Modular MTS Mods - Why have I never heard of this?

[Jdguitar]

Does the bully mod also do the stock MK22 tones and then some?

Scott gave me some great mod ideas for my "brownstone" module and I love it. Started life as a brahma and then morphed into a perfect SLash-EVH-ish type of module. I also have a scary, friedman Brahma (awesome) and a Judge (supposed to be closest thing to brown eye mod) Really dig the tones I get out of these. I've come to realize that i am essentially a Marshall guy so I don't go dipping into other mod types but the Vox stuff sounds great to my ears. These are great flexible platforms. The heads do weigh a bloody ton though. Neck to neck with my JCM800, I'd say these are solid tone monsters. Played through the same cab I only get a tad more thickness from the real amp vs. the modular preamp. With tube tweaking I could probably get closer.

The MK22 is actually quite different from The Bully. The MK22 is JMP based and the Bully is based off of EVH's 1968 Super Lead, which had a JTM45 tone stack and a tube rectifier.

I think anyone that gives these amps a fair shot will see the benefits. I've had no problems with reliability. I couldn't care less if others use them but if you want to save yourself a lot of money in your tone search I don't think there is a better option.

 

[FourT6and2]

I think the idea is cool. But because I already own a VH4, CCV, and Super Lead... these module systems don't interest me beyond novelty. I was just taken back after watching that Billy Corgan rig video because I'd never even heard of these things before.

 

[polaris20]

I thought the MTS stuff was awesome, even a lot of the stock modules. The 1086 sounded fucking brutal.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I think a lot of the mediocre reviews are based on the stock modules. Modded modules offered by Salvation are stripped to a bare platform and handwired to custom specs. The results are stunning.

BTW, I've had 5 of the mts with no issues whatsoever, unlike my 3 Marshalls DSL & TSL which were constantly in the shop.
Perhaps the earlier amps from 10 years ago had issues, but the more recent ones have been rock solid for me.

 

[lettmusic]

Good to see some MTS users here. I've been using MTS since they came out few years ago. I have an RM100 and an RM50. Love the module concept. My favorite one being an Egnater EG5 modded by Trace at Voodoo Amp. He did some serious mojo on it, way better gain and very warm, ballsy, liquidy tone.
The line never got the marketing that it deserves. It was also in limbo during the the time when Randall was going through a major change over. It wasn't surprising when it was finally discontinued, a damn shame.
If you're into modding amps, modular amps is just a modder's heaven. Just pull put the pre-amp and do your thing. It's also very tube friendly, you can bias the amp very easily, and it'll take mix quads as well. I'm running a pair of TAD 6L6 mix with a pair of JJ E34L on my RM100, great tones.
Bruce did all kinds of cool things with the MTS line. Even the 2X12 cab has a cool Mic Eliminator feature. I still use it for recording all the time. No need for mic, and it really does capture the true sound of the cab

 

[chunktone]

I think a lot of the mediocre reviews are based on the stock modules. Modded modules offered by Salvation are stripped to a bare platform and handwired to custom specs. The results are stunning.

BTW, I've had 5 of the mts with no issues whatsoever, unlike my 3 Marshalls DSL & TSL which were constantly in the shop.
Perhaps the earlier amps from 10 years ago had issues, but the more recent ones have been rock solid for me.

I was really impressed with Salvation Mods clips, but when I tried them in person, I was a bit let down. YMMV.

 

[Mattfig]

MTS is among the best out there for genuine great tones and versatility...

I've made some promo vids for the modding community, here's the most recent...

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Chuktone: Really? Wow...which ones? I love the Stonerverb (Orange), Camerock, Mamba (Cobra), and S1S0 (5150).
People who have played the real amps side by side offer glowing reviews.
I know the 6505 I played sounded inferior in comparison.
Regardless, they're totally inspiring for modern hi gain heads like myself.

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

I came in here to start a post about how I found my rig, and I have zero gas (for now)...

Rig Randall RM50 head with Sacred Groove Xtacy LE with boost, and Jaded Faith Texas special going into a Traynor DHX112 with a Scumback XH75-LHDC speaker.

The range of tones I can get out of this simple small setup is sick. That Xtacy LE can do everything as far as I am concerned plexi mode gets clean, then you have blue, and red channels with/without structure engaged, and with/without gain boost. And the best thing is it is cheap to try out different modules to find exactly what you are after. I went through about ten different high gain modules and settled on the Xtacy LE, but I wanted a great clean, so I ordered a Texas special which just arrived yesterday, and covers a lot of different clean tones, and can get a bit of grit as well.

Also check out http://mtsforum.grailtone.com/ for more info then you could ever want about the MTS amps. There are also some signs that Egnater has some plans to not let the MTS series die.

