Boogie MKIIB Rev Eq 60/100W head

[mark2boogie]

Hi Guys,

I barely use pedals... Except the FSW when I use the Boogie. The less pedals, the less problems... I agree completely, TiPiMods.

The exception (on demand) would usually be a Wah, or a Phase 90, or a DOD250 if the amp isn't a Boogie. I never use - nor used - a pedalboard.

My Loop Box is only a facility (and a kind of "technical challenge" also) to use correctly the FX loop of my MKIIB for a delay or a chorus or a Flanger, but just for the fun, as I doubt that I will use it on stage where I play 60s/70s R&B Soul music...

Gitapik, there in one amp - IMHO - over the MKIIA and B in pure clean tone, it's the 100W Fender Twin-Reverb :

A great setup I used for years was a kind of "Fender Stack" :

A+!

 

[gitapik]

The Fender amps are wonderful. I had a '78 Silverface Twin. It was as great as it was heavy. Which means it was fantastic. I also had a '67 Blackface Deluxe Reverb which I loved. It was stolen. That was such a drag.

I envy you being able to play them side by side. As is, I remember thinking that the Boogie had a warmer tone, which I love. But I don't have a means of comparing. It's really not about "better", anyway, IMHO. These amps are serious tone machines.

 

[McBarry]

Wow, we've covered some ground..
Yes, spacecraft are permitted in my backyard, and parking is no problem. There is about 2km before the next house..
Perth is do-able, but we view it as being on the other side of the planet..
Probably like the English think that Europe is "that little island off the coast"....

Here's a pic of my board.
It looks big, but in reality is just the RP7 with either distortion, a wah, a boost and a volume pedal. The Banshee is just SOOO much fun, but obviously can't use it much.
90% of the time it's the RP7 alone, with boost pedal. But the dist pedals means if the RP7 dies, I can still do gain patches and also channel switch..
Underneath is a dual power supply, giving 9vdc and 12vdc.
The RP7 wants about 1 amp so the transformer is pretty decent size..

 

[TiPiMods]

ok dudes, if you show yours, I show mine :wink:


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the custom audio line driver is only to buffer the signal and prevent loss of treble which occurs because of the cable lenght and the many plugs to the pedals. This board is allways in progress, I will soon rebuild it, because i bought a new power supply from G-lab which has isolated outputs. The MXR power brick is small but a bit noisy. Also despite I love the sound of the bluesbreaker it has to go to make space for a new toy: the Lovepedal silicon fuzz: this is a really great pedal which can go from a very dynamic low gain overdrive to amazing thick fuzz face tones ( on the lovepedal site there is a great demo video )
the big plus of this board is: when I travel I only need some good clean amp like the mighty Twin Reverb, which is most of the time available as a backline on festivals etc.

btw gitapick: what kind of board is the one you use? looks great and very neat with the power supply underneath.

 

[gitapik]

ok dudes, if you show yours, I show mine :wink:


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the custom audio line driver is only to buffer the signal and prevent loss of treble which occurs because of the cable lenght and the many plugs to the pedals. This board is allways in progress, I will soon rebuild it, because i bought a new power supply from G-lab which has isolated outputs. The MXR power brick is small but a bit noisy. Also despite I love the sound of the bluesbreaker it has to go to make space for a new toy: the Lovepedal silicon fuzz: this is a really great pedal which can go from a very dynamic low gain overdrive to amazing thick fuzz face tones ( on the lovepedal site there is a great demo video )
the big plus of this board is: when I travel I only need some good clean amp like the mighty Twin Reverb, which is most of the time available as a backline on festivals etc.

btw gitapick: what kind of board is the one you use? looks great and very neat with the power supply underneath.

****...Murray was so on!

Nice boards, both of you.

I bet you're loving that Diablo, TiPi. Great OD pedal.

My board's a Leprechaun:

http://www.leprechaunpedalboards.com/index1.html

I like it a lot. The area under the hood is a big reason that I chose it over others. Saves space. I also like the fact that you can custom order sizes. The pedal locks are pretty cool, too.

That tc electronic preamp is like gold. Doesn't require a lot of adjustment, but the little you do makes a big difference. I can make the sound, going through the board, exactly the same as plugged straight in with any length cable.

Lovepedal makes great stuff. I checked out the video and can understand why you're so psyched. He puts out some great videos. In fact, the video on the bottom of this page is what sold me on the XTS stuff:

http://www.xacttone.com/precision.html

Yeah...I like having the board. I know that, when push comes to shove, all I really need is the Boogie. But like you said: these pedals are so good that any amp with a good clean tone will make 'em shine (aka: The Mighty Twin). That includes the Boogie. The clean channel's so good. Perfect platform for effects.

