Jule Amps Monique Part III

[DigitalMan]

Curious if anyone's played a Monique in conjunction with a Palmer PDI-05?

 

[toothguy]

I had to send my Demonique back to Jule for repair; dramatic loss of volume and then heavily distorted sound with the line level 3/4 of the way up. Jule was fantastic! He worked with me via long distance to try to trouble shoot, sent me a complete new set of tubes (free), and, when that didn't work, paid for round trip shipping to fix my beloved Demonique! (and got her back to me in time for my gig tonight!).
Jule's level of concern and out-standing customer support is the BEST that I have ever experienced with any builder/manufacturer of musical gear.
He listens to us as consumers AND, most importantly, as bass players.
I would not hesitate to try anything that comes from such a creative and talented mind such as his!
I can't say enough. I'm just blown away by every aspect of my experience with Jule and his Demonique!

 

[esa372]

Jule's level of concern and out-standing customer support is the BEST that I have ever experienced with any builder/manufacturer of musical gear.
He listens to us as consumers AND, most importantly, as bass players.

+1

 

[nostatic]

I would not hesitate to try anything that comes from such a creative and talented mind such as his!
I can't say enough. I'm just blown away by every aspect of my experience with Jule and his Demonique!

^^^ this

 

[foderaman]

I had to send my Demonique back to Jule for repair; dramatic loss of volume and then heavily distorted sound with the line level 3/4 of the way up. Jule was fantastic! He worked with me via long distance to try to trouble shoot, sent me a complete new set of tubes (free), and, when that didn't work, paid for round trip shipping to fix my beloved Demonique! (and got her back to me in time for my gig tonight!).
Jule's level of concern and out-standing customer support is the BEST that I have ever experienced with any builder/manufacturer of musical gear.
He listens to us as consumers AND, most importantly, as bass players.
I would not hesitate to try anything that comes from such a creative and talented mind such as his!
I can't say enough. I'm just blown away by every aspect of my experience with Jule and his Demonique!

What kind of bass are you using?Early on I had what I thought was a problem with my Monique when using a Will Lee 4.What it was was the preamp gain trimpot was set where I was getting a super strong signal from the bass and it was causing the first stage of Monique to over drive too much for me.If you have this problem try turning down the volume on your bass say 3/4 volume on the bass and see if it helps.

 

[kalanb]

I just got my rackmount De-Monique yesterday. I'm going to pair it with a Greenboy Bassic 15, which should arrive on Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm running it through the input of an old GK MB150S.

Monique is amazing. On most amps, fiddle with the knobs, find some sounds that work, find a few more that don't work, and if you're lucky you'll find a few sweet spots; you know the drill. Monique is all sweetspot. I can't pull a bad sound out of her, and this is going through the input of my old GK. I'm really excited to hear what she can do going straight into the Bassic.

I'll post more thoughts and pics when I get the cab.

 

[Baird6869]

I forgot to mention that the band that opened for me today was a (really heavy) metal band made up of 16 year olds (they were good!).

In any case, I got to hear my Monique thru my Bergs from about 150 feet away with the bass player's Schecters. Not even expensive basses... and Holy crap! Even my guitarist was blown away by the clarity, note separation and great tone. AND no DI!!!!!

I am almost a year in with Monique and I still get excited every time I turn it on. Just a killer pre!

 

[IntrepidCellist]

I forgot to mention that the band that opened for me today was a (really heavy) metal band made up of 16 year olds (they were good!).

In any case, I got to hear my Monique thru my Bergs from about 150 feet away with the bass player's Schecters. Not even expensive basses... and Holy crap! Even my guitarist was blown away by the clarity, note separation and great tone. AND no DI!!!!!

I am almost a year in with Monique and I still get excited every time I turn it on. Just a killer pre!

I also wouldn't be so quick to disparage Schecters.

