Modding an amp for that 80s modded Marshall tone?

[SFW]

Ok... I have an H&K triAmp Mark I. Channel 2A & 2B don't really get used, as they don't really do what I want. If I share the schematics, would you amp guys be willing to help me convert the two middle channels into fire breathing modded marshall land... or at least some where in that neighborhood?

Thanks!

Joel

 

[glpg80]

not really. "fire breathing marshall land" is much more than just preamp modifications. most of the mojo of a marshall is a combination of iron, poweramp filtering, preamp design, careful component choices, etc.

the amplifier would be worth more stock. if you modified and/or touched that amplifier, you can consider it useless on the used market because the modification will not improve value, it will hurt it.

but if that is what you want, it can be done. i just highly recommend against it....why not just buy a metro and modify it?

 

[joepete77]

It really sucks but as of january they no longer make or sell the metro kits.

 

[mightywarlock]

80's modded marshall sound.

ADA MP-1

add the 3TM to it, to make it a Fire Breather.

Tonal Bliss

 

[gbsmusic]

80's modded marshall sound.

ADA MP-1

add the 3TM to it, to make it a Fire Breather.

Tonal Bliss

Whats the 3tm?

 

[ericsabbath]

it can be revoiced, but will require a lot of tweaking

C2 to .68u
R2 to 2k7

bypass R31 or C19
R29 to 1k5
C20 to 1u

1u in parallel with R40

I'd also change R3 to 10k, C53 to 120p, C59 and C60 to 22n, R104 to 27k

 

[glpg80]

80's modded marshall sound.

ADA MP-1

add the 3TM to it, to make it a Fire Breather.

Tonal Bliss

Whats the 3tm?

3 tube mod.

it blows IMHO. i owned an ADA-MP1, was a member of the adadepot forum, ordered the mod from the only maker in the world, got on the waiting list, installed it, and sold the unit on ebay a month later. 5150 blew it out of the water in terms of "live presence" and overall tone from top to bottom. was not a fan of the ADA MP1 at all - the only thing i missed about it was the built in chorus. one of the best chorus sounds ive ever heard.

 

[mightywarlock]

80's modded marshall sound.

ADA MP-1

add the 3TM to it, to make it a Fire Breather.

Tonal Bliss

Whats the 3tm?

3 tube mod.

it blows IMHO. i owned an ADA-MP1, was a member of the adadepot forum, ordered the mod from the only maker in the world, got on the waiting list, installed it, and sold the unit on ebay a month later. 5150 blew it out of the water in terms of "live presence" and overall tone from top to bottom. was not a fan of the ADA MP1 at all - the only thing i missed about it was the built in chorus. one of the best chorus sounds ive ever heard.

I guess to each his own.
and it also depends on which Power amp you are using with it.

I tried it with a Mesa 2:90, Marshall EL34 100/100, and VHT 2902.
I definitely preferred the Marshall with it, but the VHT was pretty crazy with it as well. not so cool on the Mesa.

And I had an older one, unmodded, that I loved, but when I bought the 3TM one, modded by Hairston, I didn't like it as much. but I learned how it needs to be dialed in differently. I recently tried it again, and just am blown away every time I play through it.
There's just something about the way these things sound, that I find appealing, though, they don't always fit in all circumstances.
I find for 80's metal, and heavy stuff like Death Metal, it rules. but it's different than a 5150. totally different voicing.

 

[SFW]

glpg80- the last time I looked on eBay, the Mk Is were selling for less than I paid for mine four years ago. So the value issue for me is kinda mute. All in my opinion of course, and I do appreciate your input. According to H&K, the "Amp 2" channel are supposed to be "British" voiced. In my experience, it sounds more like a Fender with a tube screamer in front. Fuzzy with a ghost clean undertone. I realize that I will never make it sound like a Cameron, but I would like to get a bit more realistic British bark out of those two channels.

If I had the money, I'd pick up a JMP2203/4 and send it to briango2000 to work his magic... however, money is tight these days, so I'm trying to make the most of what I have. Right now, I'm just toying with ideas. We'll see if I actually take an iron to the amp.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I would be curious to see a schematic. It is very unlikely that the changes that need to be made will only affect the crunch channel, but it could be possible to make a few of the mods switchable. You can keep the switches stock for the lead channel and switch them over when you change channels to put it into Marshall mode. Never know until you look at a schematic though.