Mod50 vs. MICA TOL

[chickenoolie]

Hypothetical Scenario: You've decided to add an Egnater amp to your line up. But, the goal is to add that "Bruce" flavor to the line up rather than trying replace the lineup with the modular stuff.

Would you:

1) Go Mod50 anyway because it's current production, you can still get the flexibility you want out of the modules, and just because you can switch them out every 35 seconds, you don't have to. Load up a clean module of choice and a 3/4 and get your Eggie fix on.

2) Go TOL because it's more original Bruce and I've heard it said on this forum that Bruce originally thought he'd nailed it with that amp. That is truly represents Bruce's vision of guitar tone.

I'm starting to really think of amps as statements from their builders rather than feature sets that can give you everything in the world.
A Fryette sounds like a Fryette because Steve built it, same with Randall Smith, and any myriad of smaller builders where the original tech still has control over the designs.

Just thinking out loud. I saw an amazingly clean looking Egnater era TOL with a matching 4X12 cab on eBay a few weeks back and it's just kind of stuck there as being something different than the Modular lineup.

thanks
Nick

 

[guitarslinger]

I'll prob be in the minority, but I say Mica TOL. My Mica 100 and IE4 just play like magic. They are indescribable, actually.

 

[RockStarNick]

I mean, it depends on if you like having a stable full of amps, or just one amp/many sounds.

For me, I just don't have the energy/money to deal with a bunch of amps. I went with the Mod50 because I didn't want to have an amp "collection" in any way. I just wanted ONE amp that did it all.

Luckily, it worked like a charm!

That being said, if you want the most classic, purest Egnater tone you can get, Gene's probably right, the TOL would do it. The clips I've heard sound stellar.

 

[chickenoolie]

My Mica 100 and IE4 just play like magic. They are indescribable, actually.

I keep hearing that from the occasional guy who owns a TOL - they're like, oh all Egnater stuff is great, but dang that TOL head is just.....
The half stack I was talking about is still up on eBay.

https://cgi.ebay.com/Egnater-TOL-100-MIC ... 2c5180e111

Completely different vibe going on with that thing.

 

[guitarslinger]

My Mica 100 and IE4 just play like magic. They are indescribable, actually.

I keep hearing that from the occasional guy who owns a TOL - they're like, oh all Egnater stuff is great, but dang that TOL head is just.....
The half stack I was talking about is still up on eBay.

https://cgi.ebay.com/Egnater-TOL-100-MIC ... 2c5180e111

Completely different vibe going on with that thing.

Too much.

Mine was $1450.

Just post a WTB ad on the gear page or something.

 

[RockStarNick]

Egnater's old logo belongs on the grille of a Delorean.

 

[muudrock]

I used to own a MICA TOL and currently own a Mod 50, Mod 100 and M4. The TOL is an INCREDIBLE amp, probably the one I will always regret selling. That being said, the Mod series is every bit as good tone wise, just a little different. I just like the options the modular gear has. I don't think you can wrong either way.

 

[chickenoolie]

Too much. Mine was $1450. Just post a WTB ad on the gear page or something.

Thanks for the heads up. Getting a bead on the market value is really helpful.

Egnater's old logo belongs on the grille of a Delorean.

Hah! Maybe Bruce can do a limited run of TOL's with the old logo and a power section that's rated at 1.21 giggawatts!

 

[chickenoolie]

That being said, the Mod series is every bit as good tone wise, just a little different. I just like the options the modular gear has. I don't think you can wrong either way.

I think this is what stops me from just pulling the trigger on the TOL. No two amps are going to be the same, but if they both keep you smiling then I should probably go with the one that's most suited to how I'll be using it. But, if I can pick up a TOL head for around $1500 then the ever present "both" option is probably the most likely outcome.

thanks for all the replies.

 

[guitarslinger]

the Mod series is every bit as good tone wise, just a little different. I just like the options the modular gear has. I don't think you can wrong either way.

I know it's subjective, but I really do think the TOL sounds "better". It's like, it sounds just as sophisticated, yet more organic. It's perfect.

But, yeah, the TOL can't sound like my COD, or my VX, or my EG5, etc.

Actually, they're both necessary, now that I think about it.

 

[MichaelG]

The seller is definately asking too much cash on that head/cab. I've seen the head itself sell anywhere from $1100 to $2000. I remember Matte on TGP sold his TOL for $1900, but it was also pretty tricked out with NOS tubes and some other things IIRC.

As for which one? Man, I'd have to also agree with Gene... get the TOL if you can. It'll cover a lot of bases very well. Later on if you need new sounds consider a MOD50. If you other sounds like Vox or more modern gain sounds, get the MOD50 first, along with the EG3/4.

Either way is a good starting point I think.