I have a C-4 Elite that regularly gets playtime alongside my much more expensive basses (Ric, Kubicki, Dingwall), and it holds its own both tonally and in terms of playability

 

[chadds]

I just got my rackmount De-Monique yesterday. I'm going to pair it with a Greenboy Bassic 15, which should arrive on Tuesday. In the meantime, I'm running it through the input of an old GK MB150S.

Monique is amazing. On most amps, fiddle with the knobs, find some sounds that work, find a few more that don't work, and if you're lucky you'll find a few sweet spots; you know the drill. Monique is all sweetspot. I can't pull a bad sound out of her, and this is going through the input of my old GK. I'm really excited to hear what she can do going straight into the Bassic.

I'll post more thoughts and pics when I get the cab.

Exactly!!!
Monique is all sweet spot.

 

[maisbass]

So my experience last night in a nutshell..... Blown Away! As I was playing the word "thick" kept popping into my head. Every note was so even and so thick and really pounding into my back from my ML112. Incredibly clean and I actually love the eq. While not surgical, The bass does not add boom but just seems to thicken everything up and push air, the same with the high. My sound engineer loved it but he asked me to roll off some of the bass because it felt like it was going to send his cones flying on his subs! It is really rich with harmonic content, and has tremendous response and feel. Every nuance just jumped out from my playing.

But I do have a few questions.

I was using my Fodera (active pre on), and Puma 900 as a power amp. I noticed I got no volume with Monique until the line out was set to 3 o'clock. From 3 to 6 it boosted really fast. I was wondering if it had to do with the proper voltage matching what the return of the Puma wanted to see. Theoretically the Puma wants to see 0db so I should be able to dime the line out, but I noticed some distortion with this. Now I'm starting to wonder if the Puma is the problem, and perhaps I should get a Minnie. Every once in a while I noticed my mid driver on my Baer sounding distorted a bit, first time ever. Should the line out work that way having literally very little volume until it hits about 3pm? When I get a chance I'm going to try it with my Crest power amp to see if there is a difference.

All in all I am in Tone heaven. Thank you Jule! You have truly created a masterpiece and I have found myself in tone heaven! Absolutely amazing!

If anyone has insight on how the line out worked with their Puma 900, I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks!

 

[foderaman]

So my experience last night in a nutshell..... Blown Away! As I was playing the word "thick" kept popping into my head. Every note was so even and so thick and really pounding into my back from my ML112. Incredibly clean and I actually love the eq. While not surgical, The bass does not add boom but just seems to thicken everything up and push air, the same with the high. My sound engineer loved it but he asked me to roll off some of the bass because it felt like it was going to send his cones flying on his subs! It is really rich with harmonic content, and has tremendous response and feel. Every nuance just jumped out from my playing.

But I do have a few questions.

I was using my Fodera (active pre on), and Puma 900 as a power amp. I noticed I got no volume with Monique until the line out was set to 3 o'clock. From 3 to 6 it boosted really fast. I was wondering if it had to do with the proper voltage matching what the return of the Puma wanted to see. Theoretically the Puma wants to see 0db so I should be able to dime the line out, but I noticed some distortion with this. Now I'm starting to wonder if the Puma is the problem, and perhaps I should get a Minnie. Every once in a while I noticed my mid driver on my Baer sounding distorted a bit, first time ever. Should the line out work that way having literally very little volume until it hits about 3pm? When I get a chance I'm going to try it with my Crest power amp to see if there is a difference.

All in all I am in Tone heaven. Thank you Jule! You have truly created a masterpiece and I have found myself in tone heaven! Absolutely amazing!

If anyone has insight on how the line out worked with their Puma 900, I would appreciate some feedback. Thanks!

