MGL AmpWorks
Well-known member
Now available to order, the All NEW MGL50 Amp Head.
The all NEW MGL50 50w 2-channel tube amp head built on our new layout 50w chassis with an updated look & added tone shaping options. This new model replaces the 50w Red Circuit in our amp line. Complete re-design that starts with a new aluminum chassis that’s powder coated in gloss black and screened with metallic gold ink for the text. New custom MGL paper wound Heyboer transformers. The power transformer is the same higher voltage model that we use in the MGL100. So, BIG iron for a tighter, more touch sensitive & aggressive feel and tone that makes it more versatile and VERY 100w sounding. From late ‘70’s metal to ‘80’s modded Marshall tones and right up to newer low & drop tunings. The new output transformer is made to Plexi – early metal panel 784-139 Drake spec. All hand wired turret board construction. The voicing and circuit of the amp is very close to the MGL100, and like the 100w, full of authentic Marshall voicing & tones. The layout and all controls are taken from our flagship MGL100 but with a 50w power section.
Our amps incorporate an exclusive silent channel switching circuit designed by Evan Cantor, MGL engineer & builder. So, no noisy pops when switching channels, but even more important, this switching circuit has zero effect on tone. Many new amps incorporate switching circuits with solid state components that DO affect the tone.
Channel 1: Is the dirty channel, voiced with Marshall DNA throughout. Nothing is more authentic for that classic voice than real NOS mustard caps used in strategic positions in the circuit in each amp. The GAIN knob has a wide sweep of useable distortion levels for both humbucker and single coil pickups.
Channel 2: Is the clean channel that goes from total clean to minor break-up depending on where the GAIN knob is set. At low setting you get great clean tones with humbucker or single coil pickups, rich & full but still has nice sparkle in the top end.
NOTE: Since each amp is built to order, you can choose to configure your amp with a dirty & clean channel or 2 dirty channels. The effects loop can also be assigned to only one of the channels if preferred.
There is also a Saturation (diode clipping) circuit that works on both channels and is engaged with a mini switch on the back panel.
PRICE $2,895.00
BUILD SPECS:
Mini Switches, Front Panel
There are 4 mini switches along the lower part of the front panel. The first 3 from left to right are all labeled MOD/ VIN (modern/vintage), and here's what they do: The 1st switch chooses between 2 different types of caps for the Treble circuit voicing. In the VIN position it's an NOS Lemco red "Dogbone" cap used in many of the late Plexi and '70's metal panel amps, the treble with this cap is smooth, open and transparent. In MOD position it's a ceramic disc cap that produces treble that is more aggressive w/ more sizzle & "hair" as in the JMP - JCM800 amps. The 2nd switch from the left chooses between 2 different tone caps for the first position in the circuit. In the VIN position it's an NOS mustard cap and in the MOD position it's a SoZo. Mustard cap keeps with the traditional Marshall voice, the SoZo has a little more gain and is a little more hollow in the mids for a more modern flavor. 3rd switch from the left chooses between 2 different preamp tube bias settings for the first gain stage. In the VIN position it's a hotter Plexi value with a little more gain and smooth feel and in the MOD position it's a colder metal panel-JCM value that's a little tighter and focused w/ a slight bump in the mids. The 4th switch from the left labeled 1 & 2 will switch between channels when no foot switch is being used.
Mini Switches, Back Panel
There are 3 mini switches on the back panel. The first switch from left to right is the ON/OFF true bypass switch for the FX loop. The 2nd switch labeled "SAT" engages the Saturation circuit when in the up "ON" position, in the down "OFF" position the Saturation is completely out of the circuit. The 3rd switch labeled "Voicing" has to do with the amount of negative feedback in the circuit. In the down "Vintage" setting you get more negative feedback for a more Plexi tone and feel that's warmer and has a smoother feel. In the up "Modern" setting you get less negative feedback for a more metal panel-JCM feel that's tighter, brighter and more aggressive.
Customer Amp Build Info
By choice, we keep our amp production numbers low, so each customer gets one on one attention. We spend as much time needed in detailed phone conversations and or emails to get you into the right model amp and the choice of the aesthetic looks & appointments we offer. By building a lower number of amps, each customer gets a custom build and we have the luxury of incorporating better components, including NOS parts & tubes in each amp. The tonal foundation for all our amp models is authentic Marshall voicing. We’re not using modern components to try and replicate or emulate vintage tones. We source and use some of the NOS vintage parts that made the vintage tones! Nothing has more Marshall DNA than real NOS mustard caps. All amps other than the 2204 model include 5-10 real mustard caps throughout the circuit. Larger production amp builders really can’t include these build appointments due to the difficulty locating and buying larger quantities of NOS parts. I’m constantly searching the world for NOS parts & tubes.
The all NEW MGL50 50w 2-channel tube amp head built on our new layout 50w chassis with an updated look & added tone shaping options. This new model replaces the 50w Red Circuit in our amp line. Complete re-design that starts with a new aluminum chassis that’s powder coated in gloss black and screened with metallic gold ink for the text. New custom MGL paper wound Heyboer transformers. The power transformer is the same higher voltage model that we use in the MGL100. So, BIG iron for a tighter, more touch sensitive & aggressive feel and tone that makes it more versatile and VERY 100w sounding. From late ‘70’s metal to ‘80’s modded Marshall tones and right up to newer low & drop tunings. The new output transformer is made to Plexi – early metal panel 784-139 Drake spec. All hand wired turret board construction. The voicing and circuit of the amp is very close to the MGL100, and like the 100w, full of authentic Marshall voicing & tones. The layout and all controls are taken from our flagship MGL100 but with a 50w power section.
