Mesa F-series Lounge. Come on in and share your secrets.

[Locky]

Well without paying for an expensive mod, you could get yellowjackets, which are are 6L6 to EL84 converter.

[VoodooChild24]

Hey guys,

I recently got my Mesa F100 after months of researching what new amp to get. I finally decided to get an F100 as oppose to F50 just for the sake of lotsa headroom. I found both amps very good and settled for the grand daddy of the F series.

Here are my findings so far:

* Very surprised and playable on bedroom levels. Big + for me.
* Suits all styles i play
* Distortion is awesome
* Clean is equally awesome; bright switch is a plus
* Probably the next Mark IV IMHO, easily
* 100W - id rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it
* So smooth and accurate. It amplifies your guitar and playing skills
* My favorite amp. I wouldn't buy anything thats on the market right now in its class.
* JJ 6L6 are much darker and gives you and extra oomph on the dirty channel.


Thanks to Andy (Dann's the man) and Neil (Hal9000) for convincing me to buy this amp. Honorable mention for the F series lounge thread as well. It's very helpful!


http://desideang.com/v-web/gallery/albums/album03/F100.jpg

[GTM]

Has anyone tried Yellowjackets in a F-50? I'm wondering how close the F-50 would come to sounding like a F-30.

[mrelusive]

how big are these yellowjackets? would there even be room in an f-50 head for em?

[VoodooChild24]

Sorry for the ignorance but what is a yellow jacket?

[mrelusive]

yellow jackets convert your tube socket so you can use a different kind of tube

[GTM]

Originally posted by mrelusive
how big are these yellowjackets? would there even be room in an f-50 head for em?

I have the combo. I realy don't know to much about them other than you can use them to switch your 6L6 to EL84. They're made by THD (same as the Hotplate) and cost about $100 for a pair (new). I'm thinking of gettin a pair. I have a bunch of nice EL84's left over from my old Nomad 45.

So, has anyone tried them in the F-50?

[poly]

Excellent thread, just bought a nice F30 and i love this little monster. Its not little by sound thats for sure, it blows me away in my studio apt. I also boought a Gmajor and am waiting to see how that sounds...however i have these 2 nagging items that are going for really cheap in my area and i want to buy them desperately.
Mesa 20/20 power amp
Mesa Triaxis

Question is it ok if i plug these 2 units into my f30? Or do i absolutely need a cab for these ? I have never bought rack gear before or owned cabs and all that and i am new to this. Please advise...thanks :)

[hal9000]

Originally posted by poly
Excellent thread, just bought a nice F30 and i love this little monster. Its not little by sound thats for sure, it blows me away in my studio apt. I also boought a Gmajor and am waiting to see how that sounds...however i have these 2 nagging items that are going for really cheap in my area and i want to buy them desperately.
Mesa 20/20 power amp
Mesa Triaxis

Question is it ok if i plug these 2 units into my f30? Or do i absolutely need a cab for these ? I have never bought rack gear before or owned cabs and all that and i am new to this. Please advise...thanks :) Yeah, there is no problem running the Triaxis into the F-30's FX return (utilizing the F-30's power section and speaker), or using the Triaxis into the Mesa 20/20 into the F-30's speaker, or even the Triaxis -> G-Major -> Mesa 20/20 -> F-30 speaker.

What would be even cooler, is if you had another cab, and ran a dual amp setup with the F-30 and Triaxis at the same time! :)

[poly]

haha dual setup. No Hal i cant do that cause i will get evicted for sure. I live in a small studio apt :). So i think i will buy the triaxis and run it with the gmajor into the f30. I guess i dont have to buy the 20/20 then if i am using the f30 power section. I was going to buy the 20/20 because from what i have read all over the triaxis and the 20/20 or 2/90 are meant to go alongside each other.
But thanks!! That helped!

[mrelusive]

alright, so wait a minute here. i'm a little new to tube amps and stuff, so i'm not sure what i am missing here.

What's the difference between el84 and el34? all the yellow jacket stuff i was readin said they can convert a 6l6 / el34 socket to an el84.

so do i need a converter to put el34s in my f-50? thought someone before had told me that as long as i use mesa tubes, i can put el34s in it... but they could have been wrong. Also, maybe i'm wrong on what tubes i'm thinkin about. What kind of tubes do the stilletto amps have? are they el34? that really brittle british type tone that points out all my technique mistakes to me?

[1_big swifty]

Link to my F-50 auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7347119538#ebayphotohosting

It's a wonderful amp. I put about 20 hours on it, replaced the power tubes.. just not quite my thang... there's a couple tones I want that I can't get out of it and some channel switching stuff I need that it can't do.

Rectoverb is probably next, so I'm keeping the hotplate.
:cool:

One of my motorcycle buddies is running the auction for me. Thanks for all your help, this place is great.

[GTM]

Originally posted by mrelusive
alright, so wait a minute here. i'm a little new to tube amps and stuff, so i'm not sure what i am missing here.

What's the difference between el84 and el34? all the yellow jacket stuff i was readin said they can convert a 6l6 / el34 socket to an el84.

so do i need a converter to put el34s in my f-50? thought someone before had told me that as long as i use mesa tubes, i can put el34s in it... but they could have been wrong. Also, maybe i'm wrong on what tubes i'm thinkin about. What kind of tubes do the stilletto amps have? are they el34? that really brittle british type tone that points out all my technique mistakes to me?

As far as I know the Yellowjackets will only convert a 6L6 or EL34 to a EL84. I don't have any experience with EL34's. I can tell you a little about EL84's. Thery are small power tubes. They tend to break up faster than the bigger 6L6 & EL34's. Good for lower power amps. I don't know if you could just swap out a 6L6 with a EL34 in the F-50. I would check with Mesa first. With the Yellowjackets, you can simply swap 6L6 or El34 to El84. Hope this helps.

I'm still trying to find out if a F-50 with YEllowjackets and EL84's sounds just like a F-30? I think I may have to be the first one to take the plunge and buy the YEllowjackets.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by mrelusive
alright, so wait a minute here. i'm a little new to tube amps and stuff, so i'm not sure what i am missing here.

What's the difference between el84 and el34? all the yellow jacket stuff i was readin said they can convert a 6l6 / el34 socket to an el84.

so do i need a converter to put el34s in my f-50? thought someone before had told me that as long as i use mesa tubes, i can put el34s in it... but they could have been wrong. Also, maybe i'm wrong on what tubes i'm thinkin about. What kind of tubes do the stilletto amps have? are they el34? that really brittle british type tone that points out all my technique mistakes to me? Here's the deal:
The F-series amps were designed with a non-adjustable bias specifically for the 6L6 specs that Mesa tests for. So, as long as 6L6s fall into the bias range that Randall Smith designed for you can use them including spec’d and tested non-Mesa tubes. You can NOT use EL-34s in this amp without an additional potentiometer and possibly upgraded grid resistor to provide adjustable bias (It's actually not that hard). Some EL-34s may fall into a range acceptable for the 6L6 settings in the F-series, but caveat emptor. EL-34s are traditionally related to Marshall and the British sound since they could get them easier than the 6L6s that came in the Fender Bassman that Jim Marshall used as a prototype of his first amp. EL-34s and 6L6s have around the same power rating, so you'll usually see (2) for 50W and (4) for 100 W. There are other Mesa amps that can take both 6L6 and EL-34, but they have a bias select switch.

Yellow Jackets convert your 6L6 or EL-34 octal sockets to that appropriate for EL-84 (9 pins) which are lower power rated tubes (most famously used by Vox in the AC-30). The big difference with the Yellow Jackets is they convert your class A/B stage to Class A. So, since the bias is different I wouldn't expect yellow jackets in an F-50 to sound like an F-30. Also, the different speaker and larger output transformer will contribute to the difference as well.

For more info check here: THD Yellow Jackets Slick Sheet (http://thdelectronics.com/pdf/yj.pdf)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by GTM

I'm still trying to find out if a F-50 with YEllowjackets and EL84's sounds just like a F-30? I think I may have to be the first one to take the plunge and buy the YEllowjackets.

Hi GTM,

You may want to get in touch with the forumite om14. I've not seen him post a great deal recently, but I know he did quite a bit of experimentation with the Yellow Jackets in his F-50. Apparently the guys at Boogie did not hesitate to recommend the combination. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[GTM]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Hi GTM,

You may want to get in touch with the forumite om14. I've not seen him post a great deal recently, but I know he did quite a bit of experimentation with the Yellow Jackets in his F-50. Apparently the guys at Boogie did not hesitate to recommend the combination. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Thanks Dann. That's encouraging to hear that the Boogie guys give it a thumbs up. I'll follow up!
:)

[mrelusive]

so i've recorded a couple clips, but my ftp client won't let me access my site to upload em. how might i get around this? do i sign up for a new site or somewhere else i can upload clips or what?

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by mrelusive
so i've recorded a couple clips, but my ftp client won't let me access my site to upload em. how might i get around this? do i sign up for a new site or somewhere else i can upload clips or what?

You could sign up for a free acount at www.digitalsoundplanet.com. It's where I host my audio clips, and it was the best I could find from the free sites when I was looking for a host (e.g. allows deep linking, high bit rate MP3s etc.), :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[jadedlikeme]

Hey Andy, I have a weird request for you (or anybody else!!), concerning your F50. I am dying to buy one of these amps, but there are no dealers in the area where I can try one out. My main concern with the F50 is if I can use it at "conversation levels". I will eventually be getting a hotplate for the amp, but in the mean time I need to know if the amp is even use-able at those low levels. I'm not too picky about power tube distortion and I know it's unrealisitc at those levels.

Anyway, is there a way I can persuade you to make a few short, very short clips of the amp clean and distorted at those low levels - levels that you can still hear people talk over. Please, pretty please? :}

If not that's cool. :)

Thanks!

[mrelusive]

alright guys, first clip here.

messed up a note or two, but the damn thing took like 5 minutes to record, so sue me.

The Plaque (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000179982_000012243_proj.mp3)

that's my Yamaha plugged into the almighty f-50 doin a lil sludge-rock riffin. The last little bit with the harmony guitars was punched-in as an afterthought mostly...

[musicdog400]

At high gain levels, at really low volume I think mine sounds a little buzzy. But I either run into an attenuator, or stick an EQ in the loop (loop set to 90% wet) and the buzz goes away. And I have great warm, non-solid state distortion at bed room levels.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by mrelusive
alright guys, first clip here.

messed up a note or two, but the damn thing took like 5 minutes to record, so sue me.

The Plaque (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000179982_000012243_proj.mp3)

that's my Yamaha plugged into the almighty f-50 doin a lil sludge-rock riffin. The last little bit with the harmony guitars was punched-in as an afterthought mostly... \m/, Rock on mrelusive! That was nice and thick. Did you tune down for that one, because it sounds pretty low. Also, what volume did you record with?

If you want, send me an email and I can post your settings with my handy-dandy F-series setting generator.

[nifty50]

I'm kind of new here. Just wanted to share a thought (in sig.)
THANKS Andy!

N-50/Mike

[hal9000]

Originally posted by nifty50
I'm kind of new here. Just wanted to share a thought (in sig.)
THANKS Andy!

N-50/Mike I agree, please guys take a look at my custom art raffle for the victims of Hurricane Katrina (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1024680)

[phyrexia]

Check this out, guys.

http://www.myspace.com/hostilesilence

Tell me what you think. All guitar tracks are with my LP and the F50.

[nifty50]

Excellent idea Hal9000!


Good luck with the raffle!!!

[hal9000]

Originally posted by phyrexia
Check this out, guys.

http://www.myspace.com/hostilesilence/

Tell me what you think. All guitar tracks are with my LP and the F50. That's a bad link, and I couldn't find your band name after a search either. :confused: Anyway, I'm always curious to hear an F. :)

[mrelusive]

Originally posted by hal9000
\m/, Rock on mrelusive! That was nice and thick. Did you tune down for that one, because it sounds pretty low. Also, what volume did you record with?

If you want, send me an email and I can post your settings with my handy-dandy F-series setting generator.

i PMed the settings to you. I did tune down, but only a step. My strings were a lil floppy because i did it on a whim, but it helps the vibrato a bit. The volume was not too loud, I live in an apartment building with people on all four sides of me, and no one pounded the door or knocked on the wall...

the clip was mainly to show the tone of the guitar, as opposed to being a great work of art or anything. Just hadn't heard an f-50 clip like that yet. i wanted to show people that it could be done.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by mrelusive
alright guys, first clip here.

messed up a note or two, but the damn thing took like 5 minutes to record, so sue me.

The Plaque (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000179982_000012243_proj.mp3)

that's my Yamaha plugged into the almighty f-50 doin a lil sludge-rock riffin. The last little bit with the harmony guitars was punched-in as an afterthought mostly... http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000MrelusizePlagueSetting.png

[mrelusive]

oooooh immortalized in digital ink. now it's official: i'm big pimpin.

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by mrelusive
oooooh immortalized in digital ink. now it's official: i'm big pimpin.

That's Neil for you man. Graphic designer grand master. :D

[VoodooChild24]

Hey Neil,

How do you like your Pod XTLive so far? I'm actually thinking of getting one.

Desi

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by nifty50
I'm kind of new here. Just wanted to share a thought (in sig.)
THANKS Andy!

N-50/Mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for sharing a pic of your family of Mesas. :D You're twice over a member of the F-series brotherhood because you own both an F-50 combo AND an F-50 head! :cool:

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/dannstheman/music/100_0478liteMedium.jpg

Big smiles,

Andy.

[phyrexia]

Originally posted by hal9000
That's a bad link, and I couldn't find your band name after a search either. :confused: Anyway, I'm always curious to hear an F. :)

D'oh.

http://www.myspace.com/hostilesilence

If you add a / at the end, it won't work. Must be something to do with the CGI on Myspace. Anyway it's fixed. :)

Vic

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by GTM


Thanks Dann. That's encouraging to hear that the Boogie guys give it a thumbs up. I'll follow up!
:)

My pleasure - I know you were searching for info on this for a while.

I've actually got some comparison clips of the F-50 with and without Yellow Jackets. om14 sent them to me, and has just given me permission to share them. They were recorded whilst om14 was just starting out on guitar, and I know he's gotten better since - nevertheless, they should give an idea of how the Yellow Jackets change the voicing of the F-50. I plan to post them on a simple web page. I will follow up with this in a few days (I'm rehearsing and gigging over the next few nights). :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by hal9000
I agree, please guys take a look at my custom art raffle for the victims of Hurricane Katrina (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1024680)

Awesome response, Neil! I wish you every success with this, and I'll put my money where my mouth is and buy a ticket. Thank you for being such a generous person with your time and talent. :)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by mrelusive
alright guys, first clip here.

messed up a note or two, but the damn thing took like 5 minutes to record, so sue me.

The Plaque (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000179982_000012243_proj.mp3)

that's my Yamaha plugged into the almighty f-50 doin a lil sludge-rock riffin. The last little bit with the harmony guitars was punched-in as an afterthought mostly...

Hi mrelusive,

Great job. I really liked the harmony guitars, and thought the tone dialled was particularly sweet for the layered and multitracked guitars. Very cool guitar playing too! I look forward to hearing more clips from you. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by phyrexia
Check this out, guys.

http://www.myspace.com/hostilesilence

Tell me what you think. All guitar tracks are with my LP and the F50.

Awesome tracks phyrexia - where did you record them? The engineer did an awesome in capturing the tones of the drums and the bass. Most importantly, the guitar tones were fantastic too - raw and thick (yum!). :cool:

Reminded me a little of the production on Extreme's "Waiting For The Punchline" album. Very impressed and sweet guit fiddlin' too. I look forward to hearing more clips from you! :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[nifty50]

Thanks again Andy! Gosh, you're making me blush now.

I'd comment on the audio clips just recently posted but with my worthless dialup connection it's a waste of time. Soon to have high speed! It stops after about twenty seconds of listening. So, I will be listening in the future.

For what it's worth there's a 2004 F-50 (combo or head not stated) on www.thegearpage.net under the Buy and Sell heading /Amps and Cabs Emporium. Dr. Z Z-28 Mesa F-50 is the thread title. Calieng is the thread starter. On 9-2. Out of San Diego, CA. It's in a custom color. $895 is the price.
Now, I honestly have no affilation with this person; so check it out wisely. I have no idea of the conditon.

take care,
N-50

[GTM]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


My pleasure - I know you were searching for info on this for a while.

I've actually got some comparison clips of the F-50 with and without Yellow Jackets. om14 sent them to me, and has just given me permission to share them. They were recorded whilst om14 was just starting out on guitar, and I know he's gotten better since - nevertheless, they should give an idea of how the Yellow Jackets change the voicing of the F-50. I plan to post them on a simple web page. I will follow up with this in a few days (I'm rehearsing and gigging over the next few nights). :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Excellent! That will be a great help. I did a search but couldn't find any relavent posts from om14 and he has his e-mail (PM) turned off. I am getting frustrated with my F-50. I can not get a good tone at low volume (bedroom) & low volume (band practice). Yes it's easy to get an ok heavy distorted (crunch)sound, but I'm looking for good, clean sustain. I'm probably going to have to spend the additional $200 - $300 and buy a hotplate and yellowjackets and see which works best. I hate to have to sell the amp, I just bought it 2 months ago new.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by VoodooChild24
Hey Neil,

How do you like your Pod XTLive so far? I'm actually thinking of getting one.

Desi Here's the review that I posted a while ago, and I still feel the same way:

PODxt Live Backup Rig Review.

My backup rig includes:
PODxt Live
Carvin DCM 150 SS Power amp
Avatar 2x12 closed back cab with vintage 30s

NOTE: I play opposite my singer who uses a TSL 100 Head and 1960A 4x12.

I finally got a chance to try out my backup rig in a band context to see how it performs. I turned the output of PODxt Live all the way up, set for Line level with the cab models turned off. Using the SLO and Blackface Deluxe models I got my clean/dirty and each patch was setup for a minimum volume of 75%. The minimum volume allows you to rock the pedal back to any volume you want and in my case 75% was a good volume difference from 100% to give me rhythm and solo levels.

The Good:
1) I was able to duplicate my rig and perform all the songs with a minimal of confusion.
2) The backup rig sounded really good and my band mates were impressed with the tone.
3) I was able to use a single channel (50W @ 8 Ohms) of the DCM 150 set at about 1:00 (EQ off) so I didn’t have to resort to bridging the output for 150W (but it’s still there if I need the power).
4) With similar volume to the other guitarist, this rig cuts through very well and I had no problem hearing myself at all.
5) Obviously this rig is more versatile than my tube gear, and if I was using this as my main setup I might explore other patches and options to increase the tonal palette.
6) Volumes of 75% Rhythm and 100% Solo are just about right and easy to use with the foot pedal.
7) The rig is easy to move around since each piece is small and lightweight. Even the avatar cab is only 45 lbs which is a lot easier than lugging around my 70lb F-100.

The Bad:
1) It just wasn’t satisfying to play like a real tube amp, which I knew was the case before I started out, but that’s why I’m sticking with my F-100 + pedal board. As I imagined, it felt like playing a really good recording of the two amps I used.
2) Man, those foot switches are awful close to each other. I like the setup on my pedal board much better because I can space each switch an appropriate distance. As it is, hitting a single channel switch isn’t too bad, but using tap tempo, which is right next to the foot pedal, is a pain.

Overall, I was able to create a setup that exactly mimics my normal Mesa F-100 + pedal board rig which was nice. I think these three pieces are a great backup even though it isn’t as fun to play, but it will provide everything I need in case a tube amp disaster.

I'd say it's a good buy, but don't forget about the Vox Tonelab SE. The Vox isn't as versatile and costs a bit more, but it feels a lot more like a tube amp. Here's a link to my original review of the rig.

[blackpuppets]

I've got a question which probably would sound silly to you guys.

Can a THD hotplate or any other power attenuator be used with a F-50 Combo.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by blackpuppets
I've got a question which probably would sound silly to you guys.

Can a THD hotplate or any other power attenuator be used with a F-50 Combo. Yes. I use a Hot Plate with my F-100 combo. The signal chain goes this way:
8 Ohm F-50 Output -> Hot Plate In -> Attenuated power out -> F-50 speaker cable.

You'll need a speaker cable of course.

[GTM]

Are they any sounds clips here or could someone make some up of the F-50 or F-100 with & without a Hotplate?

[Vigo1999]

Hey guys, a little SPAM up here . . .

Rocket 440 head in mint condition!!

In Fact i was looking for a trade, in the following order:

1) DC-5

2) Mark III (prefer the 60 watt version)

3) Mark IV

4) THB Bivalve

5) try me . . .

thanks guys!!

PS - MUST BE short head versions ok??? And the cab IS nOT included (well, try me again, LOL).

the site isnt allowing me to attach pics, email me for them.
souzaglauco@hotmail.com

[blackpuppets]

Originally posted by hal9000
Yes. I use a Hot Plate with my F-100 combo. The signal chain goes this way:
8 Ohm F-50 Output -> Hot Plate In -> Attenuated power out -> F-50 speaker cable.