I keep my Boogie's pedals on a small piece of wood, separate from the board. Easiest thing in the world to just put it alongside this board or just put it in my guitar's pouch and plug in.

 

[mark2boogie]

Guys !

You're all pedal board friendly, as it seems obviously... Not me !!!

Well, it doesn't mean that I haven't FX pedals (including some rarities) - but I very barely use them (I sold this early summer the ones I never use...). They sat in suitcases... A shame :

Here are my "pedalboards" to come soon - I am building/rebuilding footswitches for my MKIIA and B :

A+!

 

[gitapik]

Guys !

You're all pedal board friendly, as it seems obviously... Not me !!!

Well, it doesn't mean that I haven't FX pedals (including some rarities) - but I very barely use them (I sold this early summer the ones I never use...). They sat in suitcases... A shame :

Here are my "pedalboards" to come soon - I am building/rebuilding footswitches for my MKIIA and B :

A+!

Pedalboard friendly: Guilty as charged!



I've sold a lot of my vintage pedals to get new ones. Few attachments when it comes to better tone, in my world.

I'm more than happy to have my IIB, on it's own. Add a volume pedal and the built in effects and I'm a happy camper.

HOWEVER:

With the XTS Preamp, I can nail an overdriven Deluxe Reverb and Marshall JCM800 at low to rippin' volumes. And then switch back to the Boogie, if I like. I can also, as TiPi pointed out, bring my rig to any gig with a decent clean tone backline amp and be confident of getting the sounds I love.

But as I said: the Mesa's great on it's own. It's a big reason I decided to hang onto it. It's nice to just plug and play. Not set up anything.

BTW: nice pedals. I'm curious about your Tweed circuit on the IIB. Love to hear some clips. That's something I'd be interested in. One thing I'm really into, nowadays, is the OD in the clean channel, using the pull pots and Vol 1 at 8-10.

 

[mark2boogie]

I'm curious about your Tweed circuit on the IIB

Gitapik, as I explained it to TiPiMods, I invented nothing... This option was a part of the export transformer that I bought, so I thought I could usefully install it in lieu of the GND switch that we don't need in Western Europe.

This feature exists on some MESA amps like the Lonestar Classic, some Rectifiers...

Basically, it's an additional primary winding integrated to the power transformer wich "lowers" the mains voltage to the normal primary winding, and is intended to give a "tweed/brown/variac/spongy/callitwhatyouwant" kind of tone, by minoration of the secondary windings voltages in the amp.

A+!

 

[gitapik]

I'm curious about your Tweed circuit on the IIB

Gitapik, as I explained it to TiPiMods, I invented nothing... This option was a part of the export transformer that I bought, so I thought I could usefully install it in lieu of the GND switch that we don't need in Western Europe.

This feature exists on some MESA amps like the Lonestar Classic, some Rectifiers...

Basically, it's an additional primary winding integrated to the power transformer wich "lowers" the mains voltage to the normal primary winding, and is intended to give a "tweed/brown/variac/spongy/callitwhatyouwant" kind of tone, by minoration of the secondary windings voltages in the amp.

A+!

Nice you can do that, though. Cheers.

I'm going through some confusion about converting to a head. I was comparing the two, today. Thiele connected. Combo connected. They both do different things so well.

I know the amp's heavy...but have to say that it's really fine, just as is. I'm thinking I might just stand pat for now and reconsider. Maybe pick up something else as a lightweight alternative. I could convert to a head and get an open back cab...but wonder that it would be the same sound that this combo has given me, through the years.

 

[mark2boogie]

I'm going through some confusion about converting to a head. I know the amp's heavy...but have to say that it's really fine, just as is.

What do you prefer, gitapik ?

More seriously, let's just consider weight, transportation and technical concerns between the 2 solutions :

Head + Thiele Cab :
- 2 items to carry - so you replace weight by travel : well, it is questionable, especially if you use flycases.
- the total weight is indeed superior.
- the total height is not enough for a standalone use.
- the reverb is induced by the power transformer.
- you can't store any cable or footswitch in the cab or head, so an additional bag is compulsory (we come to 3 items...).

Combo :
- one item to carry - all included, comprising the flycase - so one travel with indeed heavier weight.
- as it is a more compact unit, it is easier to raise it with stability, by putting on it's flycase (non-caster model).
- no reverb induction, and better reverb acoustic insulation (damped pouch possible)
- the cabinet is perfect for storing the mains cable, the FSW and it's cable.

