Egnater MHG Module - Questions and suggestions?

[rlord1974]

So, I just recently got my hands on a MHG module for the M4. Most of my other modules are relatively low gain (e.g., Twin, BMan, SL, etc.) with the exception of the SL2, so the MHG is a bit of a new beast for me to tame. I have spent some time with it and have noticed the following characteristics that I am looking for some feedback on......

1.) With the 'Bass Boost' and 'Treble Boost' switches at the 'zero' position (i.e., not engaged), it seems to be very round sounding, with very little high end (treble). Is this normal?
2.) It almost seems to have so much gain that a large portion of it is unusable. Specifically, if I turn the 'Gain' up past about 6 at a medium volume level in the room, I start to experience some feedback/squealing. Again, is this normal?
3.) If the 'Gain' is up past 5 and I engage the 'Treble Boost' from the 'zero' position to either the 1 or 2 position, I start to get feedback/squealing. The feedback changes in pitch the louder I run the volume knob on my guitar. It can be dialed out if I turn my guitar volume down to around half or less. As explained, this would appear to be an issue. However, it becomes ever more problematic given that I can't get enough treble response out of the module without engaging the 'Treble Boost' switch (as mentioned in #1 above). As an aside, I have the same issue (i.e., feedback/squealing) with Channel B of my SL2 module, but to a lesser extent than in the MHG module.

Just as a point of reference, I am playing through a Seymour Duncan JB (bridge) and Jazz (neck) pickup set.

Overall, does the above seem normal for the MHG (and SL2, for that matter)? Is it perhaps a preamp tube issue? Or, is it just pickup feedback due to the JB being so 'hot'?

Any help you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[guitarslinger]

Have you tried it with a different guitar?

Many times, the grain/dryness/mojo/soul/etc of the guitar is what is causing the feedback. Or the pickup is "loosening" up, and needs to be repotted.

Stand farther away? maybe?

I can get my EG5, eg3/4x, SL2X, etc up to ear shattering levels with the gain pretty far up, and not run into bad feedback.

I wouldn't blame the module yet.

Your preamp tubes might need replacement too.

 

[rlord1974]

Hi Gene:

Thanks for the reply.

I haven't checked it with another guitar yet which, admittedly, was stupid. However, I just picked it up and didn't really have time to pull out more of my guitars this weekend. I'll check it with some different guitars this evening.

You say you can run some of the higher gain modules (e.g., EG5, SL2X) with the gain up high. Do you have the 'Treble Boost' engaged? What guitar and pickups are you using, just for a point of reference?

I'll also try to find time to swap out the MHG preamp tubes with some of the tubes in my other modules that I know are working fine to see if it is maybe one or more of the MHG's tubes.

Have an eye on this thread tomorrow - I may have a follow-up posting with some additional details.

Thanks, again.

 

[guitarslinger]

Hi Gene:

Thanks for the reply.

I haven't checked it with another guitar yet which, admittedly, was stupid. However, I just picked it up and didn't really have time to pull out more of my guitars this weekend. I'll check it with some different guitars this evening.

You say you can run some of the higher gain modules (e.g., EG5, SL2X) with the gain up high. Do you have the 'Treble Boost' engaged? What guitar and pickups are you using, just for a point of reference?

I'll also try to find time to swap out the MHG preamp tubes with some of the tubes in my other modules that I know are working fine to see if it is maybe one or more of the MHG's tubes.

Have an eye on this thread tomorrow - I may have a follow-up posting with some additional details.

Thanks, again.

I use my maple/wenge Gutierrez, an Ash Ibanez RG620, a basswood RG760, a poplar Campbell precix, a mahogany semi hollow Campbell UK-1, etc.

I use like 50 different pickups.

What I'm saying:

It doesn't matter what brand, what model, what pickups, what wood, etc.

It matters on an individual basis, whether the PIECE of wood is feedback-prone. Its resonant frequency, in an analog world, will be be unlike any other instrument EVER made. It just might be a a feedbackey axe.

I had an alder Ibanez 540PII that fed back with any pickup and any amp.

I'm just saying, NOTHING matters until you try a different axe.

or, you just might need a new preamp tube.

 

[rlord1974]

Any recommendations for a replacement preamp tube? I think these things ship from Egnater with Sovtek 12AX7A's, don't they? Any other recommendations for good replacement tubes to use in these modules?

 

[guitarslinger]

Any recommendations for a replacement preamp tube? I think these things ship from Egnater with Sovtek 12AX7A's, don't they? Any other recommendations for good replacement tubes to use in these modules?

readily available stuff:

JJ ECC83S - perfect for taming brightness if that's a problem. I've had great luck with them lasting and working.

JJ ECC803S - not reliable IME

Electro Harmonix 12AX7 - sounds very bright and nasty. HATED them

Shuguang China 12AX7A - my favorite balanced, high gain tube. get it from a reputable dealer though. Untested China tubes are likely to be microphonic.

 

[Valtiel]

The MHG is in fact very high gain though, so its not surprising that you are having feedback issues. It is also a very dark sounding module so your first two concerns are nothing to worry about. I would try different tubes as well as a different guitar though like Gene said.

 

[Doubleneck]

The MHG is in fact very high gain though, so its not surprising that you are having feedback issues. It is also a very dark sounding module so your first two concerns are nothing to worry about. I would try different tubes as well as a different guitar though like Gene said.

Any high gain amp or in this case, module is going to cause feedback issues. The MHG is a very dark sounding module.
I leave the treble boost with the SL2x & EG5 in the "0" position.
Both modules are very controllable in a loud volume band situation.
Get rid of the Sovteks and put some good tubes in there. I'm using a Penta 12AX7 in V1 & TS 12AX7 in my Marshall flavored modules and they work for me.