Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: FELINEGUITARS on October 11, 2008, 08:38:40 PM

Title: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on October 11, 2008, 08:38:40 PM: For a while now I have been wanting to use a power amp that I could get more out of to go with my workshop rack system

The problem I had was that 50watts of valve power into an efficient speaker cabinet was too darn loud to use unless you had the volume set way low. The idea I had was to have a 10w single ended amplifier that still used the big bottle octal valves like a 6L6/EL34/5881 and have similar tonal characteristics to the big amps but at a volume level that is more comfortable at home - one where I can actually get it operating at it's sweet spot without an eviction notice or damaging my hearing.

And here she is

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/Slavestar10W014-1.jpg)

Isn't she cute - I wanted her to be small enough to sit alongside my rack on top of my 2x12" Rivera cabinet in the workshop. The reason all the controls and sockets are on the front will become clear as you scroll down

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/goldstar_slave_01.jpg)

Nice clean build line- shown here with the 5881 that I originally specified but I have since swapped it over for a 6CA7 which is like a USA made version of the El34 and what Van Halen always used in his Marshall.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/goldstar_slave1.jpg)

I never knew there was so little in it! The best sounding amps tend to have as little between the guitar and speaker and this mp is true to that for sure.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/P1050002.jpg)

Here she is alongside my rack system as it currently looks in the workshop.
All that is missing is the Egnater M4 Rrack preamp with changeable modules
Although notice I have a nice Module waiting to go in the new preamp - thanks Adam
I'll save talking about that till i get the Egnater and can use it.
You'll notice that the amp is alongside the rack and you may well be wondering why all the sockets on the front.
The reason is that I turn it sideways to save space and there is no room at the back of it to have cables etc
See below

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/P1040998.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/P1050001.jpg)
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: dave_mc on October 11, 2008, 08:42:57 PM: very nice! :) what's the other valve, the phase inverter? or is it set up so you can switch to el84s too?
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on October 11, 2008, 08:56:08 PM: no - its the driver valve - a regular 12ax7a

I am planning to have Martin make me a 10w version of a Marshall 2203/4 Marshall or something like that
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: Twinfan on October 11, 2008, 10:07:14 PM: Nice amp Jonathon :)

I saw it a couple of times when it was in development, and heard about it plenty whenever I spoke to Martin. Great looking amp!
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: martinw on October 12, 2008, 12:47:42 AM: Thanks for the mention Jonathan. Nice to see the amp in it's proper home! 8)

It turned out very nicely, and sounded great driven by a POD when I was testing it.
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: Lew on October 12, 2008, 02:46:03 AM: Cute!!
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FernandoDuarte on October 12, 2008, 04:38:18 AM: :D
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: hamfist on October 12, 2008, 07:22:48 AM: Very, very cute, and immaculately built, as usual.
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: roland_rat on October 12, 2008, 10:19:52 AM: Looks very nice. Is there any chance of a recording with it?
:shock:
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: dave_mc on October 12, 2008, 04:45:16 PM: Quote from: FELINEGUITARS on October 11, 2008, 08:56:08 PM
no - its the driver valve - a regular 12ax7a

I am planning to have Martin make me a 10w version of a Marshall 2203/4 Marshall or something like that

ah, good point, being single-ended it wouldn't need a phase inverter (not sure what i was thinking when i posted that :oops: ) thanks jonathan. :)
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on October 12, 2008, 07:50:14 PM: It's surprisingly loud
I think that most home players dont need the 50w and 100w amps even if they do like to let rip when the family/neighbours go out.
the shame of a big amp is never getting it past number one on the volume control and always feeling like you are never hearing it at it's best or having to resort to a power soak to be able to turn it up at all, and then wondering what that does to the tone.

Class A single ended amps do sound a bit different to push-pull designs but often in way that is very pleasing - richer with lots of juicy harmonics.

I would love to see more of them and not just ones with a simple volume and tone control - more like a full Marshall control panel but running at 10w, using a single valve of the same type found in the bigger amps rather than a little EL84 or 6V6
I think it could really catch on as a home or studio amp - having a great rock tone and not having to deafen yourself to get it , whilst still having enough volume to make it feel good.
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: Jonny on October 13, 2008, 12:23:33 AM: I would have wanted to see this Martamp while I was over there. Bah.
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: Antag on October 13, 2008, 09:37:16 AM: I had the chance to play through it when I was there last week. It sounds really good :)
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on January 09, 2009, 04:52:49 PM: Preamp arrived yesterday
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/M4-NAMM.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/EgnaterM4-rear.jpg)
Above are other people's pix - will take my own as soon as I get a moment

Whoo- Hoo!

Sounds flipping awesome!
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: Jonny on January 09, 2009, 05:03:33 PM: I'm guessing they're all different modules?

Plus check your Indox for my message to you, it's a slight favour to ask of you Jonathan.
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on January 09, 2009, 05:14:18 PM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/P1050084.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/amps/P1050086.jpg)

Ok - here she is
I have 6 modules (each with two channels)
Fender Twin/Deluxe
Fender Bassman Clean and dirty
Sl2 (Hot rod Marshall JCM800style)
EG3/4 ((smoky sounding Marshall types based on Egnaters own TOL amp channels 3&4)
EG5 (Hair Metal module - very similar to Hot roded Marshall - not unlike Caswell/Cameron amp sound)
COD (California Overdrive - a cross beteen A Boogie Mk2 and a Dumble - sounds quite like the Fender Prosonic I had for a while)

Still want to get the Vox module, the SL superlead module, and Erect (Dual Rectifier sound) and MHG (Soldano sound)

But have plenty to play with as it is.
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: hamfist on January 09, 2009, 05:16:56 PM: Very nice !!! That's the right way to do amp modelling !!
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: sgmypod on January 09, 2009, 05:19:01 PM: yeah looks cool
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: noodleplugerine on January 09, 2009, 10:02:37 PM: AWESOME!

How many modules can you use at once, and are they midi switchable?

In other words, can you have a 12 channel amp?!
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on January 10, 2009, 12:14:52 AM: Quote from: noodleplugerine on January 09, 2009, 10:02:37 PM
AWESOME!

How many modules can you use at once, and are they midi switchable?

In other words, can you have a 12 channel amp?!

The rack unit holds 4 modules - each with two sounds
So that is 8 very usable options
It is midi controlled - so can switch them in and out at will and modify with an FX processer
I have gotten a TC Electronics G Major coming to replace the M1 reverb that you see there, as it is a bit more guitarist friendly
I had wanted to get the whole G system but it's overkill for the workshop - I have a G Force in my big rack

This setup is great for the workshop because it sounds great and the sounds are damn authentic to the chosen amp
Really liking it!
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: AdamB on January 10, 2009, 09:19:43 AM: I want an EG3/4!!!!

Hope you're pleased with it Johnathan :D
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: Matt77 on January 10, 2009, 02:35:06 PM: v cool
How well does the Sl2 compare to your actual JCM800?
Title: Re: NPAD - MARTAMP CONTENT
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on January 10, 2009, 05:05:20 PM: Quote from: Matt77 on January 10, 2009, 02:35:06 PM
v cool
How well does the Sl2 compare to your actual JCM800?

It sounds a bit more organic
The JCM800 has diode clipping whilst the SL2 is all valve

I sold the JCM800 a few months back

Looking forward to my SIR39 10w amp that Heavier than Hell is making for me