Yup. Yin Yang Deluxe (pictured previously), though I think I was playing the Matt Garrison Standard on one of those (was a mostly 4-banger night). The combination of Monique/Minnie/Baer/Fodera is making me happy.
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Jule Amps Monique Part III
- Thread starter Jean Baudin
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We try to never play a song exactly the same way twice. As a result, sometimes the experiments work. Other times...well, that light at the end of the tunnel is in fact a train. We often approach standards with a funk feel and it depends on how happy my foot gets with the pedalboard or what the rest of the band is doing.
First time posting in this thread. I have a question. Apologies as I am sure it has already been discussed but there are to many posts to go through. My question is:
How does the tone palette of Monique compare to the Fender " tone stack " ?
I have owned an Alembic F-1, a Kern 777 and a Sarno. All amazingly good !! However, there is a preponderance of bass. And when attempting to dial out the bass, the sound becomes to thin.
I play mostly in quieter settings, often with acoustic ethnic instruments [ which are amplified with mics]. As such, my volume needs to be lower but I also want a full sound.
I am currently using a GK MB fusion. Odd choice in some senses as the GK sound is very specific. I find with the 3 preamp tubes AND the contour knob near 75%, I get a warm somewhat compressed tone that I like for fretless. I MUST always use the contour control, usually quite a bit for this amp or it is unusable for me.
Prior to this I was using the Hughes and Kettner BATT bass preamp. This is a GREAT unit. Newer technology has a bit more clarity though which I like.
Although I am mostly happy with the GK, the sound is a little " stark " which is why I am interested in the Monique. So comparisons between the Monique and GK MB fusion are also welcomed.
Thanks for any info.
How does the tone palette of Monique compare to the Fender " tone stack " ?
I have owned an Alembic F-1, a Kern 777 and a Sarno. All amazingly good !! However, there is a preponderance of bass. And when attempting to dial out the bass, the sound becomes to thin.
I play mostly in quieter settings, often with acoustic ethnic instruments [ which are amplified with mics]. As such, my volume needs to be lower but I also want a full sound.
I am currently using a GK MB fusion. Odd choice in some senses as the GK sound is very specific. I find with the 3 preamp tubes AND the contour knob near 75%, I get a warm somewhat compressed tone that I like for fretless. I MUST always use the contour control, usually quite a bit for this amp or it is unusable for me.
Prior to this I was using the Hughes and Kettner BATT bass preamp. This is a GREAT unit. Newer technology has a bit more clarity though which I like.
Although I am mostly happy with the GK, the sound is a little " stark " which is why I am interested in the Monique. So comparisons between the Monique and GK MB fusion are also welcomed.
Thanks for any info.
Jibreel,
Depending on what Fender amp you are comparing Monique to, I would say "possibly".
Monique sounds more like a vintage Ampeg to me but with much more clarity and ability to cut through just about any mix.
If you like the warmth of the MB Fusion, I would be surprised if you didn't love Monique. I was a big fan of the MB Fusion and the Mesa M9 (they sound surprisingly alike) but sold both to fund a Monique setup.
Depending on what Fender amp you are comparing Monique to, I would say "possibly".
Monique sounds more like a vintage Ampeg to me but with much more clarity and ability to cut through just about any mix.
If you like the warmth of the MB Fusion, I would be surprised if you didn't love Monique. I was a big fan of the MB Fusion and the Mesa M9 (they sound surprisingly alike) but sold both to fund a Monique setup.
The "Baxendall" equalizers of Monique is easier to settle because all the frequencies are independent some of the others. Also, the sensivity pots offers a wide tone palette ( clean to growly).
the asymetrical Line out is old school / all tube amp tone, and the xlr balanced output is hi-fi / neutral tone.
the asymetrical Line out is old school / all tube amp tone, and the xlr balanced output is hi-fi / neutral tone.
Personally, next to nothing. I may be nuts, but IME, power amps don't really colour tone.
I have used the following to power my Monique:
Crest ProLite 2.0
Crown XTI2000
ART SLA-1 and SLA-2
Hiwatt Custom 100
Mesa M9
Mesa D180
GK MB Fusion
All sounded similar to my ears.
Your GK will power it just fine.
I notice a difference between running the Puma power section and the Minnie power amp but it isn't night and day.
