Well..The Morgan 3.8 arrived..

[jhideout]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Clip


High gain Setting

High gain...Low gain input...Last part Boosted with Badmonkey


Clean Tele

[jhideout]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by michael.e

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]

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]

i think your clips sound great.

[ROKY]

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]

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]

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

[jhideout]

Originally Posted by 6stringer

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.