So how good is the Randall MTS modular amp?

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Shawnee

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I need amp help! I am really looking for a good clean tone and a great dirty channel in one amp (channel switcher). I have a Mesa MK2C+ and an original Fender 57 tweed deluxe (sold an original 65 Fender Pro Reverb like an idiot) so I know what good clean is. My favorite dirty amp was my Splawn Quickrod but it was kinda bright in the mids for me. I like a thick fairly dark sound that isn't overly distorted. (Played the Quickrod with T,M,& P at 9:00 and B at 12:00 in 2nd gear with gain only at about 10:00). I may just get another Splawn with the updated clean channel and loop volume but I am exploring all of my options. I have considered a Bogner but haven't gotten to play one. Also considered all of the modded Marshalls like Bray, Friedman, Fortin, ect but they are single channel for the most part. So that gets me to the Randall. Can this amp really compare to the real amps that the preamp modules are supposed to copy? I really don't want to spend 3-5K on an amp. I am looking at amps more in the under $2000 range. Am I missing any amps that I should be checking out? Please feel free to give advice and thanks for any input.
 
Randall RM50 with two modules can be had for $650 or less including shipping....heck I've seen fully loaded RM100 (3 channels) go for not much more...buyers market these days!

Can the modules truly sound like the amps they are copying....in many cases no.....but certainly in the ballpark.

Just beware the temptation to buy module after module and getting into modded modules can be more expensive still :rock: but :doh:

I like the Mesa side of gain so the Recto and Mark style modules are my favourite!

One other killer feature of the amp is ability to take multiple power tubes and external bias points/adjust.

One thing to beware, if you're a pedal junkie...the loops are line level not instrument level...so you need a pad/buffer for pedals in the loop...or line level FX units...
 
I really like mine. The modules really make it. The versatility is what I need right now and it fits the bill. I just finished up a rehearsal with it and had a lot of compliments on it. I switched from using various pedals to an M13. I run most of my scenes split so that two of the stomp boxes are before the pre-amp and two are in the loop.

Modules are like crack. I have a small collection at 7. Others I know have many more. Great amps.
 
This is a tough one for me since I'm a dealer for the Randall MTS stuff and the Splawn stuff.

I'll try and break it down. In terms of clean, the Splawn can not hang with the Tweed, or the Blackface modules. In terms of modern metal or extremely saturated lead soloing, the Splawn without a boost isn't as good as the Ultra, the Ultra XL or the XTC. In terms of Vox'y type sounds the Splawn isn't as good as the Super V or Top Boost modules. In terms of that deep, rectifier tone the Splawn isn't as good as the Treadplate. In terms of guys like Stratotone Pete here on Rig- Talk or Dave Friedman doing custom mods on the modules, the Splawn can't compare to the Randall stuff.

But, in terms of modded Marshall type tones that are not over the top, gain and saturation wise, that still retain a strong Marshally characteristic the Splawn beats out the MTS amps in this one, very specialized area. And because this one very specialized area is my favorite, I own the Splawn Quick Rod. The Randall MTS is not a lost cause in this area though. The SL+ module is killer. It's my favorite and the amp is worth the price just for that SL+ module. Plus the Mr. Scary is modded Marshally and the Plexi and the Brahma modules both sound bitchin' with a boost pedal too.

Your brain will say the MTS is the clear way to go here and it wouldn't be wrong if versatility is your number one priority. If the modded Marshall is 90% of your focus though I'd go Quick Rod again.

I have them both in stock ;)
 
You are gonna make me buy an SL+ module... Damn you!

I used a KH2, Mr. Scary and Blackface tonight. For me thats great combo for the band but I have been itching for an SL+ for a while. My other favorites are the 1086 and Grail.
 
Does the MTS sound exactly like the other amps? No. Is it close-ish? Very. It does sound very good. The SL+ is my fav.
 
Thank you for the replies guys.
CHUBTONE- since you are a Splawn dealer I will ask you this: The only Splawn I have played is my 2005 QR (that I just sold) and a modded Marshall 100 watter (I thought that the QR was maybe just a hair thicker sounding). You can tell from my post above that I like to set the QR pretty dark. Do you think that a Nitro or another Splawn would be a little better for me? The only problem with a Nitro is I don't like a lot of gain (as you can see from my settings above as well). I know that I will not get "great" cleans from a Splawn but that dirty channel is really great. There may be some modded Marshall amps that I would like better dirty but I am a channel switcher and not a volume rider. The Splawn is probably the best compromise for me in that regard. I have a Mesa Stiletto Ace right now and it is a great amp but is really bright. I have trouble with bright amps because I set everything so dark most of the time. I love the clean (for an EL34 amp) but not the dirty. It has good gain but is just not voiced for my tone. I tried an EQ pedal (graphic but not a parametric) but it still didn't get what I want. People who use a typical EQ setting would probably love this Mesa though. I guess I'm just a strange one.........
 
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