1987x hiss and volume

[Chalky]

Hi

I just bought a 1987x, having hitherto used JCM 800, and basically wanted a head that didn't weigh a ton. The 1987x suits from aspects of weight, simplicity, and basic clean sounds well but...

1. it is very hissy - even after changing V1 for better tube (which did make some difference); I read a lot about removing the bright capacitor, yet loathe to remove it in case the amp's tone darkens too much ....
2. it is surprisingly loud - even on stage with a loud band I am working at 2 out of 10, way louder than my JCM 800 which is a 100w head .... can it be right that an amp is soon volume sensitive between 0 and 2 of 10??
3. I play classic rock, and used an Xotic EP boost and or EH Soul Food with the JCM 800 to get most of the sounds I needed but the 1987x is quite different and I can't use those pedals in the same way, presumably because the pre amp on the JCM already cranks up the overdrive and adds to it whereas these pedals just add volume to the cleaner1987x. So what pedal/s will restore that classic rock (think Hocus Pocus) tone on the 1987x??? I bought a Tonebone thinking it would replicate the tone because it has an EEC83 built in, and while it IS good, it doesn't have the lovely dynamic that the EP did with JCM 800.

Grateful for your views

cheers

[danman]

The amp most likely has a very large bright cap (4700-5000pf) over the channel one volume pot. This large value will allow the amp to get loud pretty quickly on the dial which also brings in the distortion early. Try removing it and adding something between 100-500pf and see if that helps. You can use alligator clips to clip in several different values until you find the one you like. Once you do you can then solder it in permanently or even install a switch to make it even more flexible.

[axeman]

Same post from the Marshall forum.

[Chalky]

thanks, i'll give that a go!