ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear
Non ADA Gear => Amps => Topic started by: rabidgerry on October 03, 2014, 07:08:36 AM
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Just stating this topic as it came up in anoher area by accident in the "what cabs are you using" discussion. Apologies if this has been doen before guys.
So Far I' have Carvin TS100 and AdA B200s
Do people prefer tube or solid state fopr their MP1/2 units? Linear or coloured.
I got an impression that a good solid state with some flexibilty in regards to speaker reactance controls and presence controls would be the ticket for an MP1 or even a tube power amp.
However I hear from rnolan that linear is the way to go for our beloved preamps.
Throw out your ideas people.
Currently I have linear Crate Powerblocks and I was not intending on using them with the MP1 however I may just stick with them since they are linear and powerful. I was thinking along the lines of a Rocktron Velocity 300 or Marshall Valvestate 8008 myself as I could afford them and they are 1U.
I guess I had the idea that a tubey sorta solid state or just full tube power amp would be the way to go simple to act like a power section of a proper amp head like JCM800 or something like that but then may be that's not required. Interested in yer thoughts.
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Hey RGerry, from a sound perspective, tube power amps have a bit of a warmth edge (and always will), and I don't know why but tube watts are punchier >:D well that's my experience... ie less = more compared to SS amps.
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Try a tube power amp if you want, but I recon your powerblocks (bypass preamp stuff) will be fine. Just runup/test you sounds at stage vol :thumb-up: and run it stereo :thumb-up:
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I will defo try the power blocks. They are stereo man and I have ran in stereo for the last few years and I could never go back as I love a harmony effect or two and I love my stereo chorus used subtley. Sometimes I can't run in stereo at gigs but I try most places I play. For my up coming uk tour in the new year I will defo be running in stereo. Whether or not I get to bring the ADA with me or not is another question. I have to get MarshallJMP to do some modding for me ;) also I bought another one from the states and I will need a new transformer (I am a greedy gear hoarding b**tard).
Power Blocks have been amazing to take to gigs although sometimes it doesn't like other peoples cabs when they ony have say 16ohm and I only get half the power and crap like that.
rnolan thanks for your input it is appreciated.
Oh one more thing, I have always used SS, usually because I could never afford all valve, perhaps SS is for me but with the tube preamp eh?
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Once again very subjective.....
I personally like the coloration a tube power amp adds...in particular the Mesa SimulClass 2:90.
OK, it´s heavy as a tank.....but the SimulClass thingy totally got me. I have (per channel/side) 2 6L6GC running in Class AB with another 2 EL34B running in Class A simultaneously. This very characteristic sound and the additional Voicing options (switchable) of Deep, Modern and Half-Drive simply do it for me.
But as I said, its very subjective since I dig the characteristic Boogie Mk Hi-Gain sounds (IIC+, IV)
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Altought I'm not a big fan of boogie amps they do make kickass power amps like the 2:90 or the 2 Fifty power amps.Tried them both with my mp-1 and they sound good.I use the power sections of my old marshalls,i modified them so 1 of the 4 inputs goes straight to the poweramp,bypassing the preamp.
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I hear so much about Boogies all the time but I don't think I could personally afford one. I'm just a poor head banger :lol:
That mod you have done with your marshall heads sounds great MJMP. Clever. How come you never just bought a Marshall Power amp like the EL34 or something? Why stick to the head? Just curious.
Gonna test with my powerblocks today people finger crossed.
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Just for the sound,you can't compare an old marshall head with those new poweramps like the 9x00 series.I'm a marshall fan but those amp are no good.The poweramp section of those old marshalls sound waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better.
And second,you may laugh but for the LOOK :facepalm:
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Nothing like a Marshall head for looks, I like them too :thumb-up: My '72 50 is the old small writing which I prefer to the newer large writing models.
Rgerry, I recon you power block will work well :thumb-up:
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I hear so much about Boogies all the time but I don't think I could personally afford one. I'm just a poor head banger :lol:
.....
The "old" Boogie Fifty/Fifty poweramps pop up regularly for pretty cheap (300-400€) and are also rugged tanks.
I used a deep modded (official Mesa mod) one with my MP-1 Mod3.1 w/MDRT for quite some time and that was like a SLO100 on steroids....
Yet again, subjective....I personally prefer the 6L6 coloration over the EL34
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Crate Power Blocks worked well.
switched everything off on the Boss GT6 I use, brought the MP1 in via the effects loop, used it as my pre amp.