You'll need a speaker cable of course.

Does that mean the output of the hotplate drives the internal speaker? Are they any major modifications that need to be made in order to achieve this signal chain, or is it as simple as getting a speaker cable and hooking up?

I'm seriously considering getting a Mesa F-series amp, I'm just not sure which one. I mostly play within the confines of my bedroom, so do I need a half-stack or combo? If I were to go for a combo, what size should I go for, and do I need a power attenuator to control the volume? What is the difference between 30W and 50W? Is it just the loudness?

I hope someone could answer all my questions above. I'm new to tube amps and I'm really not sure what best suits my purpose. Help is much appreciated. :D

[blackpuppets]

*bump*

[hal9000]

Originally posted by blackpuppets


Does that mean the output of the hotplate drives the internal speaker? Are they any major modifications that need to be made in order to achieve this signal chain, or is it as simple as getting a speaker cable and hooking up?

I'm seriously considering getting a Mesa F-series amp, I'm just not sure which one. I mostly play within the confines of my bedroom, so do I need a half-stack or combo? If I were to go for a combo, what size should I go for, and do I need a power attenuator to control the volume? What is the difference between 30W and 50W? Is it just the loudness?

I hope someone could answer all my questions above. I'm new to tube amps and I'm really not sure what best suits my purpose. Help is much appreciated. :D 1) Yes, the Hot Plate just hooks up to the combo speaker. You just need a 1/4" speaker cable.

2) Well, first you'll need to take a look at Mesa's F-series site (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/F-Series/F-series.html) Then, check out the reviews (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/ProductReviews-1.htm)

Of course, you'll need to audition the amps in question, or you'll never know what you prefer. The big difference in the F-30 and F-50 is that the F-30 has (2) EL-84, and the F-50 has (2) 6L6. The F-50 has more clean headroom being 50W, but it's really more about the tone change from the different tubes. They both sound good, but different. I prefer the 6L6 sound and great headroom, so I chose an F-100 2x12 combo.

For a bedroom player, even the F-30 is going to be loud, but there are many ways already outlined in this thread to cut down on the volume. I prefer the Hot Plate as my rig attests. You may actually prefer to get a head, and buy a speaker cab separately depending on your budget and style of music.

[om14]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan
I've actually got some comparison clips of the F-50 with and without Yellow Jackets. om14 sent them to me, and has just given me permission to share them. They were recorded whilst om14 was just starting out on guitar,


Didn't I also have some clips with the attenuator and maybe a clip or two with the variac as well? I don't remember, but feel free to share anything I have given you. The clips are embarrasing :o-- if I remember correctly, I just started learning how to play at the time. I believe the clips were the chords for the chorus to Alive by Pearl Jam and were recorded using Audacity running on an 8 yr. old 333Mhz PC with a PC mic :D

[blackpuppets]

Originally posted by hal9000
1) Yes, the Hot Plate just hooks up to the combo speaker. You just need a 1/4" speaker cable.

2) Well, first you'll need to take a look at Mesa's F-series site (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/F-Series/F-series.html) Then, check out the reviews (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/ProductReviews-1.htm)

Of course, you'll need to audition the amps in question, or you'll never know what you prefer. The big difference in the F-30 and F-50 is that the F-30 has (2) EL-84, and the F-50 has (2) 6L6. The F-50 has more clean headroom being 50W, but it's really more about the tone change from the different tubes. They both sound good, but different. I prefer the 6L6 sound and great headroom, so I chose an F-100 2x12 combo.

For a bedroom player, even the F-30 is going to be loud, but there are many ways already outlined in this thread to cut down on the volume. I prefer the Hot Plate as my rig attests. You may actually prefer to get a head, and buy a speaker cab separately depending on your budget and style of music.

Hal9000, thanks for the advice. What does 'headroom' mean? I'm a newbie so this term is new to me.

I have a Digitech GNX3 processor. Is it possible to hook it up directly to the Fx return and bypass the preamp, just like what marshalls are capable of? How good are the effects loop in general?

[blackpuppets]

*bump*

[hal9000]

Originally posted by blackpuppets


Hal9000, thanks for the advice. What does 'headroom' mean? I'm a newbie so this term is new to me.

I have a Digitech GNX3 processor. Is it possible to hook it up directly to the Fx return and bypass the preamp, just like what marshalls are capable of? How good are the effects loop in general? Headroom is the amount of volume an amp can produce before the tone significantly changes due to lack of power. It's usually employed in talking about clean headroom, where you just want to know how loud you can turn it up before it isn't clean anymore. The F-30 < F-50 < F-100 for clean headroom. Of course, the opposite is true for overdrive. You actually want to cook the output stage a little and that's easier to do with less power, which is why many prefer the F-50 since it's right in the middle.

Yes, you can bypass the preamp by running into the FX return of the any of the F-series amps, but I'm note sure you'll want to after you hear for yourself Mesa's stealth amp. :)

Also, you can use your processor in the loop as well for FX, which is very similar to many of the guys here.

The loop is setup for professional line level (+4 dBu) so you'll have to adjust your GNX3 accordingly. I've had good luck with both pedals and line level devices, but of course the loop is parallel so some devices may cause phase issues (sounds kinda like a phaser).

[blackpuppets]

Originally posted by hal9000
Headroom is the amount of volume an amp can produce before the tone significantly changes due to lack of power. It's usually employed in talking about clean headroom, where you just want to know how loud you can turn it up before it isn't clean anymore. The F-30 < F-50 < F-100 for clean headroom. Of course, the opposite is true for overdrive. You actually want to cook the output stage a little and that's easier to do with less power, which is why many prefer the F-50 since it's right in the middle.

Yes, you can bypass the preamp by running into the FX return of the any of the F-series amps, but I'm note sure you'll want to after you hear for yourself Mesa's stealth amp. :)

Also, you can use your processor in the loop as well for FX, which is very similar to many of the guys here.

The loop is setup for professional line level (+4 dBu) so you'll have to adjust your GNX3 accordingly. I've had good luck with both pedals and line level devices, but of course the loop is parallel so some devices may cause phase issues (sounds kinda like a phaser).

Many thanks for your great advices. I think the F-50 has all the features that I need and suits my purpose :)

[hal9000]

Guys, here's something appropriately angry sounding in light of current events. My band is still just testing guitar tones for our demo and after all that I played, this seemed to represent pretty much what my F-100 sounded like in the room.

I used the setting in my sig called Humbucker Metal Rhythm at a master volume of about 9:30 (still chest thumping loud though :D) with (2) SM-57s, one on each Vintage 30 right up on the grill cloth and the guitar was my Fernandes Ravelle Limited, which has a Duncan Custom in the Bridge.

Make sure to crank up the volume to hear the intro since it's a bit dynamic (I'm starting off with the volume knob about 1/2 way back on the Ravelle): F-100 Test (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000170627_000030661.mp3)

[blackpuppets]

Originally posted by hal9000
Guys, here's something appropriately angry sounding in light of current events. My band is still just testing guitar tones for our demo and after all that I played, this seemed to represent pretty much what my F-100 sounded like in the room.

I used the setting in my sig called Humbucker Metal Rhythm at a master volume of about 9:30 (still chest thumping loud though :D) with (2) SM-57s, one on each Vintage 30 right up on the grill cloth and the guitar was my Fernandes Ravelle Limited, which has a Duncan Custom in the Bridge.

Make sure to crank up the volume to hear the intro since it's a bit dynamic (I'm starting off with the volume knob about 1/2 way back on the Ravelle): F-100 Test (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000170627_000030661.mp3)

The distortion sounds good. Is it with or without the contour switch activated?

[nifty50]

Hal9000,
I have to agree with Blackpuppets. I had no idea the F-series could should that thick. That sounded great! Even though it's not exactly my forte; I still can appreciate it!
Question:
Do you mostly mic with SM-57's? They do sound nice! I was wondering if you'd ever tried a Sennheiser E609 and how would that compare to the Shure.

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by hal9000
Guys, here's something appropriately angry sounding in light of current events. My band is still just testing guitar tones for our demo and after all that I played, this seemed to represent pretty much what my F-100 sounded like in the room.

I used the setting in my sig called Humbucker Metal Rhythm at a master volume of about 9:30 (still chest thumping loud though :D) with (2) SM-57s, one on each Vintage 30 right up on the grill cloth and the guitar was my Fernandes Ravelle Limited, which has a Duncan Custom in the Bridge.

Make sure to crank up the volume to hear the intro since it's a bit dynamic (I'm starting off with the volume knob about 1/2 way back on the Ravelle): F-100 Test (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000170627_000030661.mp3)


OMG Neil , i was taken aback when i heard that SKOM clip that you recorded. I usually play that riff whenever i want to hear my dirty channel. It totally sounded the same..... the thickness of the distn that is.

Thats why it always bring a smile to my face whenever i get home from work and hear the distorion of that monster (F100). :D

It's really awesome guys. :cool:

[ant]

The roommates were gone today so I had some quality time to spend with my two amps, an F-50 and a .50Cal+. I was trying to sell the F but I may have changed my mind.

I went to a few extremes with the eq on the F-50 and I'm kinda digging it again. The gain is very smooth and it comes off as a little too "round" for me sometimes. I cranked the gain a little more than usual and was able to control the extra grit with the treble and mid controls. Doing that gave it some of the edge that I like in the .50. Funny that with the F I'm trying to add the same harshness that I have to try to control with the .50.

Bottom line is that they are both great amps and I may have to keep both. :cool:

[hal9000]

Originally posted by blackpuppets


The distortion sounds good. Is it with or without the contour switch activated? Yep, Contour and thanks. :)

Here's the setting (CH 2 + Contour):

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000HumbuckerMetalRhythmCH2Contour.jpg

[hal9000]

Originally posted by nifty50
Hal9000,
I have to agree with Blackpuppets. I had no idea the F-series could should that thick. That sounded great! Even though it's not exactly my forte; I still can appreciate it!
Question:
Do you mostly mic with SM-57's? They do sound nice! I was wondering if you'd ever tried a Sennheiser E609 and how would that compare to the Shure. Thanks nifty! I usually use SM-57s right up on the grill and an AT3035 condenser room mic about 10 ft. away, time corrected of course. I've not used the E609, but I have no doubt replacing one of the SM-57s would improve the capture.

Also, the thickness is partly due to my Ravelle which has a corpulent low end that you can really hear on the recording. It's just thick and chunky.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by VoodooChild24



OMG Neil , i was taken aback when i heard that SKOM clip that you recorded. I usually play that riff whenever i want to hear my dirty channel. It totally sounded the same..... the thickness of the distn that is.

Thats why it always bring a smile to my face whenever i get home from work and hear the distorion of that monster (F100). :D

It's really awesome guys. :cool: Thanks, Voodoo! :) It's funny, I recorded in dropped-D, but the actual is much lower, probably dropped-B# or something appropriately low. Maybe I'll have to drop down one of these days and bust out some brewtal \m/ riffage. :D

[hal9000]

Here's another one, recorded with the same mic positions and setting as above. This clip is from the outro of one of my band's songs called: Our Time (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000170627_000030697.mp3)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by hal9000
Here's another one, recorded with the same mic positions and setting as above. This clip is from the outro of one of my band's songs called: Our Time (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000170627_000030697.mp3)

Hi Neil,

I really liked the tone in the clips above - your Ravelle sounded really thick and crunchy, especially in the latest clip. The recording came out nice and pristine too - great job. Where did you position the SM57 mikes around the cone? :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Hi Neil,

I really liked the tone in the clips above - your Ravelle sounded really thick and crunchy, especially in the latest clip. The recording came out nice and pristine too - great job. Where did you position the SM57 mikes around the cone? :)

Big smiles,

Andy. Thanks Andy! :)

On the left, I put the mic up to the grill cloth dead center on the speaker's dust cover, but pointing half way from the dust cap to the outer edge of the cone. So, from over head, the mic stand is in line with the center, but the mic is pointed off to the right at about 30 degrees.

On the right, I put the mic straight on 2/3 of the way out, right up at the cloth.

[mrelusive]

in case you missed it... here's a clip!

All f-50, aside from the drum machine and off-time synth bass.

also: mixing, schmixing... When i get serious about a clip or two, maybe i'll even the mix out more.

edit: duh, here's the link: eastern 50 (http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000179982_000012296_proj.mp3)


gain - not quite cranked
treble - noon
mids and bass - 9 oclock
no reverb.

rhythm is the bridge pickup on my yamaha, lead harmonies are the neck pickup, tone knob rolled all the way back.

[blackpuppets]

Guys, I have a question.

I understand that Mesa's are manufactured in the US and therefore the amps are designed to be used with 110-120Vac 60Hz mains.

Can a Mesa F-50 be used with 220-240Vac 60Hz mains where I live?

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by blackpuppets
Guys, I have a question.

I understand that Mesa's are manufactured in the US and therefore the amps are designed to be used with 110-120Vac 60Hz mains.

Can a Mesa F-50 be used with 220-240Vac 60Hz mains where I live?


If you use a transformer you can. The 110 --> 220 converter.

[blackpuppets]

Originally posted by VoodooChild24



If you use a transformer you can. The 110 --> 220 converter.

Do you know how much it costs and how big is it and how does it look like?

[Tommi Inkila]

Hello!

Heh, too many pages to read... lots of good info here guys. :)

Anyway I'm back with a clip of my new toy. I bought a quite cheap 7-string Schecter Omen-7, got an extra hour and here are the results.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/scenery/Tommi%20Inkila%20-%20Seveno.mp3

I used my Music Man on the actual lead part, because the only problem with the Schecter is bad tuners. I ordered some locking Schallers to replace them. I like the main riff so it might be part of a future song :cool:

Otherwise, the recordings of Scenery Channel's first full album are nearly done. The mighty F has served me well and provided the tones I need. Actually the only problem has been a blowing fuse and the fact that the lead tone is sometimes too thick ;)

Let me now what do you think about my clip. THX

EDIT ...and here's the thread http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1032033

[blackpuppets]

I have a question for those Mesa F-series owners living in the UK. How do you use your amp with the 230-240Vac mains supply? I understand that Mesa amps have been designed to be used with 110- 120Vac. Please advise on this. Thanks.

[Tommi Inkila]

Either you use power transformer or change the transformer in the amp itself.

If you go for external power transformer I suggest you buy the about the best that there is... Mesa's sound is based on huge power transformer in many ways so the conversion should be adequate. Also if the transformer fails and still lets the currency go through, many times it destroys the amp quite extensively. I've witnessed it few times.

[blackpuppets]

Originally posted by Tommi Inkila
Either you use power transformer or change the transformer in the amp itself.

If you go for external power transformer I suggest you buy the about the best that there is... Mesa's sound is based on huge power transformer in many ways so the conversion should be adequate. Also if the transformer fails and still lets the currency go through, many times it destroys the amp quite extensively. I've witnessed it few times.

Thanks for the reply.

What brands of transformers are the most reliable?

Also, how easy is it to change the transformer in the amp?

[Tommi Inkila]

I don't know about the brands unfortunately. Some decent electrics shop should be able to recommend something.

If you're not trained engineer/electric repairman I wouldn't change the power transformer myself. In most cases what I've heard that people have sent their amp to Mesa for transformer change. At least you should consult Mesa's importer or possible the Mesa itself.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by blackpuppets
I have a question for those Mesa F-series owners living in the UK. How do you use your amp with the 230-240Vac mains supply? I understand that Mesa amps have been designed to be used with 110- 120Vac. Please advise on this. Thanks.

The direct answer to your question is that all European sourced F-series amps are designated as export models, and are automatically supplied with a transformer for the European market (the transformer has taps for 220V, 230V and 240V). The local distributor will then supply amps to their local market with the transformer configured to the appropriate tap.

If you're are more interested in sourcing your F-series directly from the States, then I'd recommend getting in touch with fellow forumite, yourguitarhero. He imported an American F-50 to the UK, and I believe he dealt with the transformer issue. IIRC he used an external step-down transformer to go from 240V that is supplied in the UK to the 110V needed by his American F-50. Later I seem to remember that may have had the internal transformer swapped out and thus bypass the need to have an additional external step down transformer, :)

Good luck and big smiles,

Andy.

[musicdog400]

The voltage is one issue, the frequency is another. Am I correct that Europe uses 50hz ? I wonder if that would impact the amp's operation.

[Tommi Inkila]

Good point. I think that converters are designed so that the frequency is also correct. You just have to describe where you are going to use the amp or whatever equipment it is.

[poly]

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=257694

Here is an F30 clip i recorded yesterday. Still struggling with mic placement so not too happy with the overall recorded tone :(. Love how this sucker sounds in my room though. An absolute ClassA monster.

F30 + Gmajor

[hal9000]

Originally posted by poly
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=257694

Here is an F30 clip i recorded yesterday. Still struggling with mic placement so not too happy with the overall recorded tone :(. Love how this sucker sounds in my room though. An absolute ClassA monster.

F30 + Gmajor Wow, Poly, I really like your music! :) I also thought that the F-30 sounded sweet. What don't you like about the recording?

One note: The F-30 is Class A/B. :cool:

[poly]

Hey Hal thx! I dunno what i dont like about this particular one, not sure but theres something not right!!
Well i know for a fact that its the mic placement and nothing else because it sounds mindblowing in my room.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by poly
Hey Hal thx! I dunno what i dont like about this particular one, not sure but theres something not right!!
Well i know for a fact that its the mic placement and nothing else because it sounds mindblowing in my room. It's funny, I know how you feel because I'm not really happy with the clips I put up on the thread not too long ago, but I was just trying some mic placement and figured I'd share. There is just something about volume that you can't capture with a microphone. Where did you have your mics? I've always felt though, that once I get my recordings in the mix they sit well. Actually, I usually have to pull back some of the EQ so it doesn't take up too much room. :)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by poly
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=257694

Here is an F30 clip i recorded yesterday. Still struggling with mic placement so not too happy with the overall recorded tone :(. Love how this sucker sounds in my room though. An absolute ClassA monster.

F30 + Gmajor

Hi poly,

Welcome to the F-series brotherhood and to HCAF - apologies for the belated welcome, I've only had the odd moment to check into HCAF recently. :o I hope you have as much fun here as me. :D

I listened to all of the tracks on your soundclick page, and I love your guitar playing - you're a really talented musician. I particularly liked the Purple Rain duet you played with the awesome Warren (aka blackstratblues around these parts), it blew me away - fantastic stuff.

I'm currently listening with my computer speakers, but I thought the F-30 tones that you captured were sweet. I'll relisten again later through a better system, but I thought you got your F-30 singing beautifully. Please share what your settings were - including the G-Major. BTW, you may be interested in checking out this thread (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=975902) for some tips on connecting the F-series and the G-Major.

BTW, Warren told me that he had had a really positive experience with auditioning an F-series a little while back, and was considering saving to buy one. Did you influence him in any way? :p

Big smiles,

Andy.po

[poly]

Hey Dan glad you enjoyed the music :). I think i did get the F30 to sing but there are times when i felt that there was a little top end lacking on those open chords with distortion. Maybe i have been listening to this clip too much for the past day or so thats why its clouded my hearing a little haha. I personally love this amp. I had the option of buying a F50 or the Rectoverb but for some reason while auditioning those 2 amps my eyes kept going back to the F30 i had auditioned first and hence i bought that. I preferred the EL-84 sound. Anyways i dont think i had any part in making warren interested in the F30. I think he had auditioned the amp before i bought mine :).
Well more recordings to come soon. I will post the Gmajor settings later as well. Thanks again! :)

[VoodooChild24]

Hey poly, great sounding amp there. She really sings!! I think the F-30 clip sounded awesome. I would also like to commend your guitar playing. i liked it, especially the purple rain with a touch of GnR lead. Great!

Welcome to the Mesa F-series bro!! :)

[markmann]

Poly,
Your F-30 sounds great, I can't believe how often I'm humbled by the excellent playing and recording skills That I'm hearing by all the guys playing F-Series amp's. I know you feel that you're not capturing what you hear when listening to your amp live but I think that's a common feeling amongst guitarists. What you ARE getting is fantastic though... your tone come across very well and sounds full and thick and I think many would kill for that tone.

Mark

[blackpuppets]

Whoa poly! your F-30 sounds great! And your playing is just beautiful, soothing & mind-blowing!!

Were all the songs recorded using this amp?

