New Member With a Few Questions

[Jbrobst865]

Hello all,
I'm new to the forums and wanted to say hi. My name is Jason and I've been playing guitar for about 12 years or so. I play mostly Rock and Blues. Clapton, Lynch, Sambora, Slash, Etc. Anyway....

I am seriously considering selling my Line 6 HD 147 w/board and Fender 4x12 cab and buying a RM50 Combo. I don't really play too many shows anymore and don't see the need to keep a half stack and 300 Watt amp in the studio when I can trade it in and pretty much walk away with a RM50 with no money out of pocket. Before I do I wanted to talk to a few of you guys and get your opinions.

I've been reading the boards here for a while to get myself familiar w/ the MTS series and from what I can tell I think the RM50 Combo will work nicely for me. Has anyone used it for recording? If so, how did it work out? What Mics did you use?

Now my next question is the obvious one. Which Modules would be right for me. I realize that all tone is subjective and everyone has their own ideas on what "good tone" is. I've read all of the descriptions for the Modules and listened to what clips I could find. I've pretty much decided I'm going to get the Mr. Scary as I'm a huge Lynch fan. I was also thinking about the Brown, XTC, SL+, and or JTM. I know, that's all right? I'm still not too sure on what I want to get for a "Clean" tone. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for something like the clean tones on Guns N' Roses Illusions albums. Something near Civil Wars, Yesterdays, Don't Cry, Etc. I'm sure I can get close by just backing off one of the above modules I mentioned I just wondered if someone had a better idea for me.

I know this was long winded so if you read it and decide to post something I thank you. I'm sure I repeated myself a few times but hey, you guys know what it's like to be Gassing for something. I also have to trust your opinions because no one near where I live seems to carry any of these so I can't just go to the shop and play around. Believe me I would be there!! Thanks again.

 

[Jaded Faith]

Hello and welcome! I too made the switch from Line 6 to Randall MTS gear a year ago, so I can give you some input. I used a Vetta half stack for 5 years, moved to a POD XTL with Atomic 212-50 and we had a second guitarist with a HD147 half stack for many years.

I moved over slowly, starting with the RM4 last July with 5 modules through my Atomic. This evolved over the past months to an RM4 with 7 modules, a Rocktron Expression for effects, a RT2/50 for a power amp and a R212NTX 2x12 cab. I can say with total confidence I now have the best tone I have ever had in my life (playing for 20 years now) and I am inspired every time I pick up my guitar.

The Vetta served me well for many years. The tone was great and it was easy to setup. I never have been a tube snob, but I will say there is a difference and it is a pretty big one. The biggest difference between the Randall and L6 stuff is the Randall gear has only 5 knobs to dial in and your tone doesn't change at gig volume vs bedroom volume like the L6 gear did. If I like it at low volumes, 95% of the time it is just the same at stage volume. I don't have a single regret about moving on.

The Randall gear gives you a lot of flexibility and the range of modules really can cover the entire palate of tones with a handful of module. They can be modded (either by you or by several members of this board who do amazing work) to adjust them to your taste. Add the ability to use any tubes you want and bias them how you like them and it is insanely flexible and able to adjust to exactly what you want from your rig.

I have used 50 watts with my MTS rig since the change over and it is just as loud or louder than the Vetta (same power amp as your HD147). If I was to buy anything else at this point, it would be an RM50 head to give me a smaller alternative to my full MTS rack rig. The RM50 combo would be a great choice too, but since I have the 2x12 cab already, the head would make more sense. You should find the combo to suit your needs just fine.

I recorded all the guitars on my bands last CD with the RM4 through the Atomic. I miked it with a Audix i5 (it edged out my SM57 and MD421) through my UA LA-610. I used a Clean, Recto, XTC and 1086 for all the guitar tracks. You can hear the results at www.myspace.com/jadedfaith.

As for modules, based on your tastes I would suggest a SL+ or Mr Scary for the high gain Marshall stuff, any of the Fender modules or JTM for your cleans and maybe an XTC for leads. The XTC has a very thick tone and is great for singing single note lines. I warn you though, you will end up with around a half dozen modules in a few months time! Guys buy and sell modules on here all the time, so it's easy to turn stuff over while you figure out what suits you.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

 

[Jbrobst865]

Thanks for the reply. I didn't think I would get a reply from someone who pretty much had what I have. That's perfect. I think that's what I'm gonna do. I'll probably keep the 4x12 since I won't really get much for it on trade in and I can use it as an additional cab for the combo (if I'm understanding it right)

You're right about the modules too! I only want to get 2 or 3 modules to start with but I don't know which ones I know I'm gonna get the Mr. Scary so I was thinking of the Blackface and either the XTC, Brown, or SL+.

