OK, I admit it . . .

[mabunge]

1st: I'm new around here, been lurking for a while, learning all I can. Something about the modular approach appeals to me. Well, that and the tones . . .

2nd: Unlike most of you, although I've been playing most of my life (40 yrs, or so), I don't have a lot of experience working with the different amps the modules are based on. It seemed in many postings, folks here are drawing on personal experience in describing the tones as close to "what it sounds like" or "what I remember". I'm just going from the sounds in the clips I've found, and what's being discussed here.

3rd: I'm having trouble deciding whether the MOD50 is the right doodad for me, or if I'd be happier with the M4, but the power amp part of the equation is unclear to me, esp. with the whispers in some posts some time back that maybe Bruce is working on this part . . . ?

4th: (and here's the "OK-I-admit-it part") In deciding between the MOD50/M4, I've noted many posts which describe using the M4 in conjunction with the power section from a combo or head, rather than a dedicated power amp (Randall/VHT/Mesa/etc.). Now, I've got a few of these around here, but I am sheepish to admit: I haven't a clue about how to access the power section by itself. How is this done? I've got a pair of older Ampegs here, but there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to "get in there", if I'm making myself clear.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, and go a long way to help me figger this MOD50/M4 thing out. And now that I've taken up way too much of your time, thanks!

Ben

 

[RockStarNick]

Welcome to the Club!

3. Do you want 4 channels at a time (2 modules), or do you require the ability to access 8 sounds at the drop of a hat (4 modules)?

4. In regards to this question, the easiest way is if your amp has an effects loop, you would plug into the RETURN, which is essentially the Power Amp IN (and the SEND being the Preamp Out, which you would want to bypass, using an M4).

 

[mabunge]

Welcome to the Club!

3. Do you want 4 channels at a time (2 modules), or do you require the ability to access 8 sounds at the drop of a hat (4 modules)?

4. In regards to this question, the easiest way is if your amp has an effects loop, you would plug into the RETURN, which is essentially the Power Amp IN (and the SEND being the Preamp Out, which you would want to bypass, using an M4).

Thanks for the welcome, though I'll feel more like a full-fledged member once I've bought a piece of Eg-quipment (Rebel, maybe?)

As to the number of channels, it's more a matter of available sounds than it is about channels. I think I'd find the M4 easier to use simply because it's 4 modules (once I've bought them . . . ), rather than 2. I'm in the studio most of the time, so while it's easy to swap modules, I think I'd be more inclined to use more sounds if there was less swapping . . . call me lazy

As to the fx loop, my old Ampegs are WAY too old for an fx loop; is there another way in? Can an fx loop be added by a knowledgeable tech? I do love the sound of an old Reverberocket. . .

As you can see, my knowledge about these subjects is EXTREMELY limited

OTOH, maybe this would explain why a Rebel is in my future sooner rather than later . . .

Thanks,

Ben

BTW, love that Goldtop tele avatar - I've often thought about one as a partner for my Goldtop LP . . .

 

[EWSEthan]

Ben,

If you want lots of sounds quickly in the studio I dont think the Rebel is for you. Unless budget is the issue, I really think the MOD 50 is what you want. Even with 2 module slots, swapping out takes 10 seconds so you can easily get lots of tones in the studio. Im pretty lazy too but changing out modules is no big deal. Trust me.

MOD 50 is just the easier way to go. You dont need to up a bunch of seperate components. Just plug in and play. Plus, the power section in the MOD 50 is probably way better than that in your old amps. It uses premium Heyboer trannys and transformer type makes a really big difference in tone.

Just my opinion, but I think you want a MOD 50.

 

[broknstuff]

A tech should be able to install an effects loop in your amp, I know that is sometimes done with old Marshalls that don't have loops.

As far as which modules to chose, I'd say go from clips or by the general description, they're pretty good. Search for a module by name on these forums to get more in depth reviews. I know I would try to do a little "mini-review" when I got a new module because I was always looking for those before I got the amp. For lack of playing a particular amp, you can go by recordings in a similar style (i.e. if something has a modded marshall tone, SL2 will get you there too).

I'd say, especially for starting out, the mod50 is a really easy solution, nothing to hook up and by extra etc. If down the line you can always then get an m4 and use it with our mod50, so the mod50 acts as the big power amp switching between now 6 preamp slots. If you can wait until sometime next summer, egnater will have the E2, which will be a two module, one rack space, version of the m4, and has a loop built into it so you can use it with your mod50 (or any amp). That way you can switch between any 4 modules at once. It basically just adds two module sounds to whatever amp you are using.

 

[mabunge]

Ben,

If you want lots of sounds quickly in the studio I dont think the Rebel is for you.

Just my opinion, but I think you want a MOD 50.

Nah, the Rebel is for something else - I jam regularly with some guys, and I'd like something that sounds good, but is portable. I can leave a cab in the room, and just schlep the Rebel back & forth.

The idea of using the Rebel's fx loop to access the power section (El84 and 6V6, hmmmmm) and power scaling came as an afterthought, while dreaming M4 dreams . . .

You're probably right: the MOD50's the thing.

Thanks.

ben

 

[mabunge]

A tech should be able to install an effects loop in your amp

Hmmm, I'll look into it. I can tell you what my tech will say about adding an fx loop to a forty year old Ampeg: Can't you just crank it up and PLAY?!

. . . the mod50 is a really easy solution

You're probably right about this; and it gets me playing right away, without having to buy additional gear. By the time I'm ready to spring for an E2 or M4, I'll have already bought the modules, and will have been enjoying them in the meantime.

Plus, breaking up the purchases like that will make it easier to get the required authorizations from my Commerce Department

ben

 

[broknstuff]

A tech should be able to install an effects loop in your amp

Hmmm, I'll look into it. I can tell you what my tech will say about adding an fx loop to a forty year old Ampeg: Can't you just crank it up and PLAY?!

. . . the mod50 is a really easy solution

You're probably right about this; and it gets me playing right away, without having to buy additional gear. By the time I'm ready to spring for an E2 or M4, I'll have already bought the modules, and will have been enjoying them in the meantime.

Plus, breaking up the purchases like that will make it easier to get the required authorizations from my Commerce Department

ben

Haha the Mrs's? I'm not saying don't get the rebel, but the mod50 is just such an incredible beast. They're different, the rebel isn't trying to do what the mod50 does, but still the rebel has some killer features (tube mix, wattage control) and in such a small size. I have both and for me the hands down winner is the mod50, still the rebel serves so many uses and future potential uses for me:
1. It is a nice portable solution for a quick little jam. I think it'll go great with the e2 as well.
2. we practice at my house so when an extra friend drops by they just use that (the other guitar play also does that sometimes and just uses my stuff).
3. Great backup for a gig (again, especially with an e2).
4. Going to use it to power wet effects and try a wet/dry thing.
5. Going to use it with the m4 before I get a dedicated power-amp for it.
6. Hey, it just sounds pretty good! I am going to use it as a backup, but if I had to I wouldn't have a problem with it as my main amp either. My other guitarist does that and he sounds great. The other night I ran it in stereo with the mod50, and they sounded great together. I had the rebel set to clean and slightly lower volume than the mod50. Both clean sounded great, but the magic came if I was using a distorted sound on the mod50. The slightly lower level clean sound from the mixed in very well with the distorted tones from the mod (I think I was using eg3/4 that night). It was very organic, not obvious I was running one amp high gain and the other clean. In the future I may try running the mod50 and then m4 in stereo too, sound sound sick.


With all that said, the mod series is king .

 

[mabunge]

5. Going to use it with the m4 before I get a dedicated power-amp for it.

What I was thinking . . .

ben