Tourmaster/JVM/Help!

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ES72

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OK, this is going to be a long one:
In the search for my perfect tone I've sorta hit a brick wall. I'm currently using the Marshall JVM 410h. As much as I want to love this amp, it's just not happening for me. I originally played a Tourmaster combo at a local GC, and while relatively impressed, it sounded a little flubby to me and the lack of midi control kinda steered me in the direction of the Marshall. So, in the quest for tone, I decided to borrow a friend's Triple Rec thinking that maybe that would get me closer to the tone I was looking for. Alas, it was too muddy sounding for my taste. The Marshall, on the other hand is too, well... Marshall-ly! Then, last night a friend brought over his Rebel 30 for shits and giggles. We plugged it into a Marshall 1936 2x12 cab. I started tweaking this thing and, seriously... I almost punched him in the face and stole it! I was stunned by the tone! It had the smooth, creamy lead tone that I can't get from the Marshall, but without the dark, mushiness of the Boogie. To me, it literally sounded like the Marshall and the Boogie had a baby!
Needless to say, this has turned my attention back to Egnater for a second look. My issues are this: I need a 4 channel amp. I play in a regional-touring cover band and we play a diverse mix of music. The reason I got the Marshall was for the MIDI. I'm a "one button" kinda guy. I'm also concerned, like many others that I see, about the build quality. All my gear gets custom racked, shoved in a trailer, loaded, unloaded, banged around and generally rode hard! We do about 100 shows a year. To be honest, the thought of buying a Chinese amp over the Marshall flagship makes me wonder if I'm slightly insane. But I really was blown away by that little Rebel.
Anyway, I guess my question is, does anyone have any experience with the JVM vs the Tourmaster, and what's your opinion? And who here is MIDI switching their Tourmaster? What's your setup and how's it working out for you? And lastly, any guys/gals here actually making the Tourmaster live up to it's name by doing some actual touring? How's it holding up for you?
I realize that I do have other options. But most of those (Diezel, ENGL... etc) are out of my price range. Even the custom Egnater modular stuff is a bit of a price stretch for me.
So here I am, stuck in the no tone zone.
Whaddya all think?

Thanks!
 
I can only speak for the Modular stuff, I have owned a MOD100 for about 4 years now (the longest I've ever owned an amp) I just recently bought another amp because I wanted to spice things up. While I'm really happy with my new amp purchase, my MOD100 is still my favorite!

Jeff Hilligan is selling a couple of Dual modded MOD100's and someone else on the gear classified section is also selling one.

Great stuff! :rock:
 
Am I correct in understanding that the modules for the mod 50/100 are two channels each? Does the mod 50 actually function like a 4 channel amp? Are they midi switchable?
 
ES72":3cza0iab said:
Am I correct in understanding that the modules for the mod 50/100 are two channels each? Does the mod 50 actually function like a 4 channel amp? Are they midi switchable?
Click to expand...

Yep, the MOD stuff is dual channel, midi switchable, tube switchable, have a parallel and serial effects loop & can be externally biased.
 
Dude, there is a loaded Mod 50 on the Gear Page for $1,499 now. Crazy good deal.

Yep, just like 4 channel and midi. A low gain side and a higher gain side.
 
I looked and couldn't find it. Sure it's still there? Link?
Thanx!
 
Another option if you are on a budget is the Randall modular line. It was also designed by Bruce Egnater, and sounds
pretty good.
 
Thanks for all the great tips, gang! I would hop all over that gearpage mod 50 if I wasn't a little short of cash at the moment. If I could unload the JVM I'd do it, but those things are all over the used market right now! There's at least 10 on ebay, and your can't walk into a GC without seeing at least 1 or 2 used. If the mod 50 hangs around for a little while I may jump on it. I've looked into the Randall stuff. It seems pretty cool, but everything I've read makes me think that the Egnater is the way to go. I've watched all the demos and read all I can. And the fact that Bruce posts here really is a huge plus... speaking as someone looking to take the plunge in to their products. However, I really wish that there was a dealer nearby so I could try one personally.
I am a little confused though... the seller of the mod 50 on gearpage said that they're not being made anymore. Is the custom modular stuff falling by the wayside a bit now that the import line is taking off? And, other than the 6 or 7 dealers listed on the website, is my only option to find one used?

Thanks again!
-es
 
FWIW, The Tourmaster's build quality is equal to your Marshall JVM's build quality..Same type of construction...The fact that one is assembled in England and the other in China makes no difference..all PC Boards these days are stuffed by machines........I used a Tourmaster for a year and a half with no issues at all...You do bring a back up amp with you I hope..Any tube amp will have a tube issue eventually
 
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