stormsedge
Poster Extraordinaire
I rehoused my 5w just because I had a 15” speaker gathering dust. In the future, I plan to refinish and 40s50s the cabinet. Fun for now.
Monoprice amp club
- Thread starter Keefsdad
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Just for kicks, I'm waiting the arrival (from Sweetwater) for a Jensen C8r speaker.
I love the way my amp sounds now, but I had a few really good $$ gigs.
So I thought I'd get myself an 'inexpensive bonus'!
The bump from the 15watt Celestion to the 20 watt Jensen, may impart a little more volume, better low end? No idea. Just want to keep amp portable with an 8"
Plus honestly, I liked the look of having a Jensen in my 'fake Champ', what the heck!
I have a spare set of new tubes ( bought for similar Supro BK 10 amp, I did not like> sold), but the stock ones sound good to me
stormsedge
Poster Extraordinaire
Yes, I changed the tubes in mine as well...concurrent with the cabinet change (dumb). I ended up with a lot of noise and some odd wildlife sounds in the background causing me to think I may have a bad speaker. Nope...the background noise followed the speaker jack. So, after being disgusted with it for a couple of days, I pulled the new Sovtek out of V1 and put in a JJ (they were both 12AX7s...do not remember the flavor)---shazam! problem solved.
Keep us posted on the speaker. I have also been looking.
Will do, and on this thread
I should say, I live in an apartment, so I can't crank the little 5-watter here (and it sounds great cranked!)
So that will have to wait until next gig or jam I use it on...
But I can still listen, to hear a change if any, in clean/low-volume amp sound, as I like playing at that level too. Fun amp!
Well, just to follow up, I replaced the stock Celestion ( Super 8/15 watter) with the 20 watt, Jensen C8r just now, & all good.
By this I really mean I am NOT a 'DIY/handy-man type' at all when it comes to this gear maintenance stuff- more like 'kiss of death!'. So I'm just glad I took everything apart, and put it back together...
Here is what I mean:
- I poked a hole in the original speaker, dropping a screwdriver, bit first!
- I broke the tip off of the 12AX7 when putting tube back on- the retainer wire hit tip, knocked it off!
So I had a new EHX 12AX7 and a Mullard 6V6 as spares, so I went ahead and put both in, carefully!
So the amp has new tubes and the new speaker, what the heck!
I can only turn amp up to 1/3 volume in my apartment, but everything is crystal clear with my Strat- no breakup at this volume, but I can tell that amp will be louder.
I do have some good OD's to breakup things a bit at this volume ( and keep good tone), but anxious to crank things up at a jam or small gig.
Now, to order some tubes!
By this I really mean I am NOT a 'DIY/handy-man type' at all when it comes to this gear maintenance stuff- more like 'kiss of death!'. So I'm just glad I took everything apart, and put it back together...
Here is what I mean:
- I poked a hole in the original speaker, dropping a screwdriver, bit first!
- I broke the tip off of the 12AX7 when putting tube back on- the retainer wire hit tip, knocked it off!
So I had a new EHX 12AX7 and a Mullard 6V6 as spares, so I went ahead and put both in, carefully!
So the amp has new tubes and the new speaker, what the heck!
I can only turn amp up to 1/3 volume in my apartment, but everything is crystal clear with my Strat- no breakup at this volume, but I can tell that amp will be louder.
I do have some good OD's to breakup things a bit at this volume ( and keep good tone), but anxious to crank things up at a jam or small gig.
Now, to order some tubes!
emptyminded42
Tele-Meister
I know I'm a little late to the party but I just scooped up a brand new in box Monoprice 5W a few days ago for $90. Score!
My initial thoughts were - woah, this needs to be cranked to really get some dirt, maybe I should add some of my overdrive/boost pedals to it. Turns out boost pedals are really not the answer here (or at least not my boost pedal). I have the Sondery clean boost but it didn't seem to add many dBs and it ended up making the amp sound like it was covered in a blanket.
I tried my TS808 and that was better - I turned the gain all the way down, dimed the level and kept the tone more or less in the middle and it really helped tip the amp into overdrive but again, I wasn't pleased with the results - it sounded *way* too bright for me - harsh and piercing.
Then I tried my SushiBoxFX Underground Accelerator (it's a 12AX7 preamp pedal) and daaaaaaang that turns this little amp into an angry little thing. Dialing up the pedal gain just makes it more and more nasty which is really fun. But it still seemed harsh, something is not quite right with the top end.
So this morning I decided to try it clean on the 1W channel and man, I really like it once I figured out to basically turn the tone knob all the way down to between 0 and 1. That really takes that harsh edge off and the tone knob on the offset Tele SH does everything I need it to.
I'm probably going to run it without any pedals or at most the SushiBox preamp and just have to deal with it being a little louder than I'd prefer. I think as the speaker breaks in it will also reduce the harshness but for now, I am pleased with both my Jazzcaster and my little tube amp. On my Line6 modeling amp, the neck humbucker sounded way too dark even after adjusting the pickup height and pole pieces but it seems to work well with the Monoprice amp.
