Grail Vs Recto

[surreal]

HI guys,

I've just purchased George Lynch 100w head and want to know wether to go with the grail or the recto module.
I could only test the modules in a rm50 combo.
Thing is the combo has the 6l6's in it and the gt-75 celestion (which i don't like).
Obviously I'm going with the el34's in the lynch and i have a quad with v30's and greenbacks.
I preferred the heavier bottom of the recto over the grail , but i'm thinking the 100w head and the speakers will bring the grail to life, over the recto which could turn muddy and unfocused.

Any suggestions ???

 

[crankyrayhanky]

i'm thinking the 100w head and the speakers will bring the grail to life, over the recto which could turn muddy and unfocused.

Yes, the stock Grail >TPlate

 

[surreal]

I tried the treadplate as well and it was thin and lifeless. I didn't like it in comparison to the other two.

It's actually called "recto"

I did hear that it's an older discontinued module , is that correct ?

So I tried "Grail" , "Treadplate" & "recto"

As i said preference would be recto for the heavier bottom end , but in the 100w head , i'm thinking go with the grail.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

hmmm, Recto sounded better than Treadplate? Interesting, I thought they improved each version...in the end each module is like a snowflake, so go with your ears

btw, welcome!

 

[MYDEMISE]

The grail is better out of the box but the recto has a very cool midrange to it and is meaner than the grail. All around the grail is better if you have to go with one module. I am having my recto modded now and will let you know if it smokes the grail as I am pretty sure it will.

 

[Rising Farce]

Buy a cheap used Recto and send it out for modification. Mine has Voodoo's "Dual Rec" mod, which gives it tons more bottom end and usable gain than the Grail.

 

[Balou]

So it sounds like if you get almost any of the modules modded then they will all be improved, is there any exceptions? and does it always cost around $80 generally?

 

[tehuk]

Every module benefits from a mod whether it is more gain or just improved clarity and articulation. Most of the modders charge around $80 for the basic mods which usually covers cap replacement to make things tighter, improve clarity, or add gain. If you want to change the voicing and a add a couple of features it can go up to $150, but if you want something custom like an amp clone or designing your ideal module then its usually $200. IMO its totally worth it.

 

[surreal]

OK decided to go with the grail , but thing is I'm in Australia and as far as i know no one is modding modules here. I'm handy with a soldering iron and simple things like the c3 cap value change are easy. Is there any more info available on what other mod's are easy to do ?

I also found 3 old EH 12ax7's i had stashed away , was wondering about the common valve in the head itself and the valves in the modules.
The common valve i would assume would be an 12at7, does this benefit from replacing with a better quality NOS or similar.

With the modules are the valves soldered in and which should be replaced first, 1 or 2. Should they be matched ???

Also if i run 2 El34's and 2 KT88's in the power , should they all be biased at the same Millivolts or can the kt's run at say 35 and the EL's at 32, for example.

Sorry for all the questions but excited about getting this amp, it's what I've been searching for , for a long time !!!

 

[crankyrayhanky]

That's funny, the Grail is the one mod I never thought about modifying- sounds great as is stock....and I modded out around 18 other ones!

 

[Mailman1971]

I just picked up a Grail. I forgot how good it sounded.
Never ran a clean boost with it before. It makes that module sound better than the Mesa Dual Rec I had. Very HEAVY CRISPY tone. I am on a new honeymoon!!
No joking. 8)