James Duncan wrote on Sun, 01 January 2006 11:47 |
I am looking to get another amp for the studio that I can provide as part of my services on a daily or per session rate. I currently have a Marshall TSL601 combo, a Marshall DSL401 combo, a couple of rack-mounted preamps with a Mesa Boogie 2:90 main amp, and a Marshall 2 X 12 speaker cabinet. I also stock a pretty good supply of guitars (PRS, Gibson, Wolfgang, Fender, etc.). My problem is that I am not really happy with any of the guitar sounds I am getting. The distortion is muddy sounding, and not tight and focused. With regard to my existing gear: Why do both of the Marshall's sound like crap? (I am talking in the room here as well as to tape)? Are the Marsahll TSL/DSLs really that bad? |
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BTW...the DSL and the TSL seem to be OK for live gigging, but suck in the studio. |
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Regarding other alternatives: I can pick up one of the much-maligned JCM900's for about 1/3 of the cost of the Jubilee, but I keep hearing a lot of folks bad-mouth the JCM900 as being a piece of junk. I played one at GC the other day, and didn't think it was *that* bad personally, but it is hard to tell in that environment, obviously. The also had an old JMP there that was very cool, but was not the sound I am looking for. I need more gain and distortion than that. |
DivideByZero wrote on Sun, 01 January 2006 11:20 |
For recording distorted guitar, turn the distortion down a lil. My Marshall settings go Bass 0, Mid 10, Treb 10, Pres 10-or-0, gain 5-6, master 4-7. If non-master I strap the channels, and peg II, then turn I up to taste. M |
James Duncan wrote on Mon, 02 January 2006 03:47 |
The also had an old JMP there that was very cool, but was not the sound I am looking for. I need more gain and distortion than that. |
DivideByZero wrote on Sun, 01 January 2006 19:48 |
You mean a pre-67 black face... you mean a GREAT pre-67 black face.. right? Yeah, me too... but it has to be a really great one. M |
Electric Warrior wrote on Tue, 03 January 2006 19:04 |
u mean the Champ model? |
Dave Martin wrote on Tue, 03 January 2006 23:52 | ||
Or possibly the Blues Jr.? |
Kenny Holloway wrote on Wed, 04 January 2006 01:28 |
If you don't want to pony up $1800 you mentioned, and you want the variety of tones that a studio environment demands, you might want to check into the Vox ToneLab or the Pod. I'm not a fan of modeling amps, but they're hard to beat when it's time to go cheap. |
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You might want to consider getting a great tube amp for the power section. Check eBay for a TopHat amp like the Club Royale. You can put a ToneLab in front of it and get your Marshall Bluesbreaker - Plexi tone to chimey Vox. It is not your Fender solution. The Fender solution is a Fender. |
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I'd venture to say your strat could use new pups/wiring as most factory strats are lacking and noisy. |
DivideByZero wrote on Sun, 01 January 2006 14:20 |
I would steer you towaard the 1980's red knob Fender Twin. It's distortion is wailing, or not, and crushing, or not, but the notes are always separated, and it has a fantastic clean sound. It crunches like a good Marshall, with more tone control, and a reverb. For recording distorted guitar, turn the distortion down a lil. My Marshall settings go Bass 0, Mid 10, Treb 10, Pres 10-or-0, gain 5-6, master 4-7. If non-master I strap the channels, and peg II, then turn I up to taste. M |
Ryan Leigh Patterson wrote on Sun, 01 January 2006 21:50 |
Ampeg V4-B and V4-G.. also nice, think mini SVT. |
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I already have an all-tube Mesa Boogie 2:90 (it has 8 6L6's in it), but I need to get the right preamp to go with it. |
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Since we seem to have shifted to a discussion of reasonably priced amps, the Randall RM series needs to be mentioned. The different preamp modules actually do sound significantly different, and usually good. |
compasspnt wrote on Sun, 01 January 2006 14:47 |
However, I wobder about the room in which you record these, as well as the mic'ing techniques. Neither of those is mentioned. |
prim(e)ar wrote on Fri, 06 January 2006 17:21 | ||
