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Morgan MP200 all-tube amp = mmm?

OrionManMatt

OrionManMatt

Feb 17, 2004
1,574
5
Houston
#1
So I've been playing some g****r lately and was looking for a Vox meets JCM800 tone and a number of people kept pointing to Morgan Amps out of California. I kept reading review after review that praised him and his amps.

And then today I see this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

"The MP200 bass amp provides 200W of all tube power through a quartet of KT88 tubes. The output transformer has been specifically designed with Mercury Magnetics to provide a low end that extends past the audible range. You may not be able to hear it but I guarantee that you will FEEL it! The tone stack consists of treble, mid, bass and a focus control. The focus control shifts the midrange sweep of the entire stack allowing you to dial in just the right amount of cut. All of this in a 42 pound 24"x9.5"x9" package.

* volume, treble, mid, bass and focus controls.
* SOZO caps in the tone stack
* F&T precision German made filter caps
* 8 and 4 ohm outputs
* Custom designed Mercury Magnetics transformers that work at below audible frequencies.
* 3 12AX7
* 4 KT88"

http://www.morganamplification.com/



edit: Asked him for further "tone goal" details.
 
#3
I was asked if the MP200 was voiced like the B15 - here is my reply....


nothing like the B15. The b15 is really similar in design theory to a bassman or most guitar amps. In fact most b15's are even cathode biased. This makes them a bit more agressive than a bassman and really cool sounding but also makes them give up the goods very quickly.

THe tone stack in the MP200 is not SVT and it is not B15. It is my own deal. I say that it is similar to the SVT in that the design ideal of the SVT is one where the amp delivers big clean lowend for the largest portion of the volume sweep and then starts to get dirty.

Honestly if someone wants a b15 style bass amp (like most boutique builders who even offer a bass amp) I could do that for 1500.00

on another note my 4x10 bass cab arrived yesterday.....
 
#5
Morgan Amps said:
I was asked if the MP200 was voiced like the B15 - here is my reply....


nothing like the B15. The b15 is really similar in design theory to a bassman or most guitar amps. In fact most b15's are even cathode biased. This makes them a bit more agressive than a bassman and really cool sounding but also makes them give up the goods very quickly.
Click to expand...
:eyebrow:
 
#7
It looks quite reserved, almost British!.
Perhaps they could do a more american look design, like the dashboard
of a 50's Cadillac mixed with a mexicans low-rider + neon tube
interior lighting?. Phat!.
What with a mercury magnetics transformer set and all the other high end component choices it should sound faffing great though.
Maybe they could add a couple of dozen extra shiny knobs that don't really do very much useful.:D
 
#8
Bassmec said:
It looks quite reserved, almost British!.
Perhaps they could do a more american look design, like the dashboard
of a 50's Cadillac mixed with a mexicans low-rider + neon tube
interior lighting?. Phat!.
What with a mercury magnetics transformer set and all the other high end component choices it should sound faffing great though.
Maybe they could add a couple of dozen extra shiny knobs that don't really do very much useful.:D
Click to expand...

I was thinking about 5 or 6 switches that do things like treble boost and midboost and low boost and low mid boost and high but not at high as the other boost....

I can do most any colors.

www.morganamplification.com for pics of the guitar amps.

bass cab should be ready here soon. I am still trying to decide on speakers for the cab. 4x10 sealed.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#10
Morgan Amps said:
Not that I don't love the B15. I really do. I just wanted to give bass players an amp that they could use in a club with a drummer and guitar player.
Click to expand...
Quality stuff mate, is it going to get an ultra linear OP Trans as I am so in love with my old Simms Watts AP 200 Super which has a huge partridge OP trans with five wire primaries.
What's the output tube plate voltage matey?.:bassist:
Mine measures 671 volts!
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#11
Morgan Amps said:
Not that I don't love the B15. I really do. I just wanted to give bass players an amp that they could use in a club with a drummer and guitar player.
Click to expand...
i hear ya, bro. i just happen to be the only person who seems to be able to make one work with a band. of course, we're not trying to kill mice, either. i just was thinking that yeah, of course a 200w tube amp won't give up the goods as quickly as a 25w tube amp ;) but still, definitely a good idea to design with that goal in mind.

anyway, tube amp design and manufacturing for the smaller builder is not easy, i'm sure, so i salute you guys who still keep it going.
 
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#13
Bassmec said:
Quality stuff mate, is it going to get an ultra linear OP Trans as I am so in love with my old Simms Watts AP 200 Super which has a huge partridge OP trans with five wire primaries.
What's the output tube plate voltage matey?.:bassist:
Mine measures 671 volts!
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Great question!

No I ultimately decided against an ultra linear design to keep the growl aspect of the amp alive.

Also with that in mind I kept the plate voltage down to 550.

The trannie set is huge I originally wanted to keep it within the size of my guitar chassis....but -

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#15
JimmyM said:
i hear ya, bro. i just happen to be the only person who seems to be able to make one work with a band. of course, we're not trying to kill mice, either. i just was thinking that yeah, of course a 200w tube amp won't give up the goods as quickly as a 25w tube amp ;) but still, definitely a good idea to design with that goal in mind.

anyway, tube amp design and manufacturing for the smaller builder is not easy, i'm sure, so i salute you guys who still keep it going.
Click to expand...

I've used my B15N quite a few times in a band setting. Though, mine has the tube rectifier and it starts to distort earlier on if I've had it running for more than an hour. Otherwise, I'd be the second person to make one work.

The Morgan amp looks promising. I'm excited to hear more about it.
 
#16
NickyBass said:
I've used my B15N quite a few times in a band setting. Though, mine has the tube rectifier and it starts to distort earlier on if I've had it running for more than an hour. Otherwise, I'd be the second person to make one work.
Click to expand...
right on, nicky! actually i'm sure there are more than a few who can do it, and there's also more than a few who can do it and don't realize they can. but 200w is a much safer bet, i will agree.
 
#17
Morgan Amps said:
I was thinking about 5 or 6 switches that do things like treble boost and midboost and low boost and low mid boost and high but not at high as the other boost....

I can do most any colors.

www.morganamplification.com for pics of the guitar amps.

bass cab should be ready here soon. I am still trying to decide on speakers for the cab. 4x10 sealed.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
beautiful workmanship........i think a lot of guys would prefer carry handles on the ends of the head,tho'....
 

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