Well..The Morgan 3.8 arrived.. [Archive]

View Full Version : Well..The Morgan 3.8 arrived..

jhideout

06-04-2010, 04:58 PM

My first impressions:

I set it on top my avatar 2x12 with Celestion Golds. I achieved the most beautiful chimmy cleans. Sounds awesome. Very AC30.

However, when I cranked up the gain...it sounds terribly thin and buzzy..like a swarm of bees. No matter where I set the controls.

I set the amp on top of my Randall 2x12 with Celestion Neomags (More refined lightweight Vintage 30's)...

The clean isn't quite as good, but the Distortion is SOOO much better...yet there is still some slight unpleasant high-end fizz going on.

So now I'm confused. I've never owned an actual AC30 before...I love the sound from all the recordings I hear.(usually with blues). But for some reason, the golds sound awe-full...But the Golds sound Great through My Mark V.

I spent a bunch of money on the Golds because I planned On getting an AC30 style amp..I think I made a Terrible mistake with those speakers.

My buddy's Night train on top of his 1x12 matching cab (G12M) sounds Sooo much better than the distortion I get from the Morgan through my golds. Maybe I need to try greenbacks.

spaceman_spiff

06-04-2010, 05:49 PM

Wow, that must be really disappointing! Do you have anyone nearby that you could try the amp with a different cab (or several diff. cabs if possible). I'd be interested to hear more as I think the MV3.8 is a very intriguing amp -- on paper at least. I would guess that Greenbacks or maybe even 12H30s would be a good middle ground for an amp that tries to ride the line between AC30 and JCM 800 (early 80s).

I have G12H30s in my Jaguar Lead 2-12 (which is late 70s, early 80s master volume Marshall) and they work out really well.

Cheers,
Carl

jhideout

06-04-2010, 06:17 PM

It is disappointing. I mean, granted I haven't got to crank it up very much...but it really did seem like the perfect amp on paper.

I don't know what I'm going to do. I've been ecstatic all week waiting for this amp to arrive...And I don't want to come off like a jerk because I know Mr. Morgan Posts here, but I honestly think I would have been happier with a night train.

Also, this amp is VERY loud. I can't get the volume to 1 in the bedroom with out it hurting..Even on half power.

The good thing about the amp is:

Built like a tank. Quality Parts. It IS very touch sensitive. The Cleans are AMAZING!

It's just that the overdrive is not what I expected.

michael.e

06-04-2010, 06:22 PM

Don't expect to crank the pre-s and get instant JCM800 at bedroom/low volumes. I did like my 3.8 best with Greenies. The volume knob, like any tube amp makes the amp sound bigger and richer the higher it goes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeb4H8wouM

jhideout

06-04-2010, 06:45 PM

I'm going to post some clips here in a little bit..My Randall cab has Mic eliminators..Unfortunately, I won't be able to mic the Golds..Just the Neo's.

I seem to be making some progress..I think.

jhideout

06-04-2010, 06:46 PM

Clip (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=923361&songID=9234964)

High gain Setting (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=923361&songID=9234965)

High gain...Low gain input...Last part Boosted with Badmonkey (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=923361&songID=9234985)

Clean Tele (http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=923361&songID=9235009)

jhideout

06-04-2010, 07:27 PM

I may have spoke too soon about this amp...guess I'm just use to the sound of the Mark V.

I also discovered that the Treble knob and Gain knob is push-pull..I don't know what it does yet...but I'm going to find out. lol

michael.e

06-04-2010, 07:43 PM

Ya, this is a badass amp! I am not much for el84's, but this is the one I would keep out of all of the ones I had.

jhideout

06-04-2010, 07:45 PM

Ya, this is a badass amp! I am not much for el84's, but this is the one I would keep out of all of the ones I had.

Can you shed some light about the Push-pull treble and gain knob functions?

Mastervolume

06-05-2010, 07:20 AM

The pull on treble is a gain mod I made for Rick who had the amp before you. Pull on the gain knob is the standard bright cap.

Not a fan of golds or avatar cabs.

Don't be afraid to turn the treble down. The cut control will also take out quite a bit of the high end.

distorted noise

06-05-2010, 08:12 AM

i think your clips sound great.

ROKY

06-05-2010, 08:15 AM

I use a TopHat King Royale thru an Avatar 2x12 w/ golds and it sounds fantastic for
AC30 tones ..but I don't think an JCM800 type gain/voicing works as well with those
speakers .

Spinoo

06-05-2010, 08:36 AM

I have the exact same experience as the OP; swapping the crossline "matchless" master volume for a PPIMV improved the amp a lot. The Cut control helps a great deal also, but you then can't use great cleans and OD sounds at the same time.
Using a Hotplate is another trick since under attenuation the highs are smoothed out.