I have had three salvation mods, and was not super impressed with them for the price but the Jaded Faith mods (I've had two high gainers, and one clean) are great. That Sacred Groove Xtacy LE is in it's own category to me.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

MTS is among the best out there for genuine great tones and versatility...

I've made some promo vids for the modding community, here's the most recent...

Love the Fig

 

[chunktone]

Chuktone: Really? Wow...which ones? I love the Stonerverb (Orange), Camerock, Mamba (Cobra), and S1S0 (5150).
People who have played the real amps side by side offer glowing reviews.
I know the 6505 I played sounded inferior in comparison.
Regardless, they're totally inspiring for modern hi gain heads like myself.

I was really interested in the Mamba, until i tried one at the Nashville amp expo. Tried several others, but the Mamba was the main one I was looking at. Back to real amps for me.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

The whole Billy Corgan thing always fascinates me.... here we have a guy with no chops who has all these amps or modules but essentially sounds like shit through everything he plays because that is his preference and "tone". Stick a DS-1 in front of any amp and you'll get the same thing.

I think the modular thing is a definite bonus IF you intend to really need a variety of tones from one platform. IF you really need/like orange,mesa, marshall, fender and want to get as close as you can for less dough, the Randall stuff can't be beat. Maybe you want a BE but can't afford the 1200$ Marshall and then the mod. Score a Randall unloaded for 500$ and then grab a judge module used for 165$ and you are in business.

Personally, all my modules are Marshall inspired. I'd be really happy with a one slot 50 watter. In terms of going toe to toe with the amp that the module mimicks, I also have found the real thing slightly fuller so I can understand that comment too. The key is turning up the level knob but that sometimes will also affect your loop/effects levels.

 

[Mailman1971]

I was a MTS Fiend back in the day!

Any of the old guys from that Grailtone Board can assure this.
owned 5 MTS amps. 2 Lynch boxes....Egnater Mod 100 and Mod 50 and a Custom RM100.
Tons of custom modules.
It was fun but in my opinion it just got too pricey with all the modules.
Let me put it this way......when I sold my last RM100 and modules....I had enough money to buy a Diezel VH4 and still have money left over.
But this amp/module setup is a TWEAKERS PARADISE for sure!!!

 

[jkdsteve]

Been pimp'ing these things for years...sadly I can't play worth a damn so my opinion is suspect! ;-)

I love my modules but it is extremely addicting.

 

[mightywarlock]

I just got into the whole Module thing, and picked up an RM100 with 3 modules on Craigslist...gave the 3 modules (never even heard them) to Rob (JadedFaith) and got back an XMG+, Krank+, and EV Trilogy,'

I REALLY Dig the XMG+.

I would like to get more modules, but they are indeed, hard to come by and it all gets very expensive very quickly.
Need an old one to get modded, so over a hundred bucks, then gotta spend another couple hundred on the mod.
at least $300 for each module...

I have bought real amps for that price in recent years, so makes the whole thing a bit tricky...

 

[Chris O]

I just got into the whole Module thing, and picked up an RM100 with 3 modules on Craigslist...gave the 3 modules (never even heard them) to Rob (JadedFaith) and got back an XMG+, Krank+, and EV Trilogy,'

I REALLY Dig the XMG+.

I would like to get more modules, but they are indeed, hard to come by and it all gets very expensive very quickly.
Need an old one to get modded, so over a hundred bucks, then gotta spend another couple hundred on the mod.
at least $300 for each module...

I have bought real amps for that price in recent years, so makes the whole thing a bit tricky...

Do you spend any time over at GrailTone - MTS forums? Might find some deals there. When I was selling mine off, let's just say that deals were had!

 

[Jerome Allen]

The one problem with the MTS series was the hit-or-miss quality control from Randall. Everything else about it was great...1) extremely versatile with about any amp tone you could dream of 2) the real tubes sound and react 1000x's better than any digital modeler I've played (yes, way better than my Kemper too) 3) it can sound decent at lower volumes. I think it's one of the best amp options if you're working in a cover band or recording studio and need a wide variety of very good tones. I think Michael Wagner has a pretty extensive set-up of MTS modules in his Wireworld Studio...which is a pretty good endorsement of the MTS line.

 

[keennay]

What great technology, I think Dan Donegan used one of these as well.

 

[Mailman1971]

What great technology, I think Dan Donegan used one of these as well.

Yup the 1086 was his signature module.
Pete "stratotone" Took it one step further with his modded version of this....the 1087!!
That module....KICKED SERIOUS ASS!!!!

 

[mightywarlock]

If anyone wants one of these Randall MTS amps, the guy I bought mine from has a 2nd RM100 for sale with 3 Modules (2 Plexi's and a blackface), for very very cheap.

Cheaper than you will find anywhere else. Especially loaded.

PM Me for details, and I can always pick it up (I work nearby his studio) and get it to you.