Morgan 20 vs. 40

[joshbaezmusic]

So I'm looking to buy a Morgan AC amp, but I'm not really sure what model to get..

1. 20w vs. 40w
2. Top Boost vs. Standard AC
3. Dual vs. Single
4. How do these amps sound at low volumes?
5. How friendly are they with pedals?

Any input would be awesome! Thanks!

 

[thesooze]

(1) My advice would be to get the AC20 Deluxe, as it is the most versatile in his lineup.
If you need more clean headroom, go for the AC40 Deluxe. Keep in mind with the power scaling, you can always run the AC40 at 20w or lower if you'd like.

(2) I always prefer the normal channel side of Vox amps.

(3) For my taste, single. Just one great sounding channel is all I'd ever use.

(4) KILLER. The power scaling works like a charm.

(5) All of Joe's amps take pedals great. Never had any issues.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

(1) My advice would be to get the AC20 Deluxe, as it is the most versatile in his lineup.
If you need more clean headroom, go for the AC40 Deluxe. Keep in mind with the power scaling, you can always run the AC40 at 20w or lower if you'd like.

(2) I always prefer the normal channel side of Vox amps.

(3) For my taste, single. Just one great sounding channel is all I'd ever use.

(4) KILLER. The power scaling works like a charm.

(5) All of Joe's amps take pedals great. Never had any issues.

Thanks! So when you say the "normal channel of a vox" does that mean you'd go with the Standard version of the ac20?

 

[thesooze]

Thanks! So when you say the "normal channel of a vox" does that mean you'd go with the Standard version of the ac20?

The Dual 20/40 have options for normal AC tones and topboost AC tones. The topboost has treble and bass controls, which I don't care for. When I had a Vox AC15 I played primarily on the normal side of it: just volume and cut.

So for me personally, I'd go with an amp that didn't have more options than I would use-- like the AC20 Deluxe or AC40 Deluxe. You can still get tone shaping options with the brilliant switch and the pull-bright pot, but still more on the simplistic side.

The real question is, would you ever run an AC40 at full power level? If so, go for that one, as the AC20 won't be able to do that.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

The Dual 20/40 have options for normal AC tones and topboost AC tones. The topboost has treble and bass controls, which I don't care for. When I had a Vox AC15 I played primarily on the normal side of it: just volume and cut.

So for me personally, I'd go with an amp that didn't have more options than I would use-- like the AC20 Deluxe or AC40 Deluxe. You can still get tone shaping options with the brilliant switch and the pull-bright pot, but still more on the simplistic side.

The real question is, would you ever run an AC40 at full power level? If so, go for that one, as the AC20 won't be able to do that.

Is the sound without the Top Boost bass and treble heavy though? How necessary/unnecessary were the treble and bass controls for you?

 

[QQQ]

So I'm looking to buy a Morgan AC amp, but I'm not really sure what model to get..

1. 20w vs. 40w
2. Top Boost vs. Standard AC
3. Dual vs. Single
4. How do these amps sound at low volumes?
5. How friendly are they with pedals?

Any input would be awesome! Thanks!

1. Depends. If you like to have extra clean headroom, or are a pedal platform type get the 40

2. If you get the Dual or Deluxe model you will get both options. I prefer the normal channel, but both sound great and I like having both.

3. If you want the ability to switch channels (via a/b box) get the dual. If not get the DLX.

4. With the power scaling very, very good. If you scale it all the way down it does lose a bit of the feel, but in moderation it is awesome.

5. Very friendly with pedals. I have not found one of my pedals that I cannot get to sound good with my Morgans.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

1. Depends. If you like to have extra clean headroom, or are a pedal platform type get the 40

2. If you get the Dual or Deluxe model you will get both options. I prefer the normal channel, but both sound great and I like having both.

3. If you want the ability to switch channels (via a/b box) get the dual. If not get the DLX.

4. With the power scaling very, very good. If you scale it all the way down it does lose a bit of the feel, but in moderation it is awesome.

