Post by gotmojo on Aug 6, 2010 12:07:26 GMT -7
Just got my old Marshall back from the shop and did my first A-B listening test against the Remedy. No such test can ever be perfect, and this one has some inequities, but this little test was probably close enough for science and there is nothing but good news. The Marshall is a circa 1965 JTM 45 Mk II with a plexiglass front panel and the cream back panel. I played it through an old circa 1966 Vox cabinet with 2-12's, Silver celestions of that era at 8 ohms (each speaker being of 16 ohm resistance wired in parralel). This is the only 8 ohm cabinet I own and the plexi does not have a 4 ohm choice - so that's the only cabinet I've ever played it through. I jumped the inputs so I'm playing through both inputs of the plexi. The Remedy I played through a Z 2-12 cabinet with Blue celestions at 4 ohms. Used my old '56 parts Tele, my favorite dogged up guitar.
First off let me say that at settings arranged to get equal amounts of tube overdrive, the Remedy is always louder than the plexi! So I had to use an Air Brake to do the comparison so that they were both moving about the same amount of air, and I needed only go back 1 or 2 clicks on the brake to make 'em equal to my ears. Played the Remedy on full power.
Amazingly, the two amps sound extremely close to each other, and both get the same quality of overdriven sound. The tones are very close, but the plexi has a bit more variability of tonal control - it has bass, mid, treble, and presence controls, and these are very full ranged. But when I dial in my favorite plexi sound, which is pretty bright, I can dial in almost the same exact tone with the Remedy!!! The only thing the plexi has that I can't seem to find in the Remedy is a bit of sweet midrange that adds a bit of sparkly clarity to any pickup choice. That being said, once switched over to the Remedy for 20 seconds, it always sounded just like the plexi to me. I only really hear the difference when I first switch back to the plexi after just hearing the Rem, so it's overall pretty subtle. Most non-players wouldn't even hear it, I would imagine. Played 'em at different volumes with similar results, and the A-B'ing was done with a Voodoo Lab amp switcher, so it was pretty seamless when going back and forth. Of course, the Rem is lighter than the plexi, nice for an old man's back when carrying to gigs. And the Rem is hardier than the plexi, tougher. The plexi's gotta go to the shop now and then for this or that cap that losing it's connections or function. One of the filter caps exploded inside at one time! Plus, who wants to carry a fragile, old, valuable amp to clubs, anyway? ..... I WOULD!!! But there is some peace of mind carrying in the Rem and knowing that if some arse walks off with it, it can still be replaced with relative ease. Not so with the plexi. So there you have it! In summary, if you've got a Remedy, you actually DO have the plexi sound at your finger tips, and that with a half power switch, too!! Still, I like to run it on full power with the Airbrake. Rock on. I'll open up the floor to discussion and questions now.
jj
As you read this, please remember, gotmojo is know for extraordinary confusion, inaccuracy and idiocy (see previous posts x several). Grain of salt strongly suggested.
First off let me say that at settings arranged to get equal amounts of tube overdrive, the Remedy is always louder than the plexi! So I had to use an Air Brake to do the comparison so that they were both moving about the same amount of air, and I needed only go back 1 or 2 clicks on the brake to make 'em equal to my ears. Played the Remedy on full power.
Amazingly, the two amps sound extremely close to each other, and both get the same quality of overdriven sound. The tones are very close, but the plexi has a bit more variability of tonal control - it has bass, mid, treble, and presence controls, and these are very full ranged. But when I dial in my favorite plexi sound, which is pretty bright, I can dial in almost the same exact tone with the Remedy!!! The only thing the plexi has that I can't seem to find in the Remedy is a bit of sweet midrange that adds a bit of sparkly clarity to any pickup choice. That being said, once switched over to the Remedy for 20 seconds, it always sounded just like the plexi to me. I only really hear the difference when I first switch back to the plexi after just hearing the Rem, so it's overall pretty subtle. Most non-players wouldn't even hear it, I would imagine. Played 'em at different volumes with similar results, and the A-B'ing was done with a Voodoo Lab amp switcher, so it was pretty seamless when going back and forth. Of course, the Rem is lighter than the plexi, nice for an old man's back when carrying to gigs. And the Rem is hardier than the plexi, tougher. The plexi's gotta go to the shop now and then for this or that cap that losing it's connections or function. One of the filter caps exploded inside at one time! Plus, who wants to carry a fragile, old, valuable amp to clubs, anyway? ..... I WOULD!!! But there is some peace of mind carrying in the Rem and knowing that if some arse walks off with it, it can still be replaced with relative ease. Not so with the plexi. So there you have it! In summary, if you've got a Remedy, you actually DO have the plexi sound at your finger tips, and that with a half power switch, too!! Still, I like to run it on full power with the Airbrake. Rock on. I'll open up the floor to discussion and questions now.
jj
As you read this, please remember, gotmojo is know for extraordinary confusion, inaccuracy and idiocy (see previous posts x several). Grain of salt strongly suggested.