TopHat King Royale vs. Emplexador

Some thoughts for max clean headroom, since that seems to be what you're after:

- The King Royale has a Clean mini-toggle that can apply to either channel, extending the clean headroom. It's rated at 35w and the chime of the EL84s may cut a little better than the Emplex.

- If you're talking to Brian about an EL34-powered King Royale, which is a neat idea, you might also consider a Matchless Clubman. The Clubber is also 35w and has an impressive amount of clean headroom and stiff bottom till way loud - especially into a 4-ohm Matchless cabinet.

=K

 

Hey Aaron, I was talking about something similiar over at the Tophat
forum recently. A TopHat Emperor model that would have the King preamp
channels but with EL34s-- although I was wanting fixed bias w/ a SS rect.
as part of my ideal package.

I have a King Royale and an older('98) Emplexador, and the King has
more clean headroom available. Clearly my Emplex is more 50W Marshall
so you're not necessarily looking for that much clean headroom with that
type of amp, anyway ..

Haven't played the latest version Emplex, but I'm guessing it has more
clean headroom in Vintage mode, although probably not that much .

If Brian would build a custom amp for you(I'm sure he would) I'd be really
excited to hear about it.

He might be willing to use the Emplex trannies w/the Vandy 33 platform !

That seems like a workable idea.. re-tune the EQ channel to be more
interactive like a Vox circuit .. and BOOM .. you'd have your amp, more or
less.

 

I had an Emplexador for a couple of years, it could be dialed in for fairly loud (mostly) clean tone, but that's not the way I used it! I *think* the MkII with larger trannies has even more clean headroom if desired, and I also think the new trannies give it a wider frequency response. I owned a King Royale for a very short while in 2002, so I can't really comment meaningfully on that. But I'm guessing Kiwi's comments are spot on.....the extra upper mid presence of the King compared to the Emplex will probably make it sound louder (more presence in the sensitive part of your hearing) even tho it's a few less watts.

 

I've considered asking him to convert my King to EL34's, wonder how much $$$ ?

 

I have an earlier King Royale that does not have the clean switch, and it does not have what I would call good clean headroom. However, I called Brian to see about that Clean switch mod and he said it does not make much difference (he used the phrase "very subtle") and suggested it would not be worth the added expense. Anyway, great amp, has fantastic cleans, but starts the Voxy grind pretty early (before 3 on the dial) on both channels.

Peace...

 

Cathode bias just yields a smoother/more gradual transition into overdrive.
Not so sure how much it contributes to overall chime factor.

My Hiwatt can be set to be very chimey and it's class AB fixed bias with
a fairly stiff power supply.

It chimes because of the way the EQ functions and the way I play when
I want to hear that sorta thing.

Brian's knowledge/expertise is not being questioned, here but ..

Brian likes what Brian likes .. if he doesn't think something is a good idea
it doesn't necessarily make it a bad idea if it's something ,,you like.:AOK

An AC50 is great amp, and still fairly underrated.

If Brian's open to doing this build then you're already in good shape, just
figure out what you want and stick to your guns on it, since it's your
money and your amp.

You nailed it earlier when you mentioned the low-mids of the Marshall.
They can be hard to get around if you don't want them in the sonic
picture..
That's what I love about the King Royale.. I can dial the low-mids out
when I want to, and retain all the bass, mids, and treble .

I'll be really excited if you get this amp built, and will be curious to see
what he'll charge you, and what trannies he ends up using-- whether that
be the Heyboers from the MKII Emplex or if he has them wind a custom
set or .. ??

Here's a thread where ironically I mentioned a similiar amp over at the
TopHat forum where my screen name is "Chimey Limey"

The amp was supposed to be called a TopHat Emperor.
This model, of course, doesn't exist, but, man . . . it should !

http://www.tophatamps.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=893

 

That would be a cool amp indeed! I own an Emplexador myself and think it's an absolutely phenominal amp! Really hard to beat for classic and hot rodded Marshall tones. I've never played a King Royale - but, sure would like to!

 

Try 6L6's or KT66's in the Emplex if you want a different sonic base. It sounds really nice this way IMHO.

 

The clean switch, is not very subtle on mine an '02 model; especially
on the full-EQ channel - it seems to automatically cut low mids and...
...clean up the amp. The amp set to 'normal' and the clean switch
also engaged, is a way different vibe than the amp set the opposite way:
'Normal' and 'FAT' switches 'on' yielding more gain and crunch .

You must have a fairly early one. I haven't played one, but I've heard
that they are more Marshally than Voxy in nature as far as the character
of the breakup.

Different transformers than what are now used in post-millenium versions.

 

I have KT66's in my Emplex .. it still behaves like a Marshall.
.. of course, that's still a good thing.

What I'd like to get around to trying is a 12AY7 in V1, but I'd need to
order one, first. It'd be interesting to see how Tweed Bassman-esque
I could get it, since the mids can be set pretty flat .

 

I think you would absolutely love it especially thru one of your 4x12s .

... but,with your sick amp collection you're def'ly not tone deficient .

 

I've got an Emplex and a King Royale running 4x6V6s (technically called an Embassy and rated at 35w, no longer made). The Emplex with EL34s running in AB is much louder through the same cab, it sounds huge even through a 2x12 but the preamp is gainier so in terms of headroom it might be a wash. The King Royale would basically be a louder version of your Club Royale so if you like your current sound but just need more power that's the way to go. It can stay pretty clean up to around 2:00 on the volumes and by that time is quite loud, definitely loud enough for most any gigging situation I'm likely to run in to. I find the clean toggle to be a pretty dramatic reduction in gain and volume, but I don't use it as I tend to run an edge-of-dirt base tone and add pedals (fuzz, TIM, Dyna Red) for gain....the Vanderbilt 33 is also around ~33w but with smaller transformers and earlier breakup than the KR.

 

If you want more clean headroom and you like your CR's tone, a King is the next logical step.

Frankly, if I were to up in size from a Club Royale, I'd consider an Embassy (if they were made....) or an Ambassador 35. The King Royale is a great amp, mind you, but Brian just has something going on with his larger chassis 6V6 designs...

This is assuming you use pedals for overdrive. If not, then the Emplex IS the way to go. Clean, though, with headroom, Ambassador 35 2x12, no question. Bigger would be the 50, but then that's 6L6s and fixed bias. Different beast.

 

I am surprised that their is no mention of the
Super Deluxe?

 

Yeah the SD would be another good choice, fitting in between the Club Royale/Deluxe and the KR/Ambassador in terms of volume and headroom. The SD has higher output from the 6L6s, but still has the smaller trannies and chassis of the Club amps so it's rated around ~33w but with less low end thump and earlier breakup than the larger chassis amps.

Lots of great choices....collect 'em all!