Modular design question

[bscfo1]

Does the MOD 50 and MOD 100's modules interact the same way as a preamp does in a regular master volume head with it's output section? Or is it more like a rack system that separates the two but they are just housed in one box? Do the modules somehow react with the output transformer in some way to affect the tone/feel of the amp in our MOD amps too?

And would it be fair to say that my MOD 100 is truly like 3 separate master volume tube amps housed in one box as far as the circuit is concerned?

 

[muudrock]

Does the MOD 50 and MOD 100's modules interact the same way as a preamp does in a regular master volume head with it's output section? Or is it more like a rack system that separates the two but they are just housed in one box? Do the modules somehow react with the output transformer in some way to affect the tone/feel of the amp in our MOD amps too?

And would it be fair to say that my MOD 100 is truly like 3 separate master volume tube amps housed in one box as far as the circuit is concerned?

I would say yes on all accounts except the rack system analogy.

I own the Mod 50, Mod 100 and M4/RT2-50 and there is a definite difference. Call it the "mojo" or whatever you want, but there is something about a head that cannot be duplicated by a separate preamp/poweramp combo. It can get close, but not the same. The feel is different and I always think I hear a bit of an organic sizzle (what the hell am I talking about???) from a head. Not that the other option is worse, just different.

 

[Roddy]

I have a Lynchbox with a bunch of Lynch and Egnater modules...It's definitely a contained head sound....organic, great feel ect...I've had rack gear in the past, at it just didn't do it for me.. Can't say enough great things for this innovative design of Bruce's...

 

[bscfo1]

Thanks guys for the response. I agree about the "mojo" or "organic" nature of these designs. I was also wondering if each module's signal path is basically the same as any one channel amp with a boost. If you look at the back of the module, where the board plugs in - I was just wondering if they follow the same type of path as a one channel master volume amp with a boost feature, or more like a two channel amp that shares an EQ.

And it just amazes me that Bruce is able to put three boards in my MOD 100 with the tracings so close with no real problems.

Bruce, can you elaborate on this?

 

[Roddy]

The amps definitely have a single channel amp feel to them...the individual modules are their own self contained preamps....makes sense..

 

[3 Mile Stone]

yea man it's all about the organic fashizzle!



I'm with you guys, it feels like an amp, not a rack. THE Sound is there.

 

[RockStarNick]

Thanks guys for the response. I agree about the "mojo" or "organic" nature of these designs. I was also wondering if each module's signal path is basically the same as any one channel amp with a boost. If you look at the back of the module, where the board plugs in - I was just wondering if they follow the same type of path as a one channel master volume amp with a boost feature, or more like a two channel amp that shares an EQ.

And it just amazes me that Bruce is able to put three boards in my MOD 100 with the tracings so close with no real problems.

Bruce, can you elaborate on this?

Don't QUOTE me on this, but I believe that each module shares most of the same basic signal path on it's PCB. So yes, it's closer to a single channel, but with two separate controls for gain and volume. Channel A and Channel B don't have totally independent circuit paths.

However, each channel does have some of it's own exclusive components, which can alter the tone/flavor significantly from channel to channel, even with a shared EQ and shared parts of the signal path.

THAT being said... and I think others will agree... it's incredible how even changing the gain in one channel to another, will effect EVERYTHING about the sound. The gain goes up, the saturation increases, it gets thicker and ballsier, etc, etc.

 

[guitarslinger]

Mod 50, Mod 100 = preamp and power amp sharing a power transformer. Therefore, it's like a normal, non-modular head in the fact that it's not like a rack where the preamp and power amp have separate power transformers.

Wow, I wonder if that run-on sentence even makes sense.

 

[bscfo1]

Mod 50, Mod 100 = preamp and power amp sharing a power transformer. Therefore, it's like a normal, non-modular head in the fact that it's not like a rack where the preamp and power amp have separate power transformers.

Wow, I wonder if that run-on sentence even makes sense.

So my MOD 100 is like 3 separate tube amps, circuit wise?

Does anyone know the actual signal path from input to speaker?

 

[RockStarNick]

Mod 50, Mod 100 = preamp and power amp sharing a power transformer. Therefore, it's like a normal, non-modular head in the fact that it's not like a rack where the preamp and power amp have separate power transformers.

Wow, I wonder if that run-on sentence even makes sense.

So my MOD 100 is like 3 separate tube amps, circuit wise?

Does anyone know the actual signal path from input to speaker?

3 Seperate tube preamps, sharing a common power section.

Signal Path: are you looking for like, this tube to that tube, or are you looking for each individual component...

 

[bscfo1]

Mod 50, Mod 100 = preamp and power amp sharing a power transformer. Therefore, it's like a normal, non-modular head in the fact that it's not like a rack where the preamp and power amp have separate power transformers.

Wow, I wonder if that run-on sentence even makes sense.

So my MOD 100 is like 3 separate tube amps, circuit wise?

Does anyone know the actual signal path from input to speaker?

3 Seperate tube preamps, sharing a common power section.

Signal Path: are you looking for like, this tube to that tube, or are you looking for each individual component...

Just curious on how the signal goes from tube to tube.

 

[RockStarNick]

In the Mod50, with two modules (a and b) for example:

Channel 1 and 2:
Guitar > Input V1 tube in chassis > V1 tube in module "A" > V2 Tube in module "A" > PI tube in head chassis > Power tubes.

Channel 3 and 4:
Guitar > Input V1 tube in chassis > V1 tube in module "B" > V2 Tube in module "B" > PI tube in head chassis > Power tubes.


As far as different HALVES of the preamp tubes, I can't comment on that, because I don't know. Since each half of a tube can be used independently, you can have back to back gain stages in a single tube, OR just use half of the tube alone, depending on the circuit.

 

[bscfo1]

In the Mod50, with two modules (a and b) for example:

Channel 1 and 2:
Guitar > Input V1 tube in chassis > V1 tube in module "A" > V2 Tube in module "A" > PI tube in head chassis > Power tubes.

Channel 3 and 4:
Guitar > Input V1 tube in chassis > V1 tube in module "B" > V2 Tube in module "B" > PI tube in head chassis > Power tubes.


As far as different HALVES of the preamp tubes, I can't comment on that, because I don't know. Since each half of a tube can be used independently, you can have back to back gain stages in a single tube, OR just use half of the tube alone, depending on the circuit.

Thanks Nick. I was trying to compare the preamps of other high gain amps, like my Mesa Mark IV, to see how similar the chain was. I can see the V1 input tube in the chassis, but there are two more. Are these the reverb (parallel loop) and the PI? If so, that would make it very similar to the Mesa.

 

[RockStarNick]

Yup you got it. The one closest to the FX loop is for the loop, and the one closest to the power tubes is the PI.

 

[bscfo1]

Yup you got it. The one closest to the FX loop is for the loop, and the one closest to the power tubes is the PI.

Thanks! That's very cool. Such a unique design.