Name: Ed Goforth
Email: goforthsound@yahoo.com
Subject: Smallest Music Man
Thread: 33
Time: Fri, 23 Nov 2001 02:22:23 UTC
I just purchased two MM amps, a RD-110 fifty, and the RD-112 fifty. I do amp modding and building, and have owned a HD 212 130 in the old days. I can see that these can be made into channel switching amps, and have an effects loop, either tube or solid state, or you could ues the second channel inputs as a send/return and go to an outboard Dumbleator type effects loop. There are some cool options, and when I get into these, I will be looking for ways to improve the sound quality, like tweaked midrange, and a more usable brite switch etc. I have a RD 50B schematic, which shows some revisions and it looks like the B version has had the overdrive tweaked. Has anyone played through one to compare? Crazy as it may sound, I can see where these RD models have potential to be similar to a Trainwreck Express (or possibly "similar" to a Dumble ODS, which I have built some clones of) in design, though the RD has chips in the preamp, I think they could be tweaked to sound as good or better than running a tube screamer in front in the clean channel. I also think the output stage could be modded to accept EL-34's for those wanting a Brit vibe to their MM amp that currently uses 6L6's. It will take some experimenting, but it could be awesome, since these amps can be had for less than the Fender amps. I personally do not like the New Fender, and reissue amps, they are hard to work on since everything is pc board mounted! (accept the Custom shop models). Where the Music man amps have the pots wired to the PCB, very nice. I see that they could go as far as to modding the preamp to all tube if thats of any interest. Some people have raised the issue of not enough or unusable gain in the various amps, (muddy at certain settings) but again with some tweaking to the owners taste could be of benifit, in some cases the owner might be able to do some mods their self. ****(Caution HIGH voltages though), if you are not familiar, with tube circuits, please have a qualified tech do it! **** These amps were built for the long haul, and have great potential I feel they can be made to sing! A preamp boost circuit that is on some amps like some old Mesa Mark I's, Dumble ODS and some boutique designs, use this topology. It disconnects the tone stack from the preamp, which boosts the preamp gain (no tone pots, caps and resistors to load down the signal). I have modded a Mark I to have a variable boost control built into the footswitch. One great example is Carlos Santana's "Europa" solo. I think the MM amps can get an even smoother tone. I once had a Mesa Heartbreaker that I wanted to love, but it basically sucked! The 90 watt Celestions sound good at higher volume settings but don't at low. I have a friend that has a MM 212 HD 150, and I set the amps (Mesa HB and MM HD 150) up back to back, and plugged the HD 150 into the Mesa speakers. WOW! I loved the sound of the MM much better!, The overdrive really came to life. I would consider, Weber speakers for these amps, like the California 12" with the alnico or ceramic magnet, and paper Dust cap. Very smooth articulate, and full sounding speaker, once they break in! If there is any interest in this subject, I would enjoy some of your personal comments, but I do NOT want this to be looked at as SPAM! I am only offering my findings, and or sevices if anyone is interested! :) I love amps, and like to see these amps come to life. Many people purchase a amp with many expectations, only to end up disapointed in the end. Yes I have bought many a amp to get that HOLY Grail tone, but ended up not totally satisfied. If I only knew then what I know now, I could have saved a lot of money! Most decent amps have potential, but it all depends on many factors such as what guitars, pickups, speakers, tubes, style of playing etc. Mr. Dumble would take a players guitar and match the amp to the instrument, and every amp he makes is different. Maybe a different brite switch cap, so with the players guitar would not be too brite with the amp, or maybe some tonal response mod. Tweaked overdrive circuit to accomodate the players touch etc. Steve, I hope you don't mind me posting this, I feel that Music man amps are under rated! I also am very happy to see your website, it is a very welcome addition to the guitar amp community! Has anyone here heard Chris Cain? He uses a MM RD 112 fifty, and 335 or LesPaul through just the amp! He has used Mesa Mark I's Mark IIC+ and a Mesa S.O.B. And keeps going back to the MM! Ok, thats enough for now.... :^)