I found this MusicMaster Bass amp today

[lostpick]

Contact cleaner...
I completely woke up a 1960
Guild Tweed clone from the dead
with De-ox-it...
works wonders..

[Rob DiStefano]

Well, not *anything* is better than those old speakers. Get the "best" you can afford.

You will not go wrong with the $50 Weber Sig 12B. I have my choice of speakers costing twice that amount and the 12B is still the better choice for me and 5F1, 5F2, 5E3 circuits.

But also look around for a used, in good condition, 12" 8 ohm speaker that's at least 20w.

Lemme add - I look for ribbed cone speakers which have later breakup, larger 1.5" voice coils, 30 oz or more ceramic mag, and 30 watts minimum power. Umm, gee, that's the 12B ... and only $50.

[eugenedunn]

I wish I had extra "President Bush Economy Stimulatin' Discretionary Cash" to spend, 'cause I'd buy it from ya!

I have a 79 Champ that is set up beautifully, and is my most fun amp to play. There's something about a simple, small wattage amp, cranked-up that makes guitar-amp playing so dynamic and interactive.

I've used that amp many times now in rehearsal with my band and it hangs in there (although it is dimed all the way) I put in a 12AY7 preamp tube to tame the overdrive, but still maintain punch and clarity). When it is dimed, it just has enough overdrive for bluesy solos, yet cleans up glassy when I back off on the guitar volume control.

Sometimes I wish it had just a bit more power..... like a MMB! With the voicing cleaned up in the Champ, it mates so well with my pedalboard effects.... sounds terrific. I always get bewildered looks that the little box is putting out all that tone and volume.

So, if I were you, I'd consider your MMB a golden goose..... keep it and love it. Hey, I noticed that the cabinet is quite cavernous.... maybe you could fit a bad a*s 15-inch in there! NOW THAT would be atomic!!!!!!!

[pchilson]

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

Judging from the amps you've listed in your profile, I'd say you seem to really like these small units! This MMB could be the hottest thing in your stack, if it's set up right. I say you keep the SCXD and unload everything else. Then use the money to beef up this MMB with the right speaker and get a good delay pedal. You'd be set for life.

I've updated my profile. I have been thinning the herd in recent weeks. I am trying to get my gear down to a simple few quality items as opposed to a larger collection of mediocre gear although I do enjoy "inexpensive" guitars and will probably continue to acquire them as I find them.

I'm just trying to find a good replacement speaker for this MMB without breaking the bank.

[Rob DiStefano]

Yes, with a bit of creative baffling a stock MMB cab will accept a 15" speaker.

[eugenedunn]

Yeah, more and more it's apparent that it's the AMP that helps you convey your touch and style to your music, not the geetar!

Driving an amp just below the "overdrive" zone is where it's at..... it really allows you to dig-in while playing clean, and express yourself with a taste of overdrive and sustain when notes are picked hard.

That MMB has cool mojo, in my opinion. It's the perfect wattage for most situations and it has such a big cabinet, that it can accommodate almost any speaker you want to put in it. I have been following your thread with interest for quite awhile..... getting a vicarious thrill out of it. (^_^)

I wonder how the 6V6 MMB's sound compared to your model? I am in love with the 6V6 sound (every one of my amps uses them). I think you scored with your acquisition. Hot stuff.

[Rob DiStefano]

IMO, no one could tell the sonic difference 'tween 6AQ5's and 6V6's.

[eugenedunn]

Wow Rob, thanks for chiming in on that 15-inch baffle comment.

I would love it if someone posted a comment on running a 15-inch with their MMB.

If I wasn't so attached to my Champ, I'd sell it and launch a search for the perfect MMB. But then, I KNOW that I'd suffer "Seller's Remorse" eventually. Seems like if I ever sell anything that is really a quality item, I eventually regret it years later..... the Champ is the perfect foil for my Princeton because it's only 5-6 watts. A MMB is so close to the Princeton (my Holy Grail Amp) in power, that it would be redundant, in a way.

[Rob DiStefano]

Here's an MMB cab I built to stock Fender dimensions, and fitted in a Weber 15F125 ...





... notice how I undercut the baffle cleats to accommodate the 15" speaker.

[eugenedunn]

Oh Rob...... now you are killing me! Great freakin' job!

Nice cane action too. Is it your personal amp or a custom job for a client?

[pchilson]

What would be your take on the Eminence Red Coat Private Jack for the MMB?

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by pchilson

What would be your take on the Eminence Red Coat Private Jack for the MMB?

Unfortunately, the opinions of others on all matters aural are worth, well, pretty much nothing. Only you will know what works, what doesn't. Yes, it's a krap shoot - same as with pickups and lotsa other guitar related stuff.

