Micro Ampfest with Marshall Mel

[yngzaklynch]

Took my XTC 101b and FJA modded 5150II. Mel has some sweet amps. SLO, stock JCM 800s an old JMP, Cameron modded JCM800 and a Voodoo modded Plexi 50watt. Had a lot if fun. Thanks for letting come over and check out your amps Mel

 

[fuzzyguitars]

Thoughts?

Probably liked your 101 the best!

 

[marshallmel]

It was great to finally meet Jim in person. He brought over the Suhr that everyone on here, including myself, has been lusting over. Fantastic playing, sounding, and looking instrument. The Bogner Ecstacy is a fantastic sounding amp. We both agreed that at low volumes it was dark and had the "Bogner blanket" thing going on. Once Jim gave it some volume and tweaked a few knobs, it really sounded great. I'm not sure why everyone complains about how dark Bogners are. And the Hardwire DL-8 sounded great too. Worked great in the SLO loop too. Jim was really tearing it up and I was rusty. Lol

 

[yngzaklynch]

It was actually kind of eye opening. Yes i like my XTC the best but would have bet the SLO was gonna be my 2nd favorite or maybe the Cameron. While both those amps are total beasts i had an issue with each. The Cameron was maybe a little over the top for me. The SLO needs a good bit of volume to get to that legendary SLO tone we all love. So which was my favorite of Mels amps? That little Plexi on the top far right. It was modded by Trace at Voodoo Amps. It has his Jose mod. Unlike most modded Marshalls this still sounds very much like a classic Marshall. Just with some more gain. I'm betting if i stuck my Barber Direct Drive infront and had my Hardwire delay in the loop i would be VERY happy with the tone. It simply has a great Marshall tone. Hendrix to Lynch Back For The Attack era. All in all lots of great tones at Mels!!

 

[JTyson]

 

[marshallmel]

Everyone that has played that Voodoo modded Plexi has loved it. The tone and feel of that amp is stellar. Trace Davis doesn't get the credit that he deserves.

 

[sahlomonic]

Nice setup guys! Looks a bit like the mini AmpFest here in KC last week (not pictured was my 5150 II) - also note the blue Jet City 20H is Friedman modded with the BE, Sat switch, clean channel, and effects loop.

 

[yngzaklynch]

How did the VHT stack up against the Ecstasy?

 

[sahlomonic]

I think the Ecstasy sounds a bit different than most amps out there that are Marshall based. I haven't played another amp that has that sort of "sag" and low mids like the Ecstasy. The Bogner does have a fairly unique and recognizable tone. Having said that, the Sig:X is great. A bit on the 'dry' side I felt, but a super wide range of tone options. I borrowed that Ecstasy for a couple weeks prior to the AmpFest, and I found most of the switches and modes just cut the balls off the tone, so I ran it pretty much wide open with all the switches set to high/bright/etc. With the Sig:X the switches can really give a different shift in sound without sounding like you're putting a blanket over your cab. But those switches on the Ecstasy are very useful when switching from a single coil to a humbucker, so they have purpose.

For what you can pay for a used Sig:X, it's one of the best sub-$1500 amps you can get in my opinion.

 

[ke2]

Looks like a great time was had
It must be fun to meet in real life. I've only met Sick Michael a couple of times, when he studied in Copenhagen

 

[yngzaklynch]

Yep was fun. Have the Voodoo modded Marshall on my brain all day

 

[Mailman1971]

Awesome guys looks like a blast!
Been a while since hosted/been to any amp fests. Always a great time for sure.
I sense Jim is getting a new amp in the near future....

 

[yngzaklynch]

Gotta pay for my new Suhr first