5. Very friendly with pedals. I have not found one of my pedals that I cannot get to sound good with my Morgans.

How often do you find yourself actually using the top boost portion of the amp? An what exactly is Power Scaling? I'm not quite sure about what it is.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

Thanks for all the input guys! I'm just wondering, on a scale of 1-10 (10 being a must-have), how necessary is the Top Boost portion? Do you find yourselves always using it to tweak your tone, or do you hardly use it at all?

 

[thesooze]

I'd rate the topboost a 3/10 for me. I suppose I could use it from time to time, but I vastly prefer the normal channel of AC's.

 

[QQQ]

How often do you find yourself actually using the top boost portion of the amp? An what exactly is Power Scaling? I'm not quite sure about what it is.

I maybe use the TB section 20-30%. Power scaling is a way of implementing a type of master volume that lowers the overall volume, but that keeps the feel of the louder amp. Not sure technically how it works, but it works really well.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

I maybe use the TB section 20-30%. Power scaling is a way of implementing a type of master volume that lowers the overall volume, but that keeps the feel of the louder amp. Not sure technically how it works, but it works really well.

Awesome thanks, that's what I thought but wasn't sure. I'm probably going to go for the AC40 Deluxe, just because it's only $200 more, and I'd rather have that clean headroom and use an OD pedal if I really wanted to push it.

 

[QQQ]

Awesome thanks, that's what I thought but wasn't sure. I'm probably going to go for the AC40 Deluxe, just because it's only $200 more, and I'd rather have that clean headroom and use an OD pedal if I really wanted to push it.

Good choice. I really love mine.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

What's a good OD to push the AC40 Deluxe? I'm thinking of this chain: Zvex Box of Rock > JHS Morning Glory > Timmy OD > Musket Fuzz.. opinions?

 

[thesooze]

I'd substitute the Morning Glory for a clean boost for solos (Boost n Buff, Micro Amp, SHO), and I'd also put the fuzz first in the chain: Musket > BOR > Timmy > Boost

 

[joshbaezmusic]

Also, what are your experiences with the Xotic AC Booster with a Morgan AC40 Deluxe?

 

[thesooze]

I like boosts at the end of my dirt chain for solos. It's perfect for when I want the same gain structure I have before it-- just LOUDER (which is often what I want).

Maybe you could set the Timmy up that way?

Fuzz first to goose your BOR or Timmy... Then BOR for your main drive sound and use the Timmy for an up-and-over boost... Worth a shot at least.

 

[joshbaezmusic]

I like boosts at the end of my dirt chain for solos. It's perfect for when I want the same gain structure I have before it-- just LOUDER (which is often what I want).

Maybe you could set the Timmy up that way?

Fuzz first to goose your BOR or Timmy... Then BOR for your main drive sound and use the Timmy for an up-and-over boost... Worth a shot at least.

Have you had experience with the Xotic AC Booster?

 

[MT Buckaroo]

I have a Dual 20, and to me the EF86 Normal side is peanut butter (crunchy), and the 12AX7 Top Boost side is jelly. You gotta have both.

My pedal board terminates in a Radial Switchbone, so I can switch between the two sides if I'm running only this amp. You have to compromise a little bit on the Cut Control setting, but not much. I just leave it at noon when running this way vs. a little darker in TB mode and a little brighter with the EF86.

I run a Tone Press into an AC Boost into a Zendrive into a Timmy at the start of my chain. This amp sounds great with any of them.

ASW Elegante is THE single 12 for this amp, end of story. Came back to it after trying some others for grins, and realized (duh) that Joe got it right.

Had an RV35, had an RV40, this one is it for me. But that SW22r sure looks interesting...

 

[thesooze]

Have you had experience with the Xotic AC Booster?

Never played one, sorry.

 

[jonsimeral]

good thread! answered a lot of questions for me as well