Mods for an RM100

[Tubes In a Hat]

I know there are several options for modding the individual modules, but has anyone experimented with modding the actual RM100 head itself?

I was thinking about what it might sound like with an upgraded OT and choke... maybe some other tweaks...

 

[kylendm]

A few people on the board have RM100s with Mercury Magnetic's PTs,OTs, And Chokes and have had great results. Another thing you can do is the mod in this post by Pete.

http://mtsforum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=6578

Basically you can make a tight/loose switch in the RM100s Power Section but you are dealing with deadly voltage so you must know how do properly discharge the amp.

 

[Julia]

since you just got your amp, i'll tell you that a highly effective, least expensive, and least invasive mod you can possibly make to the amp is getting a rack mount 31 band graphic equalizer. The tonal possibilities are almost endless. Using one doesn't void the warranty. You don't want to void the warranty, trust me. The reason that you don't want to void the warranty is that **** happens.

I used to have a Marshall JVM. People were doing the "bright cap" mod on it by removing this capacitor. Doing so would void the warranty on the amp. Yes it sounded better. If I'd done that, when my amp had multiple small components fail I'd have been stuck with a $2000 door stop since I couldn't afford the $700 it would have cost to fix the problems.

So unless you bought the amp used, or have money to burn, I'd leave it alone. Do a mod at your own risk.

The mods can make the amp sound better, but take your time and learn the amp before even thinking about it. You might find you're satisfied with the tone of the amp.

 

[m0jo]

since you just got your amp, i'll tell you that a highly effective, least expensive, and least invasive mod you can possibly make to the amp is getting a rack mount 31 band graphic equalizer. The tonal possibilities are almost endless. Using one doesn't void the warranty. You don't want to void the warranty, trust me. The reason that you don't want to void the warranty is that s*&t happens.

I used to have a Marshall JVM. People were doing the "bright cap" mod on it by removing this capacitor. Doing so would void the warranty on the amp. Yes it sounded better. If I'd done that, when my amp had multiple small components fail I'd have been stuck with a $2000 door stop since I couldn't afford the $700 it would have cost to fix the problems.

So unless you bought the amp used, or have money to burn, I'd leave it alone. Do a mod at your own risk.

The mods can make the amp sound better, but take your time and learn the amp before even thinking about it. You might find you're satisfied with the tone of the amp.

I hear you on the warranty, especially on the JVM.. every single one we sold came back broken!
Some even twice.. it was ridiculous.

What you could also do on the RM itself is upgrade the V1 circuitry.
For instance upgrade the caps to orange drops/WIMA caps.
This will make a small difference, but adding a lot of small differences together can make a big difference (sounds logical haha)

 

[Tubes In a Hat]

I'll take what Julia said to heart... I appreciate all the responses as a matter of fact

Warranty isn't really an issue since I'm at least the third owner of this amp.
I was planning on having the modules modified anyway, at least. I bet I'd be more than happy with those results.

I guess the easiest thing I could do is experiment with different speakers... and I'm definitely not shy about tweaking a fader or two.

Which specific GEQ do you recommend, Julia?

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I'm not big into eq and BBEs in the loop- plenty of experimentation with tubes out there, modded mods, clean boost. I am curious about transformer upgrades....


YMMV

 

[Julia]

I'll take what Julia said to heart... I appreciate all the responses as a matter of fact

Warranty isn't really an issue since I'm at least the third owner of this amp.
I was planning on having the modules modified anyway, at least. I bet I'd be more than happy with those results.

I guess the easiest thing I could do is experiment with different speakers... and I'm definitely not shy about tweaking a fader or two.

Which specific GEQ do you recommend, Julia?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/231/

dbx231: two channel.

Why? I only use one channel for my guitar, but found that having a second channel available is great for an electric acoustic and vocals. And it's only $40 more than the single channel.

if you want a compressor/gate/limiter I'd recommend the dbx166XL. Why? it is as transparent a compressor as I've heard. The gate is excellent, and the limiter is really good at preventing clipping in downstream effects units. Also two channels. I use one in the effects loop for the guitar, and the second for vocals. If you go this route I'd put this first, your effects unit second, and the EQ last.

They are very reasonably priced and do a really good job. Studio quality stuff. I run the guitar amp side at +4 and the vocal/acoustic guitar side at -10.

Another option with the dual channel EQ is you can run one side as an input at -10 db to shape the tone of your pickups, and the second side as loop side EQ to fine tune your final tone. The choice is yours. I have an MXR M-108 EQ pedal (I've had this for a few years) I use before the amp because I got a free single channel 31 band EQ that I use in my effects loop.

EQ > Speakers > Tube brand and type > Guitar pickups > Guitar wood > Guitar strings. EQ rules them all.

And if you start thinking about effects, I'd really wait another couple weeks..... Line 6 is releasing the POD HD units. The POD HD has 16 high definition amp models and an upgrade on their effects. For gigging this unit will be a great backup for your amp (**** happens), or for recording these are high definition models. The thought here is that they will be between the Eleven Rack and Axe FX in quality but the prices start at $300. USB connectivity available. But they are floor mount and I don't know if they have a -10/+4 dbu setting button. If they come out with a 1 or 2 slot rack version I'm buying.