I have a Hudson Stroll On, so I can justify...

[TMock]

...buying the David Main/Colorsound MKII?

Anthony Macari just contacted me to tell me that I not only got my name on the list for the reissue, but that my turn is now up! Since putting my name on the list, I bought a very, very nice Hudson Stroll On MKII that is wonderful.

If the David Main/Colorsound MKII is truly unique (better?), then I'll buy it. Price is not an issue, so don't turn this thread is a pointless armchair bitch session about pedal pricing.

I love the Captain's work with D*A*M and own/have owned a couple of RRB's I really love, so I know the David Main/Colorsound MKII will be an excellent pedal. But I would like to hear from the MKII cognoscenti out there whether the David Main/Colorsound MKII has any unique attributes worth adding to my arsenal considering the excellent MKII I already have. I will ultimately keep only one, and I would hate to buy this pedal only to turn around and sell it.

 

[mahler]

A well built fine tuned MKII is really virtually the same from another well built one. Don't know what trannies are in the Stroll On but the D*A*M/Sola does have 84's which have a tad bit more of range than many trannies but again I don't know whats in your stroll on. Honestly from what I hear bout Hudson Electronics and the demos, you really won't gain anything from the D*A*M in my opinion, they are both really good pedals but so similar with such a simple circuit that other than the enclosure there is not a vast tonal difference to constitute getting one over the other, If the Hudson works for you I say don't get another MKII that is virtually identical in most aspects!

 

[JLee]

Get it! If you don't like it I'm sure you could get back what you paid for it.

Yes, it's a "simple" circuit, but that does NOT mean it's going to sound like any other fine tuned MKII clone. I have had more than a few MKII clones, all built by respected builders, and the differences were more than subtle.

 

[mahler]

Get it! If you don't like it I'm sure you could get back what you paid for it.

Yes, it's a "simple" circuit, but that does NOT mean it's going to sound like any other fine tuned MKII clone. I have had more than a few MKII clones, all built by respected builders, and the differences were more than subtle.

Just my opinion .

 

[dougf.]

I say definitely get it and do a comparison. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to hear your take. I doubt you'd have any trouble selling either one of them.

 

[TMock]

Thanks for the advice so far. I can see both points of view. I know from personal experience that even simply circuits from great builders can sound and feel different. Also, simply circuits seem to most strongly reflect the uniqueness of each player's touch and setup, so that can exaggerate even subtle differences in the pedals. That (and the strong resale value) makes me lean toward trying it.

For the record, the Hudson is a great MKII. I highly recommend it. After speaking with Michael, the builder, I went with CV5416s. I told Michael that I prefer the tones of OC75s, but that I'm not a high-gain player and often roll off my fuzz knob and volume control for great in between tones. Michael said the CV5416s are his favorite for traditional MKII tones with a wider usable range on the fuzz knob. I love them so far! It sounds like the Captain is going for a similar tone with the OC84s in the reissue--a moderate gain fuzz with a wide usable range on the fuzz control. It sounds tasty!

 

[mahler]

And Abbe, you never said which MKII was your favorite .

 

[Pinstripedclips]

The Sola Sound/D*A*M MKII is the culmination of about 5 years of MKII Tone Bender building and research which involved Dave having many vintage original MKII pedals at hand.

I advise you not to miss the chance to buy it, better to get it and see whether it's worth the money to you than to miss it and never know, but always wonder.

For sure you'll be able to make your money back(probably more) if you don't like it.

 

[JLee]

And Abbe, you never said which MKII was your favorite .

Depends on the day.

 

[drolling]

I know from personal experience that even simply circuits from great builders can sound and feel different. Also, simply circuits seem to most strongly reflect the uniqueness of each player's touch and setup, so that can exaggerate even subtle differences in the pedals.

Hah! yeah.. right. Took me serious time & money to figure that one out

Well said! And very convincing. You pretty much got to try this one for yourself! And, of course, POST CLIPS please!

Back when my technique was crude & primitive, I threw away or gave away some crude, primitive pedals that are worth a fortune today.

Turns out that it requires a bit of finesse to get the most out of a tiny handful of cheap parts, and this seems to go double when those parts are germanium or silicon transistors..

 

[mahler]

Thanks for the advice so far. I can see both points of view. I know from personal experience that even simply circuits from great builders can sound and feel different. Also, simply circuits seem to most strongly reflect the uniqueness of each player's touch and setup, so that can exaggerate even subtle differences in the pedals. That (and the strong resale value) makes me lean toward trying it.

For the record, the Hudson is a great MKII. I highly recommend it. After speaking with Michael, the builder, I went with CV5416s. I told Michael that I prefer the tones of OC75s, but that I'm not a high-gain player and often roll off my fuzz knob and volume control for great in between tones. Michael said the CV5416s are his favorite for traditional MKII tones with a wider usable range on the fuzz knob. I love them so far! It sounds like the Captain is going for a similar tone with the OC84s in the reissue--a moderate gain fuzz with a wide usable range on the fuzz control. It sounds tasty!

CV are military spec 84's so I'm guessing the tone IS similar...just my opinion though!

 

[dougf.]

+1 The DAM MKII seems to get the most praise of them all. I personally wouldn't pass up the chance to compare. I would like to see a shootout between DAM, Lumpy, Hudson, Monsterpiece, Skinpimp, and the list goes on...

 

[mahler]

+1 The DAM MKII seems to get the most praise of them all. I personally wouldn't pass up the chance to compare. I would like to see a shootout between DAM, Lumpy, Hudson, Monsterpiece, Skinpimp, and the list goes on...

They are all amazing D*A*M's name just has the most prestige.

 

[marooned]

They are all amazing D*A*M's name just has the most prestige.

I think David Main has put in alot of years and effort to refine his MKII, it probably is the best one out there....however hype and lack of availability mean its hard to get one at a reasonable price.

Skinpimp, Hudson, Lumpy etc are probably the best bet at the moment for MKII's...it's the builders ear that tunes the circuit,not just what mojo parts are installed.

 

[Pinstripedclips]

They are all amazing D*A*M's name just has the most prestige.

Prestige that has been earned through years of honest hard work!

His building style and approach has clearly been and remains an 'inspiration' to other upcoming builders including lumpy, stroll on etc.

 

[dougf.]

I think David Main has put in alot of years and effort to refine his MKII, it probably is the best one out there....however hype and lack of availability mean its hard to get one at a reasonable price.

Skinpimp, Hudson, Lumpy etc are probably the best bet at the moment for MKII's...it's the builders ear that tunes the circuit,not just what mojo parts are installed.

I agree.

 

[TMock]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the input. I think I'll put down the deposit on the MKII on Monday. Should be able to do a comparison in about 3-5 weeks!

 

[Pinstripedclips]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the input. I think I'll put down the deposit on the MKII on Monday. Should be able to do a comparison in about 3-5 weeks!

If you think they are as good as one another, I'll glady take the D*A*M off yah!

 

[TMock]

If you think they are as good as one another, I'll glady take the D*A*M off yah!

Excellent! I'll keep you posted.

 

[dougf.]

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the input. I think I'll put down the deposit on the MKII on Monday. Should be able to do a comparison in about 3-5 weeks!

Do I dare ask for clips???