I personally have the 2 possibilities, as you see it, but I prefer the combo solution, that I find more practical and compact.

But of course, it is applicable if you can count on the help of 1 or 2 people to carry the thing !

A+!

 

[TiPiMods]

I personally love the look of the little stack :mrgreen:
I would give it a try, the worst thing could happen would be that you have to sell the head shell and the open back cab (if you bought one)
If I find some head shell in europe I would buy it instantly for curiosity.

@mark2boogie: you should stash your pedals in some kind of little museum behind glass, especially the selfmade, they are pieces of art! really beautiful.

@gitapick: the XTS clip sounds awsome, great pedal. thats what I love with pedals, you can get so many colors and shades (yet they have to come from your fingers first) thanks for the leprechaun link, I will check that out.

 

[gitapik]

Hey TiPi: how do you like that modded Blues Jr? BillM lives nearby and I'm considering that over changing the Boogie. Lightweight grab and go alternative. How does it take pedals?

 

[mark2boogie]

Well, If you play Blues, Soul, Rhythm'n'Blues, your band is small and the budget to deserve is not a blocking point unfailing and unavoidable, then I would recommend this (or the RI version) :

I wanted to sell it some times ago, but I changed my mind when I had some Blues Junior (one black, one green, one red) for service at home.

The BJ weight circa 14-15kg, the SF PR weight 16kg, so it's close in weight and size (I did not take pics, sorry). Please note that the size is quite similar to the Boogie MKIIA/B Tolex combo, despite the difference of weight and power output :

A+!

 

[TiPiMods]

Hey TiPi: how do you like that modded Blues Jr? BillM lives nearby and I'm considering that over changing the Boogie. Lightweight grab and go alternative. How does it take pedals?

I do the BillM mods (aka TiPiMods) and some of my own, down here in Austria and Germany. I know Bruno does not like this little guy :wink: (The reason why they often sound shitty is: because of the super high bias the output tubes are gone after a few month of playing)
But after the mods this amp easy rivals some black and silverface relatives, like the Deluxe or the Princeton. It opens up the amp a lot and all the boxiness is gone. The Princton is a great amp, but I prefer 12" speakers when playing with overdriven sounds, and the Junior is much louder. I would like to have one, but they getting expensive more and more.
Plus the BJ is a much hotter amp, it has two gain stages before the tone stack, much closer to a marshall or a tweed bassman and sounds very good overdriven.
I would recomend the basic mods: tonestack, bias, twinstack, coupling caps change. what I allways do is clipping the treble bleed cap over the reverb poti, it makes the reverb sond much fuller and warmer. And if you want to spend a little more money (50 $) get the TO20 output transformer, its worth the money twice.

I use the BJ a lot on club gigs, often its 15W is just right to crank the amp and play it just when it starts to overdrive, which gives a rich and rough sound, and put some pedals in for more drive.

mine is a special edition with a sunburst wooden cabinet, looks great too:
http://imageshack.us/g/28/1002838r.jpg/

 

[gitapik]

Hey TiPi: how do you like that modded Blues Jr? BillM lives nearby and I'm considering that over changing the Boogie. Lightweight grab and go alternative. How does it take pedals?

I do the BillM mods (aka TiPiMods) and some of my own, down here in Austria and Germany. I know Bruno does not like this little guy :wink: (The reason why they often sound sh!t is: because of the super high bias the output tubes are gone after a few month of playing)
But after the mods this amp easy rivals some black and silverface relatives, like the Deluxe or the Princeton. It opens up the amp a lot and all the boxiness is gone. The Princton is a great amp, but I prefer 12" speakers when playing with overdriven sounds, and the Junior is much louder. I would like to have one, but they getting expensive more and more.
Plus the BJ is a much hotter amp, it has two gain stages before the tone stack, much closer to a marshall or a tweed bassman and sounds very good overdriven.
I would recomend the basic mods: tonestack, bias, twinstack, coupling caps change. what I allways do is clipping the treble bleed cap over the reverb poti, it makes the reverb sond much fuller and warmer. And if you want to spend a little more money (50 $) get the TO20 output transformer, its worth the money twice.

I use the BJ a lot on club gigs, often its 15W is just right to crank the amp and play it just when it starts to overdrive, which gives a rich and rough sound, and put some pedals in for more drive.

mine is a special edition with a sunburst wooden cabinet, looks great too:
http://imageshack.us/g/28/1002838r.jpg/

That's a beautiful amp.