My initial thoughts were - woah, this needs to be cranked to really get some dirt, maybe I should add some of my overdrive/boost pedals to it. Turns out boost pedals are really not the answer here (or at least not my boost pedal). I have the Sondery clean boost but it didn't seem to add many dBs and it ended up making the amp sound like it was covered in a blanket.
I tried my TS808 and that was better - I turned the gain all the way down, dimed the level and kept the tone more or less in the middle and it really helped tip the amp into overdrive but again, I wasn't pleased with the results - it sounded *way* too bright for me - harsh and piercing.
Then I tried my SushiBoxFX Underground Accelerator (it's a 12AX7 preamp pedal) and daaaaaaang that turns this little amp into an angry little thing. Dialing up the pedal gain just makes it more and more nasty which is really fun. But it still seemed harsh, something is not quite right with the top end.
So this morning I decided to try it clean on the 1W channel and man, I really like it once I figured out to basically turn the tone knob all the way down to between 0 and 1. That really takes that harsh edge off and the tone knob on the offset Tele SH does everything I need it to.
I'm probably going to run it without any pedals or at most the SushiBox preamp and just have to deal with it being a little louder than I'd prefer. I think as the speaker breaks in it will also reduce the harshness but for now, I am pleased with both my Jazzcaster and my little tube amp. On my Line6 modeling amp, the neck humbucker sounded way too dark even after adjusting the pickup height and pole pieces but it seems to work well with the Monoprice amp.
emptyminded42
Tele-Meister
Just wanted to follow up on this thread now that I've had more time to play around with the amp with all my guitars and pedals. Overall, I'm quite pleased with this little thing.
First things first - everyone is right, the speaker needs to be broken in to get rid of the harshness. Now the tone knob is usable through most of its range in both 1W and 5W modes. It only took maybe a dozen or so hours of playing at moderate gain levels to make a difference, so don't give up on this thing too soon.
Also, this thing gets too loud (IMO) for apartment or home use. So I rigged up an attenuator pedal which serves as the missing master volume knob so I can get clean and dirt as loud or quiet as I want. I'm not savvy enough to hear a tonal difference between using and bypassing the attenuator, FWIW.
My favorite setup at the moment is using the TS808 tube screamer to help kick the tubes into various flavors of overdrive (its name is quite apt). It's been fun playing around with high overdrive from the pedal with varying levels of gain on the amp. I'm very satisfied with the diversity of sounds I can coax out of this little thing - I can get full on fuzz tones, heavily overdriven lead, and all the way down to crystal clear cleans.
I think this thing is a great value at the $130 they're asking now on sale. I don't plan to change tubes or the speaker anytime soon.
First things first - everyone is right, the speaker needs to be broken in to get rid of the harshness. Now the tone knob is usable through most of its range in both 1W and 5W modes. It only took maybe a dozen or so hours of playing at moderate gain levels to make a difference, so don't give up on this thing too soon.
Also, this thing gets too loud (IMO) for apartment or home use. So I rigged up an attenuator pedal which serves as the missing master volume knob so I can get clean and dirt as loud or quiet as I want. I'm not savvy enough to hear a tonal difference between using and bypassing the attenuator, FWIW.
My favorite setup at the moment is using the TS808 tube screamer to help kick the tubes into various flavors of overdrive (its name is quite apt). It's been fun playing around with high overdrive from the pedal with varying levels of gain on the amp. I'm very satisfied with the diversity of sounds I can coax out of this little thing - I can get full on fuzz tones, heavily overdriven lead, and all the way down to crystal clear cleans.
I think this thing is a great value at the $130 they're asking now on sale. I don't plan to change tubes or the speaker anytime soon.
Cornelius TX
Tele-Meister
Just joined the club last week. Finally bought one after going back and forth over the last few years. Wanted to get one before the price continued to rise.
Honestly, it does live up to the hype, IMO. I play in a country band and in a funk band, and I plan to gig with it this Friday (country band).
My thoughts: Since I have mainly been using a hot rod deluxe for the last 20 years, my ears had to get used to the tighter, less powerful low frequencies. That, plus the fact that the speaker has been breaking in pretty quickly, has been no problem. I'll also say that in a band context, the less boomy low notes are probably a plus.
Since I generally like the fender clean sound, I have been turning the mids completely down, which works to my ears. This amp has also caused me to really bond with my strat, which I rarely play.
I really, really dig the reverb.
I do not plan on changing anything, partly because that defeats the thrill of the deal.
Last thing: this blows my blues Jr. (With cannabis rex speaker) away. No comparison. Better cleans, better reverb, better gain, more open (less boxy) sounding.
The only thing that remains to be seen is longevity and durability, but I currently really like it!
Honestly, it does live up to the hype, IMO. I play in a country band and in a funk band, and I plan to gig with it this Friday (country band).