[poly]

Hey thanks all of you! Im overwhelmed by the feedback on the music from all you cats. Im an absolute noob when it comes to the world of tube amps considering this is my first tube amp and it took me about 14 years to buy a mesa. I remember owning a small 40 watter called Kustum Sound that sounded like a radio and the woofer kept falling out of the cabinet and i had to tape the wire to the holder during gigs. I was so obsessed with Mesa that i pasted a Mesa Boogie logo from an ad i saw in guitar player on top of the shitty Kustom Sound logo lol. Finally managed to get a regular job and save up to buy this baby and can say that i am ultra happy. One thing i've realized though that micing is an artform and that takes patience, considering i dont have much of it its about time i spent some real quality time with it to suit my tone.
Just bought the gmajor and havent really sat down to work on tone but im surprised how beautiful this thing can act as an attenuator as well. I am definitely selling my hotplate now. I live in a studio apt and so far havent had a single complaint from a neighbour lol.
In 1998 i had the pleasure of cutting an album with my band Colorblind and we were signed to Sony Music. Will post the mp3 links. No amps used there but check it out anyways, i am sure you will enjoy it. Now i feel that i could go back and re-record that entire album using this Mesa.Cheers!

[poly]

Originally posted by blackpuppets
Whoa poly! your F-30 sounds great! And your playing is just beautiful, soothing & mind-blowing!!

Were all the songs recorded using this amp?

No only the F30 clip was dont using this amp. The rest of the songs are all POD XT. SOld that...was never a fan of modelers :)

[poly]

Heres a link to some older music.Enjoy!

Colourblind (http://www.massdeletion.com/music.html)

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by poly

In 1998 i had the pleasure of cutting an album with my band Colorblind and we were signed to Sony Music. Will post the mp3 links. No amps used there but check it out anyways, i am sure you will enjoy it. Now i feel that i could go back and re-record that entire album using this Mesa.Cheers!

Excellent.

[poly]

Hey Hal i saw your setup pics on the 1st page of this thread. How did you get those Mesa/guitars graphics? I'd like to post a new clip with my setup.Thanks!

[hal9000]

Originally posted by poly
Hey Hal i saw your setup pics on the 1st page of this thread. How did you get those Mesa/guitars graphics? I'd like to post a new clip with my setup.Thanks! Thanks Poly! :) I don't guess you knew you were complimenting me, but they aren't actually pictures, I drew each item from scratch as a vector object. Check my sig for some of my other work.

I can teach you how to draw like this if you have an inclination toward art, or I can put together a rig for you which is my side business, BTW.

Send me an email (sig) and we can talk.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hi Friends!

Here are couple of pics from a conference gig in Holland a couple of weeks back. The two sprogs in the second pic are my two daughters. The piccies were of course chosen because my F-50 was in full view. :D

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/dannstheman/music/DSC05020.JPG
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/dannstheman/music/DSC05128.JPG

So how about you? Do you have any gig pics to share? I'd love to see the brothers in action! :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[imissjoey]

I'd like to be the first to welcome me to the F-Series lounge. I'm official now...I have purchased an F-50 combo. Happy 18th birthday me, even though it isn't until Wednesday...screw it...I have the amp to prove that it IS my birthday...

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by imissjoey
I'd like to be the first to welcome me to the F-Series lounge. I'm official now...I have purchased an F-50 combo. Happy 18th birthday me, even though it isn't until Wednesday...screw it...I have the amp to prove that it IS my birthday...

Welcome to the Lounge and to the brotherhood, imissjoey! :)

Great to see you finally got that amp at last, and a very fine choice too imho. :p Happy Birthday for Wednesday too! :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[phyrexia]

I think maybe the best thing about these amps is that the clean channel is so versatile (and so good sounding) that even if you don't like the drive channel, it makes pedals sound good.

But the drive channel kicks ass so it's hard for me to complain about it, but my dirt pedals sound damn good too.

[gypsyfireman]

what's up guys?

i just retubed the power stage of my f-100 last week. it now breathes fire. i really had no idea how shot the old ones were until i changed them, not really expecting much difference.
ironically, one of my favorite "new" sounds is very low gain on ch 2 (no contour). with my wolfgang, settings are:

gain: just barely 7/7:30ish
treble: 1:30
Mid: 11 oclock
bass: 11:30
reverb: 11:30

awesome blues tone.

question for you guys:

i ended up putting mesa tubes in, coded as yellow. the ones i took out were reds. does anyone know what the colors indicate? is it gain, voicing, or something else that would make someone prefer one color over another?

[phyrexia]

Red breaks up fastest (least headroom), gray breaks up slowest.

So red tubes I guess would be best if you are going for the vintage sound but you wouldn't want them in, say, a triple rec.

[gypsyfireman]

cool, thanks!

[Tommi Inkila]

Actually I asked the same question from Mesa importer today who had discussed about the same thing few weeks ago with Mesa representative. He said that there aren't any hearable difference and those are left on the testing methods that were created for Mesas hifi-amps that aren't produced anymore. They're still using the same tube test though.

On the other hand, the color coding seems to be logical if the red ones break fastest. I haven't checked out what is the truth (I've had green all the time), but from looked from technical point different break up points doesn't seem so logical because Mesa has fixed bias... unless the color codes don't mean slight variances on the voltages...?

So I am a little confused about those, maybe I'll put red ones on next time to see and hear if there's any difference.

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by imissjoey
I'd like to be the first to welcome me to the F-Series lounge. I'm official now...I have purchased an F-50 combo. Happy 18th birthday me, even though it isn't until Wednesday...screw it...I have the amp to prove that it IS my birthday...


Hey imissjoey, Welcome to the F-series brotherhood. I am 100% sure that you will enjoy your amp for years to come. Don't hesitate to ask for any advice and suggestions if you need one.

Rock on man! :)

[phyrexia]

Originally posted by Tommi Inkila
Actually I asked the same question from Mesa importer today who had discussed about the same thing few weeks ago with Mesa representative. He said that there aren't any hearable difference and those are left on the testing methods that were created for Mesas hifi-amps that aren't produced anymore. They're still using the same tube test though.

On the other hand, the color coding seems to be logical if the red ones break fastest. I haven't checked out what is the truth (I've had green all the time), but from looked from technical point different break up points doesn't seem so logical because Mesa has fixed bias... unless the color codes don't mean slight variances on the voltages...?

So I am a little confused about those, maybe I'll put red ones on next time to see and hear if there's any difference.

Well, I am just going by what my local Mesa dealer told me. They could be wrong. I agree with you that it seems odd considering the fixed bias and testing they put the tubes through.

[markmann]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan
Hi Friends!

Here are couple of pics from a conference gig in Holland a couple of weeks back. The two sprogs in the second pic are my two daughters. The piccies were of course chosen because my F-50 was in full view. :D

So how about you? Do you have any gig pics to share? I'd love to see the brothers in action! :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy. Thanks for the pic's, Andy, it's always nice to put a face with the name. I have some gig's coming up so I'll try to remember to get a couple shots with the F-50.

Mark

[jrc6]

Hey poly,

welcome to the F50 botherhood. Man, that F30 sounds great!!! I loved the "Is this love," cover. You have really soulful playing. The tones were very organic, vintage, 3d, vocal like. I am very impressed. The solo on that tune sounded like the contour. Very thick, with slight scoop in the mids. Sykes would be proud of that tone!!!

Keep up the great playing

jrc

[GTM]

I just got my Hotplate 2 days ago and I have to say that I am very pleased. I'm finding very useable tones at all levels of attenuation, even at 16 ohms with the level set almost all the way down! Of course the amp sounds the best if you can play it cranked, but when at home giving my ears and the neighbors a break this is an extremely useful tool. I highly recommend.

I use a Digitech 2120 rack processor in the loop. The additional buffering may help, but I can not say that the Hotplate is muffling the sound at all. Some guys here have complained about this. Of course you won't be moving air, but other than that I can't complain at all. Very happy:D

[Snax Panther]

Just got this in the mail today...

Custom shop F-50:

http://diabx0r.kicks-ass.org/f50-1.jpg http://diabx0r.kicks-ass.org/f50-2.jpg

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Senor Forum
Just got this in the mail today...

Custom shop F-50:

http://diabx0r.kicks-ass.org/f50-1.jpg http://diabx0r.kicks-ass.org/f50-2.jpg Nice! :D Have fun, man.

What other amp do you use? I ask because running my Mesa F-100 and Rivera R55-12 at the same time is so choice and if you have the means, I highly suggest a dual amp rig just for fun.

[Snax Panther]

Originally posted by hal9000
Nice! :D Have fun, man.

What other amp do you use? I ask because running my Mesa F-100 and Rivera R55-12 at the same time is so choice and if you have the means, I highly suggest a dual amp rig just for fun.

My second amp is kind of secret, but hey, what the hell, I'll have the pics and clips ready this weekend anyway.

It's a Germino Monterey Classic with an older 70s I believe marshall cab with GBs.

:)

[VoodooChild24]

WOW!!! That thing is a beauty!! Let me be the first one to welcome you to the F-series brotherhood. That's a gorgeous amp you got there.

Post some clips soon! (Damn the color of that amp - freaking awesome.)
:D

[musicdog400]

I ask because running my Mesa F-100 and Rivera R55-12 at the same time is so choice and if you have the means, I highly suggest a dual amp rig just for fun.

How would you describe the difference between the F-100 and the Rivera ?

[hal9000]

Originally posted by musicdog400


How would you describe the difference between the F-100 and the Rivera ? Check out my review in this thread: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1045102

[Snax Panther]

Hal, your settings fucking ROCK.

I absolutely love your "Vintage High Gain" setting. That setting is the perfect freaking rock tone.

:)

[markmann]

Originally posted by GTM
I just got my Hotplate 2 days ago and I have to say that I am very pleased. I'm finding very useable tones at all levels of attenuation, even at 16 ohms with the level set almost all the way down! Of course the amp sounds the best if you can play it cranked, but when at home giving my ears and the neighbors a break this is an extremely useful tool. I highly recommend.

I use a Digitech 2120 rack processor in the loop. The additional buffering may help, but I can not say that the Hotplate is muffling the sound at all. Some guys here have complained about this. Of course you won't be moving air, but other than that I can't complain at all. Very happy:D I agree, I get very good practice tone all the way down. For playing live or rehersal with a band I attenuate using a volume control in the loop but when I'm practicing at home by myself I use the Hot Plate because I can get the volume down a lot further and still have a good representation of my cranked tone. The Hotplate does change the tone a small ammount when I get below -8db but it's not really worse, just slightly different. The Hotplate doesn't detract from the tone IMO. I will definitely use it live if I need to... haven't recorded with it yet. It's a great tool and will save your hearing. It's a much better option that cranking it up and using ear protection or using headphones when you need to be quiet.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Senor Forum
Hal, your settings fucking ROCK.

I absolutely love your "Vintage High Gain" setting. That setting is the perfect freaking rock tone.

:) Thanks buddy! :)

Here's your updated rig.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000SenorForumRavelleF50Rig.png

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Senor Forum
Just got this in the mail today...

Custom shop F-50:
...

Wow! Your F-50 looks even better in those photos. I think wheat grille is killer, and the brown sets it off nicely. Very cool and welcome to the brotherhood! :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Kalaghoda]

My custom F-50

[Kalaghoda]

Did you get the cocoa bronco or some darker tolex?

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Kalaghoda
My custom F-50

Hey Kalaghoda,

Welcome to HCAF and to the F-series Lounge :) it's great to see the brotherhood continue to expand and I hope you will have as much fun on the forum as I do. :cool:

How long have you owned your F-50, and what kind of music do you play? I noticed you posted a picture that Mesa uses on their website in their gallery of custom work. Does your amp have a story attached - tell us more! :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Shadow.Dancer]

I was hoping ya'll could give a newbie a bit of help. I replaced a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with an F-30. The Mesa is far more flexible and a great amp... but, I miss the crystal clean sounds I got out of the Fender. The Mesa sounds darker... even though I've pulled out the bright knob. Maybe I just haven't found the magic combination of settings yet, or perhaps I need a hotplate so that I can crank it up a bit without irritating the neighbors. Any advice would be greatly welcomed, as I am really Jonesing for the HRD clean sound again.

[Snax Panther]

Originally posted by Shadow.Dancer
I was hoping ya'll could give a newbie a bit of help. I replaced a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with an F-30. The Mesa is far more flexible and a great amp... but, I miss the crystal clean sounds I got out of the Fender. The Mesa sounds darker... even though I've pulled out the bright knob. Maybe I just haven't found the magic combination of settings yet, or perhaps I need a hotplate so that I can crank it up a bit without irritating the neighbors. Any advice would be greatly welcomed, as I am really Jonesing for the HRD clean sound again.

I'd like an answer too.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Shadow.Dancer
I was hoping ya'll could give a newbie a bit of help. I replaced a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with an F-30. The Mesa is far more flexible and a great amp... but, I miss the crystal clean sounds I got out of the Fender. The Mesa sounds darker... even though I've pulled out the bright knob. Maybe I just haven't found the magic combination of settings yet, or perhaps I need a hotplate so that I can crank it up a bit without irritating the neighbors. Any advice would be greatly welcomed, as I am really Jonesing for the HRD clean sound again. My singer used to have a HRD so I'm pretty familiar with the clean tones. One big difference between the two amps is with the reverb. While the HRD has a lush deep verb, my singer tended to get lost in the mix because he used too much. Whereas with the F-series, the reverb is a little drier on its own, but in a mix it’s just about right. Anyway, try the setting in my sig called "Single Coil Blackface Clean" (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000sF-SeriesAuditionSettingsrevA.jpg) which is pretty much how I have the clean channel set when I play with my fat Strat. If you're playing with a humbucker guitar or you want more headroom knock down the gain to around 10:00, and drop the midrange a bit to 10-11:00 which will sharpen the highs. Personally, I can't imagine really using the bright switch in the setting I listed because it is already bright with my 2x12 V30 combo. YMMV though depending on speakers, guitar, pickups etc. If you’re looking for more of a tweed type of sound, you can use the OD channel with the gain set almost off (8:30), EQ to taste and master high. Dann’sTheMan is the progenitor of that approach and it sounds really good. Anyway, give the setting a try and see if is a good starting point for you.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Interesting coincidence that this question should be raised at this point in time, as last night I was playing along to some awesome Strat into Blackface tracks (Sherman Robertson's "Am I Losing You" and other tracks from the album, "I'm the Man"), and I spent some time trying to cop the tone with my F-50.

The end result was absolutely awesome, and sounded very authentic, with more of a looser Fender tone, rather than the typically tighter hi-fi Boogie voicing. It's been a while since I've spent some quality time with a HRD (I once toured Florida with one), but I remember them sounding darker than say a Fender Twin. This setting sounds much more like a vintage Blackface, but I hope you'll find it as inspirational as I did:

Clean Channel, Bright OFF, in o'clock settings:

G:9 T:1.30 M:12 B:1 MV:3

Yep, that's right I ran the Master Volume at 3 o'clock :eek: but I used the Volume-pedal-in-the-loop trick to reign in the overall loudness.

Just as importantly, I ran my Dynacomp into the front end as a boost to get the pre-amp treble sparkling (Output:5 Sensitivity:11). Hitting the front end hard like this sounds different to my ears than cranking the Clean channel's Gain control. I've found that the Clean channel voicing becomes tighter and more modern sounding as the gain is turned up - I love these tones too. However if you're after a more vintage Blackface tone, with that looser voicing, try keeping the Gain between 9 and 11 o'clock, and slam the front end harder with a clean boost pedal. :cool:

You should also know that I was using my Charvel Strat on Neck or Neck+Middle single coil type pickups, :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[hal9000]

Great post Andy, as usual. :)

I'd also like to add that I too boost the front end with my EQ pedal sometimes and I really love the funk tones I can cop. I agree there is a bit of difference between gain up around 12:00 and gain low + boost to get to the same level. So, I second the good idea to experiment with a boost as I have had very favorable results.

[Shadow.Dancer]

Thank you everyone! I've got some work ahead of me tonight.

I noticed that the advice came for an F-50. I'm using an F-30. How would you characterize the difference between the two?

Cheers,
SD

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Shadow.Dancer
Thank you everyone! I've got some work ahead of me tonight.

I noticed that the advice came for an F-50. I'm using an F-30. How would you characterize the difference between the two?

Cheers,
SD Well, there's no doubt that the F-30 is a brother to the F-50, but the big differences are in the output tube type, size of the transformers, and speaker type. Since the HRD is a 2x6L6 amp naturally you'd expect for the F-50 (2x6L6) to be the closest match. IMO, EL84 amps have a bigger midrange character, quicker breakup and less bass than 6L6 amps. I prefer the 4x6L6 in my F-100 for clean because of the piano-like corpulent low end and glassy highs. So, for my settings you'll have to adjust the EQ to taste on the F-30, but you should still get very close to what I intended.

[Shadow.Dancer]

Thank you Hal. Your advice is much appreciated.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by hal9000
Great post Andy, as usual. :)

I'd also like to add that I too boost the front end with my EQ pedal sometimes and I really love the funk tones I can cop. I agree there is a bit of difference between gain up around 12:00 and gain low + boost to get to the same level. So, I second the good idea to experiment with a boost as I have had very favorable results.

Thanks Neil, :)

I've found that a clean boost pedal is awesome for expanding the range of vintage sounds in the F-series, both on the clean channel and on the dirty channel. This is how I often run my MXR Dynacomp in my rig, and when I'm looking for a more old school gain sound, I stomp it in, and lower the amp's gain. Highly recommended tip. :)

Shadow.Dancer, hal9000 has excellently summed up the differences between the 6L6 F-series (F-50 and F-100) and the EL84 based F-30. I find that the F-30 has a stiffer mid-range, and combined with that earlier break up, can allow you to dial the amp to sound more "British". The 6L6 F-series are unapologetically "American" sounding in their voicing, both on the clean and the dirty sounds. This bodes well for Fender aficionados as those clean sounds can be very Californian and spanky.

Which you will prefer will simply come down to taste, and both amps have their fair share of fans. The F-50 and F-100 sound very similar to my ears, and are like brothers that could be confused as twins. The F-30 shares the same incredible touch sensitivity and is unquestionably part of the immediate family, but has it's own vibe going on. :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[markmann]

Originally posted by Shadow.Dancer
Thank you everyone! I've got some work ahead of me tonight.

I noticed that the advice came for an F-50. I'm using an F-30. How would you characterize the difference between the two?

Cheers,
SD I've spent time with the F-30 and F-50 and I would basically say that the main difference between the two is that the 30 from a tone standpoint is darker but the overall character is very similar. All of the controls react in the same manner between the two as well but I adjust the 30 differently to compensate for the differences. Since the 30 is darker I brighten it up by adding treble and decrease bass, mids to taste. The 50 has more clean headroom and is louder so I adjust the green gain a bit lower on the 30. As with the 50 you need to keep the master above 9:00.

Have fun,

Mark

[Surfcaster]

Hi folks,

I've been an F50 owner for just over 2 years now, but just now found this forum by way of reference from The Boogie Board...read a few pages and it seems like a good place to be! Anyway, I've got one of the early narrow body F50s and have been very happy with it.

My current electric guitars are a Charvel Surfcaster Semi-hollow Hard Tail (DiMarzio Virtual PAF HB in the bridge, Kent Armstrong Hot Lipstick in the neck) and a MIM Strat with red, gold and blue lace sensors in it from bridge to neck.

I got into home recording about a year and a half ago when I bought a Boss BR864 digital 8-track workstation and I've got a few songs on the following Soundclick website, many of which feature the F50, and after hearing many of your excellent tones and playing, thought I'd share, too:

http://www.soundclick.com/surfcaster

Actually, most of the songs are recorded direct, since I've got a family and do most of my recording after they're in bed. Unfortunately, the direct out on the F50 is probably the biggest disappointment on the amp (followed closely by the dry, sterile reverb!). However, I've managed to get a decent (to my ears, anyway) signal, routing it from the F50 line out>Boss GE-7>Tech 21 NYC TRI OD (using speaker simulator and treble and bass controls for added EQ)>BR864 with just a touch more EQ.

The exceptions to this are on the following songs:

Ascension - Rhythm close mic'd just off speaker cone with an SM-57, lead is actually the JCM800 patch from a V-AMP 2.

Your Love - Rhythm mic'd as above

The Best One - mic'd as above

Strange Horizons - I was using an Ampeg Reverberocket then

All the rest is the F50 direct using the signal chain shown above.

The bass is recorded using a cheap Fender Squire Bronco bass using amp models in the BR864, drums programmed using BR864 built in drums.

Mind you, I make no claims to be a vocalist, nor do I claim to know what I'm doing in mixing and mastering and the like :p , but feel free to have a listen and feel free to comment.

Anyway, I'm glad to find you all here!

Jonathan

[musicdog400]

Surfcaster, those clips sound good !

Here are the settings I used for the clean jazz F-50 clip I posted in another thread:

Gain 11:45 (pulled out for bright)
Treble 1:30
Mid 2:00
Bass 9:30
Reverb 12:00
Master 9:00
Standby 12:00 (this one took a little dialing in)
Power 12:00

[VoodooChild24]

Hey Surfacster, Let me welcome you to the Mesa F-Series brotherhood! Wow, i really loved the tones you generated from those clips. I also enjoyed your playing, it was really good.