Bottom line, the PJ is gonna be lots better than that old stock speaker.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

Oh Rob...... now you are killing me! Great freakin' job!

Nice cane action too. Is it your personal amp or a custom job for a client?

Built it a few years ago for a feller in the Big Easy. He was quite pleased.

[eugenedunn]

Boy, now you guys have stimulated the G.A.S. for MMB's!!!! Unfair!

I'd love to see other photos of cool restored MMB's..... Anyone with righteous photos to share? A buddy of mine just got one of those 12-inch Neo-magnet Jensens..... I betcha that might be a cool thing in this amp to lighten it up.... I wonder if they make a 15-inch Neo?

[meyekel]

Hey pchilson, i know of a brand new used Eminence Wizard for sale in Denver for 50 bucks. It sounded fantastic in my DR but wouldn't fit due to the basket shape and the power transformer. LMK if you want me to pursue it for you...

Mike

[pchilson]

Originally Posted by meyekel

Hey pchilson, i know of a brand new used Eminence Wizard for sale in Denver for 50 bucks. It sounded fantastic in my DR but wouldn't fit due to the basket shape and the power transformer. LMK if you want me to pursue it for you...

Mike

meyekel, thanks for the heads up on the Wizard but according to the Eminence website this speaker is designed for a closed back cab. I really don't know anything about how they base that but this MMB is a rather large open back combo. I was looking at a Private Jack that spec wise looked similar to what Rob pointed out that the Weber Signature 12B is. It is rather a shame that the Sig 12B is "out of stock" at the present time but that may be testament to the quality of the sound it reproduces. I think I will wait for these to become available again, the price is right for what I want to do. I can wait. But please let me know if you should happen to run onto something else that could be appropriate. Thanks meyekel.

[Scott S]

Originally Posted by Rob DiStefano

Here's an MMB cab I built to stock Fender dimensions, and fitted in a Weber 15F125 ...

Epic.

[DonC1966]

It's a 1976 with the 6V6 output tubes. Still has the original Fender tubes in it. I've upgraded the original speaker to a Weber Signature 12B.

Don

[eugenedunn]

Gahhhhhhh! GAS Attack!

[garytelecastor]

Originally Posted by pchilson

I gave the guy $180 out the door.
Funny thing is I spotted this amp about a month and a half ago. It is this junk/antique/flea market place so crammed with stuff you can't see anything for the fact there is so much your eyes can't focus. Well, this amp was sitting up on the top of a tall display case with stuff in front, in back and stuff was hanging from the ceiling all around it. You'd have to see this place to believe it. If I hadn't swiveled my head in just the right direction at just the right time I never would have seen it and I wouldn't be writing this today. Well the guy had a price of $795 on it, I didn't know what it was by model name or anything. He offered it to me if I wanted it for $450. I told him I would need to research it to know what it was and all. I went back 3 weeks ago, it was still there. I offered the guy $175 for it. He scoffed stating he had a guy in earlier in the week that would give him $300 for it when he sold some of his other gear. I said good luck with that and left. I stopped in yesterday, it was still there. I offered $175 again, he countered $200, I said good luck and started to leave. He said $180, I said "tax included?", he said OK, I said wrap it up.

Now I just need some of the tech types here to give me some advice on it.

The next time I go car shopping I may give you a call!!!
Nice bartering dude.

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

.... I wonder if they make a 15-inch Neo?

Yep ....

[pchilson]

I ordered my re-cap parts from Tonecraft Amp Repair in Austin Texas on Saturday morning. Today, Monday, I received the package. Amazing transit speed...I was blown away to see these in my mail box today. Also, over the weekend I won a couple items on ebay. As stated in an earlier post I scored a "lot of 8" RCA 6AQ5As and last evening I also scored a pair of RCA 12AX7s.
Now I just need some time to get to the re-cap and wait on Weber to get the Sig 12Bs back in stock.

While I'm in there is there any other mods or things I should address? Ideas?

Thanks

[pchilson]

Originally Posted by garytelecastor

The next time I go car shopping I may give you a call!!!
Nice bartering dude.

Thanks Gary, but I think anyone could have done this deal. You just have to be willing to walk and take your chances that it will not sell at the higher price while you wait them out. This amp just happened to be so "hidden" that I really don't think a lot of people ever saw it. That thing could have been sitting there for years for all I know. I've been in that place on a few different occasions looking for treasure and never saw it. But like I said there is so much stuff in this place you could stand still in one place for a minute and not see everything around you in that time. I'm just glad it was there when I went back the 3rd time.