The reason why I will remain a faithful Modular user...

[mboogman]

To preface, my main "gig" is lead guitarist at my church, and have been for over 9 years now.

I went through too many different core rigs in that time from Rocktron Piranha w/ Ensoniq DP4 for FX, Mesa Boogie Maverick w/ pedals, Mesa Heartbreaker, Mesa Trem-O-Verb, then the Heartbreaker and Trem-O-Verb together for a while (was a monstrous rig, really fun to play) lots of pedals, at one time I had 5 OD/distortions + my 2 amps, my Gerlitz, a vintage Marshall, etc. My old Mod50 was in there for a good long while before I got the M4. Now on the the REAL reason....

Last week, I lived primarily on channel B of the Xman. It just fit what we were playing that week really well. This week, I went to that channel for some very similar songs, and it just wasn't happening. No knobs had been turned, bet we had a different drummer and keyboard player, and I just couldn't make it gel. Flip over to Channel B on the VX, and there it was. Again, I didn't need to move any knobs or anything. Just switch over and go.

The simple fact that I can have so many different "amps" at my fingertips (or at my feet as the case may be) just makes me smile. now if only I could work up a COD module to sound like my Mesa studio preamp, I'd be all in, all done!

 

[MarcoR]

I'm right there with you man

I just got a RM4 with Salvation and Jaded Faith mods to go with my MOD50 and I couldn't be happier with my tone selection.

The Bman and EG3/4 have lived in my MOD50 for a long time now. I have the RM4 loaded (at the moment) with a Salvation Masholdano, Jaded Faith MarkX and an XTC. I have a Jaded Faith Super Clean and Dumble Super Overdrive Special on the way!

We need more talk about the modular line in this forum; I'm about sick of hearing about burnt transformers in TMs and blown fuses in Rebels!

 

[Buckeyedog]

We need more talk about the modular line in this forum; I'm about sick of hearing about burnt transformers in TMs and blown fuses in Rebels!

Used to be almost all the talk years ago (and I loved it).......unfortunately, it's long gone now.

 

[mboogman]

The MarkX and XTC mods are pretty great. Had each of those for a bit. In the end though, I seem to gravitate more towards Mr. Egnater's tone choices.

I know a lot of people are still hoping for new modules, but realistically, pretty much everything is already covered, especially when you account for all the Pro modders out there.

 

[mboogman]

We need more talk about the modular line in this forum; I'm about sick of hearing about burnt transformers in TMs and blown fuses in Rebels!

Used to be almost all the talk years ago (and I loved it).......unfortunately, it's long gone now.

I think what someone needs to do is do a little comparison of the newer, production line stuff with the modular stuff. IMO, I've played a bunch of the rebel, renegade and tweaker lines at GC, and like them very much. I definitely hear the Egnater pedigree in there, but the modular stuff is so much more refined and articulate sounding.

One spin on it all could be like the tweaker and rebel series should be like a gateway drug into the rest of the line. Letting you get just a taste of the greatness that's out there, once you're ready to go further down the rabbit hole. If Bruce does manage to get a more production line thing going on with the modular line, and you can sit down and play a Mod50 next to a renegade, I think you'll see a whole new slew of people realizing what they've been missing.

 

[MarcoR]

One spin on it all could be like the tweaker and rebel series should be like a gateway drug into the rest of the line. Letting you get just a taste of the greatness that's out there, once you're ready to go further down the rabbit hole. If Bruce does manage to get a more production line thing going on with the modular line, and you can sit down and play a Mod50 next to a renegade, I think you'll see a whole new slew of people realizing what they've been missing.

I hope that will be the case but what makes me nervous is that Bruce has expressed the fact that there is not much demand for the modular line and given that there have been MOD50s in the classifieds (including his) that have not had much interest even at great prices, I worry that re-releasing the modular line won't be a high priority.

If the line is re-released I seriously hope it doesn't suffer the same quality issues plagued by the TM, Rebel, Renegade, etc have.

 

[Mr. Burton]

No kidding. Soooooo sick of the GC line problem threads.