I would bet this is the issue. You've certainly a nice group of amp and guitars. I think a reading of Slippy's guitar recording thread may be in order as well? Maybe you've already read it? Just a thought... |
tats_dragon wrote on Sat, 07 January 2006 13:44 |
I think it confused us all since you mentioned 'Jubilee head' numerous times in your original post. |
James Duncan wrote on Sat, 07 January 2006 12:05 |
By the way, the lead sounds I can get are amazing through these amps, it is the rhythm sound that is bugging the crap out of me. |
tats_dragon wrote on Sat, 07 January 2006 17:34 |
The guitar tone doesn't sound muddy it sounds like it lacks mids. Jun |
James Duncan wrote on Sat, 07 January 2006 13:45 |
The part about the Jubilee is that so far, that is the best-sounding amp I have heard that gets closest to the sound I want. |
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I recently bought a chassis from a JCM 800 - 50 watt combo (model 4210) From what I've read, it's a different circuit from the original JCM, but pretty much the same as the Model 2205 head. (It's in the shop getting a mod removed, new tubes, and a bias job, so it'll be a little bit before it's available to try) |
redfro wrote on Sun, 08 January 2006 02:31 |
Isn't the Jubilee just a reissue of the JMP Master Lead 100? Or is it the JCM 800 with no master volume? I can't remember... |
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I recently bought a chassis from a JCM 800 - 50 watt combo (model 4210) From what I've read, it's a different circuit from the original JCM, but pretty much the same as the Model 2205 head. (It's in the shop getting a mod removed, new tubes, and a bias job, so it'll be a little bit before it's available to try) |
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Too sizzly on the distortion....the worst (in my opinion) of the JCM 800's. |
tats_dragon wrote on Sat, 07 January 2006 14:51 |
Have you experimented with different pre and power tubes in your amps? A great site for asking guitar related questions is: www.hugeracksinc.com Very knowledable/helpful people on that forum. Jun |
James Duncan wrote on Sun, 08 January 2006 08:43 |
So if you had to choose, what is a *good* JCM800??? |
Buzz wrote on Sun, 08 January 2006 20:29 |
...nobody has even mentioned SPEAKERS... |
sekim wrote on Thu, 12 January 2006 14:38 | ||
After listening to the clip, that's my first question - what cab was used and what's the cab loaded with? I saw JD has a 2x12 cab (is this what the clip was using?). If it's a particle board Marshall 1936 I'd consider ditching it and see if you can find an early plywood version and load it to taste. FWIW I like the G12T-75 best in the ply box (after also using it with Greenbacks, V30's, EVM12L's). |
Fibes wrote on Fri, 13 January 2006 11:57 |
I've got one of these on the way: Should be here on Tuesday. |
ivan40 wrote on Sun, 05 March 2006 12:51 |
One thing I take from this thread is that there can be no end to finding great tones with all kinds of amps. How cool. |
Fibes wrote on Fri, 13 January 2006 08:57 |
I've got one of these on the way: Should be here on Tuesday. |
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Vertigo, I checked out the Pritchard, and it looks interesting. Lots of versatility there, but nothing in particular that really knocked my socks off from the sound clips. But as you say, he guarantees it or he gives you money back. |
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Any advice to fill out the arsenal? I am hoping to cover off on most bases here realizing that I can never get them all. I would just like to be able to offer a pretty good selection to choose from. |
tats_dragon wrote on Sat, 11 March 2006 14:06 |
One aspect of the guitar tone you might want to explore is the speaker. A few 1x12 or 2x12 cabs like these: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZ1cabman11QQhtZ-1 with different speakers might offer tonal variety. |
hargerst wrote on Mon, 13 March 2006 18:38 |
Okay, eat your hearts out, guys. I was at the Denton Flea Market yesterday and I found an old Traynor YBA-1 "Bass-Master" 50 watt tube head, in perfect shape - for $20!! |
Vertigo wrote on Sun, 05 March 2006 09:42 |
BTW - I'll check out that 906. The e609 black-face is a favorite of mine for guitar cabs, but they're getting really hard to find now. -Lance |