6stringer

06-05-2010, 02:55 PM

GOLDs and Avatar - there could be a problem right there - LOL

jhideout

06-05-2010, 04:16 PM

GOLDs and Avatar - there could be a problem right there - LOL

Well..I bought the avatar a while back because everyone recommends them. I'll throw them in my Randall cab. And See if that helps.

gtrs

06-05-2010, 04:30 PM

GOLDs and Avatar - there could be a problem right there - LOL

Couldn't agree more.
Cabs seem to be a spot where some guys figure they can save some money and it usually bites 'em in the rear.
Golds are hit or miss so I'd find someone near you with Blues and give them a shot.

jamison162

06-05-2010, 08:59 PM

Personally, I couldn't stand the Golds. I also ditched my Avatar cab once I got my StoneAge 2x12C. So yeah...don't give up so easily on the amp, it's prolly your cab & speakers.

6stringer

06-05-2010, 09:36 PM

I use a 1X12 Morgan Cab - (oversized) loaded with a ASW KTS-70.....

Your signal chain is only as good as your weakest link - LOL

jhideout

06-05-2010, 09:47 PM

I use a 1X12 Morgan Cab - (oversized) loaded with a ASW KTS-70.....

Your signal chain is only as good as your weakest link - LOL

So you think the avatar cab is that bad, huh?

I personally think it sounds great with my Mark V (through the golds). But terrible with the Morgan.

So this can mean several things:

1. I just don't like the amp through Golds
2. This particular amp just doesn't like the cab
3. It may just be me not liking the sound that I'm getting from this particular amp...however, others may like it.

Sniper-V

06-05-2010, 09:50 PM

Hmm, I've never played a Morgan 3.8 but I have heard a few really good clips of them.

Personally owning a DAG15C and knowing the nature of Morgan amps, I have a hard time hearing buzz, fizz, swarm of bees from any of Joe's amps. I think I have a good understanding of how Joe hears tone which is why I like the voicing of his amps. Granted I've never played a 3.8 before but have heard excellent clips of one.

It's quite possible that the amp is just simply not for you but but I do agree with the previously mentioned, your tone is as good as your weakest link. I have never been a fan of Avatar cabs as they seem to be bargin-bin cabs. For speakers, I really like the ASW stuff for Joe's amps.

jhideout

06-05-2010, 09:58 PM

It's quite possible that the amp is just simply not for you but but I do agree with the previously mentioned, your tone is as good as your weakest link. I have never been a fan of Avatar cabs as they seem to be bargin-bin cabs. For speakers, I really like the ASW stuff for Joe's amps.

I'm not saying you're right or wrong about Avatar cabs, but just because something isn't super expensive (which seems to be what most folks like around here) doesn't mean it's necessarily junk.

As for the Cele Golds...I can't think of any other speakers more suitable for the 3.8...Except blues (which are suppose to be the "same" thing.). I mean, that's the famous vox sound is it not?

When I get time I'm going to get to the bottom of the cab ordeal. I'm going to swap the golds In my "nice" cab, as well as my friends.

gtrs

06-05-2010, 11:01 PM

I'm not saying you're right or wrong about Avatar cabs, but just because something isn't super expensive (which seems to be what most folks like around here) doesn't mean it's necessarily junk.

As for the Cele Golds...I can't think of any other speakers more suitable for the 3.8...Except blues (which are suppose to be the "same" thing.). I mean, that's the famous vox sound is it not?

Avatar cabs aren't junk but a good amp like a Morgan is gonna show the weak links in your rig. I experienced the same things as I went through better and better amps. The better the circuit (or less "cluttered") the more it shows ya.

And the Golds are not the same as a Blue.
They tried, but...............

playthecray

06-06-2010, 07:44 AM

I am not buying into the theory that the issue is your Avatar cab. The two heads in my signature are great amps and sound exceptional with my Avatar 212H Premier cab. I am not using Golds. Not to derail the thread, but I will proudly connect my Avatar cab into any amp, provided my speakers can handle the power rating of the amp.

jamison162

06-06-2010, 08:22 AM

Avatar's are decent cabs, for the money. But A/B directly with any premium built cab (same amp, same speakers) and you will hear the difference. I did this when I got my StoneAge 2x12C and all of a sudden the Avatar sounded bright, fizzy and just made a mess of my chords and effects like reverb/delay as compared to the SA cab. I had never heard this before because I had nothing to compare it against.

ROKY

06-06-2010, 08:54 AM

It's all subjective to one's own ears and what you think sounds good ..

jhideout

06-06-2010, 09:40 AM

So I just put the Golds In my other cab....

Wow. The difference is HUGE!!

The Morgan Is Freakin' rockin' now. I can't believe it!! No more Can of bees.

My avatar cab is going to be for sale soon.

6stringer

06-06-2010, 10:03 AM

I am glad things are working out....I have a D 13 SJT 37, When I first got it, I did not have a cab. It was being played through someone else's Avatar 2X12 with the stock speakers. The amp sounded very good, but i knew it could better. After months of research. I had Joe Morgan build me an oversized 1X12 cabinet. I sent him an ASW KTS70 to place it and he was blown away. I think he has a thread regarding that on this forum. According to Joe, that 1X12 blows most 2X12s away......

