Jule Amps Monique Part 2.

[juledude]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I am very happy to support small businesses. Purchasing from both Jule and Susan was no-muss, no-fuss.

At the risk of sounding jingoistic, when the De-Monique power amp comes in, the rig will be all built by small US businesses (Jule, Demeter, Baer). Then I'm running Rob Allen, Fodera, and Lull basses through them, with FEA Labs, Boomerang, 3Leaf, Aguilar, Sonic Research, and Strymon pedals. I think my only off-shore things are Jam Pedals (Greece), Boss looper and the Eventide I suspect is made overseas. I'm doing my part to stimulate the economy

I appreciate the stimulation.

[juledude]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Dovecage is 7.8 lbs on my scale. Same as the Lull JJ bass I just got

Here are pics of the Studio Slips bag. I got it with the pocket on the rear, though since the bag is symmetric no real difference between front and rear. I like to have a pocket for power and line cables on a bag though so I have less of a jumble in my main bag (other than backups).

She has it listed as for the "bird cage," but that's still cool.

[smeet]

I'm REALLY hoping I can pick up a Monique or De-Monique in 2013.

I have a question for all the golden-eared techie types out there.
I would be getting the rack-mounted version for the practicality of it (despite the beauty of the birdcage). I appreciate the convenience and space-saving aspect of the rack mounted De-Monique, and I'm familar with the Demeter lineage. But... How much does the particular class D power amp affect the sound? Since I run at 8 ohms 99% of the time, I'd like to get a bit more power than the Demeter seems to offer. Will it really sound different than the Monique plus a Peavey IPR, Crown, Crest, or other good power amp?

[JimmyM]

You know, that's a really loaded question I can't wait to see what angry tangents it leads to!

[Peredur]

Originally Posted by juledude

The highest percentage of tube failures are within the first few hours. A good burn-in will catch these. Like all electronic components, it is the first week or so that the next greatly lower level of failures occur

Could you define "how to" and "how long to" do a good burn-in?

TIA

[nostatic]

ok, so I finally got to properly introduce Monique to my Rob Allen Deep 4. For those that know Rob's instrument, it can be a challenge for an amp. Hot preamp, huge low end, and the piezo can get scratchy depending on the setup and your technique. But it also does "upright vibe" better than any amplified upright I've owned, and is flexible enough to cover funk gigs. I was curious to hear the combination. It could be that the "tube goodness" would be too much of a good thing, or it might not like the piezo. I hadn't gotten a chance to plug it in yet due to circumstances beyond my control, but got things sorted and had at it.

Whole. E. Crud. The low end is tamed just fine, and the piezo has just a bit of edge. When I go back and forth between the Monique and Tecamp preamp, it is very different. Set flat the Tecamp is cold and a bit harsh by comparison. I can get it close with the taste knob but then it doesn't have the note attack definition. One thing about the Deep4 is that the piezo is really quick attack, then has a huge bloom. Monique deals with that and gives a nice punch, but it also smooths out some of the edge of the highs. It also is partially the Baer ML112 cab, as that doesn't have a tweeter. No matter what the various factors, the combination just kills.

As an interesting side note, Rob has an Aguilar DB359 (all tube amp) that he uses in the shop to test and setup the basses. We talked a bit about tubes and as primarily a guitarist (yeah, I forgive him), he is a total tube fan. For guitar though, we both believe that having tubes in the power section is a big part of getting the sound. For bass I think that is less of a factor - you just need a power section that is fast and has balls. To my ear a good class D power section can handle that these days.

[juledude]

Originally Posted by Peredur

Could you define "how to" and "how long to" do a good burn-in?

TIA

First I get to play each Monique. I play the Line Out through an amp and cabinet and then through a headphone amplifier for the Balanced XLR Output. Nobody else plays.

Nothing goes out of here to a U.S. customer until it has been running perfectly for at least 24 hours. This is in addition to the initial post build testing. If the customer is outside the U.S. it is 48 hours.

The additional 24 hours for International customers is simply to respect the additional cost they must pay for shipping and customs - a substantial amount. I don't think anything has ever failed in that second 24 hour span, but it makes me feel better closing up the shipping container.

These bench tests are active tests with signal all the way through. Visual with tone generator and O'scope at the start and at the end. All voltage levels are monitored and recorded for each unit. All controls are monitored and recorded. Output levels are monitored and recorded as well.

