50 watt board kit selection question

Glamboy69 · Post by **Glamboy69** » Fri May 04, 2007 10:29 pm

I see as well as everyone else that there are 3 options to the 50 board kits, 50 watt bass, 50 watt lead and the 50 watt master volume. My question is that other than hearing these 3 models in person what (without putting this any other way) is the most popular? I've built a jtm45 kit already so I am somewhat familiar with tone but am unsure what the layout of the MV board kit is on the chassis. I've searched around on this 50 watt index and I've found nothing comparing these three tones. Any help would be appreciated.

gibboau · Post by **gibboau** » Sat May 05, 2007 2:31 am

Hi, i would say the lead kit is the most popular... i think the only difference between the lead and a MV amp is a dual 500k pot which is connected to output section (im sure your metro cd has the diagiams) parts wise i dont think there is any difference.. as for the 50watt bass there are a few caps and resistors that are different values and it uses a sharded cathode much like the JTM45. i would go for the lead kit and buy some extra parts to make a MV and/or a bass... and tweak away... ive been thinking of a MV mod for my 50watt the thing really drives the neighbors nuts

neikeel · Post by **neikeel** » Sat May 05, 2007 4:19 am

Gibboau is right.

The amps are really similar in many respects.

But I would take the other approach if you want a rich thick plexi sound out of a 50watter build a bass which is basically a late 67 and early 68 spec lead anyway (just add a bright cap!), You can always tweak to later lead spec. later, just make sure you add the turret for a split cathode when you order the board (it is a pig to add later!).

Different parts are the PI caps (0.022 on lead, 0.1 in bass and the tone stack 56k/250pF in bass and 33k/500pF in lead). If you want loads of hair and gain then you will need to split the cathode on V1 (extra 0.68uF cap and 2.7k resistor together with a 0.68uF cap on V2.

Depends if you want Allman brothers or Yngwie

gibboau · Post by **gibboau** » Sat May 05, 2007 7:27 am

neikeel wrote:Gibboau is right.

The amps are really similar in many respects.

But I would take the other approach if you want a rich thick plexi sound out of a 50watter build a bass which is basically a late 67 and early 68 spec lead anyway (just add a bright cap!), You can always tweak to later lead spec. later, just make sure you add the turret for a split cathode when you order the board (it is a pig to add later!).

Different parts are the PI caps (0.022 on lead, 0.1 in bass and the tone stack 56k/250pF in bass and 33k/500pF in lead). If you want loads of hair and gain then you will need to split the cathode on V1 (extra 0.68uF cap and 2.7k resistor together with a 0.68uF cap on V2.

Depends if you want Allman brothers or Yngwie

Dang... i was aiming for a 67-68 pelxi with my build....i built mine with a split cathode (with later model specs) and the tone of this thing is well... unreal or be it way louder then i expected.... i might order some bass parts and mod the amp....

Glamboy i think you'll be happy with the amp no matter what the spec... i was in a music shop last weekend and played some new marshalls and i think they sounded thin and lifless... i needed to come home and turn my metro up just to get the bad taste out of my mouth

stokesdead · Post by **stokesdead** » Sat May 05, 2007 10:15 am

Mines gonna be a bass head. and I can't wait btw.
~CS

Glamboy69 · Post by **Glamboy69** » Sat May 05, 2007 3:05 pm

first off I appreciate the responses, I havent called George on these yet and didnt know if he had a cd for the 50 watter and if he did did it cover the 3 types or i suppose one could recommend the best schematics that I could physically see the differences

neikeel · Post by **neikeel** » Sat May 05, 2007 4:59 pm

The late spec 1987 is in the Doyle book or try here for info

http://www.drtube.com/marshall.htm#JMP

the JTM50 is also very similar to the 1986 spec (bass) but has a tube (GZ34 rectifier)

if you are studying 50 watters you must look here

http://marstran.com

all variants are covered the amps here are mostly pretty stock.

You need to tell us what sounds you are after and we might be able to nudge you in the right direction

Glamboy69 · Post by **Glamboy69** » Sat May 05, 2007 6:33 pm

if I was to choose between Allman sound or Yngwie I'd have to choose the Allman's sound although I never got so much into their music I do like the sound. What I am looking for is a slightly grittier sound than my JTM-45 with a earlier breakup, not so much a piercing sound but a crunch with punch.

gibboau · Post by **gibboau** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:42 pm

Glamboy69 wrote:first off I appreciate the responses, I havent called George on these yet and didnt know if he had a cd for the 50 watter and if he did did it cover the 3 types or i suppose one could recommend the best schematics that I could physically see the differences

the cd i got with my 50watt kit covers (i think) all of georges kits.. this has the 50watt bass PTP board layout in it.....but i dont think it includes the wiring layout...which im sure isnt that different to the lead