My thoughts: Since I have mainly been using a hot rod deluxe for the last 20 years, my ears had to get used to the tighter, less powerful low frequencies. That, plus the fact that the speaker has been breaking in pretty quickly, has been no problem. I'll also say that in a band context, the less boomy low notes are probably a plus.
Since I generally like the fender clean sound, I have been turning the mids completely down, which works to my ears. This amp has also caused me to really bond with my strat, which I rarely play.
I really, really dig the reverb.
I do not plan on changing anything, partly because that defeats the thrill of the deal.
Last thing: this blows my blues Jr. (With cannabis rex speaker) away. No comparison. Better cleans, better reverb, better gain, more open (less boxy) sounding.
The only thing that remains to be seen is longevity and durability, but I currently really like it!
Vibroluxer
Poster Extraordinaire
Might an attenuator help with the apartment level volume,,?
Scooby9261
Tele-Meister
Ive really been pushing mine and ive had zero problems with mine. Less problems than ive had with Blues Jr, Hot Rods and Deluxe reverbs ive owned tbo. I still say the best power tubes you can throw in this amp are 6p14p-ev's and use 6n2p w/ 6n2 to 12ax7 adaptors in V1 and V2 and a RCA 12at7 in V3. I am using the EHX speaker i bought that blows away the 70/80. 3 spring MOD reverb tank, new reverb cables, i shielded the inside of the chassis where the amp board is and i adjusted the bias to 10.5v (was 7.5v COLD!!! stock). Ive done some other things to mine but this amp kicks the **** out of a Blues Jr not just in tone, but volume too and i mod and repair and love Blues Jrs but they are one dimensional amp compared to this amp imho. To get more headroom, put a 50k pot on the Negative Feedback and boom, done.
Def try the eHX 12TS8 speaker, its $35 shipped and it blows away speakers in the $99+ range and especially the stock 70/80. They made a 70watt version as well but i prefer the 30watt version i got.
Def try the eHX 12TS8 speaker, its $35 shipped and it blows away speakers in the $99+ range and especially the stock 70/80. They made a 70watt version as well but i prefer the 30watt version i got.
Thanks, but just not needed.
I actually bought the Monoprice for small gigs and jams- just the right volume and breakup.
I got this Roland Micro Cube, for apartment life, and it is amazing!
The features, sound quality, and even volume ( if needed; it has Gain/ Master Volume) are an absolute knockout!
Attachments
Vibroluxer
Poster Extraordinaire
I didn't know about the Micro Cube Forget the attenuator. I also have a Cube and it's a great little amp. Well worth the cost.
Rock on!
Rock on!
hoglundtw
TDPRI Member
@Cornelius TX I'm really happy with my 15W, other than the looks. So I recovered it in tweed and used the typical Fender ox blood grill cloth. I think it looks great. See pic attached.
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Cornelius TX
Tele-Meister
Very nice!
Cornelius TX
Tele-Meister
I did an outdoor gig with this amp last night. Outstanding. We played with a quiet sub drummer, which helped. I may get an additional cab for when we play with our usual loud drummer.
Plugged straight in without my usual pedal board. Loved it!
Before the show, I A/Bd it with my Hot Rod Deluxe, and I preferred the Monoprice. I may actually convert the Hot Rod Deluxe to an extension cab for the Monoprice.
Plugged straight in without my usual pedal board. Loved it!
Before the show, I A/Bd it with my Hot Rod Deluxe, and I preferred the Monoprice. I may actually convert the Hot Rod Deluxe to an extension cab for the Monoprice.
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Just a silly observation,
( I own and like my Monoprice Stage Right 5-watter- actually use it in trio gigs)
Just noticing (as a former guitar & amp customer) since I get daily, multiple email Special Sale ads, from Monoprice,
that I never see my 'little 5-watt guy' amp featured in these ads.
It's always the larger 15-watt/ 1-12" amp, and other larger amps or cabs.
It may still be a product they carry- but I just look at the ads.
Why no love for the 'fake Champ' ( my term)?
- it's a great amp for those of us that can never afford any used Champ. Love it clean, love it cranked!
MP should be pushing it, especially now!
( years ago, mine was $120, shipped!)
Edit: I just checked MP site beyond the Sale ads, and little guy is 'out of stock'
Too bad!
( I own and like my Monoprice Stage Right 5-watter- actually use it in trio gigs)
Just noticing (as a former guitar & amp customer) since I get daily, multiple email Special Sale ads, from Monoprice,
that I never see my 'little 5-watt guy' amp featured in these ads.
It's always the larger 15-watt/ 1-12" amp, and other larger amps or cabs.
It may still be a product they carry- but I just look at the ads.
Why no love for the 'fake Champ' ( my term)?
- it's a great amp for those of us that can never afford any used Champ. Love it clean, love it cranked!
MP should be pushing it, especially now!
( years ago, mine was $120, shipped!)
Edit: I just checked MP site beyond the Sale ads, and little guy is 'out of stock'
Too bad!
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I bought one (again!) a couple months ago for $249 shipped on sale.
