Tech 21 TM 60 "Fender settings"

Walker · February 2nd, 2008, 02:58 PM

I was looking through the TM 60's owner's manuel at the sample settings. Now, whether using these settings really produces an acurate reproduction of these amps in subjective, but what amps are these setting supposedly reproducing? For instance: when it says "Clean Fender" is it supposed to be a Twin? A Deluxe? Others:

Hendrix-Little Wing-what amp?

Stevie Ray- what amp did he use?

BB King Blues- he mostly used a Twin (or a Lab Series L5)?

Clapton/Bluesbreaker- a Marshall, right?

George Benson Jazz- I'd think he used a Twin or maybe a Polytone?

markinlondon · February 2nd, 2008, 03:44 PM

I've thought about this over the 12 years I've been using this amp and come to the conclusion that the TM60 is NOT a modeller so its tones are sort of impressionistic versions of the descriptions. So, rather than claiming "a model of a '65 blackface twin", they just label them things like "Fender clean". It's more of a ballpark tone, tweak the midrange controls (punch on Ch 1) and the master tones to taste. I find Tech 21's approach refreshingly honest against many manufacturer's claims of 100% accurate reproductions.

xjazzy · February 2nd, 2008, 07:12 PM

I have one of those and sometimes I wonder what leed me to the tube amps. That thing is great and was my gig amp for some years. I've been bad to it and now it's full of noises and I'm thinking about fixing it one of these days.
Never cared too much for the sample settings.

Tony474 · February 3rd, 2008, 06:19 AM

I'm with Mark on this one. The TM60 isn't claimed to be a modelling amp as such, but it is designed with extraordinarily flexible tone controls, which make it possible to capture the general character of the amps mentioned in the suggested settings. I've found the manual and amp-top card to be a very useful guide to starting-points from which to adjust things to achieve the sounds I like to use. If you adjust your expectations accordingly I'm sure you'll arrive at the place you want to be.

Walker · February 3rd, 2008, 10:00 AM

Do you guys use Ch 2 on the amp? Can you get a decent "Marshall" tone out of it? If so, what are your (ballpark) settings?

Tony474 · February 3rd, 2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walker

Do you guys use Ch 2 on the amp? Can you get a decent "Marshall" tone out of it? If so, what are your (ballpark) settings?

Don't know about Marshall, but these settings give me a decent distorted sound: "Weep" in, "Drive" about 2 o'clock, "Growl" around 2:30, low and high EQ set to taste but not too extreme, channel level as required. Rarely if ever use it myself, though, as I usually get that type of sound from outboards through channel 1 set clean.

However, consensus seems to be that Channel 1 provides even better overdriven tones when adjusted appropriately, i.e. by judicious use of the "Drive" and "Punch" controls.

Yes, I know the names of some of the knobs and buttons are what we in England (maybe New Zealand too) would call "a bit naff", but what they actually do more than makes up for it.

emisilly · February 3rd, 2008, 02:04 PM

I used to have one (wish I still did!). I didn't care for the suggested "Fender clean" settings. To me they sounded thin and harsh. I just tweaked them a bit to my taste. The eq on both channels is insanely responsive (active controls btw).

I think the first channel does a better overdrive that channel 2 as well. Fantastic "tweedy"/on the edge of breakup grit that is warm and fat. Channel 2 does a great Marshall crunch, but I didn't use that much since it doesn't fit my style.

markinlondon · February 3rd, 2008, 02:26 PM

I use Ch2 pretty much as Tony suggests for home recording and practice. Or back off the drive to about 10:00 and growl all the way up for a Vox-like grit. For playing out I usually go with a Tube Screamer or a Rat into Ch 1. Ch 1 will go all the way to fuzz tones with the "punch" wound up. It's also only occurred to me recently (yeah, I'm slow) that the Ch 1 bite switch activates a compression circuit along with the treble boost.

Tony474 · February 3rd, 2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emisilly

I didn't care for the suggested "Fender clean" settings. To me they sounded thin and harsh. I just tweaked them a bit to my taste. The eq on both channels is insanely responsive (active controls btw).