I liked the songs on your myspace page too. You guys have a style very similar to ours. Just with better amps :wink:

 

[axecellent]

Yeah, what he said! I have a PodX3 bean for when I travel. I've got some pretty good tones out of it and the dual signal chain gives it crazy flexibility. Like JF said, there is still a pretty big difference. The Line 6 stuff is good, but the Randall stuff is great. To me the Randall is just more *alive*, thicker and richer.

Also, if you are having trouble finding a local dealer, send a PM to one of the RD/xxxx guys here on the forum. They are willing and eager to help people find a dealer.

Welcome aboard.

Thomas

 

[reilly]

i came from a line 6 family as well i had a flextone 2 2x12 combo, pod xt pro and a xtlive, and i couldnt be happier with my rm1000, best sounding amp i ever had and i set a new record i have had this amp 3.5 years and counting, thats about 2.5 years longer than any amp i ever owned. (some amps i have had, laney GH100L, Mesa maverick, Mesa dule rec, 76 fender twin, Marshall vs100, Marshall artist 3032, orange, an old peavey classic, hughes and kettner tube 100)

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Good advice so far. Keep the 4x12, buy a Randall RM50 HB head. Any of the modules you mentioned will great because this system delivers great tone. I just spent the last 8 months recording my RM50HB and my Egnater MOD50 head. Never gotten any better sounds than these. Records very well.

Deluxe would be a great place to start for cleans. If you like the GNR cleans you may be happy with the JTM45 too.

I also happen to have an RM50HB with reverb and a modified XTC module for sale. PM me if you are interested.

 

[Jbrobst865]

Thanks for all of the replies. Looks like I may be getting a Lynch Box after all :lol: Should have known that was gonna happen.

I like what I've heard so far from the Blackface for clean tones. I haven't really heard much on the Deluxe yet. I'll have to check it out too.

 

[Smokey]

The Blackface gets a lot of love around here for clean tone. As for some of the other modules in your list, here's my 2 cents.

Randall Brown: - great for cranked up hot rodded Plexi tone, doesn't do rolled back overdriven tones too well. It's like it's either on or it's off, but when it's on, it sounds great. I know it's placed in early Van Halen territory, personally I use it for Green Day - Dookie type crunch. Does AC/DC very well also.

Randall SL+: Haven't owned one, but from the clips I've heard, an unmodded SL+ can be a bit muddy. Modded by Pete (okstrat) will get you an awesome Marshall sound.

Egnater SL++ (SL2): Amazing hot rodded JCM800 tone. I use an old Egnater SL++ in my RM100. With JJ E34L's as my poweramp tubes I am getting that Slash Appetite sound. The intro riff to Nightrain never sounded like this through any of my other rigs and that includes a Silver Jubilee halfstack!

XTC: like the SL+ can be a bit muddy unmodded, check out Pete's clip somewhere on here where he does a clip of his modded XTC playing Vai - For The Love of God (spine-tingling close to the original tone of Passion and Warfare).

Personally from your list, the Brown, Mr Scary, Blackface and a modded SL+ or XTC will probably cover your bases (without going overboard). You could get by with running an Overdrive into a Brown to get heavier Marshall tones, but for that straight out of the box Slash sound - Egnater SL2 (either find an 2nd hand one on here, or wait till Egnater release there Single Channel line). It will handle Sambora as well with ease.
Great to see your converting, you'll be hooked like the rest of us in no time. As some food for thought, check out these links for some clips.
Jimosity's extensive demo clipshttp://www.bandslink.com/randall.htm
Pete's mod page http://members.cox.net/vht50/MTSmods108.htm

Cheers

 

[raz311]

^

What Smokey said

and +1 for the Blackface!

 

[Jbrobst865]

I picked up a Lynch Box. I have a Blackface and SL+ coming. I'm trying to find a Mr. Scary and an XTC. Once I have those I think I'm gonna have Pete mod my SL+.

That'll be a good start anyway......for now...

 

[jmgman70]

I picked up a Lynch Box. I have a Blackface and SL+ coming. I'm trying to find a Mr. Scary and an XTC. Once I have those I think I'm gonna have Pete mod my SL+.

That'll be a good start anyway......for now...

Very cool!