18W SuperLite TMB a little too harsh

[Piamp]

Hi!
Thanks for all the ressources here
I built a 18W SuperLite TMB, and i think it needs some tweakings.
I did not really like the gain/vol combination so i dumped the volume pot and wired a crossline master volume instead, it's much better now with nice PI distorsion.
But i find it a little too harsh, if no eye piercing....treeble needs to be way low even on the neck pickup of my LP.
Any tweak i could try ? A 50pf accross the pi did nothing
Also i get a lot of hiss, changed tubes, still here !

[thomas22]

Lower Coupling Cap Values – If you’re using 0.022µF or larger coupling caps in the preamp or PI, try reducing them to 0.01µF or even 0.0047µF to cut some of the high-end fizz.
Grid Stopper Resistors – Increase the grid stopper resistors on the preamp tubes, especially on V1 (try 68kΩ to 100kΩ on the input stage). This can roll off some high frequencies.

[Bieworm]

Hi!
Thanks for all the ressources here
I built a 18W SuperLite TMB, and i think it needs some tweakings.
I did not really like the gain/vol combination so i dumped the volume pot and wired a crossline master volume instead, it's much better now with nice PI distorsion.
But i find it a little too harsh, if no eye piercing....treeble needs to be way low even on the neck pickup of my LP.
Any tweak i could try ? A 50pf accross the pi did nothing
Also i get a lot of hiss, changed tubes, still here !

Let’s start with the speaker. If you’re using a V30 or G12H30 70th anniversary series that could be enough to experience a harsh amp. IME the SL is not a harsh amp at all

[Piamp]

I tried different speakers and it's the same feeling. The amp is loud (it should be) but also ear piercing in an unpleasant way.
There's a lot of gain and distorsion is very harsh and brutal.

I'v built others 18w and 50w marshall amps and it's the first time i get that feeling...
Only difference to the schematics is : no middle pot, replaced by a fixed 10k.

[JMPGuitars]

I'v built others 18w and 50w marshall amps and it's the first time i get that feeling...
Only difference to the schematics is : no middle pot, replaced by a fixed 10k.

If you want to rule that out, replace the 10k resistor with a 50k pot, and adjust.