View attachment 346370

You say you where using a Fodera?First thing try with the Fodera again with the same amp and Monique setup but turn the volume knob on the Fodera down just a little then you can turn up Monique or your power amp to make up the volume that you need.If this solves the problem normal there is a trimpot inside a Fodera that controls how much gain it puts out.Turn it a little counter clockwise that will reduce the gain on the bass and solve your problem also.What is happening is your bass(Fodera) is sending such a strong signal it is over driving the First stage(Tube ) of Monique.I found this out the first time i used Monique over a year ago when I got her.When you run Monique right into the return on a amp like a Puma you don,t have the clip warning light like a normal head so it does,t show when you are clipping the pre amp on Monique. Into the front of a Puma you can tell right off the bat when the pre in the Puma is being clipped by Monique but you are also double preempting but you are picking up a little additional EQ from the Puma.Originally this is the way Jule had designed it to be used then people started using along with other amps as there main Pre. See if this helps? What I am getting at is it may be the bass that is what is causing the distortion by sending a extra strong signal to Monique.

 

[maisbass]

I would also like to add that I compared it to the Puma 900 pre and while I love the 900, there truly was no comparison. For a micro head the Puma is the best IMO. But the Monique just delivers the "Balls" and then some, something I think only a tube amp can deliver. I can't wait to compare it to my Read pre.

I have a feeling I will be listing my Puma and Read in the classifieds real soon.

 

[maisbass]

You say you where using a Fodera?First thing try with the Fodera again with the same amp and Monique setup but turn the volume knob on the Fodera down just a little then you can turn up Monique or your power amp to make up the volume that you need.If this solves the problem normal there is a trimpot inside a Fodera that controls how much gain it puts out.Turn it a little counter clockwise that will reduce the gain on the bass and solve your problem also.What is happening is your bass(Fodera) is sending such a strong signal it is over driving the First stage(Tube ) of Monique.I found this out the first time i used Monique over a year ago when I got her.When you run Monique right into the return on a amp like a Puma you don,t have the clip warning light like a normal head so it does,t show when you are clipping the pre amp on Monique. Into the front of a Puma you can tell right off the bat when the pre in the Puma is being clipped by Monique but you are also double preempting but you are picking up a little additional EQ from the Puma.Originally this is the way Jule had designed it to be used then people started using along with other amps as there main Pre. See if this helps? What I am getting at is it may be the bass that is what is causing the distortion by sending a extra strong signal to Monique.

Thanks. I know I have my pre goosed a Bit in my bass. I'll try turning it down to unity. Much appreciated.

 

[foderaman]

Thanks. I know I have my pre goosed a Bit in my bass. I'll try turning it down to unity. Much appreciated.

Ya just try turning down the Fodera Volume knob then using the Monique line volume to get the volume you need then to make up for the volume you had with Fodera volume knob turned up higher?

 

[nostatic]

When I ran that setup, I'd have the line up between 3-6:00, all push/pull knobs pushed in. I run the preamp in my Foderas pretty hot but I don't max the bass out on the instrument (the last bit of the turn really pushes it imho). But depends on your playing style and how you have things set. Also try the Fodera on passive and see.

But I found that the line out had to be above 3:00. Basically my philosophy is to run that around 3-5:00 and control my overall volume with whatever power amp I'm running. fwiw there are some tonal differences between the Puma power section (I have the newer style, not the older 2U version) and Minnie.

 

[maisbass]

When I ran that setup, I'd have the line up between 3-6:00, all push/pull knobs pushed in. I run the preamp in my Foderas pretty hot but I don't max the bass out on the instrument (the last bit of the turn really pushes it imho). But depends on your playing style and how you have things set. Also try the Fodera on passive and see.

But I found that the line out had to be above 3:00. Basically my philosophy is to run that around 3-5:00 and control my overall volume with whatever power amp I'm running. fwiw there are some tonal differences between the Puma power section (I have the newer style, not the older 2U version) and Minnie.

Thanks. I always used to run my Fodera in passive mode, but I like the the way it sounds active with the Monique. For fingerstyle I also favor my bridge pickup a bit. Last night I did have the bass on the Pope pre up but not cranked, but left the mids and high flat on it.

I guess I just need to spend some time with it all. It was really trial by fire last night and really haven't spent the time tweaking everything. All in all I am ecstatic with the punch and tone Monique delivers. Wow!

Thanks for the responses.

