severinsteel « The amp that replaced all my others »
Published on 04/19/11 at 18:27 The Egnater Mod 50 is a hand-built 50 watt all tube amp with the ability to swap 'modules' or preamp sections. It has all of the standard features you would expect with some very cool extras: 1/2 power switch, midi footswitch capable, series and parallel FX loops, external bias points, etc...
You have two channels per module, and two spaces for modules, which gives you 4 channels of incredible tone. There are also 3 position bright and depth switches on each module. This is probably the most flexible and versatile all tube amp on the planet.
One of the coolest features on the Mod50 is the ability to use different types of tubes. You are not stuck with the standard 6L6/ EL34 configuration. 6V6, EL84, KT88 are all an option.
Overall just a very well thought out amp. I did a few years research before I decided the Mod50 was right for me.
UTILIZATION
This amp is extremely easy to get a good sound out of. It is somewhat idiot proof and just super easy to dial in. I was using a Boogie Mark III before, and that amp is very very sensitive to adjustments and not 'plug and play' whatsoever. You need to spend a lot of time with it before you can find 'your sound'. With the Mod 50, I got great sounds right out of the box.
It is also really easy to play; it is a very forgiving amp and makes you sound better in my opinion. Notes bloom and you can really dig into your guitar. The amp is very responsive like that. You really feel like it is an instrument unto itself.
The manual is very clear and thorough. I have yet to change tubes, but from what I understand, using the external bias test points is quite easy.
SOUNDS
My main instruments at the moment are a Musicman JP6 and an Ibanez RT450. As for effects, I keep it fairly simple with a Boss DD20 in the FX loop, and a vintage Phase 90 and an RMC Wizard wah in front. As for my modules, I use a SL2 and an Bman. The SL2 is a 'hot rodded Marshall' type of sound but with more bottom end on tap. It is also much smoother without that modern Marshall spikey-ness.
Honestly, this amp is quite 'set and forget'. Once you find a good sound, you are really just adding or subtracting volume depending on the room. I have my modules set as clean and slightly dirty on the Bman, and vintage to modern Marshall on the SL2.
I would characterize the amp as very smooth overall. Maybe a tad on the 'dark' side, but that was what I was looking for. I use Mesa 2x12 and 4x12 cabs which are bassy but somewhat bright with the V30's, so this amp is the perfect match.
I play metal, hard rock, jazz and everything in-between. This bad boy can do it all.
I should also add, that the Mod 50 has a killer master volume, so this is an ideal amp to go from bedroom to stage.
OVERALL OPINION
I love the Mod50 because it is just so well thought out. Not only that, but it is incredibly versatile and most importantly it sounds awesome.
Its only shortcoming in my opinion is that the FX loops are low impedance and most pedals work best with high impedance signal. But, I just got word of an affordable box built by Bruce Egnater himself to address this very issue.
I tried and owned many amps before this one. This smoked them all, bar none. When I bought this amp, I owned 2 Boogies, a Soldano, a Marshall, and a few others. I sold them all except the Soldano (my first good amp) after I fell in love with the Mod50.
This was my most expensive investment before I bought my AxeFX Ultra, but it was worth every penny. It is very well made, so I have no worries about it on the road.
These are no longer made for some reason, so I am very happy with my decision.
You have two channels per module, and two spaces for modules, which gives you 4 channels of incredible tone. There are also 3 position bright and depth switches on each module. This is probably the most flexible and versatile all tube amp on the planet.
One of the coolest features on the Mod50 is the ability to use different types of tubes. You are not stuck with the standard 6L6/ EL34 configuration. 6V6, EL84, KT88 are all an option.
Overall just a very well thought out amp. I did a few years research before I decided the Mod50 was right for me.
UTILIZATION
This amp is extremely easy to get a good sound out of. It is somewhat idiot proof and just super easy to dial in. I was using a Boogie Mark III before, and that amp is very very sensitive to adjustments and not 'plug and play' whatsoever. You need to spend a lot of time with it before you can find 'your sound'. With the Mod 50, I got great sounds right out of the box.
It is also really easy to play; it is a very forgiving amp and makes you sound better in my opinion. Notes bloom and you can really dig into your guitar. The amp is very responsive like that. You really feel like it is an instrument unto itself.
The manual is very clear and thorough. I have yet to change tubes, but from what I understand, using the external bias test points is quite easy.
SOUNDS
My main instruments at the moment are a Musicman JP6 and an Ibanez RT450. As for effects, I keep it fairly simple with a Boss DD20 in the FX loop, and a vintage Phase 90 and an RMC Wizard wah in front. As for my modules, I use a SL2 and an Bman. The SL2 is a 'hot rodded Marshall' type of sound but with more bottom end on tap. It is also much smoother without that modern Marshall spikey-ness.
Honestly, this amp is quite 'set and forget'. Once you find a good sound, you are really just adding or subtracting volume depending on the room. I have my modules set as clean and slightly dirty on the Bman, and vintage to modern Marshall on the SL2.
I would characterize the amp as very smooth overall. Maybe a tad on the 'dark' side, but that was what I was looking for. I use Mesa 2x12 and 4x12 cabs which are bassy but somewhat bright with the V30's, so this amp is the perfect match.
I play metal, hard rock, jazz and everything in-between. This bad boy can do it all.
I should also add, that the Mod 50 has a killer master volume, so this is an ideal amp to go from bedroom to stage.
OVERALL OPINION
I love the Mod50 because it is just so well thought out. Not only that, but it is incredibly versatile and most importantly it sounds awesome.
Its only shortcoming in my opinion is that the FX loops are low impedance and most pedals work best with high impedance signal. But, I just got word of an affordable box built by Bruce Egnater himself to address this very issue.
I tried and owned many amps before this one. This smoked them all, bar none. When I bought this amp, I owned 2 Boogies, a Soldano, a Marshall, and a few others. I sold them all except the Soldano (my first good amp) after I fell in love with the Mod50.
This was my most expensive investment before I bought my AxeFX Ultra, but it was worth every penny. It is very well made, so I have no worries about it on the road.
These are no longer made for some reason, so I am very happy with my decision.