Whenever I use my distortion pedal (Bogner La Grange), the Master Lead 50 can’t keep up. It sags and muddies up, basically doesn’t chug. Up until now, this has been a stiff, low sag amp. I realize I’m hitting the front end hard, but no harder than my other amps.
I swapped out the power tubes for ones I know are good, same deal. It happens with the attenuator set to 11 o’clock and also 8 o’clock. The input and master gains are at noon. Happens when the channels are jump and also when using just one channel. Guitar has lower output humbuckers. Did I max out what this amp can handle or is there a potential issue? Is there an authorized service site in Tampa FL?
Are you using the distortion pedal like a boost pedal in the front of the amp?
I know the muddiness you are describing. Most likely, there is too much bass from the distortion pedal making its way into the preamp and maybe too much volume too. Try backing things off the front end a bit.
I would try backing off the bass, maybe just using the brilliant channel to start with, reducing the input volume. Be prepared to reduce channel and master volume until you get the sounds you want.
If you remove the pedal and go direct with a guitar, how do things sound? It probably does not need a service. It is more of a case of dialling in the tone you are looking for.
Yeah, it sounds like the power supply can’t keep up, but I didn’t know if it was because of too much signal or a leaky cap. I’ll continue to tweak it, though it strikes me as bizarre to switch over to a Fender amp to get more immediate power.