Musicmaster Bass amp arrived!

[telefiddler]

Just got my MMB this morning. I love the tone, it is the 6aq5a version. Changed the power tubes that were in it for some GE 6005, which improved the tone and output. I also experimented with some different preamp tubes a JJ ecc81(12at7), an EH 12at7, and an EH 12ax7. The 12ax7 was a little too dirty and a little bit louder. The EH 12at7 sounded good with sweeter overdrive but was a little too bright. The JJ ecc81(12at7) was the best to my ear it provided a smoother, sweeter overdrive that was nicely balanced and not overly bright or dark.

Can't wait to get a weber ceramic sig 12B and put in it. The stock square magnet CTS sounds pretty good in the one I have, you can tell it is distorting a fair ammount though. Will the volume really increase significantly with the new speaker?

BTW, this thing sounds incredible for lead with a clean boost from my OD-3.

[bluesfordan]

fun little amps for sure. how is yours for hum/buzz, a problem they can be prone to.

[telefiddler]

Mine is nice and quiet. Hope it stays that way. Just got through jamming with my SR18 drum machine the amp performed very well. I really really like this amp, it sounds great straight in and it handles what pedals I have thrown at it so far really well. I have used it with a Little Big Muff Pi and a Boss OD-3. Tommorrow I will try it with a delay pedal in a band setting.

[doggy1972]

Good score. Just got the same model myself. The stock speaker was surprisingly nice sounding but, far too quiet.Not much hum. I put an Eminence legend 125 in there and, BOY, the volume increase! More clean headroom and blistering O/D. No pedals required (well maybe a bit of verb) Put an AY7 in the pre amp and the tone is fat and rich. These are real undiscovered treasures. I could probably gig with this little beast. Sounds a lot like a tweed. Telefiddler did you try the second input? I thought to maybe use an a/b box to get a clean channel and an overdrive channel
Ian

[telefiddler]

Yeah, I tried both inputs. They both sound really good. Have you tried an AT7 in it to compare to the AY7? The amp definitely has a tweed vibe to it. I intend to gig with it as my main amp, may even get a 6v6 version in the future and run them stereo:)

[doggy1972]

The amp came with an AT7 but, it was a little too aggresive when it was dimed so, I tried the AY7 and can get some fairly decent headroom out of it. I think the speaker change is the most important factor. Im really impressed with this little amp but, would also like to try the 6V6 apparently its slightly louder and a bit more fendery.Let us know how it turns out on the gigs you do
Ian

[telefiddler]

Sounded good in a band setting, I can see how it will benefit from a speaker change, I had a lot of speaker breakup at about 7 on the volume.

It does use an 8 ohm speaker right?

Also would it be possible to run out the second input and into another guitar amp?

[telefiddler]

Hey everyone just got my replacement speaker (weber ceramic sig 12b) and put it in. Sounds excellent, more volume with very nice lows.

[SimpleOne]

Nice! The honeymoon continues...For fun I put a C12K in mine for a bit...good out put there, yeah! Changed it to a CTS AlNiCo finally. I have the Silver skirted knob one also, '74. So simple and now I understand that "simple circuit" love around here.

[JohnnyCrash]

Here is a belated CONGRATS to you! Somehow I missed the thread a few days ago.

Congrats on the new amp :)

[doggy1972]

Originally Posted by telefiddler

Sounded good in a band setting, I can see how it will benefit from a speaker change, I had a lot of speaker breakup at about 7 on the volume.

It does use an 8 ohm speaker right?

Also would it be possible to run out the second input and into another guitar amp?

Heh.People finally caught this thread.Telefiddler, was it loud enough in a band setting??
Think these things MUST have good efficient speakers in them. Takes all the middyness away. Mines a Eminence 125 and.....it loves it. I can get it nice and loud without it breaking up. 75 watts might be a bit overkill but, it seems to work. And, yes, its 8 ohm :)

I love mine.

[telefiddler]

Thanks JohnnyCrash.

Doggy, Yeah it was loud enough in a band setting. But, there was a little too much speaker breakup for my taste with the original speaker. Haven't tried it in a band setting with the new Weber speaker in there yet, but will tonight at practice. I'll let yall know how it goes. :)

[doggy1972]

I use the original speaker now in an extension. I like the tone from it. I use it to get breakup at lower volumes

[mistermullens]

How many of you guys are using this for guitar and not bass? I'm off to YT for some demos.

[doggy1972]

Guitar only.There are one or two demos but, not too much

[SimpleOne]

Originally Posted by mistermullens

How many of you guys are using this for guitar and not bass? I'm off to YT for some demos.

Hey MM

Guitar only also...it was apparently an entry level bass amp. Spartan control, V&T only, new speakers and a few choice mods (search TDPRI-tone mod) makes it a fun guitar amp. Has a SS rectifier. Two different model types, Fender changed the type of power tubed used in the mid seventies, 75 IIRC. Lite wieght amp. Rob D. talked these up apparently and was blamed/credited with popularizing them and raising the prices also...as I remember...Got a pristene one for $230 at GC. Tightened the tube sockets and voila...sounds great. And a low watt, (12) amp with a 12 that is lite to haul!

[telefiddler]

I am only using this amp for guitar. It is an incredible sounding amp, the difference with the new speaker is amazing. The amp had no problem keeping up in a band setting and I only had it from around 4-6 on the volume knob. Before, with the original speaker, I had it up to 7-8 and still wasn't getting as much volume as I was on 4 with the new speaker. The speaker (weber sig 12b) sounds great too, excellent sound quality. It really brought the amp to life, I love the thing, it is my favorite amp.

[SimpleOne]

Originally Posted by telefiddler

I am only using this amp for guitar. It is an incredible sounding amp, the difference with the new speaker is amazing. The amp had no problem keeping up in a band setting and I only had it from around 4-6 on the volume knob. Before, with the original speaker, I had it up to 7-8 and still wasn't getting as much volume as I was on 4 with the new speaker. The speaker (weber sig 12b) sounds great too, excellent sound quality. It really brought the amp to life, I love the thing, it is my favorite amp.

very cool to hear...do you have reverb or trem thru it?

Weber sig12b info:

"General purpose medium power ceramic 12. Economical replacement for Chicago Jensen C12N, C12Q, Oxford, Utah, Eminence, etc.
12", 40oz ceramic magnet, 50 watts, 1-1/2" voice coil, British cone and dust cap.
Later breakup, strong low end with lots of punch and dynamics."

Sounds like a good economic solution...

[Rybass]

Sweet! I'm on my second MMB. I dropped an eminence red fang in. A substantial volume increase came with it and with a recommendation from a forum member I put a 12au7 in to tame the volume and sweeten up the distortion at higher levels. Highly recommended.

[Phaze]

Congrats!

I have the 6aq5a version as well. I've had it for 20-some years. A few years ago tried a few mods I ran across on the interwebs (clipping a resistor, swapping a cap or two--don't exactly remember) and I put in a Warehouse Vintage-Cele-type speaker. Kinda ordinary Fendery at lower setting (not a bad thing), but when it's turned up loud, it sounds awesome--a really sweet lead tone. Didn't think it had it in 'er.