Metroamp Kit - Merry Xmas to Me!!! Help me choose which one!

[Axeplyr]

Hmmm... which one should I get???

Thinking either the 50w or 100w Superlead kit, only $25 difference between them! Decisions, decisions.

Opinions? Experience? Please chime in!

 

[paulg]

Well, I think Superlead 100s are the most useless boat anchors out there. I'd vote for the 50wt.

 

[Axeplyr]

May be boat anchors, but can't they do something unachievable by amps with lower wattage (ie bass response, "bigness")? And the kit will come with a ppmv. And, can't I pull two tubes and run it at 50w? And I own a couple unused Hotplates.

So I have alot of options for knocking down the volume

Ultimately, I'm looking for a toy/mod platform, something I can experiment with. That said, maybe 100w is too much.

However, this one issue placed aside, does anyone have experience with a few of the Metroamp options, and maybe has a preference?

I'm really looking for a warm, fat, singing tone with alot of crunch - somthing that might bridge the tone between Angus and Malcolm, and maybe cop Kossoff / Page -type tones. Not really looking for more gain than that.

I own a Jcm800 2204, and though I love it, I prefer nmv tone slightly more.

 

[skoora]

The 100 watter will have a little more oomph in the low end, maybe. Generically 100 watters give it up later in the volume sweep and have a little more bigness, but many times it's been the opposite depending on circuit tweaks and just the amps themselves. I have a '69 100 watt Metro that I built and I've been nothing but thrilled with it since I put it together. Almost a year ago now. Once you get into the build you'll probably learn enough about the circuit to make a 50 sound like a 100 and vice versa. IIRC, a main difference is that 100 watters tend to have more B+ voltage than 50 watters so have a faster attack and tighter response. But as I said before I've played 50's that are very tight and just rip. Go with your gut, either one will sound awesome. I wish they had instructions for the JTM45/100 amp. That's the one i want to build next.

 

[Axeplyr]

The 100 watter will have a little more oomph in the low end, maybe. Generically 100 watters give it up later in the volume sweep and have a little more bigness, but many times it's been the opposite depending on circuit tweaks and just the amps themselves. I have a '69 100 watt Metro that I built and I've been nothing but thrilled with it since I put it together. Almost a year ago now. Once you get into the build you'll probably learn enough about the circuit to make a 50 sound like a 100 and vice versa. IIRC, a main difference is that 100 watters tend to have more B+ voltage than 50 watters so have a faster attack and tighter response. But as I said before I've played 50's that are very tight and just rip. Go with your gut, either one will sound awesome. I wish they had instructions for the JTM45/100 amp. That's the one i want to build next.

Thanks Skoora, exactly the advice I needed!

I'm with you, the Jtm45/100 would be fantastic.

I have a bit of experience with 50 watters - in addition to the Jcm800 2204, I own a Marshall 1987x 50w Plexi ri - infact I sold it when I got the JCM.

I'm actually leaning towards the 100, maybe too much of a good thing is better than too little! I understand that George's 100w power transformers come with an 80% tap, allowing 490v or ~410v, and with a little creativity you can run three voltages with a toggle - 490, 455, and 410.

This is going to be fun!

 

[jackaroo]

100 watt

jtm45/100 or Super Bass

Done


Too loud? Get an attenuator.

 

[Billion81]

Well, I think Superlead 100s are the most useless boat anchors out there. I'd vote for the 50wt.

This is a pretty outta whack comment. The difference between a 50w and 100W are remarkable and I mean tonally. The volume difference is a few db (like 2 or 3). The 50watt EL34 SuperLead amps are a bit more gainy when dimed. The 100 watt amp is less so and will deliver a good bit fuller spectrum and assuredly more bass.

Get the 100watt for sure and a AC booster or Rangemaster. You'll nail some sick EJ tones. The 50 watt will give you more of a Michael Schenker tone...not that there's anything wrong with that.

Get that '67 that's on the emporium right now. that's a sick rig and well priced.

 

[fusionbear]

This is a pretty outta whack comment. The difference between a 50w and 100W are remarkable and I mean tonally. The volume difference is a few db (like 2 or 3). The 50watt EL34 SuperLead amps are a bit more gainy when dimed. The 100 watt amp is less so and will deliver a good bit fuller spectrum and assuredly more bass.

Get the 100watt for sure and a AC booster or Rangemaster. You'll nail some sick EJ tones. The 50 watt will give you more of a Michael Schenker tone...not that there's anything wrong with that.

Get that '67 that's on the emporium right now. that's a sick rig and well priced.

Anything that George built is going to ROCK!

 

[paulg]

Your right it was off the wall or "out of whack". I just find the 100watters to have too much clean headroom. I guess if you can open it up with a 4x12 (or two) it would be different. A 50wt with a 2x12 seems much more useful.

 

[big mike]

In general, I prefer the sound of a 50 watt.

I'd be tempted to do a bass spec.

 

[Axeplyr]

This is going to be harder than I thought.

All of the Metro options sound great.

I've had this JCM-800 for a few years now. It sounds great - does a great classic rock tone, but my biggest complaints are lack of clean headroom, so-so clean tone, and slight lack of karrang that a great nmv amp has. I played a 50w 1987 amp at GC the other day (mid 70's, apparently modded), and boy what a sweet tone. Just a bit more presend and alive than the JCM-800. So maybe I just need a 1986 or 1987 circuit. Or maybe just a new cab with greenback-style speakers!?!

It just seemed to me that a 100-watter seems to get a slightly better wrap than the 50's. Not necessarily true I guess.

 

[Axeplyr]

Get that '67 that's on the emporium right now. that's a sick rig and well priced.

I didn't find this. Got a link?

(I have a ~$1k limit)

 

[amp boy]

it's outta yer price range at 1800 ish i believe.

 

[Axeplyr]

it's outta yer price range at 1800 ish i believe.

Yep, just found it - '67 spec Metro Plexi for $1700.

That's why I'm thinking a kit. And, since I have amp-building experience, I have the skills and skooling needed!