Rockstah got his hands on a Mojave Peacemaker and is modding

[Gainfreak]

As far as other people using the Mercs in their production amps Ive heard that some are better then others. In other words the Wizards/Bogners might have an OEM transformer made specifically for their amps which may change the tone because it's built upon their needs/agreement with MM.

Mojave's MM transformers are proprietary and unavailable to anyone but Mojave. Those guys on the Metro board saying that you have to immediately yank those MM transformers have never used or heard that particular flavor MM in anything.

It's kind of funny the guys on there that are disgruntled Peacemaker owners. I've had mine for almost 6 years and somehow manage to get some tones out of there that I like. Besides the hack that I am, other tone deaf hacks like sah5150, mentoneman, Zachman and billybogner also used and really dug their Peacemakers. Heck man, billybogner is one of the sickest players I have ever heard on ANY forum and he still has his PM. Used the heck out of it on his last CD (as did I) yet these guys on the Metro board talk about them like they are worthless hunks of junk.

Can I get Rockstah-like EVH tones out of my PM? Well, unfortunately no. But I may be able to soon........

I think that's because they are diehard EVH fans and if I'm being honest, Rockstahs clips are more on point with what they like then any of the PM clips Ive heard other then maybe Vics original clips. I think that they are thinking that Vic is using your typical MM transformer and I agree that he's not. FWIW, I guess they will have something to compare because if I know Mark(rockstah) He will yank the MM and put in another one just for the sake of it lol

 

[Greazygeo]

No, But I will be replacing it and comparing it to another transfromer in my metro.
As far as other people using the Mercs in their production amps Ive heard that some are better then others. In other words the Wizards/Bogners might have an OEM transformer made specifically for their amps which may change the tone because it's built upon their needs/agreement with MM.

I'd be interested to hear the differences. Wizard has their transformers wound to their specs, I'm sure the other companies do as well.

 

[Greazygeo]

It's kind of funny the guys on there that are disgruntled Peacemaker owners. I've had mine for almost 6 years and somehow manage to get some tones out of there that I like. Besides the hack that I am, other tone deaf hacks like sah5150, mentoneman, Zachman and billybogner also used and really dug their Peacemakers. Heck man, billybogner is one of the sickest players I have ever heard on ANY forum and he still has his PM. Used the heck out of it on his last CD (as did I) yet these guys on the Metro board talk about them like they are worthless hunks of junk.

All the guys you mentioned ( and yourself) can all play and more importantly have the touch and knowledge to get the tone from these types of amps. I'll bet the majority of guys that are disappointed with the PM / plexi amps get them not realizing how much volume and touch comes in to play. I'll bet the PM doesn't have much power supply filtering going on either.....

 

[Chubtone]

I think that's because they are diehard EVH fans and if I'm being honest, Rockstahs clips are more on point with what they like then any of the PM clips Ive heard other then maybe Vics original clips. I think that they are thinking that Vic is using your typical MM transformer and I agree that he's not. FWIW, I guess they will have something to compare because if I know Mark(rockstah) He will yank the MM and put in another one just for the sake of it lol

Ralph,
I haven't been keeping up with the threads on Metro, but obviously Rockstah has uncovered that tone and the specs to that tone. Let me ask though since the secrets are known now and obtainable, are ALL those guys getting that tone with their Metro builds and if not, why not? i mean Ralle has been nailing it closer than anyone would ever need to be for years and he always posts his specs, his wrong pickup in his guitar, the wrong bodywood yet he's sick. Now Rockstah absolutely knocks it out of the park for EVH tones too.

My question is what happens when someone sends Rockstah their plexi and he builds it to his specs and records a clip with it that knocks everyone dead. When he ships that exact amp to it's customer, do they spend the next three years asking Rockstah what pickup he hadm what bodywood, what years his speakers were made, where he put the mic on the speaker etc? You know what I'm asking. What are those exact amps going to sound like in a guy that doesn't channel EVH to the T but still really likes that tone and vibe? Is it going to be there or is it going to turn into this chase like a lot of us PM owners have been on that has only been decided that Vic has the best sounding guitar that has ever been built?

I mean I love my Peacemaker I think.... but if I had Rockstah's plexi right next to it, would I still be wondering how I can get the EVH tone?