The F series is a really versatile amp. It really caters to a wide variety of music as documented on this thread.

Also, please share us the settings that you used on those songs. Enjoy your stay. You can also check Hal9000's settings on my sig.

Hey Msucidog400 - i'm gonna test your settings asap. Thanks.


You guys rock!

Desi :)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Surfcaster
Hi folks,

I've been an F50 owner for just over 2 years now, but just now found this forum by way of reference from The Boogie Board...read a few pages and it seems like a good place to be! Anyway, I've got one of the early narrow body F50s and have been very happy with it.

My current electric guitars are a Charvel Surfcaster Semi-hollow Hard Tail (DiMarzio Virtual PAF HB in the bridge, Kent Armstrong Hot Lipstick in the neck) and a MIM Strat with red, gold and blue lace sensors in it from bridge to neck.

I got into home recording about a year and a half ago when I bought a Boss BR864 digital 8-track workstation and I've got a few songs on the following Soundclick website, many of which feature the F50, and after hearing many of your excellent tones and playing, thought I'd share, too:

http://www.soundclick.com/surfcaster

Actually, most of the songs are recorded direct, since I've got a family and do most of my recording after they're in bed. Unfortunately, the direct out on the F50 is probably the biggest disappointment on the amp (followed closely by the dry, sterile reverb!). However, I've managed to get a decent (to my ears, anyway) signal, routing it from the F50 line out>Boss GE-7>Tech 21 NYC TRI OD (using speaker simulator and treble and bass controls for added EQ)>BR864 with just a touch more EQ.

The exceptions to this are on the following songs:

Ascension - Rhythm close mic'd just off speaker cone with an SM-57, lead is actually the JCM800 patch from a V-AMP 2.

Your Love - Rhythm mic'd as above

The Best One - mic'd as above

Strange Horizons - I was using an Ampeg Reverberocket then

All the rest is the F50 direct using the signal chain shown above.

The bass is recorded using a cheap Fender Squire Bronco bass using amp models in the BR864, drums programmed using BR864 built in drums.

Mind you, I make no claims to be a vocalist, nor do I claim to know what I'm doing in mixing and mastering and the like :p , but feel free to have a listen and feel free to comment.

Anyway, I'm glad to find you all here!

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

Welcome to the F-series Lounge, and thank you for making your first post at HCAF here! The brotherhood of F-series owners here are all great people, and we're thrilled to welcome you amongst us. :)

I also play a Japanese Charvel as my main guitar, and I believe my ST Custom and the Surfcaster were launched around the same time, and shared similar hardware. I think I spotted a Taylor on your soundclick page, and of course, we also have the F-series in common, so I think we're gonna get on great! :p

I enjoyed the songs on your soundclick page - most impressed with the tones you laid down, considering so many of them were recorded direct. Cool playing too! I look forward to hearing more. In the meantime, once more let me say, welcome brother, :D

Big smiles,

Andy.

[VoodooChild24]

Hey Jonathan,

Don't forget to share your settings! Thanks. :)

[Surfcaster]

Thanks for the welcome, and I appreciate your kind comments...it's always a thrill to hear people make good comments about your tone! :D And while I feel my playing has tons of room for improvement, I appreciate your kind comments in that regard, too.

Sorry for the long post,...settings are at the bottom if you want to skip down.

Andy...I bought my Surfcaster on e-bay from a guy who apparently worked for Jackson at the time and was involved in either the design or production of the Surfcaster and had several of them. I guess he was no longer working there and needed cash so was selling off some of them he really didn't use. He said this was a '91 model (and some serial number research confirmed that). It was virtually unplayed, no visible fret wear, not even the lightest scratch on the finish and the protective plastic was still on the pickguard. I would have preferred the cherry burst finish, but when you're buying an out-of-production model you can't always be that choosy! And yes, my acoustic is a Taylor...a 2001 414CE with the Fishman Prefix Blender which I've been very happy with...I take it you've got a Taylor, too?

Desi...the settings could get complicated...especially the direct ones, because much of the resulting tone is shaped by external equipment after the signal leaves the amp...plus the amp settings are pretty extreme...wouldn't sound good through the speaker. But if you're interested in all that, I'm happy to provide it...let me know. But here are the settings I usually use when playing through the speaker.

For cleans I usually go with this, and this would have been the setting for The Best One: (And Best One was on the Strat neck p'up, which is a blue lace sensor...like a 50s PAF sound)

Gain 1:30 (pulled out for bright)
Treble 1:30
Mid 11:30
Bass 10:30
Reverb 10:00
Master 9:30

For the lead channel it looks something like this:

Gain 9:00-12:00 (up to 2:00 or 3:00 if I'm really going for a modern high gain sound)
Treble 1:00
Mid 11:00
Bass 11:30
Reverb 10:00
Master 9:30

Sometimes at lower gain settings I'll punch up the midrange a little. For Ascension it would had Gain around 10:00 and the mids around 12:00 (Using the Surfcaster bridge p'up)

musicdog400...I'll be anxious to try out your jazz settings...what kind of guitar/p'ups do you use with that?

Jonathan

[andershoeg]

Wow Anders!

What is it with Scandinavians and their musical talent? Awesome website and great musicianship on your band's songs - which I thought were very querky and cool. I liked them and I loved your guitaring contributions - most impressed. I left a brief message in your guestbook.

I look forward to hearing more of your music, and if it happens to involve your new F-30, then even better.

Big smiles,

Andy.



Well, remembered your writing, Andy :) Just wanted to let you know that this weekend we ( www.frangoheep.dk )are going to record the guitars for our next demo. And I've decided to leave my single recto at home, and only bring my sweet little F-30 with me! I'm so excited to hear what it will do to our overall "band-sound"! And I will surely let you know when it's done, mixed and ready to rock the rock-clubs around little Denmark:p
BTW; we did a "test-recording" of our newest songs, and selected 5 of them to represent the band. Some of it can be heard at our site, if anone is interested. (Well, the guitar on those songs are my recto through a sm58....not very optimal....but when you are in a hury....;) ). Well....all this sounded almost like a commercial......not my intension! Just wanted to share my excitement for the next 3-4 days :)

Best regards
Anders

[Dann'sTheMan]

Hey Brothers,

I'm going to be in San Francisco for this week, and I'm thinking I will try to pick up a Studio Projects C1 or C3 LDC mike. I think the C1 or C3 will do excellent jobs of ambient miking the F-50.

On this subject, I thought you guys might be interested in the results of a little bit of experimentation that I was fooling around with recently. I was going very much for a more Classic High Gain sound with my Charvel Strat, and I tried backing my SM57 a few centimetres off the grill and I liked the way it turned out (http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/dannstheman/music/MicPlacementClassicHighGain.mp3). :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Tag]

Hey Fellas,

Just picked up my F-50 head on thursday, from craigslist. Turns out the guy I bought it from is a HC'er too!

So far I REALLY dig it. And that does not come easy for me...

Especially the cleans, my sister-in-law (age 16) was over while I was playing through it and she said the sound (of the clean channel) wrapped around her like a blanket! :eek: :D Which is damn cool coming from a non-musician. She even told me later that she kept thinking about it later that day, and even told her boyfriend (non-musician) how good it sounded too.

Anyhow, that was kind of a pointless story, but it's pretty amazing when something sounds good enough to impress a total non-musician.

Ok, back to my experience so far:

Love the cleans. I need to tweak a bit more on both channels, as the eq is not as sensitive as I'm used to. The drive is definitely one of the best 6L6 drives I've heard, I'm usually more of an EL34 kind of guy.

One other interesting point: I tried the head so far with my Matamp Green 4x12 loaded with V30s/G12H30s and also my circa 80's Marshall 4x10, and I actually liked it better with the Marshall! :eek: (Those Marshall's ARE great cabs though).

So...now I'm wondering why I'm still typing instead of playing, ha! Off to go play. I will have to check back and start on page 1 of this thread for my F-education. :)

[ant]

Originally posted by Taganov
Hey Fellas,

Just picked up my F-50 head on thursday, from craigslist. Turns out the guy I bought it from is a HC'er too!

So far I REALLY dig it. And that does not come easy for me...

Especially the cleans, my sister-in-law (age 16) was over while I was playing through it and she said the sound (of the clean channel) wrapped around her like a blanket! :eek: :D Which is damn cool coming from a non-musician. She even told me later that she kept thinking about it later that day, and even told her boyfriend (non-musician) how good it sounded too.

Anyhow, that was kind of a pointless story, but it's pretty amazing when something sounds good enough to impress a total non-musician.

Ok, back to my experience so far:

Love the cleans. I need to tweak a bit more on both channels, as the eq is not as sensitive as I'm used to. The drive is definitely one of the best 6L6 drives I've heard, I'm usually more of an EL34 kind of guy.

One other interesting point: I tried the head so far with my Matamp Green 4x12 loaded with V30s/G12H30s and also my circa 80's Marshall 4x10, and I actually liked it better with the Marshall! :eek: (Those Marshall's ARE great cabs though).

So...now I'm wondering why I'm still typing instead of playing, ha! Off to go play. I will have to check back and start on page 1 of this thread for my F-education. :)

Glad you like the amp Fred. Thanks for going out of your way to pick it up.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan
Hey Brothers,

I'm going to be in San Francisco for this week, and I'm thinking I will try to pick up a Studio Projects C1 or C3 LDC mike. I think the C1 or C3 will do excellent jobs of ambient miking the F-50.

On this subject, I thought you guys might be interested in the results of a little bit of experimentation that I was fooling around with recently. I was going very much for a more Classic High Gain sound with my Charvel Strat, and I tried backing my SM57 a few centimetres off the grill and I liked the way it turned out (http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/dannstheman/music/MicPlacementClassicHighGain.mp3). :)

Big smiles,

Andy. Andy, that sounds great! :)

Is that the modded Marshall EQ (mids around 3:00)? Also, is that just a single SM57? It sounds so thick.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Taganov
Hey Fellas,

Just picked up my F-50 head on thursday, from craigslist. Turns out the guy I bought it from is a HC'er too!

So far I REALLY dig it. And that does not come easy for me...

Especially the cleans, my sister-in-law (age 16) was over while I was playing through it and she said the sound (of the clean channel) wrapped around her like a blanket! :eek: :D Which is damn cool coming from a non-musician. She even told me later that she kept thinking about it later that day, and even told her boyfriend (non-musician) how good it sounded too.

Anyhow, that was kind of a pointless story, but it's pretty amazing when something sounds good enough to impress a total non-musician.

Ok, back to my experience so far:

Love the cleans. I need to tweak a bit more on both channels, as the eq is not as sensitive as I'm used to. The drive is definitely one of the best 6L6 drives I've heard, I'm usually more of an EL34 kind of guy.

One other interesting point: I tried the head so far with my Matamp Green 4x12 loaded with V30s/G12H30s and also my circa 80's Marshall 4x10, and I actually liked it better with the Marshall! :eek: (Those Marshall's ARE great cabs though).

So...now I'm wondering why I'm still typing instead of playing, ha! Off to go play. I will have to check back and start on page 1 of this thread for my F-education. :)

Hi Taganov,

Welcome to the F-series brotherhood - it's cool to see your new amp is already making a positive impression with you and those around you. :)

The F-50 certainly proudly wears it's 6L6 heritage on its sleeves on both the clean and drive channels - and I personally love it. I agree with you that the amp's core voicing cannot simply be EQ'd away, however, I must admit to being repeatedly surprised at new drive tones that I discovered even after owning the amp for years. The brothers here at HCAF were instrumental in that, and hal9000's audition settings are an excellent place to start. :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by hal9000
Andy, that sounds great! :)

Is that the modded Marshall EQ (mids around 3:00)? Also, is that just a single SM57? It sounds so thick.

Neil,

Thanks for commenting - I did consider starting a thread with this clip, but I decided it wasn't worth raising its profile.

Regarding the settings - it was my variation on the Marshall EQ, with the treble dialled back even more to 8 o'clock, and the mids at 2 o'clock. I then just dial the bass to give me as much girth as I desire - and note how the voicing changes from a more hot rodded Marshall to a thicker Mesa tone as the bass approaches 12 o'clock.

What I find interesting about this setting, is that it responds really well to a clean boost pedal, and this is what I did - using my MXR Dynacomp with the Output on max, and the Sensitivity on zero. The sound in the room was absolutely huge and a gorgeous classic high gain tone! I have a photo of the exact settings somewhere - I'll post it if I find it. :)

Regarding the mike, yep just a single SM-57 about three inches from the grill. I've noticed in my previous recordings, that my mike placement of the SM-57 (touching the combo's grill) can give the notes' attack a lot of compression. This technique makes the notes sit well in a mix, but for a standalone guitar track, I wanted to try and get more of what I was hearing in the room by reducing a little of that close miking proximity effect. I thought I'd share with my brothers here in case someone found this approach useful. :cool:

As for thick, Neil, you know as well as anyone that you can make the F-series sound as thick as you like. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Shadow.Dancer]

Say, for those of you who have both (or played both side by side) the F30 and the F50 or F100... does adding a bit more treble on the F30 cure the darkness and give you a tone like the F50?

Cheers,
SD

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Neil,

Thanks for commenting - I did consider starting a thread with this clip, but I decided it wasn't worth raising its profile.

Regarding the settings - it was my variation on the Marshall EQ, with the treble dialled back even more to 8 o'clock, and the mids at 2 o'clock. I then just dial the bass to give me as much girth as I desire - and note how the voicing changes from a more hot rodded Marshall to a thicker Mesa tone as the bass approaches 12 o'clock.

What I find interesting about this setting, is that it responds really well to a clean boost pedal, and this is what I did - using my MXR Dynacomp with the Output on max, and the Sensitivity on zero. The sound in the room was absolutely huge and a gorgeous classic high gain tone! I have a photo of the exact settings somewhere - I'll post it if I find it. :)

Regarding the mike, yep just a single SM-57 about three inches from the grill. I've noticed in my previous recordings, that my mike placement of the SM-57 (touching the combo's grill) can give the notes' attack a lot of compression. This technique makes the notes sit well in a mix, but for a standalone guitar track, I wanted to try and get more of what I was hearing in the room by reducing a little of that close miking proximity effect. I thought I'd share with my brothers here in case someone found this approach useful. :cool:

As for thick, Neil, you know as well as anyone that you can make the F-series sound as thick as you like. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

Hey Andy, that was a great soundling clip...thanks for sharing.

Hey, a little more on the Dynacomp...do you find it an essential part of your setup? To be honest, I've never really understood what a compressor does to your tone...so I don't really know how to use one. I've heard people on another forum talk about how they'd never be without one. Can you explain in laymans terms for me what it does to your tone and when you use it?

And mic placement is a whole other thing, too. When I first got my digital 8-track, I played around with that and was really surprised at how much difference even small changes in mic placement made. So you said you were about 3 inches off the grill...where was the mic in relation to the dust cap? The best spot I've found so far seems to be just at the edge of the dust cap and the cone.

Thanks!
Jonathan

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Shadow.Dancer
Say, for those of you who have both (or played both side by side) the F30 and the F50 or F100... does adding a bit more treble on the F30 cure the darkness and give you a tone like the F50?

Cheers,
SD

Mesa amps are often described as having interactive controls. What this means in practise is that you may have to do something seemingly counter-intuitive to achieve what you're after.

For example, to increase treble, you may find yourself reducing the bass. To get more gain, you may find yourself increasing the Treble. With a bit of experience, I believe you could dial in the various F-series to sound like each other. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[VoodooChild24]

Hey Andy,

I assume your in SF already. Have you been enjoying so far? Did you check out the guitar stores that we recommended? Enjoy your stay man. Keep us posted. SF has a rich musical history. Especially blues.

Cheers,

Desi

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Surfcaster


Hey Andy, that was a great soundling clip...thanks for sharing.

Hey, a little more on the Dynacomp...do you find it an essential part of your setup? To be honest, I've never really understood what a compressor does to your tone...so I don't really know how to use one. I've heard people on another forum talk about how they'd never be without one. Can you explain in laymans terms for me what it does to your tone and when you use it?

And mic placement is a whole other thing, too. When I first got my digital 8-track, I played around with that and was really surprised at how much difference even small changes in mic placement made. So you said you were about 3 inches off the grill...where was the mic in relation to the dust cap? The best spot I've found so far seems to be just at the edge of the dust cap and the cone.

Thanks!
Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for feeding back - I'm thrilled you enjoyed the clip. :) I just realised that I have a number of your questions unanswered :o - I will try to respond to all of them.

Firstly - what a cool story about your Surfcaster. The Surfcaster was originally a Jackson Custom Shop guitar, so it wouldn't surprise me if there are people in the US that were involved in its productization as part of the Charvel line - you can find a photo of the Jackson Surfcaster in the "Custom Shop Specials" section at the end of this catalogue (my ST Custom is present too), (http://www.jacksonmuseum.com/archives/history/salesfolders/sf90.html) the next year sees the introduction of the Charvel Surfcaster (http://www.jacksonmuseum.com/archives/history/salesfolders/sf92.html). :cool:

Yes I do have a Taylor - a 25th Anniversary Brazilian rosewood Grand Auditorium - jaw droppingly good guitar. You can hear my "Rose" in action in the Acoustic video clip in my sig. :)

Compressors are a tricky subject to describe, and are perhaps not the easiest FX to use well - I'm certainly still learning. The first thing that's worth keeping in mind, is to draw a distinction betweem studio compressors, and stomp box compressors. Technically, they do the same thing to the sound, and it's not difficult to understand - all compressors reduce the dynamic range of the sound - making low volume notes sound louder, and high volume notes sound softer. This is useful in a mix situation, because a track/channel/instrument with too much dynamic range can easily get lost on its softest notes because the other tracks/channels/instruments overwhelm it volume wise (and vice versa for the loud notes).

The reason I draw the distinction is that studio compressors usually try to do this as transparently as possible. It shouldn't really be obvious that they have been used, you should just be impressed that you can hear every track/channel/instrument very clearly. Guitar compressors on the other hand, although subtle, usually are not as sophisticated - especially in stomp box form. The fact that a guitar stomp box compressor subtly changes the tone is no bad thing as guitarists often effect their tones. Some stomp box compressors sound especially good as FX.

I use a 1978 MXR Dynacomp, and the best way for me to describe it is that it changes the envelope of the guitar note. It slows down the attack, warms up the body of the note and can make the tail trail off for longer. The art is tweaking this envelope for the sound and tone and volume you're after. It can sound stunning on clean sounds, giving the envelope more character -and is a very popular effect with country players. With careful tweaking it can make a just breaking up tone cleaner or dirtier with control over the amount of sustain you're after.

What's also cool about the vintage Dynacomps is that they can produce a high output level. Just turn down the Sensitivity control so the effect is not colouring the tone, and crank up the Output and you have a Clean Boost for slamming the input of your amp with a hotter signal (this approach is also popular with Tubescreamers and SD-1s). This sounds stunning on the F-50's clean channel and takes the awesome clean sound off the scale (especially with a touch of the compression effect). It gives me a wider palette of vintage break up and low gain tones - check out the Soul Video and the Woody Clean sound clips in my sig for some examples. I find that it does tend to muddy up the higher gain tones on the F-50 - so I use it less with those, however with modified Marshall setting that I used for this clip, it simply made it sound more classic, perhaps as a Tubescreamer or SD-1 in boost mode would. :cool:

Regarding the mike placement, I will try and find the photo that I took. I use a number of mike placement techniques that I've picked up over the years from studio guys etc. IIRC, I had the mike placed slightly off access pointing towards that popular dust-cap meets cone intersection, and about three inches away from the combo's grill. :)

Apologies for the long post, but I have a little time to spare as I wrestle with jetlag. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by VoodooChild24
Hey Andy,

I assume your in SF already. Have you been enjoying so far? Did you check out the guitar stores that we recommended? Enjoy your stay man. Keep us posted. SF has a rich musical history. Especially blues.

Cheers,

Desi

Hi Desi,

Thanks for asking my friend. :) I arrived in SF on Saturday evening. I did think about going out that night, but I was too shattered (10 hour flight and 8 hour time difference). On Sunday, I had a gentle start, and then headed into the convention centre. I worked 'til the evening and then went out for a meal with my US and other international colleagues.

I'm feeling much more comfortable now about getting around the city, and have a feel for the distances (I walked back to my hotel last night). I reckon I will have a couple of free days at the end of the week, so I will be planning how best to get to the guitar shops from where I am. If I can take in some live music too, then that would be awesome. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Shadow.Dancer]

Thank you Andy, your help is much appreciated.

