safely do. I didn't notice much difference at all.

I tried the same thing with my 100watt DSL and mainly noticed a big difference on the Clean Crunch (classic) channel..  The amp distorted more with the gain knob lower as opposed to having all 4 tubes in and it didn't break up much at all even with the gain maxed.  The heavier side of the amp with the red light is distortion out the A$$ with 2 or 4 tubes in.