Musicman

[jorri]

I am thinking of getting one soon. Been looking at some of the smaller combos such as RD50 to save some carrying, or potentially a 65 112 if its at least easier to handle than a 212.

Any experience? I hear they are still LOUD. And maybe the RD50 has acceptable 12ax7 distortion but it actually seems like the most expensive of all models!
Maybe the solid state distortion is acceptable on the other models like 65 RP.

[OffYourFace]

they're great amps. Sometimes it's a bit challenging to find the right sounding distortion pedal with them. My gf used an RD50 for years and was great for her.

The only thing you need to know is that plate voltage in these amps is higher than most amps. In an HD130/150 it's like 700v !!

[stevejamsecono]

+1.

One of the best sounding rigs I ever had was a Musicman 65 head with a Randall 2x12 cabinet. I was stupid to sell it.

I had an HD130 later on but it didn't sound as good, imo.

[jorri]

Next job is finding one at suitable price without travelling 300 miles.

Does the 12AX7 in the RD50 make much difference? the "limiter" being a distortion circuit, right? I hear the earliest models had one in the phase inverter too. I want to use as a switching channel - its not that i don't mind solid state distortion, the HHs and Carlsboro i have basically sound like decent pedals that i wouldn't mind putting on a board, but a lot of solid state amp have a bad distortion on! (and i suppose a lot of tube amps do if you get around the hype haha)

[stevejamsecono]

I wouldn't say it's a game-changing difference unless amp gain is a big feature for you. When I had mine I ran it with a Bluesdriver and an MXR Zakk Wylde overdrive and both of those sounded better to me than the onboard gain.

[jorri]

I wouldn't say it's a game-changing difference unless amp gain is a big feature for you. When I had mine I ran it with a Bluesdriver and an MXR Zakk Wylde overdrive and both of those sounded better to me than the onboard gain.

Only using at the moment as the way its gain-staged and goes after reverbs, gives a bit of different boost to use, but that said i could get a simple mini pedal to do this, in fact i've got a an AMT mini tube amp sim that i am having trouble selling that might just be it! (But this leads onto, erm, getting a larger pedalboard, haha i may just be trying to avoid that)

[jorri]

Anyone know about the reissues vs vintage? The rd50 appears to have neodymium speakers, which is a weight plus, around 26 pounds! But does it sound as good?

Found a listing where its a bit more than i like to pay but its been fitted with one of those integral samsystem mics. Not convinced by the design of those things but i suppose i can flog it if its horrible - id worry that it diffuses sound weirdly so that if i use other mics in front they won't see the cone in normal positions.

[E Baxter Put]

My main gigging amp for many years is a musicman with 1x15, 2x el34, and reverb and phasor(!)

It is very neutral sounding, loud, and pretty lightweight. Sounds great at the edge of breakup, show volume, and living room volume. It also sounds good with guitar or keyboards. I would plug an electric piano in one input, and guitar in the other.

I prefer using pedals for drive... usually a rat, and delay.

[jorri]

Collected the RD50 today. Super-pleased, and actually the distortion sounds tubey enough to my ears. Made me rethink my drive pedals a bit having something on a channel post-verb.

It sounds quite solid state but has none of the hard cardboard/plastic feel. I think its great that its basically got a tube/solid switch on it.

Bit lacking on the reverb density and a little hum, which i don't actually use but considering whether any mods could bring up the reverb mix/reduce hum.