Jule Amps Monique part 4

[pjhandlin]

 

[maisbass]

Sweet pics! I would love to add a Sadowsky to my arsenal some day... One can only dream...

 

[bherman]

I run a passive 1974 P with flats and an active Fodera with rounds and have the same issue as you.

I have owned quite a few boosts/EQs, but I just love my Radial PB-1 Boost. One of the cleanest boosts I have ever used. It really just boosts the volume on the P with very little colouring. It is super basic as it has one boost control only and it is at the back of the pedal, adjustable with a guitar pick. It is a set it and forget it box for sure. Worth checking out IMO.

thx - will take a look at that as well...

 

[sk8]

Moniquers (or Monikers)??

Could use a bit of help. I am happily running a Monique with a Crest 2.0 in a rack configuration, with 2 Baer ML112s. I have one issue that I could use some help with.

I routinely use two basses with this rig. One is a 59 precision bass, the other is a G&L L2000 fretless. Both sound great, but the G&L has a much stronger output signal, even in passive mode. The P bass sounds terrific, but the output level is so different that I find myself scrambling to reset levels on the Monique whenever I switch basses.

I am thinking that a solution to "equalize" the output of both basses would be to use a boost/overdrive pedal with the P Bass. Does anyone have this experience and some suggestions for a pedal that would boost the P bass output without adding much, if any, coloration?

I have tried just lowering the volume output on the GL to achieve parity with the P bass, but I have to turn it down so much that it starts to affect the tone of the GL . So my preference is to boost the P bass output.

Any thoughts/similar experiences?

Radial Tonebone?!

 

[Lia_G]

Radial Tonebone?!

Big +1. I think they might have renamed it the Bassbone now, but I may be wrong. Excellent excellent box.

Liam

 

[Baird6869]

Big +1. I think they might have renamed it the Bassbone now, but I may be wrong. Excellent excellent box.

Liam

+1 but it is a big, expensive and heavy bugger IME.

 

[nostatic]

Btw, Nostatic, I will be really surprised if you dig the TH350. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice sounding amp. I had bought it as a back up to Monique as well and sold it because it pales in comparison to Monique. I also think the Puma 900 is a much better micro than the TH350. I now use my walkabout as a backup. At least it still feels and responds like a tube amp.

Already on its way back to MF

I remembered why I got rid of the TH heads in the first place. They don't play nice with high output basses (not enough headroom on the input stage) and I can't dial out the mid congestion. There is a reason I've had Monique as first call and Puma 900 as backup for awhile, and it is going to stay that way. There just isn't anything else out there that I like better (and I've tried most everything).

 

[KJung]

Already on its way back to MF

I remembered why I got rid of the TH heads in the first place. They don't play nice with high output basses (not enough headroom on the input stage) and I can't dial out the mid congestion. There is a reason I've had Monique as first call and Puma 900 as backup for awhile, and it is going to stay that way. There just isn't anything else out there that I like better (and I've tried most everything).

Yeah, about as different from the Puma as can be. Oh well, nothing lost nothing gained. FYI, no problem with hi output basses if you use the pad, but again, they sound like they sound... very fat, very mid present. Beautiful in a mix with a more vintage voiced instrument.

 

[tombowlus]

I can't dial out the mid congestion.

+1 While I do like "full" mids, I don't like "congested" mids - especially if it's baked-in and not and option to dial in/out.

 

[KJung]

+1 While I do like "full" mids, I don't like "congested" mids - especially if it's baked-in and not and option to dial in/out.

Me neither One man's 'mid congestion' is another man's 'nice, warm, mid character'. One man's 'smooth and balanced' is another man's 'clinical and scooped'! That's why they make all this stuff, and of course, different technique and cabs can change EVERYTHING in the mix and match!

 

[maisbass]

Already on its way back to MF

I remembered why I got rid of the TH heads in the first place. They don't play nice with high output basses (not enough headroom on the input stage) and I can't dial out the mid congestion. There is a reason I've had Monique as first call and Puma 900 as backup for awhile, and it is going to stay that way. There just isn't anything else out there that I like better (and I've tried most everything).

Funny cause I did the same exact thing. I bought a TH500 a while back and wound up selling it. Months went by and I decided to try the TH350 as a back up. I was lured by its lightweight and size and felt it would be great as a backup. Then when I got it and plugged into it, it all came back to me. I sold it the next day.

I do agree with Ken that they do cut through the mix. The TH500 did that for me when I tried it in a live situation, however it was very mid forward and for me, lacked that air pushing thump I love. Yet when I heard Anthony Wellington play through it, it sounded warm and lovely. But I don't have Ant W's hands!!! I really wanted that amp to work for me, it just didn't.

The TH350 didn't even make it through rehearsal for me unfortunately. It didn't have enough headroom for my Fodera, and when I engaged the pad, it just didn't have enough power for me.

I dont know if you ever tried the walkabout, but that head does it in spades for me. It is a very LOUD 300 watts @ 4ohms! It is so warm, fat, tubey sounding, and has a great feel to the amp. A lot of body behind the notes. It definitely isn't Monique by far, but I would be happy if I showed up to a gig and that was the amp that was supplied for me to play through.... Sitting on top a pair of ML112's of course!! LOL!