First thing I noticed was the gain. Definitely going to need more. It was also very bassy, but then my amps are near the corner of the room and I seem to have to turn bass down a lot. I'm rearranging my rehearsal room next week (new topic of discussion right there!!!! :facepalm:)
Ok so I didn't mess one of my patches on the ADA MP1 too much, turned the bass down and presence as there was a little too much fizz for my test. Once I did that I carried on through the whole rehearsal with it. It sounded like a marshall to my ears, but it definitely needed boosted some how. I could get great tones for certain things but for the more thrashey saturated sound I go for I wasn't there at all. Very breathey and open sounding, everything was clear and crisp and dynamics were there.
I think I spotted an issue however. Either I am not getting anywhere near the amount of gain I need or there is possibly a contributing factor. My input as MarshallJMP knows is a bit dodgy - intermittent. It needs replaced asap. It seems it lets some of the signal through at times but slightly weaker what it should. This may be affecting things I don't know. I'm going to do the input mod once I get the parts.
Anyways back to the trial run. I got nice sounds when I added stereo chorus, sounded great. Tube feels so much weird to me having only ever played solids state for most of my days ( :o) it is going to take a bit of getting used to. I definitely needed a more compressed tone. The tone for sure cut through like a chainsaw which was good and it sounded well with my cabs once I got the fizz down. I took my ear plugs out at one point and nearly blew my face so approach with caution from now on hahaha
Pretty happy with the results but I can't use it with my band just yet.
the latch I used was this
Voice Gain 1 Gain 2 Master Bass Mid Treble Presence
Tube 7,5 6,5 8,5 6 - 8 0 8
I altered this to these settings instead
Voice Gain 1 Gain 2 Master Bass Mid Treble Presence
Tube 7,5 6,5 8,5 2 - 8 0 4
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The GT6 can easily be used in 4-cable-method with the MP-1. That lets you place one of the OD/Dist blocks of the GT6 in before the MP-1 to boost/beef up the front end. Try e.g. a setting of (think Tubescramer knobs) OD 11o'clock, Tone 10o'clock, Level 2o'clock....
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The GT6 can easily be used in 4-cable-method with the MP-1. That lets you place one of the OD/Dist blocks of the GT6 in before the MP-1 to boost/beef up the front end. Try e.g. a setting of (think Tubescramer knobs) OD 11o'clock, Tone 10o'clock, Level 2o'clock....
Hey man I am using it in four cable method. However, (and this is where Boss screwed up with the GT6) the loop is in the distortion block :facepalm: So if I use the loop I basically can't select a distortion pedal model. I could use a preamp model as a boost instead I suppose.
Or failing that use my GT5 instead which has a separate loop from any effects block and the whole analogue distortion block (basically has all boss pedals in the od/distortion block). I have tried this at home using the cab sim on the GT5 and I think it's great.
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Didn´t know that about the GT6.....but if it works with the GT5, why not use both ;-), meaning GT6 with GT5 and MP1 in 4cable method....if thats not too much of signal loss. But in the end, once the drummer enters the room :facepalm: ::) :lol: :lol:
But back to topic: Try to snag a Boogie Fifty/Fifty for cheap, you won´t be disappointed :thumb-up:
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Also a good power amp is the marshall 9005 2 x 50W poweramp.These also sound amazing.
http://en.audiofanzine.com/guitar-power-amplifier/marshall/9005/medias/pictures/a.play,m.64516.html
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Didn´t know that about the GT6.....but if it works with the GT5, why not use both ;-), meaning GT6 with GT5 and MP1 in 4cable method....if thats not too much of signal loss. But in the end, once the drummer enters the room :facepalm: ::) :lol: :lol:
But back to topic: Try to snag a Boogie Fifty/Fifty for cheap, you won´t be disappointed :thumb-up:
May be I will keep an eye out for one. I defo do not want to use GT6 and GT5 :lol: I went back in time (joking) to get GT5 to replace my GT6 because I knew it was analogue. I then moved to the idea of separate pre amp for drive and gain. I am trying to free myself from the GT6 because I can only use it with something called a harmonic converger that takes the fizz away, and sure it works but I'm not dependant on the f**ker and I want rid! GT5 analogousness is superb but I haven't tamed it to work right at the volume I play at.
