Gee Donner
Well-known member
Here are some recommendations from my experiences. Let's start with the Marshall and Fender based modules.
There are 100 ways to mod or "personalize" an MTS module. There are technically three different areas that will afftect the sound in different ways: Circuit design, component value and component type/brand.
Circuit design;
All vintage Fender and Marshall circuits are similar to each other in many different ways. Marshall has more gainstages and thats why it also has more distortion. If you compare the 1959 to the 2203 youll find that it is pretty much the same amp. Some values differ and there is half a tube more in the 2203. The same differences you'll see on PLEXI vs. SL+ modules. The SL+ has two gainstages plus cathode follower and plexi has one stage plus CF. So the outcome is simple similar sound but more gain in the SL+.
It seems to me that when for example Randall is massproducing their modules they have to compromize a little bit to fit into the market. This is one way to get away from the "one trick pony" syndrome. So people mod their amps to get that personal tone or to get closer to the attitude that his/her idols amp has. This is where the adventages MTS systems comes into the picture. An amp that can be modified by swiching modules, or easily "moddable" modules, that after all only costs 200 USD if you mess it up completely. Don't be afraid to play around with your stuff, maybe you'll find your dreamtone after a while. Just make sure you know how to solder properly and have patience!
Caps;
For Marshall circuits I do believe that the best capacitors for vintage but high gain sound, are the real Philips/Mullard mustard caps. They have not been in production for many years and are hard to find and becuse of that they tend to be VERY expensive. There is a guy that came up with a way to reproduce a capacitor with the same characterisics as the Philips/Mullard mustard cap. His caps are called Sozo. He has two different series of caps, one is called vintage premium + and is the expensiver kind of his two lines. This is the way to go for modders that wants that vintage lots of mids kind of sound. These caps will recreate the attitude af a very old Marshall 1959 PLEXI.
See: www.sozoamplification.com
You can also use Orange Drops in your Marshall circuit. These have very little internal resistance and have a tendencie to give you more Fender-like clarity and sensitivity. You'll find these easily by googling for "Orange drops" or "Sprague" whitch is the brand.
Next recommendation for marshall circuits if you want that IN-YOUR-FACE attidude from your amp are the Illinois IC MPW caps. These caps has almost no internal resistance, which creates a very close-up sound. This takes a little of the Marshallesque tone out of the circuit. Good for Hardrock.
For Fender sounds I always use Orange Drops. Why change someting that has been sought after for 50 years?
Resitors:
Since we talk about relatively low gain circuits here, we don't have to worry too much about the noise that a Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors can cause. In higher gain circuits I would recommend metal oxide resistor because they are much more quiet as far as background noise. These are the real thing and they add warmth and a littlie bit clarity. I recommend these for both Fender and Marshall circuits. You'll find these on www.tubeampdoctor.com or www.metroamp.com.
you can read more about this,
See: www.aikenamps.com
If you want to start trying this out, my recommendation is that you start with the same values as original on the MTS module. Just test different kinds. If you need help to mod your module let me know I'll try to help you!
There is 100 ways of modding an amp circuit so don't expect to hit the sweet spot right away! Make sure you know how to solder and HAVE PATIENCE! (If you want my help then make sure you have a digital camera) :wink:
///G
There are 100 ways to mod or "personalize" an MTS module. There are technically three different areas that will afftect the sound in different ways: Circuit design, component value and component type/brand.
Circuit design;
All vintage Fender and Marshall circuits are similar to each other in many different ways. Marshall has more gainstages and thats why it also has more distortion. If you compare the 1959 to the 2203 youll find that it is pretty much the same amp. Some values differ and there is half a tube more in the 2203. The same differences you'll see on PLEXI vs. SL+ modules. The SL+ has two gainstages plus cathode follower and plexi has one stage plus CF. So the outcome is simple similar sound but more gain in the SL+.
It seems to me that when for example Randall is massproducing their modules they have to compromize a little bit to fit into the market. This is one way to get away from the "one trick pony" syndrome. So people mod their amps to get that personal tone or to get closer to the attitude that his/her idols amp has. This is where the adventages MTS systems comes into the picture. An amp that can be modified by swiching modules, or easily "moddable" modules, that after all only costs 200 USD if you mess it up completely. Don't be afraid to play around with your stuff, maybe you'll find your dreamtone after a while. Just make sure you know how to solder properly and have patience!
Caps;
For Marshall circuits I do believe that the best capacitors for vintage but high gain sound, are the real Philips/Mullard mustard caps. They have not been in production for many years and are hard to find and becuse of that they tend to be VERY expensive. There is a guy that came up with a way to reproduce a capacitor with the same characterisics as the Philips/Mullard mustard cap. His caps are called Sozo. He has two different series of caps, one is called vintage premium + and is the expensiver kind of his two lines. This is the way to go for modders that wants that vintage lots of mids kind of sound. These caps will recreate the attitude af a very old Marshall 1959 PLEXI.
See: www.sozoamplification.com
You can also use Orange Drops in your Marshall circuit. These have very little internal resistance and have a tendencie to give you more Fender-like clarity and sensitivity. You'll find these easily by googling for "Orange drops" or "Sprague" whitch is the brand.
Next recommendation for marshall circuits if you want that IN-YOUR-FACE attidude from your amp are the Illinois IC MPW caps. These caps has almost no internal resistance, which creates a very close-up sound. This takes a little of the Marshallesque tone out of the circuit. Good for Hardrock.
For Fender sounds I always use Orange Drops. Why change someting that has been sought after for 50 years?
Resitors:
Since we talk about relatively low gain circuits here, we don't have to worry too much about the noise that a Allen Bradley carbon composition resistors can cause. In higher gain circuits I would recommend metal oxide resistor because they are much more quiet as far as background noise. These are the real thing and they add warmth and a littlie bit clarity. I recommend these for both Fender and Marshall circuits. You'll find these on www.tubeampdoctor.com or www.metroamp.com.
you can read more about this,
See: www.aikenamps.com
If you want to start trying this out, my recommendation is that you start with the same values as original on the MTS module. Just test different kinds. If you need help to mod your module let me know I'll try to help you!
There is 100 ways of modding an amp circuit so don't expect to hit the sweet spot right away! Make sure you know how to solder and HAVE PATIENCE! (If you want my help then make sure you have a digital camera) :wink:
///G
