WHO HAS A MADISON DIVINITY?!?!?!

[lyallthomas]

Hello there,

My name is Lyall Thomas - I play Guitars for UK Thrash band 'Heretic'. I have just recently been offered an endorsement deal with Madison Amps, but before I commit to it, I would really like to be able to try one out for myself, here in the UK.

I was wondering if anyone here has a Madison Divinty, is from the UK, and how I could possibly go about trying one out?? I've been told by Madison themselves that no- one officially stocks the Divinity head in the UK, and that their is only one UK supplier who ships in from the U.S. directly.

Please help me out if you can, and also check out Heretic.

https://www.myspace.com/hereticinextremis

Cheers, Lyall Thomas - HERETIC

 

[shredhead666]

I remember a few months back there was a few problems with their design. James Peters pointed them out to the guys at Madison, but apparently they gave him some lip and got all defensive about it. Apparently they're just a poorly copied Marshall TSL accordinig to James. I don't know if they've fixed the design or not but I'd be inclined not to use them on a tour because of the reliability problems. Unless they're just feeding you free dispoable amps non-stop. Then go for it!

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

I remember a few months back there was a few problems with their design. James Peters pointed them out to the guys at Madison, but apparently they gave him some lip and got all defensive about it. Apparently they're just a poorly copied Marshall TSL accordinig to James. I don't know if they've fixed the design or not but I'd be inclined not to use them on a tour because of the reliability problems. Unless they're just feeding you free dispoable amps non-stop. Then go for it!

that would be Jerry P. you're thinking of.

 

[mrp5150]

The Divinity actually sounds good IMO. Not great, but it's a cool amp. Only problem is the build quality is awful. If you're going to be touring with them, make sure you have more than one or two, and make sure you can get replacement ones quickly if you need them.

 

[feintguitarist]

Where people actually having problems with these amps breaking down?

Didn't JerryP say some bad things about the Engl Fireball as well because of the transformer used in it. I don't recall people having problems with Engl Fireballs. Was that JerryP or someone else?

I'm just inquiring... not saying that they AREN'T breaking down because I don't know.

 

[nwright]

I've owned one for about 6 months now and it has been rock solid. I posted a response to this thread over at HCAF as well. I can't speak for the past, but the crap that was thrown it's way was somewhat unwarranted, IMO, because I just don't think 1 amp can speak for a line...The duct tape crap, etc...Mine has been awesome, no problems, and it sound nice, build quality is nice. No duct tape in the chassis, no non working contour knobs, etc.

I'm sure things could have changed since the whole HCAF debacle, but my amp seems built as well or better than any other PCB amp in it's price range. After getting my amp and playing many shows with it, the whole mess has left me scratching my head. The amp I own is NOT at all like the POS it was made out to be if you are an HCAF regular.

But, I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[lyallthomas]

Cheers for that 'nwright'.

Yeah i came here from HCAF after being invited by someone who is also sick to death of idiots posting bullshit on threads.

Over the last year i've been using a Marshall DSL100 with a Boss Metalzone of the top and basically I want an amp that gives me a great distortion tone without me having to use more over the top. The Boss pedal thins out the tone, and sometimes, in alot of venues, you just sounds like a tinny weakling.

I checked out Madison after recently getting into Aborted in a big way.....and when i realised they played the Divinity, I emailed the company and Sven from Aborted about them. He rates them very highly, but i would still maintain that i should try one out first.

So...seriously. If anyone here is from the UK and has a Madison Divinity....it would be great to hear from you and i'd love to talk about it and the possiblity of me being able to come try it out.

 

[jonny toetags]

I just remember something about how they claimed they were made in the USA, but someone posted a pic of how they found a "Made In China" stamp on it.

That was what made me stop looking at them

 

[lyallthomas]

I just remember something about how they claimed they were made in the USA, but someone posted a pic of how they found a "Made In China" stamp on it.

That was what made me stop looking at them

Hmm.......I can't say that puts me off though. Most consumer goods are made in China/ Taiwan/ or there abouts...... Im sure every factory guitar we've ever bought has been made there.....we still play them? Theyre still really good.

If it sounds great and is right for me.........i dont think i care where it was made.