 

[juledude]

I had to send my Demonique back to Jule for repair; dramatic loss of volume and then heavily distorted sound with the line level 3/4 of the way up. Jule was fantastic! He worked with me via long distance to try to trouble shoot, sent me a complete new set of tubes (free), and, when that didn't work, paid for round trip shipping to fix my beloved Demonique! (and got her back to me in time for my gig tonight!).
Jule's level of concern and out-standing customer support is the BEST that I have ever experienced with any builder/manufacturer of musical gear.
He listens to us as consumers AND, most importantly, as bass players.
I would not hesitate to try anything that comes from such a creative and talented mind such as his!
I can't say enough. I'm just blown away by every aspect of my experience with Jule and his Demonique!

Great Grandma used to scare me a bit, but I do remember her telling me, "If you are only there when the going is good, what good are you?"

I am sorry your De-Monique gave you trouble. Thanks for letting me know we got her working and made the gig - and for the kind words.

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

Thanks. I always used to run my Fodera in passive mode, but I like the the way it sounds active with the Monique. For fingerstyle I also favor my bridge pickup a bit. Last night I did have the bass on the Pope pre up but not cranked, but left the mids and high flat on it.

I guess I just need to spend some time with it all. It was really trial by fire last night and really haven't spent the time tweaking everything. All in all I am ecstatic with the punch and tone Monique delivers. Wow!

Thanks for the responses.

Interesting. I went the complete opposite direction. I almost always used my fodera in active mode, but with Monique I feel more than confidant using only passive mode and I actually prefer the sound especially over the neck pup. Running the bass flat with some EQ from Monique really does the trick for me.

 

[maisbass]

Interesting. I went the complete opposite direction. I almost always used my fodera in active mode, but with Monique I feel more than confidant using only passive mode and I actually prefer the sound especially over the neck pup. Running the bass flat with some EQ from Monique really does the trick for me.

I'm still in the honeymoon period with Monique so who knows how I'll end up using it. Believe me I love my Fodera in passive mode. It has a really warm sound and I used it that way since I bought it in 2007. But there have been times where I've used it active as well. I seem to flip flop alot with it, just like my obsession with gear! I'm always cutting the tone control on my Fodera, and when I use it active, I boost the bass a bit and vary the mids depending upon the tune and playing style. I never touch the treble pot. That is usually flat or perhaps I'll cut that occasionally. I was never a fan how the treble pot sounded when boosted.

However I believe Monique might have ended my flip flopping fanaticism and perhaps cured my G.A.S.!!! Whatever I end up doing with it, in the end I'm confident I will be satisfied with the tone. I'm already loving it, and I really haven't learned all of its capabilities yet.

It is a fantastic creation by Jule. All of that oomph in such a small package.... Wow!

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

I'm still in the honeymoon period with Monique so who knows how I'll end up using it. Believe me I love my Fodera in passive mode. It has a really warm sound and I used it that way since I bought it in 2007. But there have been times where I've used it active as well. I seem to flip flop alot with it, just like my obsession with gear! I'm always cutting the tone control on my Fodera, and when I use it active, I boost the bass a bit and vary the mids depending upon the tune and playing style. I never touch the treble pot. That is usually flat or perhaps I'll cut that occasionally. I was never a fan how the treble pot sounded when boosted.

However I believe Monique might have ended my flip flopping fanaticism and perhaps cured my G.A.S.!!! Whatever I end up doing with it, in the end I'm confident I will be satisfied with the tone. I'm already loving it, and I really haven't learned all of its capabilities yet.

It is a fantastic creation by Jule. All of that oomph in such a small package.... Wow!

That's EXACTLY how i use the tone controls on my Imperial. Cut the tone knob almost to 50%, boost some bass on the EQ and a little bit of mids depending on the room. Treble is either flat or cut a tad. But what I found is if you leave the Fodera in passive mode with the tone knob still cut and use the Monique EQ instead of the Pope pre, the result is similar but with all this tube fatness! Obviously it depends on the room but I tend to keep the highs between 12-1, mids 1-2, and lows 2-3 o'clock. Check it out!