People were really put off by the whole China thing. A lot of the OG modular guys ditched their rigs because of it. I still have my M4 and don't plan on getting rid of it. Should be worth some $$$ down the road. Such a great idea that I think still has room for growth. The Randall modders have demonstrated what is possible with the existing platform. No matter what I do not plan to sell mine. I know a good idea when I see and hear it. I've had people try to chip away at the integrity of the rig saying it isn't a real amp. I haven't had one second thought about it. I sound better through my M4 than anything I've tried thus far.

 

[mboogman]

I've had people try to chip away at the integrity of the rig saying it isn't a real amp. I haven't had one second thought about it. I sound better through my M4 than anything I've tried thus far.

I guarantee that our "not real amps" sound better than a majority of the "real amps" out there. I know it's not the end-all, be-all for boutique tone, but once you put it in a mix, the Egnater M4 really shines. Especially with the right power section.

 

[rlord1974]

I've had people try to chip away at the integrity of the rig saying it isn't a real amp.

Some people are morons.

Any such argument is pointless. For example, is my CCV that employs diode clipping more or less of an amp than a MOD50 / M4?

The Egnater modular stuff is absolutely top notch. I don't think I've ever used a series FX loop better than the MOD50/Loop Gadget combo. Super clean + Super quiet + Zero tone loss = WIN.

 

[marvcus]

the modular is great stuff. I would put it up against anything.

 

[Mr. Burton]

I tried the M4 thru the FX return of my VHT today. I was very pleasantly surprised that there was minimal tone loss. Sounded on par with my TBR5.

Frankly I'm kind of glad the modular stuff is under the radar. I've had a great time flipping RM4's and Randall mods over the last few years. I may want to pick up some different Eggy mods. I currently want an SL and EG3/4. I may be ready to part with my VX as my other guitarist is using an AC30. I have rehearsal tomorrow and think I will take it to see how it sounds. Kinda stinks b/c I really like the VX. Probably in my top 3. My BMAN and COD haven't left the M4 in the almost 4 years I've had it other than tube swaps.

 

[mboogman]

You should have no problem finding a new home for the VX. Most people don't let them go once they get one, so just a warning. It might be a long time to find one on the used market if you let yours go.

 

[bbaug14]

My main rig currently is a M4 with a RT2/50. I won't say it's the best sounding set up I've ever played or heard, but as far as versitility goes, it can't be matched. My M4 will never be parted with.

Most of the things people don't like about some of Bruce's modules could easily be tweaked with some caps/resistors and a soldering iron. Bruce typically smooths out the gain in his designs and I know a lot of people don't like this and move away from Egnater because of it. A short conversation with him would allow you to modify your stuff to suit your needs.

 

[mboogman]

My main rig currently is a M4 with a RT2/50. I won't say it's the best sounding set up I've ever played or heard, but as far as versitility goes, it can't be matched. My M4 will never be parted with.

Most of the things people don't like about some of Bruce's modules could easily be tweaked with some caps/resistors and a soldering iron. Bruce typically smooths out the gain in his designs and I know a lot of people don't like this and move away from Egnater because of it. A short conversation with him would allow you to modify your stuff to suit your needs.

That is very true. People all over the place know about all the pro modders out there for the Randall stuff. I think even if you don't want to go to Bruce, there should be a group of people to go to to get the sound you're looking for. Hence the reason I'm working with Nick to get some of his mods down, and working on some new things of my own. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge )

 

[bbaug14]

My main rig currently is a M4 with a RT2/50. I won't say it's the best sounding set up I've ever played or heard, but as far as versitility goes, it can't be matched. My M4 will never be parted with.

Most of the things people don't like about some of Bruce's modules could easily be tweaked with some caps/resistors and a soldering iron. Bruce typically smooths out the gain in his designs and I know a lot of people don't like this and move away from Egnater because of it. A short conversation with him would allow you to modify your stuff to suit your needs.

That is very true. People all over the place know about all the pro modders out there for the Randall stuff. I think even if you don't want to go to Bruce, there should be a group of people to go to to get the sound you're looking for. Hence the reason I'm working with Nick to get some of his mods down, and working on some new things of my own. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge )

Good luck with that!!!

I take major issue with some of the 'pro-modder' stuff out there, only because they are completely ripping people off and people just don't know it or don't care. You send them your module, they add a cap to a part of the board where there was previously an unpopulated cap location, they ship it back to you, and you pay them $100+ (in some instances)? RIP OFF. I'll never understand why people will pay a big name guy hundreds of dollars to solder in $0.96 worth of new components. Blows my mind.