 

[Gainfreak]

I think that's because they are diehard EVH fans and if I'm being honest, Rockstahs clips are more on point with what they like then any of the PM clips Ive heard other then maybe Vics original clips. I think that they are thinking that Vic is using your typical MM transformer and I agree that he's not. FWIW, I guess they will have something to compare because if I know Mark(rockstah) He will yank the MM and put in another one just for the sake of it lol

Ralph,
I haven't been keeping up with the threads on Metro, but obviously Rockstah has uncovered that tone and the specs to that tone. Let me ask though since the secrets are known now and obtainable, are ALL those guys getting that tone with their Metro builds and if not, why not? i mean Ralle has been nailing it closer than anyone would ever need to be for years and he always posts his specs, his wrong pickup in his guitar, the wrong bodywood yet he's sick. Now Rockstah absolutely knocks it out of the park for EVH tones too.

My question is what happens when someone sends Rockstah their plexi and he builds it to his specs and records a clip with it that knocks everyone dead. When he ships that exact amp to it's customer, do they spend the next three years asking Rockstah what pickup he hadm what bodywood, what years his speakers were made, where he put the mic on the speaker etc? You know what I'm asking. What are those exact amps going to sound like in a guy that doesn't channel EVH to the T but still really likes that tone and vibe? Is it going to be there or is it going to turn into this chase like a lot of us PM owners have been on that has only been decided that Vic has the best sounding guitar that has ever been built?

I mean I love my Peacemaker I think.... but if I had Rockstah's plexi right next to it, would I still be wondering how I can get the EVH tone?

You are definitely asking the same question I want to know which is still the reason why Ive never sent him an amp Well that plus I'm broke as F%^k.

Mark seems to knock it out of the park regardless of what amp he builds but I have no idea If id be able to get the same sound if he shipped me an amp I also wouldn't want to be the guinea pig

As far as Ralle is concerned, Ive already written him off because the guy just wont accept the fact that the code has been cracked. I think he is happier chasing his tail then actually settling on something that is already their.. Ive watched him nail that sound and still keep insisting that somethings missing.

 

[mixohoytian]

finger transplant
that's the ticket
myeaah see?

 

[Chubtone]

All the guys you mentioned ( and yourself) can all play and more importantly have the touch and knowledge to get the tone from these types of amps. I'll bet the majority of guys that are disappointed with the PM / plexi amps get them not realizing how much volume and touch comes in to play. I'll bet the PM doesn't have much power supply filtering going on either.....

Well thanks for the compliment George. But now that i think about it more, everyone I listed with the Peacemakers has always been like "this amp sounds killer, but I can't NAIL that exact EVH vibe, or even the exact Vic vibe". I know you can't stand the EVH tone but it is my idea of the perfect starting point for the sound I want and then just some slight tweaks to it. I would say 90% of the guys who buy Peacemakers are looking for that brown sound as a big part of why they are buying that particular amp.

 

[Chubtone]

finger transplant
that's the ticket
myeaah see?

Listen kid...... if tone is in the fingers, why did you ever get rid of your Dual Rectifier and your Triaxis? If tone is in the fingers wouldn't you sound the same through those and the Peacemaker?

Freakin' noobs

 

[jerrydyer]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

 

[Greazygeo]

Well thanks for the compliment George. But now that i think about it more, everyone I listed with the Peacemakers has always been like "this amp sounds killer, but I can't NAIL that exact EVH vibe, or even the exact Vic vibe". I know you can't stand the EVH tone but it is my idea of the perfect starting point for the sound I want and then just some slight tweaks to it. I would say 90% of the guys who buy Peacemakers are looking for that brown sound as a big part of why they are buying that particular amp.

You are probably right.

I think the overlooked part of the whole tone chasing thing is the actual process of the recorded tone. His amp and tone are nothing more than a stock Marshall, 412 cab with GB's and a paf loaded guitar, light guage strings tuned down a half step...lowered voltage with a variac to give it the mush. The micing, mic pres and eq-ing, analog tape, mixing and mastering are just as big a part. Can anyone can get all that coming out of a guitar cab? The vids I've seen from back then seemed like a typical bright Marshall.

Has anyone stepped in front of EVH's old rig while he was playing and did it sound the same as VH I? What about Vic? Does he have VHI or II coming out of his speaker cab? I don't know, just asking.

Just like when I saw Randy live about 15 feet in front of his cabs...sounded nothing like the recordings. The After Hours vids are close.

