How does the low power setting on the Egnator MOD50 sound?

[Jack71]

Hi guys. I've lurked here in the past and have always been intrigued by the Egnater gear. I'm getting ready to buy a MOD50 head and had some questions.

I'm wondering how many MOD50 owners play their amp on the low power setting on a regular basis and how it sounds? As I'm sure you know, even 50 watts is way too loud for smaller venues. I know the power switch can cut it to like, 18 watts I think. My only reservation is I've played some amps with half-power switches that really squashed the tone. I know a lower power setting is going to give you a slightly more compressed and spongy sound, but some low power settings on amps seem unusable. A lot of my gigs will be smaller venues where I'll need lower volumes, so it's important the I still get a useable and articulate sound.

I know I'm not likely to get many negatives about this amp from a Randall/Egnator forum, but I'm hoping for some honest, unbiased feedback from people who know this amp the best. Thanks.

 

[jmgman70]

Hey Jack,there's a thread about that in here somewhere,but it sounds awesome,not much difference until you use up the low wattage setting..
Some guys run 6V6s and some EL84s with the yellow jackets with great results,do a search for that thread.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Jack,

Two things. First to try to help answer your question about the half-power mode. It sounds extremely articulate in my opinion. The presensce is clear and does not sound muffled at all. It really does not sound much different. Second, much has been posted here about wattage. Bruce Egnater often pops in to discuss this topic when it comes up. Bruce and Frank will tell you that the difference in actual db (how loud it is) is very minimal. In other words 100 watt amp is only a few db louder than a 50 watter. If using this logic the same theory applies to taking the 50 watt amp down to half power. Not really that much diiference, and tone wise it's all good. Another thing to throw in is that, in the opinion of many here, the Egnater & Randall module system is very good at retaining a real amp feel just by adjusting the master volume on the module and/or amp to suit your volume needs. Put another way, they sound dang good even in full 50 watt mode, just turn it down to the volume you want. I can put my MOD 50 on a very low master setting and still get cranked amp tone and feel and feedback. I don't think this will be a problem for you at all, in fact I think you will find that if you do buy one, this is actually sort of a stand out feature of the Egnater design. Good tone at any volume.

 

[EWSEthan]

Like any tube amp, the louder the better. The more you are pushing those speakers the better it sounds. However, the Tommy is correct in that I find the Egnater stuff needs to be pushed less to sound good. I also didnt find much of a big difference in tone between low and high power. Low feels slightly spongier whereas high is a little punchier. I do think that high does have a little more clarity though.

I personally use high power because i like a stiffer feel and the slight extra punch. Dialing in the right volume for small clubs is not an issue becuse the master volume has the most amazing taper of any tube amp Ive played. Alot of tube amps put out almost no sound until you hit 1 on the master and then you start rattling pictures off the wall. Not the case with the MOD 50. Its got a real nice taper so you can really roll up just the amount you want / need.

-Matt

 

[Jack71]

Thanks guys. Your responses were VERY helpful. You've made my decision a little easier.

I know the low power setting is always going to sound a little darker, but as long as it's still a useful sound, I can always EQ it to be a little brighter and clearer. Besides, warm and spongy is great for EVH stuff. 8) As long as the amp retains it's responsiveness.

Matt, you are right on about the masters on most tube amps. No sound until 1, and then anything after that is ear splitting. I'm guessing the design of the Egnater amps allows most of the tube saturation sound to come from the preamp modules, making the pushing of the powertube section not as important.

Again, thanks everyone for your responses.