 

[mboogman]

My main rig currently is a M4 with a RT2/50. I won't say it's the best sounding set up I've ever played or heard, but as far as versitility goes, it can't be matched. My M4 will never be parted with.

Most of the things people don't like about some of Bruce's modules could easily be tweaked with some caps/resistors and a soldering iron. Bruce typically smooths out the gain in his designs and I know a lot of people don't like this and move away from Egnater because of it. A short conversation with him would allow you to modify your stuff to suit your needs.

That is very true. People all over the place know about all the pro modders out there for the Randall stuff. I think even if you don't want to go to Bruce, there should be a group of people to go to to get the sound you're looking for. Hence the reason I'm working with Nick to get some of his mods down, and working on some new things of my own. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge )

Good luck with that!!!

I take major issue with some of the 'pro-modder' stuff out there, only because they are completely ripping people off and people just don't know it or don't care. You send them your module, they add a cap to a part of the board where there was previously an unpopulated cap location, they ship it back to you, and you pay them $100+ (in some instances)? RIP OFF. I'll never understand why people will pay a big name guy hundreds of dollars to solder in $0.96 worth of new components. Blows my mind.

That is also another thing that's driving me to try to do some of that. I understand paying for someone's knowledge and experience, but let's be realistic here. It doesn't take a genius to figure out where to change a resistor value for more/less gain/saturation or to adda cap here or there for some basic tone tweaks. And to top all that off, there's only so much you can do with the PCB layout to begin with, unless you start cutting traces, adding jumpers, etc. like Bruce did for the Erect.

 

[Mr. Burton]

My main rig currently is a M4 with a RT2/50. I won't say it's the best sounding set up I've ever played or heard, but as far as versitility goes, it can't be matched. My M4 will never be parted with.

Most of the things people don't like about some of Bruce's modules could easily be tweaked with some caps/resistors and a soldering iron. Bruce typically smooths out the gain in his designs and I know a lot of people don't like this and move away from Egnater because of it. A short conversation with him would allow you to modify your stuff to suit your needs.

That is very true. People all over the place know about all the pro modders out there for the Randall stuff. I think even if you don't want to go to Bruce, there should be a group of people to go to to get the sound you're looking for. Hence the reason I'm working with Nick to get some of his mods down, and working on some new things of my own. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge )

Good luck with that!!!

I take major issue with some of the 'pro-modder' stuff out there, only because they are completely ripping people off and people just don't know it or don't care. You send them your module, they add a cap to a part of the board where there was previously an unpopulated cap location, they ship it back to you, and you pay them $100+ (in some instances)? RIP OFF. I'll never understand why people will pay a big name guy hundreds of dollars to solder in $0.96 worth of new components. Blows my mind.

A lot of good points here. I think you've touched on a sore spot that has affected more than one MTS user. I have received my share of hacked up modules. Components clumped together in C3, Sozo's wedged into them, cold joints, etc. All advertised as stock.

I've also paid for work and been satisfied with the results. In retrospect, I could have performed some of the mods myself. Cost for work is debatable I guess. It's a niche business and it's not like the big name guys are drinking from golden goblets with more bling than Mr T. The MTS users are a drop in the bucket in comparison to the amp market at large.

I personally take exception to the sale of an item as stock if it simply isn't. This goes for any product. Non disclosure is a bad business practice and generally indicative of wrongdoing.

 

[HughJasol]

You should have no problem finding a new home for the VX. Most people don't let them go once they get one, so just a warning. It might be a long time to find one on the used market if you let yours go.

Yes, the VX is gold! That being said, with two VX modules and a Salvation dual MatchVox on the way, I may eventually trade one away in order to score another BMAN . . .

 

[guitarslinger]

Man, '06-'09 sure was a fun time. I can't believe it's been that long ago already.

I think I might get my M4 out tonight, and fire it up.

 

[jlbaxe]

One of my best tones was a M4 - T/D COD Erect EG3/4 and RT2/50 into an Eggy TM212 open back.

The whole China BS was most of the reason I flipped mine, and I got my 20th XTC. The only problem I had was swapping modules and constantly tweaking, taking away from my playing.