 

[nwright]

I just remember something about how they claimed they were made in the USA, but someone posted a pic of how they found a "Made In China" stamp on it.

That was what made me stop looking at them

Thing is, Mine does not say either on it anywhere, and seems like I remember that the others didn't either...My amp says "Madison, Loveland, CO", but it doesn't make claims as to where it's made.

This is IMHO, but the headshell utilizes the same tolex and screws as their cabs, so that does look like it's made in CO, just like the cabs...The PCB's and stuff...Who knows. They could very well be MIC, but my amp is really sturdy and seems well built. I'm not a tech by any stretch, but comparing my Divinity to my 6505+ and various gut shots on the web of PCB based amps, it looks just as neat/tidy. I can't speak to components, as I just don't know about that stuff. The trannies on my Peavey look beefier, but in turn the Madison's look beefier than Engl's, so???

From a tonal standpoint, I dig the amp. Stock, it doesn't have near the gain that my 6505+ does, and the mids aren't as aggressive. Putting in Shuguang 12ax7's brought out some aggression and smoothed the highs a bit. I run an EQ in front of the amp to boost the mids. Doing this, I get a lot closer to the 6505 grind. Still a different voicing, but it sound pretty dang cool.

Here's a ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH sound clip of the Divinity. No EQ, nothing. I'm testing tones for our upcoming CD...This is just 8 tracks of rhythm. I haven't sorted through them yet for the mix, so it's a little cloudy...

 

[Slaytallica]

I just remember something about how they claimed they were made in the USA, but someone posted a pic of how they found a "Made In China" stamp on it.

That was what made me stop looking at them

Thing is, Mine does not say either on it anywhere, and seems like I remember that the others didn't either...My amp says "Madison, Loveland, CO", but it doesn't make claims as to where it's made.

This is IMHO, but the headshell utilizes the same tolex and screws as their cabs, so that does look like it's made in CO, just like the cabs...The PCB's and stuff...Who knows. They could very well be MIC, but my amp is really sturdy and seems well built. I'm not a tech by any stretch, but comparing my Divinity to my 6505+ and various gut shots on the web of PCB based amps, it looks just as neat/tidy. I can't speak to components, as I just don't know about that stuff. The trannies on my Peavey look beefier, but in turn the Madison's look beefier than Engl's, so???

From a tonal standpoint, I dig the amp. Stock, it doesn't have near the gain that my 6505+ does, and the mids aren't as aggressive. Putting in Shuguang 12ax7's brought out some aggression and smoothed the highs a bit. I run an EQ in front of the amp to boost the mids. Doing this, I get a lot closer to the 6505 grind. Still a different voicing, but it sound pretty dang cool.

Here's a ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH sound clip of the Divinity. No EQ, nothing. I'm testing tones for our upcoming CD...This is just 8 tracks of rhythm. I haven't sorted through them yet for the mix, so it's a little cloudy...

Holy CRAP!!!!

That tone is sick!!! Man that sounds killer. Now I want a Madison again!!!

 

[lyallthomas]

Thats a very nice sound.

On the basis of that I almost don't need to try one out...and I might jus go right ahead and sign.

However, 'nwright' can you 100% assure me nothing was used over the top of the Divinity in this recording?? I want to know for certain your guitar was plugged straight into the input on the amp. lol.

I wanna thankyou again for your help tho 'nwright', i tip my hat to yee.

 

[nwright]

It was an ESP/LTD Viper with an EMG 81 into my Fender PT100 Tuner, then into my NS-2 and then into a Danelectro Fish and Chips EQ to boost the 3 mid bands (3 middle sliders, the outside 2 about +4dB, the middle slider about +6dB). That is how I run my guitars live. After recording, there is absolutely no EQ'ing, no compression, nothing on this clip at all. We are still in the recording stage, so I haven't done much to the tracks yet. The only thing I've really worked on is the drums so far (as far as comp's, EQ and treatments go).

Settings (in "O'clock"

Channel - Edge I
Master - 3:00
Edge I level - 9:00
Treble - 1:30
Mids - 12:00
Bass - 3:00


I have a 6505+ and the Divinity. For the CD, I'll be blending the amps. This clip was just the Divinity. The amp was ran into a Madison 4x12 loaded with Celestion Vintage 30's. I miked one speaker with an SM57 on axis about 1/2 an inch from where the dustcap meets the cone. There is also another 57 on another speaker off axis at the edge of the dustcap. That mic is blended 3dB lower than the on axis mike.