Thanks for the info. As is, I'm either going to get the BJ with all the mods (30W transformer is a must), the Louis Electric "Buster" (http://www.louisamps.com/page64/page71/page73/page73.html), or convert the Boogie to a head.

We shall see. I really need good clean tones. Headroom.

Love to talk shop. Thanks to all of you.

 

[TiPiMods]

do you have a headshell for the conversion already?

where did you get yours, mark2boogie?

 

[gitapik]

do you have a headshell for the conversion already?

where did you get yours, mark2boogie?

Actually, Everything's in the planning stage so far because I've had a broken wrist. Until I actually can play through any of the alternative amps and the Boogie through my friend's open back cab, I'm not making any decisions.

If I do go for the head, I'll get a short shell from gts, here. I like his work.

 

[mark2boogie]

where did you get yours, mark2boogie?

There is a kind guy in Germany who builds very good headshell, speaker and combo cabs. Have a look to his website, TiPiMods:

http://crazytone.de/

And drop him an email expalining what do you want. His name is Holger ROTH.

I have planned to buy from him an headshell and an open speaker cab in maple wood, but I did not take any decision for the moment, because of the work I have to finish on my MKIIB. Nonetheless, I think I will rather go for a combo, finally...

I may have aleady spoke about that, I do not remember sorry, but I used (80's-90's) to design and built guitar and audio tube amps, and sold them (12 units total, if I recall well)... I very barely do it today, concentrating on restoration and maintenance of audio, guitar and bass tube (mainly) amps. Some samples for the guitar section of past production that I did not sold :

The Paul GUILHEM Junior (1996) : 20Wrms clean sound, 8" Eminence ME8-100 160W speaker, 3-spring reverb. A very compact and powerful tube amp, but still heavy : 15kg. Here put accross a Vibro-Champ :

More detailled views :

The Paul GUILHEM Deluxe (1993) : 25Wrms pentode or 8Wrms triode clean sound, 12" Eminence ME12-100PE8 150W speaker (Legend 1218 today), 3-spring long reverb, presence. It was intended to match the Fender Deluxe Reverb, weight 25kg and has the size of a MKII Boogie. Here are the Deluxe and the Junior side to side :

More detailled views :

More recent release is the VOX AC3 Top Boost, nicknamed after his grandbrother the AC30 Top Boost. It's a tube conversion of of a solid-state "dead but mint" Vox Escort from the early 70's. Ultra-compact but fully usable, killing look, 4Wrms pentode / 1Wrms triode clean sound, 5"/20W speaker, weight circa 6kg :

Here put on an AC30CC2 (RI) :

A+!

 

[TiPiMods]

@mark2boogie: Thanks for the link, seems like I have to spend some money :wink:

your amps look great, superior built quality, I bet they sound great too.

@gitapik: oh, I just learn how to walk again, I broke my foot 8 weeks before, but at least I can play guitar.

btw:yesterday I played a big open air with my soul band and because of my hurt foot, I didn't want to bring my boogie. I relied on the silverface twin, which was on stage as a backline. It sounded great, really love the Okkos, especially the Diablo.
But I also look forward when I can carry my Mk II again and hear that famous boogie roar :mrgreen:

TiPi

 

[mark2boogie]

Fin provisoire de l'affaire - Temporary end of the case.

The FX Loop Mod is removed, the amp is rewired close to my MKIIA with some IIB tricks, and a passive loop.

The overall sound is excellent, better than the FX Loop Mod, lead channel is less modern, more vintage/smooth with brilliance, something between my IIA and the Fx Loop Mod IIB about the gain and tone. The clean channel and the reverb are deep, resonant, as my IIA.

The hum and noise has reduced drastically, but not at the low level that I expected, that is to say not as low as my IIA. So there must be still some improvement to research in that field.

In addition, I strongly suspect the quality of the replacement Export transformer that I bought from TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) in Germany. It looked well built, but it is NOT !!! Beware...

Firstly, remember the story about the non-insulated tie-rods that I spoke some post before with TiPiMods; secondly, this transformer hums like a poor-quality, non impregnated transformer. Moreover, this transformer may not be shielded enough, so radiating 50Hs hum induction in the chassis. Very cool, isn't it ? Indeed, I put a claim to TAD about that. Wait and See...

So I will have to clarify all that later... Yes, I know, I like perfection... May be too much !

Here are some pictures of the amp finished and fully operational, but awaiting again some future improvements in terms of hum :

A+!