Off Topic Egnater Amps

[tonemeister]

Hey guys & Gals. The thread the other day about which amp should be bought for 1500 bucks got me off to the local GC to check out the 4212 combo again. After playing it yesterday and again today, i have to admit I am real close to doing it. i know some of you have bought them. i would love to hear your thoughts on the amp.

I have also been looking at Egnaters web page and wondered if any of you had any experience or opinions about the modular pre amp and amp stuff that he has. The modules seem very hip. Any thoughts or experience? Thanks.

 

[TNT]

Here's two little tips tonemeister (you may already know about) when buying an amp.

When you are shopping for amps, (or pedals, speakers, etc. . ) the absolute VERY BEST WAY to do this is by "comparison"!!!!

That's why Guitar Center is a huge plus for us, because of their selection and the fact you can try them out in a private room.

1. When you play an amp "side by side" to other brands, the differences become absolutely huge at that time!!!

e.g., I was comparing three amps I loved at GC, and would have bought anyone of them individually, but when I compared them side by side at the same time, I only bought one of them, and now I have no interest in ever owning the other two.

Because individually they may each sound really awesome, but when you do a real time comparison, it becomes so obvious where it REALLY stands!

2. You MUST turn up that amp (even in the store) to giging volume!!! The amp's characteristics will change drastically as you turn up the power tubes.

 

[kneeoh]

I have and Egnater Mod 50 with the EG5, MHG, and VX modules. I have no need for any other amp (well maybe another Mod 50). I've found the EG5 to be my "go to" module cuz it has that Mark IVish balls and chunk but cleans up nicely when you roll back the volume knob on the guitar. I like my MHG module for my 7 string stuff, and the VX goes from Beatley to Queen-like quite easily. I'm probably going to pick up a Twin/Deluxe module in the near future to go along with my soon-to-be born new Ball. I really respect Bruce and his team for building such a great product. Like EBMM guitars, the wait for a Mod 50 or an M4 can be long cuz they are a small operation, but they're definitely worth it.

 

[kneeoh]

One thing I forgot to mention about the Mod 50 is that it can operate at 50 watts or 25 watts at the flick of a switch so the amp sounds killer at apartment volumes.

 

[Headstock]

I have the Tourmaster Head. I like it a lot. The power grid is very cool. Sweet tones out of the amp. I bought mine as a "scratch and dent" from Musicians Friend when they had 12% off the S&D's so I landed it for 1050. Most of the time the S&d models are just returns from other customers. This one had a slight dent and tolex tear on the back but that was all. I think you'll be happy with it as long as you don't move it much. Both the head and the combo are HEAVY!

 

[tonemeister]

I have and Egnater Mod 50 with the EG5, MHG, and VX modules. I have no need for any other amp (well maybe another Mod 50). I've found the EG5 to be my "go to" module cuz it has that Mark IVish balls and chunk but cleans up nicely when you roll back the volume knob on the guitar. I like my MHG module for my 7 string stuff, and the VX goes from Beatley to Queen-like quite easily. I'm probably going to pick up a Twin/Deluxe module in the near future to go along with my soon-to-be born new Ball. I really respect Bruce and his team for building such a great product. Like EBMM guitars, the wait for a Mod 50 or an M4 can be long cuz they are a small operation, but they're definitely worth it.

Yeah, the M4 seems like a better choice for me as I have a couple of real nice tube stereo power amps and a large switching setup (SwitchBlade) and really like to play in stereo.....I`m spoiled that way....

The M4 will hold 4 modules... the T/D, VOX, C.O.D, and the darker sounding Marshall module looked pretty cool.

I saw on their web page that they are not even taking orders right now they are so backed up.

i guess I am looking harder for an amp now as I recieved word that the Mesa Blue Angel amp I bought off e-bay last sunday (my second one....a perfect match for the one I already own) was destroyed by UPS at some point. Now I need to step up the search for an amp....
Thanks for the input.

 

[electronpirate]

I've had the MOD50. KILLER amp. Had the Bassman and SL2 modules.

2 basic channels, each with a boosted mode. I wanted a clean boost in the loop for leads and such (basically 8 different sounds), but it really was the best channel switcher I've ever owned (compared to Zinky Superfly, HK Triamp, V50).

Disagree with the 20 watt switch. It's got a great MV, and it sounded better to me at full power. YMMV. So easy to change to 6V6's and have powertube grind at lower wattage. The external bias switch was a huge selling point.