SD

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan



Firstly - what a cool story about your Surfcaster. The Surfcaster was originally a Jackson Custom Shop guitar, so it wouldn't surprise me if there are people in the US that were involved in its productization as part of the Charvel line - you can find a photo of the Jackson Surfcaster in the "Custom Shop Specials" section at the end of this catalogue (my ST Custom is present too), (http://www.jacksonmuseum.com/archives/history/salesfolders/sf90.html) the next year sees the introduction of the Charvel Surfcaster (http://www.jacksonmuseum.com/archives/history/salesfolders/sf92.html). :cool:


Apologies for the long post, but I have a little time to spare as I wrestle with jetlag. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

Hey Andy,

Thanks for the reply...in spite of the jet lag...talk about dedication!!! And thanks for the links, too! That's the first time I've actually seen promotional materials about the Surfcaster. And it helped me remember that my guitar dates to '95...that's when they introduced the model with the 'bucker in the bridge. And it's cool to see what they retailed for originally. If I was buying new at the time, I would have had to go with the Tobacco Sunburst finish...they've got one on the cover of the 1995 catalog...pretty sweet, but the green is cool too, and unique!

The ST Custom looks like a sweet guitar, too! I'd like to see that one up close sometime!

Cheers,
Jonathan

[stomper]

Hi guys

I'm a recent convert to the f-series lounge and have to say that I'm really impressed by the knowledge shared here by this forum's members. I've learnt more about the f-50 amp that I own in the last 2 days than I have in the time I've owned it! Cheers!

I still consider myself a novice when it comes to the technicalities of amplifiers. I recently posted a thread asking for advice on the fact that the master volumes on the clean channel and the OD channel don't seem to match. With help from some guys in the f-series lounge, I found what I thought to be a faulty pre-amp tube. However, when I took the amp to the shop, the guy there tried a hollow-body guitar through it in the small 'amp room' and the volume levels between channels matched fine.

Is it possible that the guitar I'm playing (an Ibanez Roadstar II - RS135 - a cheap guitar, apparently - I bought it from a friend) gives different volumes through the different channels of the f-50?

My apologies if this is a dumb question, but (as stated) I'm new to the game...

p.s. further apologies for posting this twice - don't seem to have access to delete my (wrongly placed) post:confused:

[Raymund]

Hi, having any secrets for a Studio 22 as well ? At least it´s the daddy of the F-Series.
:rolleyes:

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by stomper
Hi guys

I'm a recent convert to the f-series lounge and have to say that I'm really impressed by the knowledge shared here by this forum's members. I've learnt more about the f-50 amp that I own in the last 2 days than I have in the time I've owned it! Cheers!

I still consider myself a novice when it comes to the technicalities of amplifiers. I recently posted a thread asking for advice on the fact that the master volumes on the clean channel and the OD channel don't seem to match. With help from some guys in the f-series lounge, I found what I thought to be a faulty pre-amp tube. However, when I took the amp to the shop, the guy there tried a hollow-body guitar through it in the small 'amp room' and the volume levels between channels matched fine.

Is it possible that the guitar I'm playing (an Ibanez Roadstar II - RS135 - a cheap guitar, apparently - I bought it from a friend) gives different volumes through the different channels of the f-50?

My apologies if this is a dumb question, but (as stated) I'm new to the game...

p.s. further apologies for posting this twice - don't seem to have access to delete my (wrongly placed) post:confused:

Hi Stomper

Welcome to the F-series brotherhood - as they would say, you will know experience the power of the dark side! :D Let me first tell you right off the bat that i'm a novice in guitar amp technicalities as well, but don't let that inhibit you from sharing your experiences to this lounge. Usually when i have some questions i rely to most of the guys here. I find all of them very helpful from simple, stupid to the most complicated questions. Two of the most knowledgable in this department is DannstheMann (Andy) and Hal9000 (Neil).

Or PM me as well if you want. Welcome bro!

:thu:

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by VoodooChild24


Hi Stomper

Welcome to the F-series brotherhood - as they would say, you will know experience the power of the dark side! :D Let me first tell you right off the bat that i'm a novice in guitar amp technicalities as well, but don't let that inhibit you from sharing your experiences to this lounge. Usually when i have some questions i rely to most of the guys here. I find all of them very helpful from simple, stupid to the most complicated questions. Two of the most knowledgable in this department is DannstheMann (Andy) and Hal9000 (Neil).

Or PM me as well if you want. Welcome bro!

:thu:

Thanks for the namecheck, my friend. There certainly is a lot of knowledge here, and I'm proud to admit that I learn a great deal from my F-series brothers and their posts here. The Lounge is an awesome resource. :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Raymund
Hi, having any secrets for a Studio 22 as well ? At least it´s the daddy of the F-Series.
:rolleyes:


I have a lot of time for the Studio .22 - it's the amp that turned me on to Mesa Boogies over fifteen years ago, when I turning to the dark side away from classical and acoustic guitar. :p

You're right that the F-series is evolved directly from the Studio .22's pre-amp design, and with EL84s in the power section, the F-30 is the closest in the F-series range to their daddy.

I'd recommend checking out all of the F-series tips, and the F-30 tips in particular, and seeing if they work with your Studio. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Tommi Inkila]

Huh, too many pages to read once again :)

Andy, great clip as usual.

I'm living quite exciting moments. We'll send our CD for mastering probably next week. Meanwhile, check out our new site (still under construction) and feel free to mess around in our backstage :D

EDIT: heh, I'm not sure can I watch my face as my avatar :freak:

[markmann]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Hi Desi,

Thanks for asking my friend. :) I arrived in SF on Saturday evening. I did think about going out that night, but I was too shattered (10 hour flight and 8 hour time difference). On Sunday, I had a gentle start, and then headed into the convention centre. I worked 'til the evening and then went out for a meal with my US and other international colleagues.

I'm feeling much more comfortable now about getting around the city, and have a feel for the distances (I walked back to my hotel last night). I reckon I will have a couple of free days at the end of the week, so I will be planning how best to get to the guitar shops from where I am. If I can take in some live music too, then that would be awesome. :)

Big smiles,

Andy. Hey Andy, I wish I would have known beforehand that you were going to be in SF last week. I was in the bay area at that same time and in SF for two days. It would have been cool to meet-up but I had no PC so I had no idea.
Next time.

Mark

[nickt]

Hi, long time no post!

could any of you F50 gurus recommend me a distortion pedal to go with my F50 to achieve a smooth, singing, violin type tone for solos? DS1? Rat?

I've had my F50 for a while but haven't been able to nail it yet!

I play classic and modern rock covers, and generally use Ch2 (no contour), and have been kicking on the "screamer" on my POD XTL for solos.

any advice/settings would be well appreciated!

cheers!

[Tommi Inkila]

I think I've found quite a like violin sound from my F. Gain, Treble and Middle a little bit over 12:00, bass slightly under and volume 9:30. The guitar affects a lot on the equation. Nice neck humbucker helps a lot.

What comes to pedals... I'd probably try a compression pedal first, then Bad Monkey or similar tube screamer, then Visual Sound Route 66 (tube screamer and compression on the same package) and last (and actually first), if I could afford it, Fulltone Full-Drive 2.

SD1 is quite trebly to my ears, works with Marshalls better I think. Rat gives dirtier sound.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Tommi Inkila
Huh, too many pages to read once again :)

Andy, great clip as usual.

I'm living quite exciting moments. We'll send our CD for mastering probably next week. Meanwhile, check out our new site (still under construction) and feel free to mess around in our backstage :D

EDIT: heh, I'm not sure can I watch my face as my avatar :freak:

Hey Tommi,

It's great to have you back! You are always missed when you're away. I guess you've been working on the new album - please let me know how I can get hold of a copy. I've loved everything that you've posted and it's not every day that I can pick up a CD full of beautifully recorded F-series tones! :cool:

Thanks for checking out my clip :) - speaking of clips, there's something I'm hoping you can help me with. Do you still have those awesome metal clips that you first posted (Building The Mood, Sneak Peaker etc) hosted somewhere on the web? If so, check out my next post to see what I'd like to do with them...

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Dear Brothers,

I've been thinking about the wide range of F-series clips that have been generously shared (more joys of jet lag). I suspect that this thread is one of the very best destinations on the web for learning about the F-series. What I think would be cool, would be to have it be a one stop shop for clips too. :cool:

I'm planning to put direct links to the wide range of clips that the brotherhood have kind created into the first post of this thread. This should make it easy to find and refer to. I was wondering if you've still got any of your previously shared clips hosted somewhere on the web, would you PM me the links and the clip title, and I shall be glad to add them in the F-series Clip archive. Oh, and if at any time you need to take your clips off the web e.g. to free up needed space, then just PM me again to let me know and I'll remove the link. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by nickt
Hi, long time no post!

could any of you F50 gurus recommend me a distortion pedal to go with my F50 to achieve a smooth, singing, violin type tone for solos? DS1? Rat?

I've had my F50 for a while but haven't been able to nail it yet!

I play classic and modern rock covers, and generally use Ch2 (no contour), and have been kicking on the "screamer" on my POD XTL for solos.

any advice/settings would be well appreciated!

cheers!

Hi nickt,

What are your settings, including the master volume?

I agree with Tommi, in fact I think smooth singing violin type lead tones are actually one of the F-50's strength, but the master volume needs to be above 9.30 on the Contour channel, and above 10/10.30 on the lead channel. Try setting the EQ as Tommi suggested on the Contour channel, or alternatively you can push the mids even further (say to 2.30) on the Lead channel.

I use the "volume-pedal-in-the-loop" trick to keep the overall volume under control, so my suggestion for the ideal pedal, would be a humble volume pedal (I actually use my G-Major). You could of course use an attenuator like a Hotplate or a Powerbrake instead.

Do you think there might be an issue regarding where you run your master volume? :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by markmann
Hey Andy, I wish I would have known beforehand that you were going to be in SF last week. I was in the bay area at that same time and in SF for two days. It would have been cool to meet-up but I had no PC so I had no idea.
Next time.

Mark

Hi Mark,

That would have been absolutely cool to have met up last week - shame it didn't come together. Let's make it happen next time. :) You may be interested in hearing more about my SF guitar shenanigans in this thread: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1059635

Big smiles,

Andy.

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan
Dear Brothers,

I've been thinking about the wide range of F-series clips that have been generously shared (more joys of jet lag). I suspect that this thread is one of the very best destinations on the web for learning about the F-series. What I think would be cool, would be to have it be a one stop shop for clips too. :cool:

I'm planning to put direct links to the wide range of clips that the brotherhood have kind created into the first post of this thread. This should make it easy to find and refer to. I was wondering if you've still got any of your previously shared clips hosted somewhere on the web, would you PM me the links and the clip title, and I shall be glad to add them in the F-series Clip archive. Oh, and if at any time you need to take your clips off the web e.g. to free up needed space, then just PM me again to let me know and I'll remove the link. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

Hi Andy,

This would be a very good idea. I think i can help you with this. Check PM. Thanks!

[Tommi Inkila]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Hey Tommi,

It's great to have you back! You are always missed when you're away. I guess you've been working on the new album - please let me know how I can get hold of a copy. I've loved everything that you've posted and it's not every day that I can pick up a CD full of beautifully recorded F-series tones! :cool:

Thanks for checking out my clip :) - speaking of clips, there's something I'm hoping you can help me with. Do you still have those awesome metal clips that you first posted (Building The Mood, Sneak Peaker etc) hosted somewhere on the web? If so, check out my next post to see what I'd like to do with them...

Big smiles,

Andy.
Good to be back Andy!

I think it's now settled that our album will be sent to Cutting Room for mastering on next Monday. It took over 20 months of my life to do this album... so I'm quite excited and tired but relieved at the same time.

It takes about two weeks before I get the master CD. As we don't have record company yet, the official release is still unknown. We aren't going to sell it ourselves unless it comes the only option. Still, let's see how it turns out and what I can do. At least we are planning to put "a trailer" of the album to our website as soon as we have the final product.

Here are my clips... they are hosted on my bands new server so there is plenty of space.

http://www.scenerychannel.com/broadcast/Tommi Inkila - Building The Mood.mp3 Building The Mood
http://www.scenerychannel.com/broadcast/Tommi Inkila - Seveno.mp3 Seveno
http://www.scenerychannel.com/broadcast/Tommi Inkila - F50 Sneak Peaker.mp3 Sneak Peaker

EDIT: Didn't PM these, but I guess it's okay this way too :)

[nickt]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Hi nickt,

What are your settings, including the master volume?

Andy.

Hi Andy

I have been running the pre-gain at around 1 (o'clock) bass and treble around 12 and mid around 11. (Channel 2)

Master is usually around 9.

I guess I need to play around with the contour a little more, as it always seems a little harsh sounding.

I was always under the impression from interviews with Randall Smith that the contour EQ was pre-set? I guess from all the settings helpfully posted here, I've got the wrong end of the stick!

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by nickt


Hi Andy

I have been running the pre-gain at around 1 (o'clock) bass and treble around 12 and mid around 11. (Channel 2)

Master is usually around 9.

I guess I need to play around with the contour a little more, as it always seems a little harsh sounding.

I was always under the impression from interviews with Randall Smith that the contour EQ was pre-set? I guess from all the settings helpfully posted here, I've got the wrong end of the stick!

Hi nickt,

Your settings seem fine, although I would encourage pushing the mids more, and maybe even the gain - especially with single coil guitars. The key thing is to try and get the Master above 10/10.30 on the Lead channel. Something else that will add to the floaty quality is to add some delay in the loop e.g. 350ms at 25% wet, with enough feedback for 3 or so repeats. If you're using your POD XTL for this, then you can use the output control to reduce the overall volume level and set the amp's Master Volume at 10.30 or more. :)

Regarding the Contour being a pre-set EQ, yes that is correct, but you may have confused which EQ was being referred to. Mesa have often put in two EQ circuits into their amplifiers, right from the early models. There's the typical Treble-Mid-Bass tonestack, and there is Mesa's famed 5-band graphic EQ circuit. In the Contour mode, the typical Treble-Mid-Bass tone stack is still fully adjustable, however the 5-band graphic EQ is brought into the signal path preset in the popular "V" shape. There are still a lot of great tones to find in the Contour mode - I hope you have as much fun searching for them as I continue to. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[strength_666]

what is the f series tone like for heavy tones and metal, i want a doomy sludge tone and a responsive metal tone. however, i dont like the scooped mid tone, can i get that from ch. 2 or 3? what can the f series hi gain tone be compared to (amps/pedals/ect.)?

how does the clean sound, and how about it with the gain up, or ch.2 with gain down?

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by strength_666
what is the f series tone like for heavy tones and metal, i want a doomy sludge tone and a responsive metal tone. however, i dont like the scooped mid tone, can i get that from ch. 2 or 3? what can the f series hi gain tone be compared to (amps/pedals/ect.)?

how does the clean sound, and how about it with the gain up, or ch.2 with gain down?

Hi strength_666,

Welcome to the F-series Lounge. Many find this thread a one stop shop for F-series information, including those interested and even owners too - unfortunately it takes a little reading! :) You may be particularly interested in the F-series Clip archive that I'm starting to document in the first post in this thread - there are some excellent Metal clips by Tommi Inkila (and in time, I'll try and add some of the other excellent Metal and High Gain clips that other owners have generously shared). There are a range of clean sound clips, and you may be interested to know that my Low Gain clips were recorded on Channel 2 with the Gain down. I know some of the brothers here love the crunch sound on Channel 1 with the gain up.

The F-series is one Mesa's more inexpensive models, but there are many here who think it's one of the very best sounding and versatile amplifiers that Mesa make - I for one chose to follow my ears and buy it over more expensive Mesas that were all within budget.

FWIW, the F-50 is one of only a handful of amps ever to win UK Guitarist magazine's top Gold accolade. You can read the review here (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/guitarist-F-50/Guitarist_f-50.htm), and you may also be interested in reading about the design evolution of the F-series here (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/guitarist-F-50/Designing_f-50.htm). :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[nickt]

Andy and Tommi

thanks for the informative replies!
I'll give your suggestions a go.

My dilemma is always where to chain the XTL.

I do use volume swells with the pedal, and also the built in wah (occasionally a stomp as well), so it makes it difficult to put it in the loop. Then again, delays etc sound better in the loop. Ah..the age old conundrum!:confused:

I've come to the conclusion that the best compromise is to stick the XTL in the front, where the delay sounds ok (to my ears anyway) but might be worth buying a volume pedal to attenuate in the loop as you suggest Andy. Certainly more cost effective than a Hot Plate etc!:D

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by nickt
Andy and Tommi

thanks for the informative replies!
I'll give your suggestions a go.

My dilemma is always where to chain the XTL.

I do use volume swells with the pedal, and also the built in wah (occasionally a stomp as well), so it makes it difficult to put it in the loop. Then again, delays etc sound better in the loop. Ah..the age old conundrum!:confused:

I've come to the conclusion that the best compromise is to stick the XTL in the front, where the delay sounds ok (to my ears anyway) but might be worth buying a volume pedal to attenuate in the loop as you suggest Andy. Certainly more cost effective than a Hot Plate etc!:D

It seems that Line6 missed a trick by not supporting the four cable method with the XTL. I know the GT8 supports it, and I believe the Vox Tonelab SE does too.

My requirements in front of the amp are pretty basic - I just run a compressor and a wah-wah. However with my chunky MIDI controller, I take up quite a bit of floor space. I may have to mount them all on a pedal board... :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[GTM]

Originally posted by nickt
Andy and Tommi

I've come to the conclusion that the best compromise is to stick the XTL in the front, where the delay sounds ok (to my ears anyway) but might be worth buying a volume pedal to attenuate in the loop as you suggest Andy. Certainly more cost effective than a Hot Plate etc!:D

I have an F-50 and IMO the Hotplate is well worth every penny. I like to use it in all ranges of attenuation. I use a Digitech 2120 FX processor in the loop. It has a foot controller that I use as a volume control. I use it sometimes but over all the Hotplate is the way to go, again IMO. There was a guy posting here in the AMp Forum selling an 8 ohm for $175 which is a great deal. Check it out.

[nickt]

believe it or not I had a Hot plate, and sold it on evil bay! :mad:

[strength_666]

thank you Dann'sTheMan
i have never come across an F-100 head, but have seen many combos, how much do f-100 heads sell for usually?

[hal9000]

Originally posted by strength_666
thank you Dann'sTheMan
i have never come across an F-100 head, but have seen many combos, how much do f-100 heads sell for usually? List in the US is $1199.00 for the long chassis head. The 2x12 combo is $1399.00.

Mesa List Prices (http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=1360)

[strength_666]

thanks hal. the fireball,thunder, and screamer, from engl are in the same price range (except the thunder $8-900), how do the stack against the f-series. primarily speaking, how brutal is the hi gain in comparison?

[Tommi Inkila]

Originally posted by strength_666
thanks hal. the fireball,thunder, and screamer, from engl are in the same price range (except the thunder $8-900), how do the stack against the f-series. primarily speaking, how brutal is the hi gain in comparison?
Hello,

The overall sonic characteristics between the F (or Mesa generally) and Engl are quite easily identified. Generally Engl's are a little bit tighter, and their sound is centered higher than Mesas. Mesa is also smoother I think.

As where as Mesas (the F, Recto...) go low-end "roaarrrr" the Engl are more "tsaa" (in a good way) or something like that :)

When speking of brutal metal, it depends are you looking for ultra-articulate amp or more wall-of-sound brutal sound... Engl is more common choice if you're looking articulation, but still many albums are actually recorded with Mesa.

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan

The F-series is one Mesa's more inexpensive models, but there are many here who think it's one of the very best sounding and versatile amplifiers that Mesa make - I for one chose to follow my ears and buy it over more expensive Mesas that were all within budget.

FWIW, the F-50 is one of only a handful of amps ever to win UK Guitarist magazine's top Gold accolade. You can read the review here (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/guitarist-F-50/Guitarist_f-50.htm), and you may also be interested in reading about the design evolution of the F-series here (http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/guitarist-F-50/Designing_f-50.htm). :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

I'll tell you, I was in a local guitar shop this morning looking at some guitars and came home truly appreciating my F-50. Granted this dealer doesn't have a huge inventory and pretty much only carries Fender's and Peavey and rarely has any Fender Tube amps other than the Hot Rod series. But I was running through a Peavey XXX and found it really hard to find any decent overdrive/distortion tones. It felt so good to get back home to my F-50!! :D

He did have a 70's Silverface Deluxe Reverb in there. It was in kinda rough shape on the outside, but I think it's innards were okay. But it didn't sound that much better than the cleans I get with my F-50.

It's always good to go to a dealer and walk out thinking what you've got is better than anything he's selling!! :)

Jonathan

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Surfcaster


I'll tell you, I was in a local guitar shop this morning looking at some guitars and came home truly appreciating my F-50. Granted this dealer doesn't have a huge inventory and pretty much only carries Fender's and Peavey and rarely has any Fender Tube amps other than the Hot Rod series. But I was running through a Peavey XXX and found it really hard to find any decent overdrive/distortion tones. It felt so good to get back home to my F-50!! :D

He did have a 70's Silverface Deluxe Reverb in there. It was in kinda rough shape on the outside, but I think it's innards were okay. But it didn't sound that much better than the cleans I get with my F-50.