As for tone stack, I find it to be more on the subtle side. But I rarely use it - the damn thing sound about perfect flat. Basically I have used eq to deal with room issues. It is not "surgical" like a lot of amps, but it doesn't need to be.
I found the MB Fusion to be a nice amp but a bit on the edgy side. I can get plenty of edge out of Monique, but it doesn't veer into harsh land.
As for tone stack, I find it to be more on the subtle side. But I rarely use it - the damn thing sound about perfect flat. Basically I have used eq to deal with room issues. It is not "surgical" like a lot of amps, but it doesn't need to be.
I found the MB Fusion to be a nice amp but a bit on the edgy side. I can get plenty of edge out of Monique, but it doesn't veer into harsh land.
- Jan 7, 2008
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Olinto, La Bella, JuleAmps, Epifani
Have you just used the Minnie yet on a gig? I did last week on a a gig in the city. Used my Imperial 5 and an Epifani UL-410 and it sounded incredible. The Minnie responded really well to the Pope pre and it was loud, fat, and clear! Obviously having the Monique in front of it adds a lot to the sound but it's nice to know that it works that way as well....like an 800 watt amp with no EQ or effects loop haha
Scroll up - pic of it on a gig last weekend and one from Wed. Used it two days in the studio (they wanted a "live" sound) where it was on 8 hours straight prior to that. Does exactly what I want it to do.
- Jan 7, 2008
- 2,196
- 224
- 39
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Olinto, La Bella, JuleAmps, Epifani
- Jan 7, 2008
- 2,196
- 224
- 39
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Olinto, La Bella, JuleAmps, Epifani
worked for me and sounded fantastic with my Fodera. I gave it slightly more EQ boost from the Pope pre and had to crank the volume a tad more than with Monique on there but it sounded amazing and kept up with the band all night. Fan ON btw.
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I've generally had great results with the Fender tone stack, provided that I start at about 1-10-1 on Bass-Mid-Treble, and then adjust for the particular preamp's character. For instance, with the Kern, you not only have to pay attention to which 1/4" input you are using (Hi-Z or Lo-Z), but the room balance control makes a big difference, as does the Deep switch. Comparing Monique to my Kern, I was able to dial in some relatively similar tones on both, but the Kern was a bit more lush and big in the lows, and Monique was a bit more textured in the mids. That's IME/IMHO, though, and YMMV.
Wow! I've never run anywhere near that much Contour. In fact, I normally leave mine entirely off. I would think that this would thin out, or scoop out, your tone. Monique is going to sound very different from any GK with the Contour set that high. I own both the Fusion 550 and the MB Fusion, and IME, the six valve stages add more along the lines of harmonic content than warmth or fullness (not saying that the Fusions are lacking in those regards, just that I don't think that they get it from the tubes - and yes, I think that GK's in general take a little EQ tweaking to get a more warm/full sound).
Love the tone of the BATT! But yes, it's a bit on the warm/round side, and not as clear and articulate as some.
Well "father knows best"!
When I tube rolled because of a faulty run of tubes back in the day
I tried some NOS JAN RCAs. I'm not shouting.
When I ordered them I said, "why not?" and grabbed up a NOS RCA rectifier tube.
The whole thing sounded just delish!
Yesterday in an unprovoked sense of "eureka" I installed a new EH Russian Rectifier tube.
Well, who knew? The 3D sweetness is still there. The detail and quickness were promoted. The note character and definition were more pronounced. In fact two players said they could really hear the difference in note articulation with the Ashbory.
In all humility I've always respected Sir Jule's choices. What I had obscured some with the more sag prone old school Rectifier tube was some of the designed in quick. Too much of a good thing!
Mea Culpa
When I tube rolled because of a faulty run of tubes back in the day
I tried some NOS JAN RCAs. I'm not shouting.When I ordered them I said, "why not?" and grabbed up a NOS RCA rectifier tube.
The whole thing sounded just delish!
Yesterday in an unprovoked sense of "eureka" I installed a new EH Russian Rectifier tube.
Well, who knew? The 3D sweetness is still there. The detail and quickness were promoted. The note character and definition were more pronounced. In fact two players said they could really hear the difference in note articulation with the Ashbory.
In all humility I've always respected Sir Jule's choices. What I had obscured some with the more sag prone old school Rectifier tube was some of the designed in quick. Too much of a good thing!
Mea Culpa
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