I'm inclined to agree - wouldn't say harsh, but certainly a little on the hollow side. Sounds OK indoors, but for a gig adding just a little "Punch" does just that, i.e. adds just enough midrange to fill out the tone and push through the mix. Overdo it and then it'll sound harsh. Both EQs can generally be left flattish (around 12 o'clock) with maybe just a touch up or down according to the individual venue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markinlondon

It's also only occurred to me recently (yeah, I'm slow) that the Ch 1 bite switch activates a compression circuit along with the treble boost.

Do you know, I hadn't sussed that!

Good stuff and could be what helps to give the TM60 such excellent clean headroom. As it goes, I also sometimes use a (Turbo) Rat along with a Fulldrive 2 on my pedalboard, but more often just an old Zoom 2020 with patches I concocted myself. In addition to its other virtues, this amp also takes pedals wonderfully well.

February 2nd, 2008, 02:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Walker Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CT Posts: 210	Tech 21 TM 60 "Fender settings" I was looking through the TM 60's owner's manuel at the sample settings. Now, whether using these settings really produces an acurate reproduction of these amps in subjective, but what amps are these setting supposedly reproducing? For instance: when it says "Clean Fender" is it supposed to be a Twin? A Deluxe? Others: Hendrix-Little Wing-what amp? Stevie Ray- what amp did he use? BB King Blues- he mostly used a Twin (or a Lab Series L5)? Clapton/Bluesbreaker- a Marshall, right? George Benson Jazz- I'd think he used a Twin or maybe a Polytone?

February 2nd, 2008, 03:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
markinlondon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wellington, NZ Age: 48 Posts: 426	I've thought about this over the 12 years I've been using this amp and come to the conclusion that the TM60 is NOT a modeller so its tones are sort of impressionistic versions of the descriptions. So, rather than claiming "a model of a '65 blackface twin", they just label them things like "Fender clean". It's more of a ballpark tone, tweak the midrange controls (punch on Ch 1) and the master tones to taste. I find Tech 21's approach refreshingly honest against many manufacturer's claims of 100% accurate reproductions. __________________ Helping to invent english country dance guitar since 1981.

February 2nd, 2008, 07:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
xjazzy Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 804 6 Photos	I have one of those and sometimes I wonder what leed me to the tube amps. That thing is great and was my gig amp for some years. I've been bad to it and now it's full of noises and I'm thinking about fixing it one of these days. Never cared too much for the sample settings. __________________ Still got the Twang! myspace.com/jotacaster

February 3rd, 2008, 06:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tony474 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Bushey, near London, England Age: 61 Posts: 1,966	I'm with Mark on this one. The TM60 isn't claimed to be a modelling amp as such, but it is designed with extraordinarily flexible tone controls, which make it possible to capture the general character of the amps mentioned in the suggested settings. I've found the manual and amp-top card to be a very useful guide to starting-points from which to adjust things to achieve the sounds I like to use. If you adjust your expectations accordingly I'm sure you'll arrive at the place you want to be. __________________ Proud to be The Man From Uncool.

February 3rd, 2008, 02:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
markinlondon Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wellington, NZ Age: 48 Posts: 426	I use Ch2 pretty much as Tony suggests for home recording and practice. Or back off the drive to about 10:00 and growl all the way up for a Vox-like grit. For playing out I usually go with a Tube Screamer or a Rat into Ch 1. Ch 1 will go all the way to fuzz tones with the "punch" wound up. It's also only occurred to me recently (yeah, I'm slow) that the Ch 1 bite switch activates a compression circuit along with the treble boost. __________________ Helping to invent english country dance guitar since 1981.

February 3rd, 2008, 10:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
Walker Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CT Posts: 210	Do you guys use Ch 2 on the amp? Can you get a decent "Marshall" tone out of it? If so, what are your (ballpark) settings?

February 3rd, 2008, 02:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
emisilly Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 474	I used to have one (wish I still did!). I didn't care for the suggested "Fender clean" settings. To me they sounded thin and harsh. I just tweaked them a bit to my taste. The eq on both channels is insanely responsive (active controls btw). I think the first channel does a better overdrive that channel 2 as well. Fantastic "tweedy"/on the edge of breakup grit that is warm and fat. Channel 2 does a great Marshall crunch, but I didn't use that much since it doesn't fit my style.