It's always good to go to a dealer and walk out thinking what you've got is better than anything he's selling!! :)

Jonathan

I know what you mean - I felt the same way as went through a bunch of amps during my recent visit to San Francisco. I honestly preferred the total package from my F-50, and the Mesa was in some respected company - Diezel Einstein, Soldano SLO 100, Two Rock K&M, Bogner Shiva 6L6, Fuchs ODS100, Fender Deluxe Reverb RI. Out of the bunch, only the Fuchs really got my blood pumping in a similar way to the F-50, but even then I'd have to spend some more time to learn how to tweak the overdrive tones.

I'm always taken aback at how "cheap" the F-series are in the states. Here in Europe we pay literally twice the price - I thought it was worth it. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Mush]

Here is my sign in post !!
I posted that at Boogie boards but without answers, maybe I'll be more lucky here.



Ok, got an F-50 this afternoon. Bought it without hearing it ! I made my decision base on the clips in the F-lounge.

The amp as a wonderfull clean channel. I am in love with it. Pure, spanky, clear, bell like tone. I'm an addict.

I play at bedroom level in my appartement. Considering this I have problems with the second channel.

I find the second channel to not having enough "gain" or saturation. The distortion sound to my ears more like "grunge" instead of metal. I have trouble to play chunky palm mute and pinching harmonics everywhere.

I am used to play my Chameleon Online, and I admit to have spoiled myself with oversaturated distortion.

What can I do to bring more "ZZZZZZZZZZZZ" to my sound. I play at very low Master level. Do the distortion benefit that much from power amp section. (I could buy a THD Hot PLate).

Could I put a Overdrive Pedal before the input. If I would benefit from it which one do you suggest ?
( I ask because I am not up the date, I quit playing for 6 years ! Yes I know, I have to rebuild my chops !).

I have an old Boss GE-7 EQ pedal. I remember using it in the loop of my first amp (Peavey special 112) to saturate the distortion. Would that help with the F-50.

I don't want to part from the amp because I am hooked to the clean channel, but I need a bit more distortion from the second+contour.

I have problems nailing a more AJFA tone. I like Metalica, EVH, ...all the 80-93 music.


Thanks for your answers.

GreatMush

(Excuse my english, it is my second language)
_________________

[Mush]

Ok ater some readings I think I might need an 8 Ohm Hot Plate. Because I don't open the second channel past 1-3 mm of rotation ! That amp is really lound.

My question to you fellow owners is where is the best place online to buy the THD Hot plate. I want them to ship to Canada.

Mush

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by Mush
Here is my sign in post !!
I posted that at Boogie boards but without answers, maybe I'll be more lucky here.



Ok, got an F-50 this afternoon. Bought it without hearing it ! I made my decision base on the clips in the F-lounge.

The amp as a wonderfull clean channel. I am in love with it. Pure, spanky, clear, bell like tone. I'm an addict.

I play at bedroom level in my appartement. Considering this I have problems with the second channel.



Wow. The F-50 is a seriously loud amp. It's a very poor choice for a bedroom amp. You may want to look at an attenuator like the Weber Mass or THD hotplate. If all you intend to do is play in your bedroom, you may want to reconsider your choice.

[GTM]

Originally posted by Mush
Ok ater some readings I think I might need an 8 Ohm Hot Plate. Because I don't open the second channel past 1-3 mm of rotation ! That amp is really lound.

My question to you fellow owners is where is the best place online to buy the THD Hot plate. I want them to ship to Canada.

Mush

I bought a Hotplate to do the opposite of what your looking for. I was looking for a cleaner, more sustaining tone from chann.2, more like Yngwie's sound. I found there was plenty of distortion from the pre-amp but I wanted to hear the 6L6 tone at bedroom volume. The Hotplate has more than filled the bill for me and my search is over for acheiving the bedroom tone I was looking for. In your case it sounds like driving the pre-amp should work for you. Try the Boss GE-7, play with the EQ and push up the gain, see if that's more like the tone your looking for. I'm getting a pretty good sound using a DOD YJM 308 overdrive pedal, yep, I'm a big Yngwie fan. The DOD 308 is nice because it's very transparent and seems to be very F-50 friendly.

If your still interested in a Hotplae, there's a guy here on the amp forum who has been spaming one all week, 8 ohms for $175, good deal, look him up. The Hotplate is a very handy tool to have, I love mine but I not sure if it's what your looking for. If you buy one from Musicians Friend, you have a 30 day return policy. They are very good with price matching, if you find one cheaper on the web., send them the link and they'll match the price. I saved $55 doing this.

[Tommi Inkila]

Welcome Mush!

You could also try to put the GE7 on the loop and use it as volume pedal/hot plate... just use the level setting on the GE7.

This might sound awful if GE7 does not preserve the sound quality when you lower the level. At least it's worth of trying. The F starts to breathe on 2 channel around 9:30 ...

:rolleyes:

[musicdog400]

My setup in my condo is F-50->EQ in loop->Weber Mass attenuator.

I love the tone, and using the EQ gets me into nu-metal land.

You can build an attenuator for ~$75, or less if you don't need the vol knob.

[bowen71]

I just put this message in the effects section, but I was wondering if anybody in here might be able to help me out since I am running it into a Mesa F-50 half stack.


I have been using a Boss ME-50 for about a year now and love it.

But I now have a problem. About 5 months ago I ran across the deal of the century on a Mesa F-50 half stack. After buying it, I have been using it the same way I used my other amp, on the clean channel with the ME-50 doing all the distortion. But now after reading up on the Mesa F-series amps I want to use the distortion built into the amp, and the ME-50 for just the other effects.

The problem is the ME-50 seems to have such a high output that when I switch on the distortion on the amp the Me-50 creates a lot of extra noise. Because of all this noise I am thinking about just loosing all the extra effects and playing straight through the amp. At the least I would have to buy a stage tuner.

My question is: Does your ME-50 create any access noise through the distortion channel of your amp? Or is there a trick to quieting it down?



Guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Epiphone G-400 Korina.
Effects:Boss ME-50 in front of the amp
Amp:Mesa F-50 head with the matching 4x12 straight cab.
Rack in effects loop:Equalizer, BBE Sonic Maximizer

[Tommi Inkila]

Welcome to the Lounge, Bowen!

Is ME50 too loud after you turn it master level knob down? Also you should be able get rid of some if not all of the excess noise with the noise suppressor (NS knob) in the ME50. Actually some noise is very common in high-gain tube amps. It's an necessary evil without noisegates.

Is the noise as loud as your guitar directly plugged in the F as it's with ME50 (no distortion from the ME50)?

If you're starting to use the amp's distortion sounds then there's a possibility of plugging the ME50 to F's effects loop, this way modulation and delay effects sounds better, but distortion sounds on the ME50 may sound awful.

[bowen71]

If I plug straight from the guitar into the amp, the distortion channel is quiet.

If I use the distortions from the ME-50 through the amps clean channel, the amp is quiet.

But, when I'm using the ME-50 for various other effects besides distortion, and turn on the amps distortion it sounds real bad mixing the both of them.

I was just wondering if anybody else tried or does use an ME-50 in this manner. I know the pedal has a high output, as I can put effects after it that need some what of a strong singnal to push. For example an EQ in front of the pedal does hardly anything, but an EQ after it makes a big difference.

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by Mush
Ok ater some readings I think I might need an 8 Ohm Hot Plate. Because I don't open the second channel past 1-3 mm of rotation ! That amp is really lound.

My question to you fellow owners is where is the best place online to buy the THD Hot plate. I want them to ship to Canada.

Mush

While the F50 has plenty of overdrive for my tastes, using a clean boost in front of the amp will definitely ratchet the distortion up a couple notches...when I fell like really thrashing I do that.

However, I'm thinking a lot of the sound you are looking for might just be in the EQ. Put your GE-7 in the effects loop and play around with it...see if that gets you any closer to what you are looking for...a little EQ goes a long way!! :cool:

I don't like my GE-7 in front of the F50, though. Moving any of the sliders off center introduces a very audible hiss, so I've never used it like that...but I suppose it might work as a boost if you leave the EQ flat.

As for an attenuator, I've got a Weber Minimass...quite a bit cheaper than the Hotplate (I got mine used off e-bay for about $75), but not quite as sophisticated. It works very well for me, though. Enables me to set the MV at around 9:30 or so at levels that don't bother my family.

Good luck!
Jonathan

[Tommi Inkila]

Originally posted by bowen71
If I plug straight from the guitar into the amp, the distortion channel is quiet.

If I use the distortions from the ME-50 through the amps clean channel, the amp is quiet.

But, when I'm using the ME-50 for various other effects besides distortion, and turn on the amps distortion it sounds real bad mixing the both of them.

I was just wondering if anybody else tried or does use an ME-50 in this manner. I know the pedal has a high output, as I can put effects after it that need some what of a strong singnal to push. For example an EQ in front of the pedal does hardly anything, but an EQ after it makes a big difference.
The problem is that this way the amps distortion distorts the effects like delay and modulation and reverb. For those effects you have to plug it in the effects loop. That way the effects are added to signal after the preamp distortion.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by Mush
Here is my sign in post !!
I posted that at Boogie boards but without answers, maybe I'll be more lucky here.



Ok, got an F-50 this afternoon. Bought it without hearing it ! I made my decision base on the clips in the F-lounge.
,,,

_________________

Salut Mush,

Welcome to the brotherhood, and I'm blown away that you bought your F-50 based primarily on clips from the brotherhood. We'll certainly try and help you find a solution. :cool:

I would also recommend what Tommi suggested, as a first step. Put your GE-7 in the loop (EQ set flat and level at 0) and turn the mix control to maximum (90%). Set the Contour channel master volume at 9.30. Set the EQ at 12 o'clock and the Gain at 2 o'clock.

Plug in your guitar with the volume at zero, and slowly increase the guitar's volume to maximum whilst playing. Now very slowly, increase the level on the GE-7 whilst playing until your happy with the overall volume. Are you getting enough saturation? :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by bowen71
I just put this message in the effects section, but I was wondering if anybody in here might be able to help me out since I am running it into a Mesa F-50 half stack.


I have been using a Boss ME-50 for about a year now and love it.

But I now have a problem. About 5 months ago I ran across the deal of the century on a Mesa F-50 half stack. After buying it, I have been using it the same way I used my other amp, on the clean channel with the ME-50 doing all the distortion. But now after reading up on the Mesa F-series amps I want to use the distortion built into the amp, and the ME-50 for just the other effects.

The problem is the ME-50 seems to have such a high output that when I switch on the distortion on the amp the Me-50 creates a lot of extra noise. Because of all this noise I am thinking about just loosing all the extra effects and playing straight through the amp. At the least I would have to buy a stage tuner.

My question is: Does your ME-50 create any access noise through the distortion channel of your amp? Or is there a trick to quieting it down?



Guitars: Epiphone Les Paul Custom, Epiphone G-400 Korina.
Effects:Boss ME-50 in front of the amp
Amp:Mesa F-50 head with the matching 4x12 straight cab.
Rack in effects loop:Equalizer, BBE Sonic Maximizer

Welcome bowen71,

to the F-series brotherhood! :) I hope we can help find a way of getting those awesome F-series drive tones into your arsenal.

I had a quick read of the ME-50 manual but no specific mention is made of using the FX unit in an FX loop. I would be tempted to give it a try, but you may wish to contact Boss first to confirm if the unit can handle a Line level input.

If it can, then I'd suggest putting it in you F-50's loop with parallel mix control set to maximum (90%). Turn off the COSM modelling and just make use of the modulation, delay and reverb FX. Unfortunately the wah-wah probably won't sound so great in the loop, but the volume pedal should work fine.

Until you are sure that the unit can handle Line level on its input connector, I wouldn't recommend increasing the Master volume on the F-50 too high, as this also controls the send level in the FX loop, and we wouldn't want to overload the input connector on your ME-50. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Mush]

Thanks Dann'sTheMan, I will try your way but I just ordered a THD 8 Ohm Hot plate. It will arrive in the beginning of the week. I will try that first.

After some listening, I think that the distortion is better than at the first listening. You know, I came from a Chameleon Online pre-amp that has tons of drive. Listening to that for some months really spoiled me in term of "distortion".
Yes that computer produce good saturation but miss a lot of tone.

Talking of tone, I'm no master in it, but I start to really enjoy my second channel+contour. When I'll be able to open up the second channel master with the hot plate, I will almost be there. Right now I can hear a little bit of what I need in term of tone. At my first listening I was defining the F-50 2nd channel as "buzzy" but something good happened...now I find it "throaty !" Yes.

Damm I wish I had a house to crank it up lound, in meanwhile I will use the Hot Plate. Just hope that it will make the magic happen and bring out the harmonic content of my notes !

BTW, I made my buying purchase without hearing because I wanted:
1) All tube amp
2) A combo
3) A 50 watts max amp, not too loud (OK I admit, I f.u.c.k.e.d. it up on that one !)
4) Always wanted a Boogie ! In my head, there is a kind of legend associated about Mesa's amps
5) Simple amp
6) Could buy locally
7) TUBE TONE ! Heard Inkilla's clips....=SOLD


Thanks

Mush

[bowen71]

Originally posted by bowen71
If I plug straight from the guitar into the amp, the distortion channel is quiet.

If I use the distortions from the ME-50 through the amps clean channel, the amp is quiet.

But, when I'm using the ME-50 for various other effects besides distortion, and turn on the amps distortion it sounds real bad mixing the both of them.

I was just wondering if anybody else tried or does use an ME-50 in this manner. I know the pedal has a high output, as I can put effects after it that need some what of a strong singnal to push. For example an EQ in front of the pedal does hardly anything, but an EQ after it makes a big difference.


Thanks for the help Tommi and Dann's TheMan.
I'll give it a try. Unfortunately, my good equipment is at our drummer's house where we practice so I will have to wait until tomorrow night to try it out.

[ned911]

Thought I would mention that www.grailtone.com has a section for swapping tone settings for the F-Series amps.

http://www.grailtone.com/tone-settings/mesa-boogie/mesa-boogie-amp-settings.html

F-Series is the 4th down.

[andershoeg]

Hey guys! A question for you with a F-30: does your F-30 have a "rattling" sound when you play loud (about 11.30 o'clock on the master)!? Mine has got it, and it is really anoying! It has some kind of "glassy" rattle, when I do quick palm muting. Sounds like the tubes. But I have had it at the repair-man, and he couldn't find any faults, no tubes broken or anything. He then tells me, that "that is THE sound of the el-84"!? Well, what do YOU guys say!? If this REALLY is the truth, I don't want this amp anymore! Have to look for a F-50, maybe (cause of the 6L6's). What do you think/experience, a.s.f.!??
B.R. andershoeg

[GCDEF]

Well I took mine to its first gig this weekend. It did well. It's definitely a more aggressive amp than I usually use. I was worried that it may be too loud, but I was able to get decent sounds at fairly low stage levels.

One thing on mine that I didn't notice on the amp I auditioned is that the gain channel is very bright. I had the treble completely off to get it to sound good. Is this normal? I see a lot of settings with the treble up pretty high. That would sound very harsh on mine.

[markmann]

Originally posted by Mush
Thanks Dann'sTheMan, I will try your way but I just ordered a THD 8 Ohm Hot plate. It will arrive in the beginning of the week. I will try that first.

After some listening, I think that the distortion is better than at the first listening. You know, I came from a Chameleon Online pre-amp that has tons of drive. Listening to that for some months really spoiled me in term of "distortion".
Yes that computer produce good saturation but miss a lot of tone.

Talking of tone, I'm no master in it, but I start to really enjoy my second channel+contour. When I'll be able to open up the second channel master with the hot plate, I will almost be there. Right now I can hear a little bit of what I need in term of tone. At my first listening I was defining the F-50 2nd channel as "buzzy" but something good happened...now I find it "throaty !" Yes.

Damm I wish I had a house to crank it up lound, in meanwhile I will use the Hot Plate. Just hope that it will make the magic happen and bring out the harmonic content of my notes !

Mush, I've been using a Hot Plate with my F-50 for a couple months now and I love it. Using volume type devices in the loop work great to a point but I still was not achieving the level of attenuation I was looking for but I get it with the Hot Plate. Even at the lowest setting of -16db the tone is very usable for practice but be sure to use the "bright" and "deep" switches to enhance the tone (much like a loudness control on a stereo). I never use the amp without the Hot Plate now. I keep my master set at 10 o'clock and I use the attenuator to adjust the overall volume depending on whether I'm practicing alone or playing with the band.

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by andershoeg
Hey guys! A question for you with a F-30: does your F-30 have a "rattling" sound when you play loud (about 11.30 o'clock on the master)!? Mine has got it, and it is really anoying! It has some kind of "glassy" rattle, when I do quick palm muting. Sounds like the tubes. But I have had it at the repair-man, and he couldn't find any faults, no tubes broken or anything. He then tells me, that "that is THE sound of the el-84"!? Well, what do YOU guys say!? If this REALLY is the truth, I don't want this amp anymore! Have to look for a F-50, maybe (cause of the 6L6's). What do you think/experience, a.s.f.!??
B.R. andershoeg

Sounds similar to something I experienced with my old Ampeg Reverberocket...kind of like BBs rolling around in a tin can?? It's a hard sound to describe and that's the best I could come up with. I asked a tech friend of mine and he had me do all kinds of things to isolate it...none of which helped. I finally decided it was mechanical noise in one of the tubes (these were EL34s, but I don't know that the type of tube really matters, though I guess some designs are maybe more prone to this than others). Anyway, I got an extension cabinet and the sound went away, so I'm pretty sure it was something physically rattling in a tube due to vibrations at higher volumes (or possibly something in the amp itself, though I had pretty well rattle-proofed the chassis and cab in trying to isolate the sound). If I were you, I'd make sure there's nothing loose in the chassis or cab, then try swapping out the tubes...starting with the power tubes, and see if that doesn't take care of it.

Good luck!

Jonathan

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by andershoeg
Hey guys! A question for you with a F-30: does your F-30 have a "rattling" sound when you play loud (about 11.30 o'clock on the master)!? Mine has got it, and it is really anoying! It has some kind of "glassy" rattle, when I do quick palm muting. Sounds like the tubes. But I have had it at the repair-man, and he couldn't find any faults, no tubes broken or anything. He then tells me, that "that is THE sound of the el-84"!? Well, what do YOU guys say!? If this REALLY is the truth, I don't want this amp anymore! Have to look for a F-50, maybe (cause of the 6L6's). What do you think/experience, a.s.f.!??
B.R. andershoeg

Have you tried any different tubes in your amp? I know that it used to be very difficult to get good quality EL84s, because they are notoriously difficult to reliably manufacture. I know things have improved in the last few years, but I'd suggest trying some different EL84s and also pre-amp tubes in your F-30. Sorry you're having such frustrating problems.

Kind regards,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by GCDEF
Well I took mine to its first gig this weekend. It did well. It's definitely a more aggressive amp than I usually use. I was worried that it may be too loud, but I was able to get decent sounds at fairly low stage levels.

One thing on mine that I didn't notice on the amp I auditioned is that the gain channel is very bright. I had the treble completely off to get it to sound good. Is this normal? I see a lot of settings with the treble up pretty high. That would sound very harsh on mine.

Good to know you had some positive gigging experience with your F-series. Regarding the brightness, I'd suggest the amp can become quite bright if the Bass control is set quite low (e.g. 9 o'clock). If the Bass control is at 12 o'clock or higher, the amp sounds gloriously thick - some would say dark. How does this correspond to what you are hearing with your amp?

Big smiles,

Andy.

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Good to know you had some positive gigging experience with your F-series. Regarding the brightness, I'd suggest the amp can become quite bright if the Bass control is set quite low (e.g. 9 o'clock). If the Bass control is at 12 o'clock or higher, the amp sounds gloriously thick - some would say dark. How does this correspond to what you are hearing with your amp?

Big smiles,

Andy.

The clean channel sounds just like it should. I have the bright pulled and the tone controls pretty much in the middle. In the drive channel, I have bass and mid straight up and treble rolled all the way off. Like that it sounds good. I'm just surprised I have to take all the treble off. Unlike the one I tried in the store, I find the contour switch on this one close to useless. The one I auditioned the contour seemed to fatten the sound nicely. On the one I bought, it spikes the treble painfully.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by GCDEF


The clean channel sounds just like it should. I have the bright pulled and the tone controls pretty much in the middle. In the drive channel, I have bass and mid straight up and treble rolled all the way off. Like that it sounds good. I'm just surprised I have to take all the treble off. Unlike the one I tried in the store, I find the contour switch on this one close to useless. The one I auditioned the contour seemed to fatten the sound nicely. On the one I bought, it spikes the treble painfully. Is it possible that the speaker just isn't broken-in yet? Maybe the one in the store had more mileage or you were listening from off axis of the speaker?