I've played the new Tourmaster. Liked it, and I'm sure it would have been a great workhorse, but it didn't have the 'personality' of the MOD50. Only a few minutes at a GC, so no real experience, so take that as you will.

My view is you cannot go wrong with Bruce's stuff.

EP

 

[D.K.]

I have a TOL 100 - an absolutely great amp, but I think Egnators sound a bit different now, as my amp was produced for the likes of Steve Vai and others, who didn't want to have a lot mids...

 

[Wayniac]

I attended the amp building seminar and now own a handmade Egnater designed head./ Bruce makes quality stuff, and the M4 is awesome. I DO find that Bruce's voicings tend to be slightly on the dark side, but the amps and their service absolutley kick butt. Keep in mind the tourmasters are Chinese made, if that is an issue to you.

 

[rockerjt]

I liked the TOL and the new Tourmaster is not bad and fairly flexable. If you can find a used TOL I'd snag that before I'd get the tourmaster, but all of his amps are pretty good stuff.

 

[tonemeister]

I've had the MOD50. KILLER amp. Had the Bassman and SL2 modules.

2 basic channels, each with a boosted mode. I wanted a clean boost in the loop for leads and such (basically 8 different sounds), but it really was the best channel switcher I've ever owned (compared to Zinky Superfly, HK Triamp, V50).

Disagree with the 20 watt switch. It's got a great MV, and it sounded better to me at full power. YMMV. So easy to change to 6V6's and have powertube grind at lower wattage. The external bias switch was a huge selling point.

I've played the new Tourmaster. Liked it, and I'm sure it would have been a great workhorse, but it didn't have the 'personality' of the MOD50. Only a few minutes at a GC, so no real experience, so take that as you will.

My view is you cannot go wrong with Bruce's stuff.

EP

Thanks for the input. The demos I`ve seen on you tube of the MOD 50 & 100 seem to bear out the fact that the Roadmaster just doesn`t have the "personality" of those amps. The ability to swap out tubes is always a plus, but in order to play in stereo, I would have to have two. thats why the M4 preamp I think would be best for me.....i can just put it into my rack/swiching system in place of my present VHT GP3, which is in itself a great unit. Hmmmmm. thanks for the input.

 

[reverendripper]

I've got the tourmaster 2x12 combo...I love it. The only down side is that it weighs a ton!

Four channels 2 clean, 2 overdrives. Really flexable eq sections. You can disable the eq on each channel in favor of a "contour" control if you like as well as choosing a "classic" or "modern" setting on each channel.

Adjustable wattage 100, 50, 25, 10.

Effects loop...you can assign it to one or all of the channels.

I love the sound of mine. I'm waiting for the 2x12 ext cabs to come out .

Also..the customer service is Excellent. I bought the last one they had in the store and one of the LEDs on the footswitch was busted out. Egnater had a new one there in 2 days.

Also...I had a preamp tube start to squeal on one of the clean channels. I emailed them with the problem. The next morning I got a call at work from one of their techs. He told me which tubes to swap to track down the problem and had two brand new groove tubes to me in the mail ASAP.

I A/B'd this amp with EVERY amp in Guitar Center ...I was there for about 3 or 4 hours and kept coming back to the 'Nater. It's got the sounds I've always wanted from an amp.

Some people seem to be hung up on the fact that they're manufactured for Egnator in China...but they test each amp in their shop in MI before sending them out.
I read in an interview with Bruce Egnator that if they made the same amp in their Michigan shop it would be in the $5,000 range.

I like it.

 

[lumberjack]

If you really like Egnater, you should also consider Randall's MTS series, which Bruce Egnater collaborated on. From what I've read and been told, the Egnater's are hand wired and use better parts, but the Randall's are put together really well and the wiring, etc is very clean. Plus, the Randall's are considerably less expensive. I've given a Randall MTS combo a go and liked it.

 

[fogman]

If you really like Egnater, you should also consider Randall's MTS series, which Bruce Egnater collaborated on. From what I've read and been told, the Egnater's are hand wired and use better parts, but the Randall's are put together really well and the wiring, etc is very clean. Plus, the Randall's are considerably less expensive. I've given a Randall MTS combo a go and liked it.

Similar but you only get half the channels with their modules.

 

[MrMusashi]

take a listen to john tchaicovsky (or how the h*ck that is spelled). he has posted a few clips of egnater amps and should be able to give ya a hint or two

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/34043-morse-bongo-metal-tones.html

hth

MrM

 

[fogman]

awesome John!!!