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Jule Amps Monique part 4

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#681
Understandable, I guess I am asking if any other Monique users have any experience with all tube heads, with their overall sound and feel, then going to a tube pre/solid state power setup.

I'm not looking to replace the Sunn preamp, but given my recent and incredibly positive experience with all tube, I'm wondering how just a tube pre would stack up. The CA9 is more than enough juice...it gets LOUD, but the depth and the clarity the SVT II brings is inspiring. Since I did have my heart set on a stereo tube pre/Crest CA9 setup, I'd still like to pursue it, but like I said...I am torn.
 
#682
I've used both all tube and solid state over the years.

In some cases, I found using a Monique with a high power SS power amp to be 'more tubelike' than a fully tube amp. I'd consider it to sound 'more tube' than anything I could ever get out of the Mesa 400+ which had 100% more power tubes than the Monique.
 
#683
So I did a quick and dirty recording to demo a pair of Fodera fretless basses and Monique was involved so figured I'd cross post. Monique into a Saffire interface, Logic X "drummer" track, basses active but flat eq. Sensitivity is around noon. Licks are neck pickup (dual coil), then bridge pickup (dual coil), then 50/50 (single coil mode). Nothing fancy - just trying to show the difference in tone.

Monarch Standard 4 fretless. Walnut body, red oak neck (bolt-on), ebony fingerboard:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Monarch Elite 5 fretless. Chambered walnut body, ash neck (neck-through), ebony fingerboard:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Live or studio, Monique always makes me happy...
 
#684
Insouciance said:
Quick question but first a little background...

I have been a solid state user for years, until a few weeks ago I found an Ampeg SVT II non pro. The low end is unreal, much more prominent and massive, not to mention responsive. I A/B'd the SVT last night in a jam, and the second I used my solid state rig (a Sunn Beta preamp and a Crest CA9) I could notice a HUGE difference.

My question is it just the Sunn preamp's "solid stateness" that is responsible for this loss of low end clarity? I had been planning on running a stereo rig with Monique and another hi-fi tube preamp, but I got this SVT II at a steal...now I am torn.
Click to expand...

Other good people have already posted that it could be a lot of things, but there is nothing to associate Solid State with loss of clarity. In fact, I would expect Solid State to be inherently better than Tube if clarity was the primary objective. I don't remember anything from GK (stands for Good Kinda-Folk I think?) that has lacked clarity.

The EQ is often an issue when clarity suffers. The standard "stack" EQ robs about 30db of signal that must be boosted back up again before it can be used. It is that rob/boost process that can make things a bit dull.

This is part of why some cheat and use EQ designs that are not the standard EQ stack (which was "borrowed" by Leo Fender directly from the RCA Tube Manual many years ago).

If there is an Effects Return, using that as an input should confirm the clarity issue.
 
#685
nostatic said:
So I did a quick and dirty recording to demo a pair of Fodera fretless basses and Monique was involved so figured I'd cross post. Monique into a Saffire interface, Logic X "drummer" track, basses active but flat eq. Sensitivity is around noon. Licks are neck pickup (dual coil), then bridge pickup (dual coil), then 50/50 (single coil mode). Nothing fancy - just trying to show the difference in tone.

Monarch Standard 4 fretless. Walnut body, red oak neck (bolt-on), ebony fingerboard:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Monarch Elite 5 fretless. Chambered walnut body, ash neck (neck-through), ebony fingerboard:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Live or studio, Monique always makes me happy...
Click to expand...

I will only walk with this beat, the rest of the day. A very good thing to do.

Thank you.
 
#686
BurningSkies said:
I've used both all tube and solid state over the years.

In some cases, I found using a Monique with a high power SS power amp to be 'more tubelike' than a fully tube amp. I'd consider it to sound 'more tube' than anything I could ever get out of the Mesa 400+ which had 100% more power tubes than the Monique.
Click to expand...

"... more tubelike than a fully tube amp." Oh yes.

Some players, as we probably all know, have to work through the house PA. Proud to say Monique warms up that environment nicely. It does take a lot of "tubey-ness" to do so.
 
#687
juledude said:
"... more tubelike than a fully tube amp." Oh yes.

Some players, as we probably all know, have to work through the house PA. Proud to say Monique warms up that environment nicely. It does take a lot of "tubey-ness" to do so.
Click to expand...

That was one of the things that I initially noticed and appreciated about Monique. I would guess that while most people attribute it to the full tube power section, it's related to two factors:
1. High voltage hitting the tubes rather than 'token' voltage.

2. Transformers...although not just 'transformers' but well-spec'ed beefy ones seem to make a big difference.

The two tube pre-amps I have both have just those features and they're really unbelievably 'tubey' to the point that people DO think I use a full tube setup. The tone just feels more full, more solid and substantial.
 
#688
My experience with the Summit TD-100 opened my eyes. When that 12ax7 gets some serious current it can be rich.