You do enough recording, I bet moving the mic around a tiny bit makes your amps sound way different.

You probably already have your tone, just need to embrace it!

 

[dstroud]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

It's like Eric Johnson on a G-Dec - when he's playing that thing, there's no question it's his tone - on a G-Dec! Which is a nice little practice amp.

 

[Gainfreak]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

I don't agree at all. We are talking tone and not technique. Just for the record, and not to be rude, Ive heard people who have poor technique nail that tone. We are talking the underlying tone here and not making it sound like Eddie.

I'll also use Mark(rockstah) As a referance.....His earlier efforts did not sound like the tone he is getting now.

BTW, I have a clip of EVH playing through a rockman.....Guess what, It still sounds like Ed playing through a Rockman. If it were all in the fingers then why can you tell when EVH is playing through his Peavey vs the Marshall?

Last but not least.... I suppose everyone who puts plastic finger tips on their fingers that will make there amp sound like old Sabbath?

 

[Gainfreak]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

It's like Eric Johnson on a G-Dec - when he's playing that thing, there's no question it's his tone - on a G-Dec! Which is a nice little practice amp.

Yeah sure..... Take off all the jape and then tell me its the same tone he gets comming from his Marshall. Just saying. A lot of that sound is him mimicking the assload of effects he uses for his live setting.

 

[dstroud]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

It's like Eric Johnson on a G-Dec - when he's playing that thing, there's no question it's his tone - on a G-Dec! Which is a nice little practice amp.

Yeah sure..... Take off all the jape and then tell me its the same tone he gets comming from his Marshall. Just saying. A lot of that sound is him mimicking the assload of effects he uses for his live setting.

Those effects are part of his tone - that Crossroads video where the Marshall is dry - I don't think it sounds very good. Point I was actually making is that even though the frequency spectrum each amps hit is different, you still know it's him based on his licks, touch, etc...

 

[Gainiac]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

It's like Eric Johnson on a G-Dec - when he's playing that thing, there's no question it's his tone - on a G-Dec! Which is a nice little practice amp.

Yeah sure..... Take off all the jape and then tell me its the same tone he gets comming from his Marshall. Just saying. A lot of that sound is him mimicking the assload of effects he uses for his live setting.

It MUST be all in the hands, cause I still blow whether the effects are on or off...

 

[Digital Jams]

Who was that guy that would post all the 5150 combo clips of EVh and was stupid close? VHoholic??

Explain THAT!

 

[70strathead]

I think that's because they are diehard EVH fans and if I'm being honest, Rockstahs clips are more on point with what they like then any of the PM clips Ive heard other then maybe Vics original clips. I think that they are thinking that Vic is using your typical MM transformer and I agree that he's not. FWIW, I guess they will have something to compare because if I know Mark(rockstah) He will yank the MM and put in another one just for the sake of it lol

Ralph,
I haven't been keeping up with the threads on Metro, but obviously Rockstah has uncovered that tone and the specs to that tone. Let me ask though since the secrets are known now and obtainable, are ALL those guys getting that tone with their Metro builds and if not, why not? i mean Ralle has been nailing it closer than anyone would ever need to be for years and he always posts his specs, his wrong pickup in his guitar, the wrong bodywood yet he's sick. Now Rockstah absolutely knocks it out of the park for EVH tones too.

My question is what happens when someone sends Rockstah their plexi and he builds it to his specs and records a clip with it that knocks everyone dead. When he ships that exact amp to it's customer, do they spend the next three years asking Rockstah what pickup he hadm what bodywood, what years his speakers were made, where he put the mic on the speaker etc? You know what I'm asking. What are those exact amps going to sound like in a guy that doesn't channel EVH to the T but still really likes that tone and vibe? Is it going to be there or is it going to turn into this chase like a lot of us PM owners have been on that has only been decided that Vic has the best sounding guitar that has ever been built?

I mean I love my Peacemaker I think.... but if I had Rockstah's plexi right next to it, would I still be wondering how I can get the EVH tone?

Yeah at one point, After our little internet jam we did, I asked if he would nt mind experimenting with my 50w NMV and was VERY detailed in asking me questions about the amp and told me to send me pics of everything inside about it before i sent it off, which i never got around to doing....but it defintely sounds he was looking to get into these EVH tweaking mods and I told him that Im not really chasing the EVH tone, but he had mentioned he was on to something that rivaled it but it had to be the right amp. i dunno, i go back and forth with this and i think if i were to have one of my heads modded to what i want , i would probably call Mr. Fortin ..has anybody heard if Frank Levy is still doing mods?

