Jule Amps Monique part 5

[BunchyMutt]

One thing I dislike is mud. I dislike it in tube or SS amps. Its often gain staging, overboosted eq, pickups too close or playing to hard.
The Monique is very far from that. It is clear and through the right amp and cab articulate and McIntosh like hifi. It can be phat like a B-15 but a B-15 is the sound of all of its parts.

Thanks!

 

[krispn]

Yup I agree. Sounds good and the eq is your friend in this amp. If you already use additional eq from a pedal or your bass Monique is flat with everything at noon. Worth trying out!

 

[Groove Doctor]

I'm wondering whether to jump on a Monique sale and I'm looking for feedback.

I'm wondering if descriptions of "warm" and "round" means that it gets muddy.... does warm mean potentially muffled, like a blanket is draped across it?

Monique exposes your instrument, technique, even string age. I went thru a paradigm shift over several months when I got mine.

- Monique has rich and complex Mids ("round"). Scooped GK tone it ain't. Bergantino cabs really make it shine.
- I use a HPF @45-70Hz depending if I want a Phat tone or a more detailed sound.
- I boost the highs when I wear earplugs for more clarity & roll off bass' passive tone knob if I want less highs.
- It's not muddy, but neither is it a bright, trebly, HiFi sound (hence people describe it as "warm").
- It has a quick response time, esp muting for staccato notes. Great for chordal playing.

Hope that helps.

 

[allenhumble]

Well said

Monique exposes your instrument, technique, even string age. I went thru a paradigm shift over several months when I got mine.

- Monique has rich and complex Mids ("round"). Scooped GK tone it ain't. Bergantino cabs really make it shine.
- I use a HPF @45-70Hz depending if I want a Phat tone or a more detailed sound.
- I boost the highs when I wear earplugs for more clarity & roll off bass' passive tone knob if I want less highs.
- It's not muddy, but neither is it a bright, trebly, HiFi sound (hence people describe it as "warm").
- It has a quick response time, esp muting for staccato notes. Great for chordal playing.

Hope that helps.

 

[allenhumble]

I know it's been mentioned a thousand times.....i know it would be heavy as hell..... and I know it would be expensive, but damn it would be nice to see what Juledude could do with an tube power amp. Mother of Monique

 

[peterpalmieri]

I know it's been mentioned a thousand times.....i know it would be heavy as hell..... and I know it would be expensive, but damn it would be nice to see what Juledude could do with an tube power amp. Mother of Monique

A thousand and one. I’m with you actually thinking of dumping my m2500. Using Mo for direct gigs and deal with my heavy all tube amps for other gigs.

 

[jsbarber]

Has anyone tried Mo with a VTHF-300M or DB728? I'd think these are both less weight than an SVT and would enable the use of Monique in an all-tube rig.

 

[pawnshopbill]

Has anyone tried Mo with a VTHF-300M or DB728? I'd think these are both less weight than an SVT and would enable the use of Monique in an all-tube rig.

I just deal with the weight. Its worth it. Especially since I play in Florida and the humidity just wreck your gear and house power. About half the shows I play I cant get the M700 to come out of standby. Anyone else have that issue?

 

[tombowlus]

Has anyone tried Mo with a VTHF-300M or DB728? I'd think these are both less weight than an SVT and would enable the use of Monique in an all-tube rig.

Not yet, but great suggestion!

 

[peterpalmieri]

Has anyone tried Mo with a VTHF-300M or DB728? I'd think these are both less weight than an SVT and would enable the use of Monique in an all-tube rig.

I have given up on trying to find a DB728 but I do have an SVT II and a V4b. Inevitably the preamp in the head is a better match for stage sounds in most cases and I like to run Monique as my DI.

 

[BunchyMutt]

Monique exposes your instrument, technique, even string age. I went thru a paradigm shift over several months when I got mine.

- Monique has rich and complex Mids ("round"). Scooped GK tone it ain't. Bergantino cabs really make it shine.
- I use a HPF @45-70Hz depending if I want a Phat tone or a more detailed sound.
- I boost the highs when I wear earplugs for more clarity & roll off bass' passive tone knob if I want less highs.
- It's not muddy, but neither is it a bright, trebly, HiFi sound (hence people describe it as "warm").
- It has a quick response time, esp muting for staccato notes. Great for chordal playing.

Hope that helps.

This helps immensely. I don't have experience with Bergs but I play through a fearful 12/6/1. Is that in the same ballpark as the Berg(s) you're referring to?

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

I have given up on trying to find a DB728 but I do have an SVT II and a V4b. Inevitably the preamp in the head is a better match for stage sounds in most cases and I like to run Monique as my DI.

I found the same result when I tried running Monique through the return of my Trace V6 (400 all tube watts) before I sold it. Didn’t sound as good as the V6 alone. But the Trace is long gone and Monique is still here....

 

[Groove Doctor]

I know it's been mentioned a thousand times.....i know it would be heavy as hell..... and I know it would be expensive, but damn it would be nice to see what Juledude could do with a tube power amp. Mother of Monique.

Call the power amp Fonda or Fortini....
Then your rig would be a MoFo.

 

[BunchyMutt]

Julie had a Monique in the old enclosure but with all current guts. Wasn't sure if I got it before someone else did (it was at a great price), but Jule just wrote - there's a Monique in my future!!

Can't wait to plug it in *rubbing hands together maniacally*

 

[BurningSkies]

A thousand and one. I’m with you actually thinking of dumping my m2500. Using Mo for direct gigs and deal with my heavy all tube amps for other gigs.

If this were to happen, you'd call me first on the 2500, right? RIGHT?!?!

 

[BunchyMutt]

In anticipation of receiving my Monique, which is also my first tube anything, what beginner tips do you suggest? How long do you recommend it warms up before recording or playing live? I already know about pulling out the sensitivity and line level knobs, but anything else I should know about the care and operation of a tube preamp?

 

[ahc]

@GentProvocateur Preamp tubes are pretty much a no maintenance item and they usually last nearly forever unless they've been treated roughly (dropped, slammed, banged around). There are lots of old tube amps that still have their original preamp tubes (and some power amp too). Like Little Ceaser's pizza they're hot and ready in seconds. By the time you plug in, sling your bass over your back, and twist the dobs and nials you should be ready to go.

 

[juledude]

This is an early proto and not in final configuration.

Yup. This effort is all about the circuitry and not at all focused on the ergonomics.

 

[BurningSkies]

In anticipation of receiving my Monique, which is also my first tube anything, what beginner tips do you suggest? How long do you recommend it warms up before recording or playing live? I already know about pulling out the sensitivity and line level knobs, but anything else I should know about the care and operation of a tube preamp?

I usually turn my Monique on when I'm doing our initial backline setup and leave it on all night. Although I think you'll find that it sounds good no matter what you do. Really it probably doesn't need more than a few moments of power before using...but it doesn't harm it in any way to have it up and running. In the studio I've left mine on for 14+ hours at a time.

 

[BunchyMutt]

@GentProvocateur Preamp tubes are pretty much a no maintenance item and they usually last nearly forever unless they've been treated roughly (dropped, slammed, banged around). There are lots of old tube amps that still have their original preamp tubes (and some power amp too). Like Little Ceaser's pizza they're hot and ready in seconds. By the time you plug in, sling your bass over your back, and twist the dobs and nials you should be ready to go.

I usually turn my Monique on when I'm doing our initial backline setup and leave it on all night. Although I think you'll find that it sounds good no matter what you do. Really it probably doesn't need more than a few moments of power before using...but it doesn't harm it in any way to have it up and running. In the studio I've left mine on for 14+ hours at a time.

Thanks all