Then I found the Kern. Then the idea that some
manufacturers where just giving us a glowing bulb began to seem true. In contrast it sounded really good.

The thing about the Monique is that it is so big sounding that it sounds like you have power tubes too.

My tone goals may differ from others. I love the rich harmonic complex musical content that good tube designs give. I don't favor the grit that some power tubes give for more than an occasional effect.

Through a good SS power amp the Monique delivers richness through out the sonic spectrum while retaining clarity at all volume levels. The grit & grind I like is from hand technique. A good SS power amp should only amplify not impart it's own character. Monique is sonically just so big it alleviates your concerns .:)
 
#690
Decided to take Monique and Minnie with me on this next leg of my US tour with Crystal Bowersox and it is just SLAYING every night. Doesn't hurt to have an insane Fodera with me, but DAMN it's just so nice having Monique with me, too. Everybody in the band freaked when they saw it and I've had several bass players in the audiences go gaga over it too! The word is spreading!
 
#691
monsterthompson said:
Since we have Crest Pro Lite users here, and the online manual needs Indiana Jones to find, can y'all confirm that it easily takes a single input and splits it into each output? The Crown XLS requires I select a crossover point, or cheat by using a Y cable at the input.
Click to expand...

To take a single input and send it to both channels, it is as simple as flipping a switch. As someone earlier mentioned, on the back of the unit near the inputs, is a three way switch. The selections are:

Stereo
Parallel
Bridge

Just select Parallel and your single input will be sent to both channels.

You do not need a Y cable.
 
#693
BurningSkies said:
I've used both all tube and solid state over the years.

In some cases, I found using a Monique with a high power SS power amp to be 'more tubelike' than a fully tube amp. I'd consider it to sound 'more tube' than anything I could ever get out of the Mesa 400+ which had 100% more power tubes than the Monique.
Click to expand...

I ran mine at 2ohms and I loved my 400+ more than any amp I've owned or played. I went to Monique because the DI on the 400+ is not nearly as nice as Monique and it was heavy. I have equal love for both and do miss some of the features and upper mid growl the 400+ offered.
 
#694
I was running either a Mesa M9 or a Mesa D180 before I bought Monique. I sure don't miss carrying the D180 nor do I miss the poor reliability of the 2 M9s I gigged with for almost 2 years.... but the D180 did have growl that I definately can't get natively out of Monique no matter how I run it.

I have been playing around with a few different overdrive pedals and the Darkglass B3K gets me where I want to go with Monique for grind. Not as tubey a grind for sure, but definately more articulate/cutting in a band mix. Neither is better, but I am loving Monique/B3K for light OD to heavy distortion to say the least. Best $200 pedal purchase I have made and it pairs amazingly well with Monique.

Well over a year now gigging/rehearsing exclusively with Monique and I don't see myself playing anything else in the foreseeable future.
 
#697
I have some questions about rectifier tubes 6CA4 / EZ81:

How long can this tube N.O.S ( as new ) serve in term of reliability and efficiency ?
Have they a very big influence about the tone?

I have the opportunity to order one R.C.A and one Sylvania. I already have the real Mullard and the clone of Mullard (made in Japan in the 80s). Do you think that this purchase will be useful for me or it is better that I preserve my money?
 
#698
B'Boom said:
I have some questions about rectifier tubes 6CA4 / EZ81:

How long can this tube N.O.S ( as new ) serve in term of reliability and efficiency ?
Have they a very big influence about the tone?

I have the opportunity to order one R.C.A and one Sylvania. I already have the real Mullard and the clone of Mullard (made in Japan in the 80s). Do you think that this purchase will be useful for me or it is better that I preserve my money?
Click to expand...

I rolled some Black plate JAN 1944 RCAs in Monique. The sound change was 3D. The original OEMs aren't bad. I know only an end user can fool with the possible inconsistencies of NOS tubes.

Reliability? Some of these were made to take a hard banked turn in a big B-17 full of holes taking ground fire & fighter plane attacks while missing two engines. LOL

If you mistreat your Monique be prepared for much worse. :)

Carry a backup set of new ones in case you're in Minnesota during their ten minute summer.
At the least it will sound like it was when it was new!!!


Now to the rectifier. I ended up going back to a brand new EH. Why? Noticeably tighter providing that serious punch that Monique can do. The old English one and the RCA had that sag that guitarists love. You may too if you play slow blues bass licks. Kick up the tempo and the old ones just act all slow. YMMV.
 
#699
My tube guy in Orlando, who's an insane tube nut who knows everything there is to know about tubes nobody's ever heard of, says that rec tubes are the hardiest and rarely fail. That said, I had one fail on me in my Super Reverb a few years ago ;) But that's the only one I've ever had fail.
 
#700
chadds, great info ^^^^^

Thanks for that...

I hear you on the rectifier tube - I'd hate to lose any of the defined attack/immediacy with the Monique, but I have thought of trying the RCA Blackplates you mentioned... Hmmmn...

Best,

Mike
 
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