You are dam right about the drummer which is why I need 300 Watts!!
Also a good power amp is the marshall 9005 2 x 50W poweramp.These also sound amazing.
http://en.audiofanzine.com/guitar-power-amplifier/marshall/9005/medias/pictures/a.play,m.64516.html
I must give a look into that marshall model as I am unfamiliar MJMP thanks for the suggestion ;) emailed ya BTW
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The 9005 has the same poweramp as the JCM800 50W heads and combo's.And they usually sell pretty cheap.
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don't see anything on ebay at the mo for the 9005
what is this though? Marshall 9040? one I see on ebay looks like it has been in a b*mb. I doubt I could take that on a plane. The 9005 looks smaller am I right?
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Mesa Boogie Fifty/Fifty on UK eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mesa-boogie-50-50-power-amp-/141426271669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20eda9a5b5)
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Mesa Boogie Fifty/Fifty on UK eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mesa-boogie-50-50-power-amp-/141426271669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20eda9a5b5)
)
I just saw that man ; I cannot affrod it this month however, just had all the bills come in at once!! It ends in a day too so defo no go for me there :( :(
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Billy Gibbons uses one of these bad boys, anyone tried one before?
Marshall Valvestate 120/120 Power Amp
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I remember when they came out years ago, but I don't recall if they're any good.
For the plane travel thing, maybe go with a 1 RU option like the Rocktron, or the new Carvin DCM200l (http://www.proaudio.com.au/shoppingcart/products/Carvin-DCM200L.html). The Carvin (if you can afford it) is perfect with MP1, powerful 100w per chan, clean transparent and super lite (2 kg), takes all input power voltages. And doubles as a great amp for your studio monitors (if they are passive).
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I remember when they came out years ago, but I don't recall if they're any good.
For the plane travel thing, maybe go with a 1 RU option like the Rocktron, or the new Carvin DCM200l (http://www.proaudio.com.au/shoppingcart/products/Carvin-DCM200L.html). The Carvin (if you can afford it) is perfect with MP1, powerful 100w per chan, clean transparent and super lite (2 kg), takes all input power voltages. And doubles as a great amp for your studio monitors (if they are passive).
wow 2 kg is nothing!!
Well currently I am keeping the powerblocks for sure. However for our rehearsal room I think I am going for another power amp when I get the cash (Christmas not far off you know).
There may be no difference compared to the blocks for all I know as it is clean as can be just the size of shoe :)).
For the limited amount of gear I can travel with currently and UK tour in January/February looming the powerblocks will be the ticket.
For sheer greed (and I am greedy) and a treat a NICE NEW BIG OL power amp for the rehearsal room would be great and hopefully the drummer!! I have been trying for years, nearly there!!
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In the all tube (thus quite heavy 11.36 kg, or 25 lbs), the Carvin TS100 is a great amp and you can buy them new. I love mine and it's plenty loud, no problem at all getting over a drummer (with real drums) and another guitar, I've never run it past 2 o'clock so it's got more to go that what I need (and I don't play soft >:D ). Also handy presence knob for adding extra 6khz cut. 4, 6 and 16 ohm speaker options and you can use either 6L6 or EL34 output tubes. While it's crytal clean and transparent, I'd describe it as a "warm" amp.
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don't see anything on ebay at the mo for the 9005
what is this though? Marshall 9040? one I see on ebay looks like it has been in a b*mb. I doubt I could take that on a plane. The 9005 looks smaller am I right?
9040 was SS amp (mosfet) with 2 x 200W poweramps and it was 2U 19" rack.The 9005 is taller,it's a 4U 19" unit.
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I still have not bought a new amp. The Crate Power blocks are doing the trick so far. I am going to buy one and keep the PB's for live use.
don't even think I'm interested in this but does anyone know what these are like?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mosvalve-MV962-Guitar-Power-Amp-/171554236223?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item27f16de73f
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Hey rabidgerry, there's some here who seem to like the Mosvalve stuff, main thing with ADA MP1/2 is clean, transparent, colour comes from the preamp. Admittedly, while the Carvin TS100 is all of these, it does add a little warmth (which is very subtle and I don't mind) from the all tube circuits compared to my ADA B200s. My understanding of the Mosvavle stuff is it's designed to add colour ?
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I don't have a problem with colouration so long as it's good colouration :) I havn't seen any Carvin TS100 about the place, how much are they roughly?
