Fired Up!

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:04 pm

Well I finally fired this thing up.

Its early. Experience has taught me the tone could change a lot after just a few hours of playing. For instance 100Wers especially seem to be real clean and stiff at first but smooth out and saturate nicely. But for some initial impressions:

- Out of all the different kinds of 100W marshalls this seems like it could be the most removed tone-wise. Moreso then even a 67 10-series to a 69 Lead. Probably closer to a JTM45 then a 100W EL34 amp. Maybe that should seem obvious but rather then sounding like an 100W EL34 marshall with KT66s it sounds more like a JTM45 with a lot more headroom and low end punch.

- The amp has a great smooth clean quality. The notes sound separate and clean with a nice clunk to the attack and the breakup is very smooth. Chords sound a bit fuzzy tho. Not unexpected with KT66s. It reminds me very much of live Cream.

- Its brighter overall then I expected tho as I said I expect that to change a bit.

gutpile · Post by **gutpile** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:48 pm

CONGRATS BB! I noticed the same thing at first (brighter than what I expected) and after burning in the caps for 50hrs and putting about 10hrs of playing on the tranny's I am contemplating changing my bright cap to a 250 or 500 vs. 100 I have on it now... it turned around quite a bit with relatively low hours... great bottom end perfect mids and PERFECT break up IMO.... this is a GREAT sounding amp!

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:51 pm

Yeah my experience is the first 10-20 hours makes a huge difference. Kind of an expnoential curve starting out fast and slowing exponentially with a similar result after doubling the time etc... The edge gets rounded off and the gain saturates giving up more of the goods so its not nearly as stiff or clean.

I may burn them this time. I always just played a lot to burn the amp in but I just dont have the time these days. In fact I could be playing now. WTF am I doing here...

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:50 pm

New clip in the link below.

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:31 pm

Billy Batz wrote:New clip in the link below.

Don't see it , Dan.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:32 pm

Its up now

NY Chief · Post by **NY Chief** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:41 pm

Got it! Sounds great!!

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:45 pm

I posted it in the sound clips page. I think my settings were too aggressive. Too much treble and presence and with that gain but the tone is there. His tone was a little smoother and cleaner and fuzzier probably from less presence and treble.

shakti · Post by **shakti** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 1:28 am

I like it! Very nice playing and great tone!

What were you settings, and what guitar did you use? Clapton has often said he plugged into the normal input, but really turned up both presence and treble.

Which bright caps do you have in your amp?

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 6:37 am

shakti wrote:I like it! Very nice playing and great tone!

What were you settings, and what guitar did you use? Clapton has often said he plugged into the normal input, but really turned up both presence and treble.

Which bright caps do you have in your amp?

Whats very interesting. Ill have to try that too!
I posted the clips and the specifics here
http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=19483
No bright cap.

gutpile · Post by **gutpile** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:36 pm

I'm apprehensive to even attempt a clip after BB nailed clapton

but I have added a 45/100 clip in my signature... need to get the micing thing down...

thousandshirts · Post by **thousandshirts** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:46 pm

gutpile wrote:I'm apprehensive to even attempt a clip after BB nailed clapton but I have added a 45/100 clip in my signature... nedd to get the micing thing down...

Sounds great!

basisfunction · Post by **basisfunction** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:50 am

What are your tubes biased at? I have a B+ around 490V and have them biased at 35mA. I keep seeing people who insist on hotter bias. I have the Shuguangs from Terry. I have a while left for break in as well (I've been playing the '69 out of band necessity), there is maybe 2 hours on the JTM). Yeah, I have a lot of time left for break in (some of you guys would have 100 hours on it by now I imagine!), but I was wondering about your comments about your JTM build being the best sounding amp build out of the gate.
Mine still seems plenty stiff and sterile.

Sam

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 3:45 pm

Hmm... Not sure. Most of the time I just keep going until it just startes to redplate or it passes the sweet spot then I back off a bit.

basisfunction · Post by **basisfunction** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:15 pm

You are hardcore BB!