Our amps incorporate an exclusive silent channel switching circuit designed by Evan Cantor, MGL engineer & builder. So, no noisy pops when switching channels, but even more important, this switching circuit has zero effect on tone. Many new amps incorporate switching circuits with solid state components that DO affect the tone.
Channel 1: Is the dirty channel, voiced with Marshall DNA throughout. Nothing is more authentic for that classic voice than real NOS mustard caps used in strategic positions in the circuit in each amp. The GAIN knob has a wide sweep of useable distortion levels for both humbucker and single coil pickups.
Channel 2: Is the clean channel that goes from total clean to minor break-up depending on where the GAIN knob is set. At low setting you get great clean tones with humbucker or single coil pickups, rich & full but still has nice sparkle in the top end.
NOTE: Since each amp is built to order, you can choose to configure your amp with a dirty & clean channel or 2 dirty channels. The effects loop can also be assigned to only one of the channels if preferred.
There is also a Saturation (diode clipping) circuit that works on both channels and is engaged with a mini switch on the back panel.
PRICE $2,895.00
BUILD SPECS:
- Custom.090" aluminum chassis w/ welded corners, gloss black powder coating and screened with metallic gold ink for the text
- Heyboer - MGL Spec 100w paper layer wound power transformer & Dagnall filter choke
- Heyboer - MGL Spec paper layer wound Plexi 784-139 output transformer
- NOS mustard caps used in strategic positions for authentic Marshall voicing along with Synergy Royal Mustard caps in the rest of the circuit
- Black phenolic power tube sockets
- Belton preamp tube sockets w/ gold anodized shields
- 18 AWG mil spec Teflon insulated wire
- 1 watt carbon film resistors
- Real UK Cliff jacks
- Brass shaft CTS pots
- ARS filter caps
- Metropoulos “Zero Loss” effects loop w/ true bypass switch
- Pair of NOS RFT Siemens EL34 power tubes
- 3 NOS square foil getter Chinese 12AX7 preamp tubes
- Swanson Cabinets Baltic Birch plywood head cab, available in: 24" or 26" width along with many tolex color choices at no extra charge. Large box 29" cab in either Plexi or late '70's JMP style w/ plastic corners available at a $100.00 up-charge.
Mini Switches, Front Panel
There are 4 mini switches along the lower part of the front panel. The first 3 from left to right are all labeled MOD/ VIN (modern/vintage), and here's what they do: The 1st switch chooses between 2 different types of caps for the Treble circuit voicing. In the VIN position it's an NOS Lemco red "Dogbone" cap used in many of the late Plexi and '70's metal panel amps, the treble with this cap is smooth, open and transparent. In MOD position it's a ceramic disc cap that produces treble that is more aggressive w/ more sizzle & "hair" as in the JMP - JCM800 amps. The 2nd switch from the left chooses between 2 different tone caps for the first position in the circuit. In the VIN position it's an NOS mustard cap and in the MOD position it's a SoZo. Mustard cap keeps with the traditional Marshall voice, the SoZo has a little more gain and is a little more hollow in the mids for a more modern flavor. 3rd switch from the left chooses between 2 different preamp tube bias settings for the first gain stage. In the VIN position it's a hotter Plexi value with a little more gain and smooth feel and in the MOD position it's a colder metal panel-JCM value that's a little tighter and focused w/ a slight bump in the mids. The 4th switch from the left labeled 1 & 2 will switch between channels when no foot switch is being used.
Mini Switches, Back Panel
There are 3 mini switches on the back panel. The first switch from left to right is the ON/OFF true bypass switch for the FX loop. The 2nd switch labeled "SAT" engages the Saturation circuit when in the up "ON" position, in the down "OFF" position the Saturation is completely out of the circuit. The 3rd switch labeled "Voicing" has to do with the amount of negative feedback in the circuit. In the down "Vintage" setting you get more negative feedback for a more Plexi tone and feel that's warmer and has a smoother feel. In the up "Modern" setting you get less negative feedback for a more metal panel-JCM feel that's tighter, brighter and more aggressive.
Customer Amp Build Info
By choice, we keep our amp production numbers low, so each customer gets one on one attention. We spend as much time needed in detailed phone conversations and or emails to get you into the right model amp and the choice of the aesthetic looks & appointments we offer. By building a lower number of amps, each customer gets a custom build and we have the luxury of incorporating better components, including NOS parts & tubes in each amp. The tonal foundation for all our amp models is authentic Marshall voicing. We’re not using modern components to try and replicate or emulate vintage tones. We source and use some of the NOS vintage parts that made the vintage tones! Nothing has more Marshall DNA than real NOS mustard caps. All amps other than the 2204 model include 5-10 real mustard caps throughout the circuit. Larger production amp builders really can’t include these build appointments due to the difficulty locating and buying larger quantities of NOS parts. I’m constantly searching the world for NOS parts & tubes.