Last thing before Monique leaves, I get to play again. As anyone who has come by the shop can tell you, I don't play well, but it is my shop.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by juledude

Last thing before Monique leaves, I get to play again. As anyone who has come by the shop can tell you, I don't play well, but it is my shop.

It's good to be king

[juledude]

Originally Posted by smeet

I'm REALLY hoping I can pick up a Monique or De-Monique in 2013.

I have a question for all the golden-eared techie types out there.
I would be getting the rack-mounted version for the practicality of it (despite the beauty of the birdcage). I appreciate the convenience and space-saving aspect of the rack mounted De-Monique, and I'm familar with the Demeter lineage. But... How much does the particular class D power amp affect the sound? Since I run at 8 ohms 99% of the time, I'd like to get a bit more power than the Demeter seems to offer. Will it really sound different than the Monique plus a Peavey IPR, Crown, Crest, or other good power amp?

There is a whole lot that can be done with a Class D Amp from a design perspective. All of it affects the sound. What they really are is a pulse width modulated high voltage power supply. Some have no front end at all (keeps the cost down) and some have pre-amps in them. Lots of variation in tone and characteristics.

First one I ever heard was a Walter Woods, and I was an instant believer. It can be done.

James is building like crazy. It is only going to make sense when we have a bunch of these out there. But I've known James for a long time, and have always liked his work.

[brotherbassj]

I would like to say that Mike Cooper (fat240) brought a Monique to my house this past weekend.......my friend Lee (Husky123) also bought one recently. I'd like to point out that I have owned alot of pre/power amp rigs, and many big boy tube front end amps, ampeg pres, avalon, alembic, etc. I have had the aguilar and mesa big boy tube fronted heads........I am a solid state guy.

Having said that.........holy crap. The tone from Monique is INCREDIBLE. I had sworn off pre/power combinations and thought I had perfect amps in my stable now between a Carvin B1500, A Thunderfunk 550B, a Mesa M6, and an Aguilar tonehammer 500.

Now I find myself desiring and craving a monique......Jules, you probably have a PM or phone call coming......and you can thank Mike for bringing his Monique to me......about a 2.25 hour drive for him. What a GREAT product!!!!!!!

[nostatic]

Yeah, after cycling through most every micro out there I was happy with my Tecamps. That said, probably the favorite recorded (studio) tone I've gotten was running Summit TD100 into a TLA50 into the board. But for live I need some eq to deal with different rooms. Monique covers that end (though no compression). I have to say that using my FEA comp into the Monique is another great combination and totally covers that nut.

[smeet]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

You know, that's a really loaded question I can't wait to see what angry tangents it leads to!

Why would anybody get mad? It's not like I said something bad about Ampeg or anything...

[husky123]

Man the Class D debate is highly charged filled with fire and brimstone. All I know is what I know. I have an MB800 (class D) and it flat whumps.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by smeet

Why would anybody get mad? It's not like I said something bad about Ampeg or anything...

Well why would you? Ampeg rocks!



Here's an interesting little discussion that should get you started to find out why it's controversial:

Class D vs Class A or A/B

It's a little less controversial in PA power amp world than in bass world, since the vast majority of PA companies have switched to class D years ago. But there are some holdouts who don't like class D power amps to this day, though they're becoming fewer and farther between.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by smeet

Why would anybody get mad? It's not like I said something bad about Ampeg or anything...

Monique into a SVT-CL/VR... Hmmmmm. Would matter cease to exist? Would tubey on top of tubey be just too much to grasp and drive bassists insane?

Anyone try it? Curious to how a Monique would sound straight into a 300W tube Ampeg.

I am going to try Monique into the front end of my Mesa D-180.... I have run it into the power section mainly.

[husky123]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Monique into a SVT-CL/VR... Hmmmmm. Would matter cease to exist? Would tubey on top of tubey be just too much to grasp and drive bassists insane?

Anyone try it? Curious to how a Monique would sound straight into a 300W tube Ampeg.

I am going to try Monique into the front end of my Mesa D-180.... I have run it into the power section mainly.

Not yet, maybe I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by husky123

Not yet, maybe I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

Thanks Lee.... Just curious.

[bassdoubler]

I put the Monique through my Trace Elliot V6 once and it sounded awful! Just crazy muddy! Separately they're both incredible units, but for some reason they didn't get along....

[metron]

Preamps into preamps generally dont work out so well in my experience.

[bassdoubler]

should have stated that I was bypassing the V6 pre by going Monique into the effects return....