Just got an MMB, have questions...

[ehren]

Hello,

Just got a Music Master Bass amp, 6v6 version. It's in great shape and has tone to die for but I have some questions.

This amp seems really quiet to me, from every thing I've read it would seem that this amp would have more zing to it. With my 52RI I can keep it clean all the way up to 10, it sounds great, but it seriously seems that this amp should be a bit louder. It has Tung Sol 6v6s, JJ 12ax7 and a Rola Reconed by Weber P12R speaker.

Now I love the tone of this amp but I'm wondering if this speaker is not a good match as far as efficiency goes? Also the amp does have the Torres magic mod.

Also, input one makes a terrible noise when you plug into it, but input 2 works fine and the amp is dead quiet as far as hum goes.

I'm in tone heaven and I want to use this amp at jam sessions and what not, but I'm afraid it might be a bit quiet with a drummer.

If this is indeed the most I can get from this amp, do you think running 2 of them would do the trick? This amp sounds so good and is so cheap I'd have no problem going out and buying another one to run in stereo.

Thanks for any help guys, I've been playing Mesa's and Marshall's for the last 3 years and I'm going back to Fender tone, this amp sound soooo good.

[Pierce]

as to NOT be as hot as input one..sounds like you have a bad shorting jack on the first input. I'm not sure what the torres magic is...

these don't have alot of gain as it uses a interstage transformer rahter than a tube phase inverter. it was made for a small practice bass rig and they wanted it to have cleanoutput. I think you'd have a problem running one in fine shape even with a moderate drummer unless you are going to mike it

[ehren]

I guess that would have something to do with it. I never new that one input would be hotter than the other, I guess I'll have to figure out what is wrong with input one.

I don't mind that the amp is clean, actually I'm glad, i've just read so many reviews about people gigging with this amp that I thought it would have a little more punch.

Still pondering the idea of running two of them.

[John E]

The stock speakers in those are not very efficient... get a better speaker and it will make a big difference... also as Tom said have someone go thru it for the jack problem and check the caps. They're still not that loud, but I could gig one in a small club. Those amps are sleepers, I love those little things.

[ehren]

It is a Rola Reconed by Weber P12R speaker.

I'm just wondering if there is a more efficient speaker.

The amp sounds great, i'm just wondering if I can figure out a way to gig with it, or run two of them.

[John E]

Originally Posted by ehren

It is a Rola Reconed by Weber P12R speaker.

I'm just wondering if there is a more efficient speaker.

The amp sounds great, i'm just wondering if I can figure out a way to gig with it, or run two of them.

Hmm not familiar with that speaker... the speakers I've heard that amp thru were a Weber Ceramic 30 watt Blue Dog w/40 oz magnet, That put out decent volume and sounded pretty good; Also a Weber P12N which sounded very good, it was less efficient and broke up a bit with the amp dimed.

[ehren]

From what I understand, both from replies here and other places, input 2 indeed does have a pad on it and I think that is what I'm hearing, like I know that there is more to the amp than what I'm getting, even if just a little. Input one is unuseable and just give a terrible static noise when you plug into it, I'm going to get that checked out and see how it is after that.

[Wally]

That lil MMB should growl with a guitar plugged into the #1 jack.

[Dacious]

My old MMB had a beautiful glacial Fender quality up 'til 5, then got dirtier. Definitely a problem in your input jack which will cut volume.

IMO, remove the Torres mod (which probably amounts to a few resistors and caps) and recap. Rola speakers are nice-sounding but not known for efficiency. Something like a Weber (does he have a signature 12"?) or a secondhand Jensen would be a better bet. These amps are not real loud - not quite as loud as a Pro or Blues Jnr, but have great tone. For drumless acoustic gigs, lougeroom or small jams they're great, or if you've got a sensitive drummer. I used to use mine for a Blues open mike and it was good there.

My MMB had original Sylvania 6V6GTAs and a Yorkville 12AX7, and these turned out to be the best out of several combos I tried, including RCA NOS tubes. It's still a 12 watt amp.

[JDO]

yes, ted has a sig 12. and right now it's on special for something like 35 bucks. hard to beat that price.