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by hal9000
Is it possible that the speaker just isn't broken-in yet? Maybe the one in the store had more mileage or you were listening from off axis of the speaker?

That's kind of what I'm thinking. My other amp mellowed quite a bit after a few gigs. When I get a chance I'm going to hook the Mesa up to its speaker and see how it sounds.

The Mesa still sounds great, I'm happy with it. Got positive comments on the sound from bandmates. It's just brighter than the one I auditioned, that's all.

We play with fairly low stage volume too, so I didn't really have it in the sweet spot, which may have a lot to do with it. It blooms quite a bit when the volume gets close to half way, but I wasn't near that at the gig. I have a minimass coming tomorrow, so that'll help a lot too I imagine.

[hal9000]

Well, guys, I'm joining the ranks of the rack FX crowd since I recently purchased a G-Major and I’ve been mulling over setup issues and controller concerns. So, if any of you have recommendations for quality rack enclosures and a case for which size to get I'm all ears. I'm partial to SKB, and their SKB-R6 U.S. Roto Rack 6-space looks like the ticket so far.

I must be crazy :freak:, but I'm thinking of using my PODxt Live as my controller, since at the very least I'll get toggling CC messages, tamp tempo, program changes, etc. Of course with Andy's excellent info, I'll be able to custom make my channel switching cable no problem. I figure, I'll be able to use the XTL to give me just about any up front FX I can think of, and at the same time it will control my G-Major which will give me 3-channel operation, preset boost on any preset, and all the modulation and time-based FX I can handle. I also plan to put my Carvin DCM 150 PA in the rack. So, in the event of failure, my backup rig is already on stage with me. Also, I could run a full stereo rig with the F-100 on one side and the DCM 150 + Avatar cab on the other. In any event, I’ll only need a guitar cable and MIDI link to run to the backline which will be nice.

I'll let you know how the G-Major integrates with my rig tomorrow.

One quick question for Andy: How do you run the input/output volume on the G-Major? It seems appropriate to set the F-100 masters for a balance, switch to the clean channel and adjust the G-Major input volume until -3 dB is lit, and turn down the output volume to attenuate the loop at bit. Also, do you set the Preset output level at -6 dB, with the boost at 0 dB?

I guess I’ll have to update my rig renderings if I decide to go this route. :thu:

[hal9000]

Originally posted by GCDEF


That's kind of what I'm thinking. My other amp mellowed quite a bit after a few gigs. When I get a chance I'm going to hook the Mesa up to its speaker and see how it sounds.

The Mesa still sounds great, I'm happy with it. Got positive comments on the sound from bandmates. It's just brighter than the one I auditioned, that's all.

We play with fairly low stage volume too, so I didn't really have it in the sweet spot, which may have a lot to do with it. It blooms quite a bit when the volume gets close to half way, but I wasn't near that at the gig. I have a minimass coming tomorrow, so that'll help a lot too I imagine. Mmm, Minimass. Good call. :)

Also, if you run anything in the loop, attenuation there helps as well as Dann'sTheMan has so excellently pointed out. Both together make the amp extremely responsive at low volume.

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by hal9000
Mmm, Minimass. Good call. :)

Also, if you run anything in the loop, attenuation there helps as well as Dann'sTheMan has so excellently pointed out. Both together make the amp extremely responsive at low volume.

I have a low impedence EB volume pedal in the loop. The ability to adjust the wet/dry mix is cool because it lets me set a minimum volume when the pedal is all the way off so that I don't roll off too much volume accidentally as I often do with a series loop.

[hal9000]

So, here's my proposed Rig update.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/afraiddave/hal9000ProposedGMajorXTLRigShaded.png

[markmann]

Originally posted by hal9000
Well, guys, I'm joining the ranks of the rack FX crowd since I recently purchased a G-Major and I’ve been mulling over setup issues and controller concerns. So, if any of you have recommendations for quality rack enclosures and a case for which size to get I'm all ears. I'm partial to SKB, and their SKB-R6 U.S. Roto Rack 6-space looks like the ticket so far. Excellent! I'm sure you'll be busy with many hours of tweaking delite. When I used a rack rig (before the F50) I used an SKB 6-space unit. It was OK, not the most heavy duty but durable for how lightweight it was and I never had any problem with it but I'm very careful with my gear. One thing I learned is that even a 6-space can be too heavy. One of the downfalls of my rig is that I couldn't carry it alone. My philosophy now is that it's better to have 2 or 3 small racks that I can carry rather than one all inclusive. My current guitar effects rack is a two space and the case itself is home-made and looks sweet.

Mark

[VoodooChild24]

Hey Neil,

You always have a way of making me smile with your graphics. That is an awesome rendtion of the POD XTL and G-major! Major props man!

BTW, i'm looking of getting a PODXTL this xmas. Since our band have been doing a lot of covers lately, i decided to give it a go. The only thing holding me back were some of the opinions about being to digitized and stuff. Sorry of being kinda OT here.

Thanks as always,

Desi

[hal9000]

Originally posted by markmann
Excellent! I'm sure you'll be busy with many hours of tweaking delite. When I used a rack rig (before the F50) I used an SKB 6-space unit. It was OK, not the most heavy duty but durable for how lightweight it was and I never had any problem with it but I'm very careful with my gear. One thing I learned is that even a 6-space can be too heavy. One of the downfalls of my rig is that I couldn't carry it alone. My philosophy now is that it's better to have 2 or 3 small racks that I can carry rather than one all inclusive. My current guitar effects rack is a two space and the case itself is home-made and looks sweet.

Mark Mark, thanks for the info. :) Do you place the rack on top of your F-50 for gigs and practice?

[hal9000]

Originally posted by VoodooChild24
Hey Neil,

You always have a way of making me smile with your graphics. That is an awesome rendtion of the POD XTL and G-major! Major props man!

BTW, i'm looking of getting a PODXTL this xmas. Since our band have been doing a lot of covers lately, i decided to give it a go. The only thing holding me back were some of the opinions about being to digitized and stuff. Sorry of being kinda OT here.

Thanks as always,

Desi Thanks, Desi. :) Actually, I think the XTL sounds quite good and my only two gripes are the placement of the Tap Temp button, and the missing "Tube amp feel." Of course, the feel I knew about and can live with. Also, unlike a lot of people, I like to run the XTL into guitar speakers instead of a full range setup. I feel that the manner in which a guitar speaker rolls off the high and low end really makes the XTL shine. Basically, all the muddy bass is gone and so is the digital hash above 10 kHz. Of course, without the cab/mic/air models on you lose some versatility, but the tradeoff in tone is worth it IMO. I've run the XTL through the F-100 FX return with mixed results. Since I already have a full backup with the DCM 150 and Avatar 2x12, I've not really needed to investigate getting the best tone from the XTL -> F-100 FX return. Anyway, I like the XTL quite a bit and it is marvelously versatile with good tone.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by hal9000
Well, guys, I'm joining the ranks of the rack FX crowd since I recently purchased a G-Major and I’ve been mulling over setup issues and controller concerns. So, if any of you have recommendations for quality rack enclosures and a case for which size to get I'm all ears. I'm partial to SKB, and their SKB-R6 U.S. Roto Rack 6-space looks like the ticket so far.

I must be crazy :freak:, but I'm thinking of using my PODxt Live as my controller, since at the very least I'll get toggling CC messages, tamp tempo, program changes, etc. Of course with Andy's excellent info, I'll be able to custom make my channel switching cable no problem. I figure, I'll be able to use the XTL to give me just about any up front FX I can think of, and at the same time it will control my G-Major which will give me 3-channel operation, preset boost on any preset, and all the modulation and time-based FX I can handle. I also plan to put my Carvin DCM 150 PA in the rack. So, in the event of failure, my backup rig is already on stage with me. Also, I could run a full stereo rig with the F-100 on one side and the DCM 150 + Avatar cab on the other. In any event, I’ll only need a guitar cable and MIDI link to run to the backline which will be nice.

I'll let you know how the G-Major integrates with my rig tomorrow.

One quick question for Andy: How do you run the input/output volume on the G-Major? It seems appropriate to set the F-100 masters for a balance, switch to the clean channel and adjust the G-Major input volume until -3 dB is lit, and turn down the output volume to attenuate the loop at bit. Also, do you set the Preset output level at -6 dB, with the boost at 0 dB?

I guess I’ll have to update my rig renderings if I decide to go this route. :thu:

Hi Neil,

What a fantastic idea! I hadn't really thought about using a PODXTL as a MIDI footcontroller, but the prospect of having all manner of upfront effects including compressors, wah, overdrives, and EQ, combined with the G-Major in the loop is pretty mind blowing. :cool:

I didn't realise the PODXTL supported toggling CC messages, but that is all that is required to leverage the full versatility of the G-Major. If you haven't already done so, do check out the G-Major MIDI controller tips thread (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=975902) - lots of useful stuff already posted. :)

Regarding rack enclosures, I use a SKB full depth 6U case. I personally choose to put a 3U rack drawer in it, to hold sundry items including: wah pedal, Dynacomp, SM-57, a couple of flat fold guitar stands, slides, capo etc. The rack case also doubles as an amp stand, if needed - either standalone, or in combination with my F-50's roadcase. Here's a pic: http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/andrew_kydd/detail?.dir=8f46&.dnm=72f1.jpg&.src=ph These days, my dedicated amp stand has been coopted by the bassist! :p

With the G-Major in the rack, that leaves me two free spaces. I haven't decided what I'll put in there yet but possibilities include:
* Power Conditioner/Voltage Regulator (still separating the fact from the fiction, and currently running a spike protected power strip)
* Power Amp, in case I want to do some stereo effects and run stereo, or wet/dry or wet/dry/wet.
* Load box - for some traditional attenuation
* Speaker emulator - for attenuation and running the G-Major post power amp
* Router/Switcher - for MIDI controlling stomp boxes
* Rack tray - for racking stomp boxes
Maybe some of these ideas would appeal to you too, Neil as you think about your rack? :D

Regarding your Input/Output level question - I basically went with what Tommi Inkila suggested, to run both Input and Output at 12 o'clock. This worked for me in most environments from bedroom to stage. Ocassionally, if I'm running a louder stage volume, and/or wish to run my Master Volume higher than usual, then I'll tweak the levels along the lines that you suggested, and thus avoid clipping the G-Major's input stage. You may also be interested to know that I don't tend to think in terms of just Master Volume level, as I tend to adjust both the Gain and Master Volume in sympathy - the average of the two controls tending to be around 11/12 o'clock (e.g. Gain:9 and MV:1.30 or Gain:2 and MV:10). :)

As for the Preset Output/Boost, I found -6 dB a bit to much for me for the music I play. I think I have mine currently set at -4dB, and obviously it goes to 0dB when I hit my boost footswitch. :cool:

I look forward to hearing how your new rig comes together! :thu:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[markmann]

Originally posted by hal9000
Mark, thanks for the info. :) Do you place the rack on top of your F-50 for gigs and practice? Yes, when I acually use it. I'm very fickle with effects and I go back and forth with many variations. Most times the playing situation dictates what I use and I also streamline as much as possible. At home I use it all... guitar > pedalboard > F-50 > Intellifex in loop. On the road I take as little as possible. Since I always use something out front, whether its a volume pedal, wah, etc... I can't get away from the pedalboard so I end up eliminating the rack. So my gigging setup generally ends up being guitar > pedalboard > whatever amp I have access to or direct to mixer. It's a rare pleasure when I get to use my F-50 live.

I can take a pic of the rack if you're interested.

Also, in my other post I mentioned that my 6-space was too heavy but that was because I had a heavy power amp and preamp in it. I still have the SKB but it now has only signal processing gear in it and the weight is not an issue.

Mark

[andershoeg]

Hi guys (and girls if any is represented! :) )!!
Just wanted to give a little update on my f-30-problem. I had a F-50 home to try out, in case I wanted that, and the dealer wanted to take my f-30 back. Well, the f-50 definitely is a nice amp, but it also had SOME "rattling" going on! And when I saw the price they wanted in a trading-deal, well......no f-50 for me!! Ok, the repairman said "nothing wrong with your amp!". He tested the tubes......but did not try OTHER tubes! So I thought, I take my f-30 back, and try some other tubes my self! And guess what: it DEFINITELY sounds MUCH better now!!! Still a little ringing tone sometimes, but not even close to the amount of ringing/rattling that there was before!!! So there I go: my f-30 is back home!!! wwwuuuuiiii!!!!:) (By the way.... i like my f-30 better than the f-50 ;) )
Thanks for your replies!!
B.R. andershoeg

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by andershoeg
Hi guys (and girls if any is represented! :) )!!
Just wanted to give a little update on my f-30-problem. I had a F-50 home to try out, in case I wanted that, and the dealer wanted to take my f-30 back. Well, the f-50 definitely is a nice amp, but it also had SOME "rattling" going on! And when I saw the price they wanted in a trading-deal, well......no f-50 for me!! Ok, the repairman said "nothing wrong with your amp!". He tested the tubes......but did not try OTHER tubes! So I thought, I take my f-30 back, and try some other tubes my self! And guess what: it DEFINITELY sounds MUCH better now!!! Still a little ringing tone sometimes, but not even close to the amount of ringing/rattling that there was before!!! So there I go: my f-30 is back home!!! wwwuuuuiiii!!!!:) (By the way.... i like my f-30 better than the f-50 ;) )
Thanks for your replies!!
B.R. andershoeg

Hi andershoeg,

Great news that you F-30 is back in action. I did wonder if it might be the EL84s - apparently, in the 90s, some commentators were speculating that the valve type might disappear, because it was almost impossible to get any reliably manufactured. :eek:

I'm more of a 6L6 guy, hence my penchant for the F-50 - so patchy supply of good EL84s is not an issue for me. Nevertheless, you're still my F-series brother, even if you do prefer the F-30. :p

Big smiles,

Andy.

[andershoeg]

Hey Dann'sthemann! Thank you, I was so worried about loosing my big family :D
I changed to Groove tubes. Well, they "need" to be re-biased, BUT the tech I bought the tubes of said, that Mesas have this kind of "almost biased"-thing going on, meaning that buying new tubes may sound better og worse than the original ones, since the "auto-biasing-feature" is not very accurate. And I can tell you, man; these tubes sound way better than the original ones! The original ones have been tested by the repairman, and there was nothing technically wrong with them. Nevertheless, the new ones, even not manually biased, sounds way more "full-tone'ish":) And they are not as boomy as the original ones. So ...... now it sounds good, which is just great....and when I discover such a thing like this....... I want more:) So in the future I will probably try out different tubes...heard a lot about JJ's. Well, if any of you have got any experience experimenting with other tubes than the original ones (both the el84 AND 6L6-types! also got a single rectifier....therefor the 6L6's );) then please share your knowledge!
B.R. andershoeg

[Tommi Inkila]

andershoeg,

I had also some rattling noises with my F50, but those were caused by the preamp tubes. I did some experimenting few months ago with 12ax7's... check page 16 on this thread.

I'm using Mesas power tubes because it makes things easier.

All Mesas have fixed-bias, it's not actually automatic... the idea is that the Mesas power tubes are tested to match the fixed bias. BTW, I have a feeling that there's no need to worry about biasing with EL84's... :rolleyes:

I asked about the correct voltages for Mesa 6L6 from few experienced guys and they couldn't tell what those specs are. With those specs you could choose correct tubes from another brands easily.

If the voltages are too low or much much higher than the correct ones, generally we think that the sound gets worse. If the voltages are slightly lower then we mostly think that the sound is better, probably 'cause Mesas are quite "cold" what comes to biasing. Then there's also some differences between the brands, but it doesn't affect to the sound via bias.

Somebody could correct me or elaborate on this :)

[Tommi Inkila]

When browsing for my tube test I noticed that I once mentioned about this... a song made for Assembly '05 under my "scene name" Cairbre.

March of the Magiants

http://www.scene.org/file_dl.php?url=ftp://ftp.scene.org/pub/parties/2005/assembly05/music/instrumental/march_of_the_magiants_by_cairbre.mp3&id=297446

No guitar playing on that one, but maybe you'll like it :)

[andershoeg]

Hey Tommy! Great tune!! Very theatrical.....love that kind of stuff!:cool: Generally, I'm a big fan of the Lydian mode, very mysterious sounding, adventure-like. So right on, dude :D !
About the tubes; yearh, you could be right about the el84 not needing a lot of biasing. Don't know much about that, other than my amp sounds remarkably better now! And yes, thought about the preamp tubes also. For now it sounds good, but maby another day I will get into testing my pre-amp tubes also. In fact, I have 4 old 12ax7's lying around, think it is siemens...don't really know. But I'm not sure they are OK. So....think I have to wait a bit....enjoying my amp WORKING! :D
B.R. andershoeg

[Surfcaster]

andershoeg,

Glad you found a viable solution to your problem!! And I'm with Tommi in thinking that there's not a lot of concern about biasing EL84s.

As for liking the F30 better, more power to you, man. I tried both side by side when I bought mine...in fact, I was planning to buy the F30. But both my guitarist buddy and I felt the F50 was more of what we were looking for. We actually found them to be VERY similar, with the F50 having a little more bottom end, a little more clean headroom and also the distortion was closer to what we were looking for. And in my case, it was only $100 more for the F50 (though mine was one of the first production F50s that was NOT a widebody, and does not have LED indicators on the faceplate, so that probably made it somewhat cheaper...plus I think it had been sitting around in his store a while...he made me such a good trade on my Ampeg Reverberocket, I couldn't afford not to buy it!! :cool: ). To be honest, I think I would have been happy with either.

Anyway, glad it works, and if it sounds better now than it did before, that's a cool bonus!!

[stomper]

Hi

Have been checking out the forum recently and wanted to ask a question.

When playing live I switch between guitars, and in doing so, I switch my amp to stand-by - elsewhere in the 'amps' forum I noticed some people stating that switching a tube amp on and off of standby isn't very healthy for the tubes (lots of people stated that they leave their amps on standby for long periods of time).

Does anyone have any advice on the best practice for changing guitars - should I switch the amp to standby or is it better to turn down the gain and master volume and then unplug the guitar? I've been told that those plugging-the-guitar-in crackles aren't good for the speaker.

Any suggestions? :)

BTW, for gigs/rehearsals, I plug my acoustic guitar into the f-50 too - as the DI boxes at local venues tend to be really dodgy - is that okay? or should I invest in my own DI? any recommended settings?

cheers :)

P.S. Thanks again (especially Dann'stheman & Hal9000) for the advice on the volume problem I was having - have decided to leave amp as it is and invest in a Hotplate in a few months (after moving back to UK from NZ). Gracias Amigos!

[VoodooChild24]

Originally posted by stomper
Hi

Have been checking out the forum recently and wanted to ask a question.

When playing live I switch between guitars, and in doing so, I switch my amp to stand-by - elsewhere in the 'amps' forum I noticed some people stating that switching a tube amp on and off of standby isn't very healthy for the tubes (lots of people stated that they leave their amps on standby for long periods of time).

Does anyone have any advice on the best practice for changing guitars - should I switch the amp to standby or is it better to turn down the gain and master volume and then unplug the guitar? I've been told that those plugging-the-guitar-in crackles aren't good for the speaker.

Any suggestions? :)

BTW, for gigs/rehearsals, I plug my acoustic guitar into the f-50 too - as the DI boxes at local venues tend to be really dodgy - is that okay? or should I invest in my own DI? any recommended settings?

cheers :)

P.S. Thanks again (especially Dann'stheman & Hal9000) for the advice on the volume problem I was having - have decided to leave amp as it is and invest in a Hotplate in a few months (after moving back to UK from NZ). Gracias Amigos!


Hey Stomper,

I am a firm believer that switching your amp on stand by mode (in between sets, changing guitars, pause on performance) works best for your amp than turning it off and on or turning the volume/gain down. I always do that whenever there's a pause on my playing. For me, that is the way to go and you have been doing the right thing. It'll only give your amp and tubes more lifespan.



:thu:

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by stomper
Hi

Have been checking out the forum recently and wanted to ask a question.

When playing live I switch between guitars, and in doing so, I switch my amp to stand-by - elsewhere in the 'amps' forum I noticed some people stating that switching a tube amp on and off of standby isn't very healthy for the tubes (lots of people stated that they leave their amps on standby for long periods of time).

Does anyone have any advice on the best practice for changing guitars - should I switch the amp to standby or is it better to turn down the gain and master volume and then unplug the guitar? I've been told that those plugging-the-guitar-in crackles aren't good for the speaker.

Any suggestions? :)

BTW, for gigs/rehearsals, I plug my acoustic guitar into the f-50 too - as the DI boxes at local venues tend to be really dodgy - is that okay? or should I invest in my own DI? any recommended settings?

cheers :)

P.S. Thanks again (especially Dann'stheman & Hal9000) for the advice on the volume problem I was having - have decided to leave amp as it is and invest in a Hotplate in a few months (after moving back to UK from NZ). Gracias Amigos!