 

[monsterthompson]

So I should pair a TH500 with a Schroeder cab is what I'm hearing

 

[KJung]

Funny cause I did the same exact thing. I bought a TH500 a while back and wound up selling it. Months went by and I decided to try the TH350 as a back up. I was lured by its lightweight and size and felt it would be great as a backup. Then when I got it and plugged into it, it all came back to me. I sold it the next day.

I do agree with Ken that they do cut through the mix. The TH500 did that for me when I tried it in a live situation, however it was very mid forward and for me, lacked that air pushing thump I love. Yet when I heard Anthony Wellington play through it, it sounded warm and lovely. But I don't have Ant W's hands!!! I really wanted that amp to work for me, it just didn't.

The TH350 didn't even make it through rehearsal for me unfortunately. It didn't have enough headroom for my Fodera, and when I engaged the pad, it just didn't have enough power for me.

I dont know if you ever tried the walkabout, but that head does it in spades for me. It is a very LOUD 300 watts @ 4ohms! It is so warm, fat, tubey sounding, and has a great feel to the amp. A lot of body behind the notes. It definitely isn't Monique by far, but I would be happy if I showed up to a gig and that was the amp that was supplied for me to play through.... Sitting on top a pair of ML112's of course!! LOL!

Yeah, lots of good stuff out there. If you heard all those clips I had up a while ago, the TH/BergCN pairing sounds stunningly good... even, warm, big but controlled low end, nice 'non sizzly' top end, and that 'Aguilar midrange' that just SLOTS a bass in a mix. Super articulate also (which I guess is why guys like Felix Pastrious, Esparanza, etc. dig 'em). It really works for me (and again, doesn't really compete with the Monique and a big honkin' power amp, so hopefully this is not uncool to talk about here, as we are talking about back-up amps for the expensive stuff).


I had a Walkabout, and while I loved it at home, I found it flubby and, well, congested, on the gig, and given the power, it 'changed' tone as the night went on as you cranked it up, which I really didn't like.

So, lots has to do with instrument, cabinet, tone goals, player, etc.

I need to get one of those 'de-Monique's' though. I like the whole concept of it. That will hopefully make up for me jawing about the TH350 in this thread. I jumped in because Nostatic and I had PM'd about it.

 

[maisbass]

So I should pair a TH500 with a Schroeder cab is what I'm hearing

LOL! But this is a valid point just as Ken stated. All of these things factor into the equation. Perhaps it is just the fact that my bass and cabs didn't gel with the TH amps the way I would like them to or prefer them to.

 

[tombowlus]

So I should pair a TH500 with a Schroeder cab is what I'm hearing

Ha!

 

[KJung]

LOL! But this is a valid point just as Ken stated. All of these things factor into the equation. Perhaps it is just the fact that my bass and cabs didn't gel with the TH amps the way I would like them to or prefer them to.

+1 It is my favorite head at the moment, for my playing style, instrument and cabs. But, back when I was into the more bright top end and slap sizzle, and that bit of scoop (think GK, MTD's, etc.), there was nothing I disliked more than a DB750 (which has much in common with the TH500). So, +1... VERY different tonality that some will dig and some wont' (just like any amp out there, or preamp for that matter).

I would think the TecAmp Puma500 would be a pretty decent back-up to a full Monique gig, from the clips I've heard, if you have the cash.

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

hey all, recently picked up a gig playing bass for Crystal Bowersox from American Idol and we're doing an entire US tour over the next 4 months. I had to bring a super tiny rig for the first leg (EA Micro and Wizzy 112) but it looks like Monique/Minnie are coming with me for the rest of the tour and my cab is going to be backlined. Hopefully I'll get some sweet vids and pics and there may even be a little late night tv appearance here and there....

 

[tombowlus]

hey all, recently picked up a gig playing bass for Crystal Bowersox from American Idol and we're doing an entire US tour over the next 4 months. I had to bring a super tiny rig for the first leg (EA Micro and Wizzy 112) but it looks like Monique/Minnie are coming with me for the rest of the tour and my cab is going to be backlined. Hopefully I'll get some sweet vids and pics and there may even be a little late night tv appearance here and there....

Congrats! Crystal is from Oak Harbor, Ohio, which is about 10 minutes from where I live (though I did not know her, personally). Lots of love and goodwill for her in this neck of the woods, though! I certainly thought she was the most talented of the contestants that year.

 

[Lia_G]

Crystal has been to my house, although I doubt she'd remember me. She was in a group that dropped by after an open mic soon after Idol. Very sweet lady and very talented. Congrats on the gig!

Liam

 

[matt thompson]

hey all, recently picked up a gig playing bass for Crystal Bowersox from American Idol and we're doing an entire US tour over the next 4 months. I had to bring a super tiny rig for the first leg (EA Micro and Wizzy 112) but it looks like Monique/Minnie are coming with me for the rest of the tour and my cab is going to be backlined. Hopefully I'll get some sweet vids and pics and there may even be a little late night tv appearance here and there....

Ha small world! Im am currently playing with American Idol finalist Elise Testone - I'll be out there with the Monique/Minnie setup also. Jule it seems you are well represented on the Idol front!