I'm tempted to buy this:
http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_gpa_400.htm?sid=8317d304d74b7388cbcac1b0688d367e
In Europe Thomann are the shit when it comes to music supplies. They've made their own knock off Rocktron Velocity clone and it's 100watts more to boot. For the money and size of this thing alone it might be worth the gamble. I'd also get it shipped for free :thumb-up: I wouldn't give a :poop: if this is their own so long as it did what I wanted well enough. I did ask them about it and they said it was designed to go head to head with the velocity. Really light too!!!
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Our other guitarplayer found a marshall 9005 for 160 euro and he got a set of new GT EL34 mullard reissues with it.
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Hey rabidgerry, if you can get that at a good price it will go well with MP1/2 (from what I read). Also good for bass players as > 100 damping factor (will pull your cones up quicker (damping factor is sort of how the amp reacts to the back wash signal the speakers generate from moving)). So this will suit metal high gain (and probably thrash/screamo players). The other contender in this space would be the Carvin DCM 100L (http://www.carvinguitars.com/manuals/DCM200L.pdf).
The new Carvin TS100s (very nice amp BTW) are around $900 AUD I think, so they aren't cheap, I paid $600 for mine, I know the importer. The DCM200Ls are much cheaper and boasts >400 dampening factor, even tighter (accurate). The Carvin DCM200L in AUD is around $440 retail (http://www.proaudio.com.au/shoppingcart/products/Carvin-DCM200L.html).
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rnolan do you mean if I could get the Harley Benton amp for a good price it was worth a shot?
It is very cheap.
By the way I never knew what dampening factor was before and now I do :) is 100 good then? Nice little fact to know about.
MJMP if I am honest, those marshall 9005 are probably a little too large and heavy for me. I am going to wimp out and just look for a 1U amp as that honestly would be more practical for me right now. I could always change in the future and get a beast to stay stationary at our practice premises.
I am a cheapo anyways I always look out for a bargain. 160euro isn't bad, but shipping might break my ass if I was to get something like that from Europe or the states.
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Hey rabidgerry, absolutely, as long as it's clean and transparent it will be a good choice. DF of 10 or more is fine for guit. there's not allot of difference between 100 and the 400 of the Carvin (although the numbers look big). Moreover DF is more about very low frequencies (bigger speaker excursions thus more EF back wash) so more important for audio nuts who want to go down flat to 16hz for pipe organ pedals etc. My audio nut friend says there's a little difference between DF of 20 compared to 10 but not much. The Carvin DCM200 is designed to run passive studio monitors, so higher DF probably a slight advantage in that scenario.
Cheers R
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I have a Marshall 9005 and I really like how it sounds with the MP-1. The cab is a Marshall 1936 2X12.
There are other/newer options too.
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I have a Marshall 9005 and I really like how it sounds with the MP-1. The cab is a Marshall 1936 2X12.
There are other/newer options too.
I have heard this amp is a good one from many people so I'm not surprised at your recommendation :thumb-up:. I am however now spoilt for choice when it comes to poweramps. I have :
Harley Benton GPA400 (A lot of clean power bang for your buck) - SS Class D
Rocktron Velocity 300 (as loud as the above but with extra special vibe in regards to the feel) - SS
Koch ATR4502 (loud as hell with a lot of harmonic content and similar feel/vibe to above) - SS/Tube Class A
Peavey Classic 50/50 (loud as hell, more mid range than above, not as much bottom end) - Tube
I needed a light PA for travel though that offered me similar performance to any of the above and that is why I got the Koch at 6.5kg. I can get that on a plane no worries! :thumb-up:
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So how did the Koch end up sounding both live and practice/home?
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So how did the Koch end up sounding both live and practice/home?
Well both live and practice it sounds amazing. It felt amazing too. Limited eq adjustment and what have you, but I run both switches off, one for boosting lo end the other for hi end. It compares to my Peavey Classic 50/50 for feel. Sounds great too. I love it a lot and man the weight, I was able to take it on as hand luggage on a plane as it's only 6 kilos. So I got a two rack shallow case on a plane and had the poweramp in that along with my boss gx700. I used a Ibanez TK999HT as my preamp that show.
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So you ditched the Peavey for the Koch? And is that what you still use? I had considered the Peavey 50/50 as well but was unsure of the weight in a rack.