Nothing wrong with switching to standby. Certainly easier than messing up your settings. Personally, I just hit the mute button on my tuner, or when using a wireless, turn off the transmitter. Another alternative is Planet Waves cables that have a switch built into them.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by stomper
Hi

Have been checking out the forum recently and wanted to ask a question.

When playing live I switch between guitars, and in doing so, I switch my amp to stand-by - elsewhere in the 'amps' forum I noticed some people stating that switching a tube amp on and off of standby isn't very healthy for the tubes (lots of people stated that they leave their amps on standby for long periods of time).

Does anyone have any advice on the best practice for changing guitars - should I switch the amp to standby or is it better to turn down the gain and master volume and then unplug the guitar? I've been told that those plugging-the-guitar-in crackles aren't good for the speaker.

Any suggestions? :)

BTW, for gigs/rehearsals, I plug my acoustic guitar into the f-50 too - as the DI boxes at local venues tend to be really dodgy - is that okay? or should I invest in my own DI? any recommended settings?

cheers :) Standby is good for the tubes since it removes the high voltage and prevents harmful transients (like plugging in a guitar) from reaching the power tubes. I do the same thing, BTW, when I switch guitars.
1) Switch to Standby
2) Unplug guitar 1
3) Plug in guitar 2
4) Switch Standby OFF

There's nothing wrong with running an acoustic into the F-50. For an inexpensive DI, I've found the Behringer Ultra-G to perform well.

[andershoeg]

Hey Surfcaster! Yep, I also think the f-50 got a lot more bottom end than my f-30. But I had a hard time finding a good tone in the f-50 when REALLY trying to get it down to bedroom(/-appartment- )-level. A lot easier on the f-30. But I could imagine wanting more bottom end on stage. Think the cab has a lot to do with it. So if I ever need more bottom end, I'll buy an extra cab, 1x12" or 2x12". Allready got a 4x12" Marshall-cab, using it with my Single rectifier. Sounds great, btw. Nevertheless, after I switch on the amp, and about half a minut after, the standby-switch, there is some kind of eletric noise, just a couple of seconds, then it disappears. But it is represented every time I turn it on....weird. Think it has something to do with NOT biasing the EL84?
B.R andershoeg

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, I owned a lonestar combo for the past year, and just sold it, because I couldn't get the right mid range response out of the clean channel. I am going for a robben ford type of clean, very mid heavy, and full, but without the harsh fender highs that most amps offer. The lonestar was very close, but didn't quite hit it for me. I wonder if you guys think the f-50 would do it for me. I use teles, and a hermida zendrive, the best dirt box I've ever owned, and I've had almost 100 others. Any help you guys have would be awesome. Thanks,
Kurt

[andershoeg]

hmmm....the f-30 is certainly more mid-heavy than the f-50. other than that, I don't think I can help you. and maybe the f-30 is just to small for you. I don't know.

:rolleyes:

B.R. andershoeg

[nickt]

hey guys,
forgive me if this has been asked before, but, I'm playing around with my new Digitech GNX 3000, and it sounds awful in the return of my F50 (like there's socks in the speaker!)

It sounds much better in the front of the amp, but my question is, with the F50's EQ on the clean channel, what's the nearest to a "flat" response?

is it all at 12 noon, or treble and bass full with mid dimed?

thanks in advance

Nick

[Mush]

Ok I am reporting back from my first 2 weeks with an F-50.

My early reporting that it did not have enough gain= false. I only had to turn the bass pot to 9 o'clock. Anything over 12 and the sound becomes VERY thick at low volume.
At bedroom volume I can nail Slayer and Metallica type of distortion relying on pre-amp gain.

I had problems with rattling=found the solution See my post
here (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13835047#post13835047)

Today I got the Hot Plate. I have questions for you who have/had one.

1) Is it normal that it don't become warm? I would name it a Cold Plate.

2) I have never see the bulb light on even if the switch is on ! Is it possible that it is blown.

3) I tried the 16 dB settings and it think there is a problem. It work OK for some seconds (maybe 30 sec.) and then the sound cuts off at a really really low levels. What is happening here, can someone explain?

4) The bright and Bass switches are OFF at the lower position right ?

Thanks
Now I'm going the improve my picking of ONE (the song).


Mush

[nickt]

I had a similar problem with mine, light didn't go on and 16db setting didn't work properly. Turned out I had it hooked up in reverse. ie I had the speaker out socket on the hotplate connected to the speaker socket on the F50. It's easily done, and solved my problem straight away.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Mush
Ok I am reporting back from my first 2 weeks with an F-50.

My early reporting that it did not have enough gain= false. I only had to turn the bass pot to 3 o'clock. Anything over 6 and the sound becomes VERY thick at low volume.
At bedroom volume I can nail Slayer and Metallica type of distortion relying on pre-amp gain.

I had problems with rattling=found the solution See my post
here (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=13835047#post13835047)

Today I got the Hot Plate. I have questions for you who have/had one.

1) Is it normal that it don't become warm? I would name it a Cold Plate.

2) I have never see the bulb light on even if the switch is on ! Is it possible that it is blown.

3) I tried the 16 dB settings and it think there is a problem. It work OK for some seconds (maybe 30 sec.) and then the sound cuts off at a really really low levels. What is happening here, can someone explain?

4) The bright and Bass switches are OFF at the lower position right ?

Thanks
Now I'm going the improve my picking of ONE (the song).


Mush 1) Is it normal that it don't become warm? I would name it a Cold Plate.
A: It will get very hot, but if yours is cold it's because the Hot Plate isn't dissipating enough power.

2) I have never see the bulb light on even if the switch is on ! Is it possible that it is blown.
A: See above, it only lights when there is a decent amount of power being dissipated. If you want to light up the Hot Plate, put it on load and crank up the amp to around 12:00 on the OD master. The Hot Plate will get hot fast, the bulb will light, and the fan will spin up to speed with every chord you hit. If you’re feeling brave, run the line out through a speaker sim (e.g. Behringer Ultra-G) into some full range speakers and listen to the power section distort.

3) Hmm, not sure about that one.

4) The bright and Bass switches are OFF at the lower position right ?
A: Correct, they are OFF at the down position. Also, there is more effect as the attenuation is increased. I’ve found that for anything greater then -16 dB, I needed drastic EQ changes to compensate.

[GCDEF]

I got my minimass last week. Hooked it up to my F-50. I can't say enough good things about it. I've used several other attenuators in the past, but the minimass is the first one that didn't seem to add buzz or fiziness even under serious attenuation. The sound is very consistent under all attenuation levels. Anyone looking for an attenuator for the F-50 need look no further than the minimass.

I'm running the distortion channel master about half way up now. Before it was barely past the point where the amp gets audible. It sounds much warmer and fatter cranked into the minimass than trying to restrain the volume just with the volume knobs.

[Mush]

Originally posted by nickt
I had a similar problem with mine, light didn't go on and 16db setting didn't work properly. Turned out I had it hooked up in reverse.

Now I feel ashamed !

Plugged it the right way and BINGO !

Thanks

[Mush]

Originally posted by hal9000
2) I have never see the bulb light on even if the switch is on ! Is it possible that it is blown.
A: See above, it only lights when there is a decent amount of power being dissipated. If you want to light up the Hot Plate, put it on load and crank up the amp to around 12:00 on the OD master. The Hot Plate will get hot fast, the bulb will light,

With that box hooked coorectly everything is working.

Is that normal that the -16 ad infinity pot scratch a little bit ?

Mush

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Mush


With that box hooked coorectly everything is working.

Is that normal that the -16 ad infinity pot scratch a little bit ?

Mush Mine's a little scratchy. I need to put some cleaner on that bad boy.

[nickt]

Originally posted by Mush


Now I feel ashamed !

Plugged it the right way and BINGO !

Thanks


no need to be ashamed, it's easy to do. In fact the guy at THD I e-mailed when I thought I had a problem with it said he'd done it several times! :)

[kurt1981]

Hey guys, just tried out an F0-50 combo yesterday, and it was cool, but not quite there for me. I wanted a bit more upper mids, around 5 or 600 HZ, and it broke up with the gain on 2 and the master on about the same, very low for me. I need a loud clean, to run my zendrive through, I'm after the Robben Ford tone, or as close as I can get with my less than adequate noodling. My question is, did I play a bad F-50, or would there be a better mesa for me? I was thinking maybe of trying the Mark IV, but there aren't any around here. Any ideas?
All the fenders I've tried and owned had a brittle almost fizz to the extreme highs, and make my overdrives sound buzzy.
thanks
Kurt

[stomper]

Originally posted by GCDEF
I got my minimass last week. Hooked it up to my F-50. I can't say enough good things about it. I've used several other attenuators in the past, but the minimass is the first one that didn't seem to add buzz or fiziness even under serious attenuation. The sound is very consistent under all attenuation levels. Anyone looking for an attenuator for the F-50 need look no further than the minimass.

I'm running the distortion channel master about half way up now. Before it was barely past the point where the amp gets audible. It sounds much warmer and fatter cranked into the minimass than trying to restrain the volume just with the volume knobs.

Hey GCDEF!

Can you tell me a little more about the minimass? Where can I read up about it?

I was thinking of getting a Hotplate (after reading about them here) in a couple of months, but am intrigued to hear about other attenuators, and compare opinions on them.

Cheers! :)

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by nickt
hey guys,
forgive me if this has been asked before, but, I'm playing around with my new Digitech GNX 3000, and it sounds awful in the return of my F50 (like there's socks in the speaker!)

It sounds much better in the front of the amp, but my question is, with the F50's EQ on the clean channel, what's the nearest to a "flat" response?

is it all at 12 noon, or treble and bass full with mid dimed?

thanks in advance

Nick

Hi Nick,

Guitar amps aren't really designed to give a flat frequency response. The tone stacks in all Fender derived circuits usually scoop the mids to a degree. Furthermore, guitar speakers also far from Hi-fi. All of these deviations from an ideal engineering design serve to create the sound of the electric guitar that we know and love. :cool:

My advice:
* just set the controls where they sound best to you
* check to see if you GNX has a setting for connecting to a guitar amp rather than to a Line level device, and use that
* try disabling pre-amp models and EQ sections to hear more of the raw tone of your F-series

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by kurt1981
Hey guys, just tried out an F0-50 combo yesterday, and it was cool, but not quite there for me. I wanted a bit more upper mids, around 5 or 600 HZ, and it broke up with the gain on 2 and the master on about the same, very low for me. I need a loud clean, to run my zendrive through, I'm after the Robben Ford tone, or as close as I can get with my less than adequate noodling. My question is, did I play a bad F-50, or would there be a better mesa for me? I was thinking maybe of trying the Mark IV, but there aren't any around here. Any ideas?
All the fenders I've tried and owned had a brittle almost fizz to the extreme highs, and make my overdrives sound buzzy.
thanks
Kurt

Hi Kurt,

The F-50 does have a huge amount of clean headroom, so break up at 2 (i.e. around 8 o'clock) is very low imo. Are you sure the amp was on the Clean (green) channel, and not on the Dirty/Contour (red) channels?

Another amp that you might wish to consider for your needs is the Fuchs ODS100. It's one of the nicest amps I've played in a while and very much nails those Robben Ford tones.

On the gorgeously versatile F-50, I find that I can get closer to that kind of break up by using my vintage Dynacomp pedal as a clean boost on the Dirty channel. I may have to redo the Revelation clip in my sig with these settings :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Dann'sTheMan]

Originally posted by stomper


Hey GCDEF!

Can you tell me a little more about the minimass? Where can I read up about it?

I was thinking of getting a Hotplate (after reading about them here) in a couple of months, but am intrigued to hear about other attenuators, and compare opinions on them.

Cheers! :)

+1. I'd like to hear more about your experiences, GCDEF with the Weber box too. There used to be an excellent stickied thread in the amp forum that did some in detail comparison (with clips) of the Hotplate and the Minimass. Unfortunately it's gone now.

stomper, all of the advice on it being OK to use Standby to switch guitars was spot on imho. You may be interested to know that the reason why a warning is given when using Standby mode, is that if you leave your amp on the Standby setting for a long time (i.e. tens of hours), then it can affect the tubes, causing something called "cathode poisoning". Switching your amp to standby in order to change guitars, or in between sets, is absolutely fine. :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by stomper


Hey GCDEF!

Can you tell me a little more about the minimass? Where can I read up about it?

I was thinking of getting a Hotplate (after reading about them here) in a couple of months, but am intrigued to hear about other attenuators, and compare opinions on them.

Cheers! :)

You can go to www.TedWeber.com. Advantages over the hotplate are that it is switchable between 4 8 and 16 ohms, and works more like a volume knob rather than bumping you down 3 or 4 db at a time the way other attenuators do. Under serious attenuation, like down to the wife and kids can still watch TV levels, it rolls off a bit of high end, but to me that's better than the buzziness I've heard from others. As with most attenuators, the less you roll off, the better it sounds, but it's by far the most transparent of everything else I've used.

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by GCDEF


You can go to www.TedWeber.com. Advantages over the hotplate are that it is switchable between 4 8 and 16 ohms, and works more like a volume knob rather than bumping you down 3 or 4 db at a time the way other attenuators do. Under serious attenuation, like down to the wife and kids can still watch TV levels, it rolls off a bit of high end, but to me that's better than the buzziness I've heard from others. As with most attenuators, the less you roll off, the better it sounds, but it's by far the most transparent of everything else I've used.

I've got a MiniMass as well, so I'll chime in here. I will say, however, that I haven't used any other attenuators. But I've been very happy with the MiniMass. For one thing, it's about a third the cost of a HotPlate. And while there is a slight perceived loss of treble at extreme attenuation, I don't think it's bad...and it's pretty easily compensated for using an EQ pedal in the loop.

To be honest, I didn't buy the Minimass specifically for the F50, but rather for a hand-made Plexi style tube amp I'm getting from a guy on another forum. It's a single ended amp that will run from 5-15 watts depending on the power tube you use, but since it's a vintage design, it will get a lot of it's distortion and character from the power tube, and 15 watts is still louder than my family will appreciate. Thus the MiniMass.

The Mesa, on the other hand, gets most of it's distortion from the preamp tubes. When I got the MiniMass, I recorded some clips with the amps Master and the attenuation at various levels, and to be honest, I didn't think increasing the MV made much difference, unless you got over 2 o'clock where it really started to compress noticeably...to0 much for my tastes. But MV at 9:30 and MV at 12:00 were very similar. I don't think I saved those clips, but I will make some more here soon and post them and we'll see what you all think.

So for me, the MiniMass is more an additional volume control than a way to push the output section harder. Even setting the MV at 9:30 is too loud with the family at home, so the MiniMass brings it down to an acceptable volume.

And the Line Out is interesting...obviously it needs to be run through a speaker sim...the jury is still out on that one. I'd like to get one of those Behringer GI-100s to see how it sounds through that. With my current direct chain (line out > GE-7 > Tech 21 TRI OD in speaker sim mode > mixer), I think I get a better tone using the F50's preamp line out over the Minimass, even though the Minimass is post poweramp.

[GCDEF]

Originally posted by Surfcaster


And the Line Out is interesting...obviously it needs to be run through a speaker sim...the jury is still out on that one. I'd like to get one of those Behringer GI-100s to see how it sounds through that. With my current direct chain (line out > GE-7 > Tech 21 TRI OD in speaker sim mode > mixer), I think I get a better tone using the F50's preamp line out over the Minimass, even though the Minimass is post poweramp.

I haven't tried it yet, but I would imagine you would need a speaker simulation. I have the Behringer and will give it a shot. I would think you'd get better results putting the Behringer before the minimass and using its line out rather than the minimiass, then just use the minimass to reduce volume.

[kurt1981]

Hey, I've tried the fuchs, and they're amazing, but a bit out of my price range. I just found that the drive channel on the F-50 was kind of scooped, even with the mids cranked, and the bass rolled back, something I've had to do with most boogies. I liked the cleans, they just weren't quite there in the midrange for me, lots of low mids, but not enough around 500 or 600 HZ. I was hoping the mark IV, with it's eq and million options would get me where I want to go. Maybe I ned to try another f-50, since the cleans should not have been that broken at low volumes, probably bad tubes or something, I do think it was used.
The closest thing I've found to what I want was the lonestar, but it had the same problem, it became a bit muddy in the lows and low mids. Thanks guys, sorry for being so picky.
Kurt
Originally posted by Dann'sTheMan


Hi Kurt,

The F-50 does have a huge amount of clean headroom, so break up at 2 (i.e. around 8 o'clock) is very low imo. Are you sure the amp was on the Clean (green) channel, and not on the Dirty/Contour (red) channels?

Another amp that you might wish to consider for your needs is the Fuchs ODS100. It's one of the nicest amps I've played in a while and very much nails those Robben Ford tones.

On the gorgeously versatile F-50, I find that I can get closer to that kind of break up by using my vintage Dynacomp pedal as a clean boost on the Dirty channel. I may have to redo the Revelation clip in my sig with these settings :)

Big smiles,

Andy.

[Surfcaster]

Originally posted by GCDEF


I haven't tried it yet, but I would imagine you would need a speaker simulation. I have the Behringer and will give it a shot. I would think you'd get better results putting the Behringer before the minimass and using its line out rather than the minimiass, then just use the minimass to reduce volume.

Yeah, I agree with you, Ultra-G first, then MiniMass. I'm interested to see how it works for you...I'm kind of expecting you might still need some additional EQ, but I could be wrong about that.

[HockeyMetFan]

Hey everyone! I'm thinking of picking up an F-30 or 50 sometime soon, they sound like amazing amps! I'm planning on going out to my local retailer to try both the 30 and the 50 asap. I posted a stand alone thread about this also, but one thing came to my mind, and that was if there are any disadvantages to running an external speaker cabinet from a combo rather than a head? Or is it essentially the same thing. I'd like to have the combo available to cart around on a moments notice, but only if I can run a 2x12 cab from it just as easily as I would be able to from just the stand alone head, since the 2x12 is what I'd want to use for gigs and what not. Thanks to all the people who keep this thread going, it's been very helpful to me being rather a bit of a tube amp newbie!

[hal9000]

Originally posted by HockeyMetFan
Hey everyone! ...I posted a stand alone thread about this also, but one thing came to my mind, and that was if there are any disadvantages to running an external speaker cabinet from a combo rather than a head? ... The speaker output of the combo is identical to the head, so you can use it however you like (Combo w/ ext cab, just ext cab, combo only etc.). I run my F-100 2x12 combo with a 2x12 Avatar cab and it rocks.

If you're going to audition an F-series amp, give my audition settings a try (sig) for a first pass of how to get some different sounds with the EQ.

[hal9000]

Originally posted by Surfcaster


Yeah, I agree with you, Ultra-G first, then MiniMass. I'm interested to see how it works for you...I'm kind of expecting you might still need some additional EQ, but I could be wrong about that. I've run my F-100 with the Hot Plate on load and an Ultra-G supplying the speaker sim. It sounds really good until you get to extreme levels. When I had the amp cranked up around 3:00 to get power tube distortion, I got this horrible scratchy mess of a tone. Since I never run the amp this way I didn't investigate the issue. Maybe I had it plugged in backwards. :D

[Dann'sTheMan]

Brothers,

My hands are aching, because I have had such fun this evening with my F-50. I decided to spend some time trying to dial in some Robben Ford tones following on from the recent questions by kurt1981, my recent experiences with the Fuchs ODS100, and my growing experience with using my vintage Dynacomp as a boost for getting just the right flavour of drive. :cool:

I was using my PRS Custom 22, and the tones were so inspiring, I couldn't put the guitar down. I was playing along with Robben's "Talk To Your Daughter" album, and using my fingers for more of the right kind of snap. I thought a couple of times about stopping and trying to record some snippets, but tracks like "Revelation", "Born Under a Bad Sign" and "Getaway" were calling my name.

When I was finally about to hang up my axe, I thought of trying to dial in a more authentic slapback delay on the G-Major, (shared by the talented Scott Lerner many moons back), and it all kicked off again. Wow, I was so close to the tone coming off the CD, it was scary, and mind-blowing. Man, I love my F-50 (if you hadn't guessed) :p

Hopefully, I'll find the time to get around to recording something with this tone, but I simply had to share the buzz I'm feeling with the brotherhood. If you'd like to try out the settings that have had me so hyped, then here they are (remember to use your fingers, a humbucker mahogany/maple type guitar, and a compressor or possibly a clean booster):

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/dannstheman/music/RobbenFordSettings.JPG
Use the Red channel (no Contour) for tones like "Revelation" and "Born Under a Bad Sign", and the Green channel for songs like "Getaway" :cool:

Big smiles,

Andy.

[kurt1981]

I thought I'd throw this out there, and see if anyone uses a zendrive through their F-50 or 100? Just wondering. Thanks, I really want to find one of these that's not acting strangely. The one I tried broke up so quick, it must have been defective.
Kurt