Fortin Cali Mod *new amp day*

[Buzzedd]

Hey guys,
I’m still holding out for a Fortin Natas someday but in the meantime this was delivered yesterday.
It’s my new Marshall 50watt 1987x with Mr. Fortin Cali Mod, pics show he did it in 2010. It sounds amazing. Warhead78’s clips are still on here somewhere I believe. This was Cecars and then Paul’s (Walnuts) and now it’s mine. I love it. Though I’m still not sure about the bottom toggle switches. I’m guessing the left switch is half power? Didn’t have a lot of time last night to jam on it but now that it’s the weekend….

Bill

thanks, Paul and Mr. Fortin

 

[cardinal]

Whoa there's a lot going on in there. Congrats on the amp; bet it rips.

 

[wIsEbLooD]

that switch is the diodes. congrats on the amp, they rip.

FORTIN AMPLIFICATION "CALIFORNIA MOD" Cali Mod Overview:
The first 2 gain pots, the switch (or push pull pot) below are bright switches that allow you to select 2 different cap values with the center position no bright cap. The higher the gain settings the less effect the bright switch will have because they are wired across the pot's input and wiper, so with the gain pot full on, it basically shorts out the cap filter. Working both gain pots in different position with all the combinations of the bright switch positions gives you a plethora of options to tailor your tone.
The Master volume Saturation switch (or push pull pot facing the amp, with the switch set all the way to the left is extreme clipping of the signal, guillotine style just before the tone stack. The volume drops in this mode a lot but it can still get to full volume when the master is set 4 o'clock. You'll hear that in this range it will jump dramatically in volume. The center position is no clipping, stock position. Switch all the way to the right is less clipping and is slightly brighter, rawer sounding, less compressed as the other clip setting.
The Feel switch on the back (or first Gain pot push pull), Tight is a resistor that clamps the second gain stage's grind impedance. Switch set to spongy removes that resistor and lets the gain pot be the impedance which is much higher, gives the stage more gain as well as bassier and looser feel. Toggle back and forth from tight to spongy to really hear and feel the difference.
Of course the Depth control (on the back panel or front) is like your Presence but for bass frequencies. This gives you that modern low end.
To get the stock Marshall plexi circuit, set the controls to the following: Depth off, Master maxed out w/ saturation switch set to center position for no clip circuit, Gain 2 set to about 9 o'clock w/ bright switch set to center position , then you just ride the Gain 1 pot just like the bright channel of a 1959 and set the bright switch to the left for the stock bright cap and you have the stock plexi circuit path but it won't hiss like a stock one because of the grounding and DC heaters.

 

[Buzzedd]

Cool, thanks for posting this.
And yes it rips!
Hope to have a clip or two posted soon.
Mr. Fortin did not disappoint for sure.
I'd really like to get one of Mike's aluminum logos and put it on.

Bill
It doesn't look right without his logo, no offense against Jim.

 

[VoodooChild24]

Congrats on the new amp!

 

[wIsEbLooD]

Get in contact with mike, he will probably sell you one. I have the small logo on mine, looks great.

 

[jmgman69]

Congrats!!

 

[JTyson]

Congrats, they are fine specimens
Mike is a mad scientist who never seems to get mad

 

[wIsEbLooD]

here is the small logo.

 

[Anonymous]

first gutshots i've seen of a fortin....

 

[steve_k]

first gutshots i've seen of a fortin....

Mike's attention to detail is first class. He rebuilds from the ground up and reroutes everything. You can see the solder joints are right and proper fly leads and jumper wire - and grounding. None of that chopped up, garage hack stuff in Mike's amps. Same applies to Gower. They can fill a chassis up!

Steve

 

[joepete77]

Congrats on cool new amp day! Always wanted one but he is to busy to take any mod work. Someday though!

 

[Buzzedd]

first gutshots i've seen of a fortin....

Mike's attention to detail is first class. He rebuilds from the ground up and reroutes everything. You can see the solder joints are right and proper fly leads and jumper wire - and grounding. None of that chopped up, garage hack stuff in Mike's amps. Same applies to Gower. They can fill a chassis up!

Steve

Fill a chassis up indeed. It's been said a million times on this forum alone but his work is top notch.
I can see why Randall made him head of engineering. I hope he'll one day get back to mod'n as well as building his own amps.

I've been asked to show more gun shots of this amp.
If I'm crossing the line on Mr Fortin's serets, someone please tell me and I will not post any pics.

PS: This amp rips!!

Bill

 

[Anonymous]

i didnt realize he was a gooper too!

 

[LP Freak]

i didnt realize he was a gooper too!

A lot of times it's done to keep components in place rather than to hide their idenity.

 

[Anonymous]

i didnt realize he was a gooper too!

A lot of times it's done to keep components in place rather than to hide their idenity.

understood. it seems that could be the case!

 

[joepete77]

i didnt realize he was a gooper too!

A lot of times it's done to keep components in place rather than to hide their idenity.

That may be an added bonus to gooping but I doubt that's the main reason modders do this. Why not their production amps gooped then?

 

[LP Freak]

i didnt realize he was a gooper too!

A lot of times it's done to keep components in place rather than to hide their idenity.

That may be an added bonus to gooping but I doubt that's the main reason modders do this. Why not their production amps gooped then?

Because they lay them out approprietely on their own build. On mods, componets need to be stacked at times and the goop makes it stronger. I'm not saying that some don't goop just for the hell of it though.

 

[Buzzedd]

Hey guys,
I've been asked very politely to not show any gunshots of Mike's work.

Not by Mike himself but by other respectable members here at Rig Talk and I will oblige.
Sorry guys, I guess you'll just have to guy your own. LOL

Bill

 

[Racerxrated]

A while back I picked up a Ceriatone Cali mod 800 clone. After 1 gig the PT went out. I ordered a repacement, and when my tech opened it up he didn't have a clue where to start..but he thought whoever modded it was an artist! Anyway I contacted Mike and he contacted my tech and helped him work through/around the mod. Mike is first class all the way.