Joe builds his cabinets a certain way. you may want to eventually look into his cabinets to match the MA head you have.

At the end, if you still dont like the sound, i am sure someone will take it off of your hands - LOL

Good Luck

jhideout

06-06-2010, 10:15 AM

Yeah. I'd like to get one of his cabs. I'm hoping to sweet talk the guy I bought the amp from out of his matching Morgan 2x12:idea

I wish I hadn't started a fuss about this amp...But without you guys pushing me to try a different cab, I could have regretfully sold the amp!!:facepalm

I admit failure on my part.

ROKY

06-06-2010, 10:26 AM

So I just put the Golds In my other cab....

Wow. The difference is HUGE!!

The Morgan Is Freakin' rockin' now. I can't believe it!! No more Can of bees.

My avatar cab is going to be for sale soon.
Glad you got things sorted .

My Avatar w/ Golds is the Premier Vintage (oversized) which one do you have ?

http://i647.photobucket.com/albums/uu199/amptramp/100_0657.jpg?t=1275841542

gtrs

06-06-2010, 10:29 AM

Mastervolume

06-06-2010, 10:31 AM

It's all subjective to one's own ears and what you think sounds good ..

Preach it!

That is exactly correct. Just because someone else likes their tone doesn't mean that it is what you dig.

On the cab note....

I had this happen with another customer with the 3.8 into a Tophat cab loaded with 2 blues. He had exactly the same comments the OP had.

I told him to bring the head and cab and his guitar over so that we could check it out.

It sounded horrible.

the second I plugged it into one of my 1x12s he exclaimed WOW what a difference! what speakers are in that cab?

I told him that it was a single 12 with a greenback.

He responded by telling me that he didn't even like greenbacks but that cab was killing his.

He ordered 2 1x12s and sold the other cab.

Cabs make a HUGE difference. There is a reason I don't use the same cab maker as 30 other boutique builders even though It would cut my finished cab price nearly in half.

jhideout

06-07-2010, 12:11 AM

Preach it!

That is exactly correct. Just because someone else likes their tone doesn't mean that it is what you dig.

On the cab note....

I had this happen with another customer with the 3.8 into a Tophat cab loaded with 2 blues. He had exactly the same comments the OP had.

I told him to bring the head and cab and his guitar over so that we could check it out.

It sounded horrible.

the second I plugged it into one of my 1x12s he exclaimed WOW what a difference! what speakers are in that cab?

I told him that it was a single 12 with a greenback.

He responded by telling me that he didn't even like greenbacks but that cab was killing his.

He ordered 2 1x12s and sold the other cab.

Cabs make a HUGE difference. There is a reason I don't use the same cab maker as 30 other boutique builders even though It would cut my finished cab price nearly in half.

Hmm..Aren't Top Hat cabs on the upper end?

I do agree now that cabs do make a big difference...However, I feel that it can vary depending on the amp...

Like I said already..My Mark V sounded great through the avatar with the golds...

The avatar worked well with Various other peavey amps I've owned..

It seems to me that your amps just seem to be picky with cabs. (Don't take that the wrong way..Don't mean it as a bad thing).

I really do wish I was near you so that I could test one of your cabs with GB's vs Golds.

But I am getting great results with My Randall NXT 2x12 (believe it or not). I know Randall isn't a household name around here, but I bought that particular cab because it had great reviews. ( I think it's a blatant copy of a mesa 2x12)...Whatever It may be, I think it's a nice cab, and it seems to be working well with the 3.8.

One more thing; Which particular green backs do you find work the best for the 3.8? G12M style? or G12H30 style?

chequepoint

06-11-2010, 12:16 PM

smalahove

08-17-2010, 11:34 AM

I have an MV3.8K that sounds magical with the matching morgan 1x12 cab. At reherseal I use an older (not vintage) 4x12 marshall cab. I have no idea what speakers it has. It's def road worn, but it sounds righteous :-)

hathisisfunnyha

08-17-2010, 12:36 PM

I'd never run Golds to get lots of overdrive or grind. They are for cleans not BROOTALZZZZ

Joe's amps never sound like a swarm of bees, but instead nice Voxy chime

dbeeman

08-19-2010, 02:59 PM

On the cab note....

I had this happen with another customer with the 3.8 into a Tophat cab loaded with 2 blues. He had exactly the same comments the OP had.

I told him to bring the head and cab and his guitar over so that we could check it out.

It sounded horrible.

the second I plugged it into one of my 1x12s he exclaimed WOW what a difference! what speakers are in that cab?

I told him that it was a single 12 with a greenback.

He responded by telling me that he didn't even like greenbacks but that cab was killing his.

He ordered 2 1x12s and sold the other cab.

Cabs make a HUGE difference. There is a reason I don't use the same cab maker as 30 other boutique builders even though It would cut my finished cab price nearly in half.

Just wondering what you have found to be different in various cabs – assuming they are same size/shape/design and same speakers.