 

[Gainfreak]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

It's like Eric Johnson on a G-Dec - when he's playing that thing, there's no question it's his tone - on a G-Dec! Which is a nice little practice amp.

Yeah sure..... Take off all the jape and then tell me its the same tone he gets comming from his Marshall. Just saying. A lot of that sound is him mimicking the assload of effects he uses for his live setting.

Those effects are part of his tone - that Crossroads video where the Marshall is dry - I don't think it sounds very good. Point I was actually making is that even though the frequency spectrum each amps hit is different, you still know it's him based on his licks, touch, etc...

That's technique Bro... Not tone or at least my definition of tone. Tone is why you can tell someone is playing a boogie vs a marhshall vs a vox etc etc. Technique is where you can distinguish a player. Plug ANYONE and I mean ANYONE into a rockman and guess what.....It's going to sound like a rockman.
Now when a guitar player starts playing some lead work and if the said person has a unique technique like EVH or EJ.. you will be able to tell who it is but the underlying tone is still going to sound like a rockman.
By most people definition if tone came from the fingers why cant anyone make a rockman sound like a boogie?

The thing that gets me is that there is a difference or at least to my ears between tone and technique. The tone in the fingers thing always makes me laugh because Ive heard many different tones comming from EVH.
Now keep in mind that I do acknowledge that a person technique can change the tone but tone is not 100 percent in either.

I don't even need to argue with Jerry on this because Marks earlier work clearly did not have the sound he has now. Am I supposed to thing that he changed his fingers now that he has achieved the sound?

Just debating with you guys and my replies aren't meant to sound harsh.!!

 

[Gainfreak]

Who was that guy that would post all the 5150 combo clips of EVh and was stupid close? VHoholic??

Explain THAT!

Easily.... a lot of VH oholics sound came from his external cab. He posted a clip with the same setup through a the stock speaker cab once and it sounded nothing like the sound he got though the greenback cab

 

[dstroud]

Mark will disagree but I still say 90% in the hands. You either have it or you dont. The feel, the swing of it, the way a note is fretted, struck, muted. Mark can probably make any amp have a VH feel to it.

It's like Eric Johnson on a G-Dec - when he's playing that thing, there's no question it's his tone - on a G-Dec! Which is a nice little practice amp.

Yeah sure..... Take off all the jape and then tell me its the same tone he gets comming from his Marshall. Just saying. A lot of that sound is him mimicking the assload of effects he uses for his live setting.

Those effects are part of his tone - that Crossroads video where the Marshall is dry - I don't think it sounds very good. Point I was actually making is that even though the frequency spectrum each amps hit is different, you still know it's him based on his licks, touch, etc...

That's technique Bro... Not tone or at least my definition of tone. Tone is why you can tell someone is playing a boogie vs a marhshall vs a vox etc etc. Technique is where you can distinguish a player. Plug ANYONE and I mean ANYONE into a rockman and guess what.....It's going to sound like a rockman.
Now when a guitar player starts playing some lead work and if the said person has a unique technique like EVH or EJ.. you will be able to tell who it is but the underlying tone is still going to sound like a rockman.
By most people definition if tone came from the fingers why cant anyone make a rockman sound like a boogie?

The thing that gets me is that there is a difference or at least to my ears between tone and technique. The tone in the fingers thing always makes me laugh because Ive heard many different tones comming from EVH.
Now keep in mind that I do acknowledge that a person technique can change the tone but tone is not 100 percent in either.

I don't even need to argue with Jerry on this because Marks earlier work clearly did not have the sound he has now. Am I supposed to thing that he changed his fingers now that he has achieved the sound?

Just debating with you guys and my replies aren't meant to sound harsh.!!

I don't think you sound harsh - and yeah, I totally agree - I bash an A chord on a 5150, then bash an A chord on an old Marshall - huge sound difference and my fingers are doing nothing Now in the G-Dec video I referenced, I personally think the basic tone is dark and in the ballpark of what I'm used to hearing him sound like. I basically attribute that to he dialed that amp in to what he likes. I never meant to imply EJ could get his tone from a 5150 -not knocking a 5150, but I think it would be hard pressed to get an EJ tone!