And, this is 4 takes of guitars (8 tracks).

Strings were DH Tite Fit Jeff Healey's (11-58's)

I used Dunlop .88mm Tortex Sharps.

Remember, too, I changed the tubes to Shuguang 9th Gen. Chinese 12AX7's, which I think change the amp significantly. Also, mine came loaded with Ruby 6L6GC's biased pretty hot.

Aside from that, player technique will always come into play.

Any other questions, feel free to PM me here.

 

[Slaytallica]

It was an ESP/LTD Viper with an EMG 81 into my Fender PT100 Tuner, then into my NS-2 and then into a Danelectro Fish and Chips EQ to boost the 3 mid bands (3 middle sliders, the outside 2 about +4dB, the middle slider about +6dB). That is how I run my guitars live. After recording, there is absolutely no EQ'ing, no compression, nothing on this clip at all. We are still in the recording stage, so I haven't done much to the tracks yet. The only thing I've really worked on is the drums so far (as far as comp's, EQ and treatments go).

Settings (in "O'clock"

Channel - Edge I
Master - 3:00
Edge I level - 9:00
Treble - 1:30
Mids - 12:00
Bass - 3:00


I have a 6505+ and the Divinity. For the CD, I'll be blending the amps. This clip was just the Divinity. The amp was ran into a Madison 4x12 loaded with Celestion Vintage 30's. I miked one speaker with an SM57 on axis about 1/2 an inch from where the dustcap meets the cone. There is also another 57 on another speaker off axis at the edge of the dustcap. That mic is blended 3dB lower than the on axis mike.

And, this is 4 takes of guitars (8 tracks).

Strings were DH Tite Fit Jeff Healey's (11-58's)

I used Dunlop .88mm Tortex Sharps.

Remember, too, I changed the tubes to Shuguang 9th Gen. Chinese 12AX7's, which I think change the amp significantly. Also, mine came loaded with Ruby 6L6GC's biased pretty hot.

Aside from that, player technique will always come into play.

Any other questions, feel free to PM me here.

Sick Tone bro!!!

 

[BURNTHISCORPSE]

the tone in the clips is SICK!!! i do know that they have a very shitty build quality. unless your getting a bunch of free amps from them i wouldnt do it. tell them you need a half dozen to tour with .

 

[nwright]

sigh...once again, I own one and it does not have "shitty build quality". IMO, anyway.

 

[BURNTHISCORPSE]

that "shitty build quality" is right from the mod guys i have dealt with. the one anyway i trust , so i didnt buy one. on his word. i didnt say they sound all that bad.

 

[lyallthomas]

Cheers for you help. I think im gonna go straight through with it.....and get it sent over.

But still, if neone from the UK with a Madison Divinity comes across this.....gizza shout. Be great to talk to you.

Thanks again boyzzzzz

Lyall - HERETIC

 

[feintguitarist]

Just be aware that clip is 8 tracks of guitar. Might not sound exactly like that when you're jamming on it with the band.

It does sound badass though.

 

[Red]

I know this is an old thread, but I just have to put my 2 cents in here.

If you have read the HC reviews of this amp, don't believe them, most of those reviews were made based off of the first 40 of these amps produced, which had issues with them and were sh!7 and were made in korea I believe

After that they replaced some parts and now they are made in China, I looked on the back of mine and it says it quite plainly in bold (it is the Divinity I that I am talking about here if you are confused)

This amp, no pedals involved, can get a very meaty and heavy metal tone, and it only gets better with a boost. It is very tight and has a lot of bass and handles it very well. It also has a very decent lead tone, once again, it gets better with effects added. you just have to know how to EQ your amps to get great sounds.

The clean channel is very clean as well, you can get those chimey cleans, or the more round fat cleans depending on how you EQ. On the clean you can also hit a boost button that gets you into the realm of blues and punk.

It has 3 channels, each with a independent 3 band EQ and gain control, the clean channel has a boost, and the gain channels have contour controls and a level control.

It also has a master volume and reverb knob (to control the spring reverb)


Overall, it is a great amp for the money, I love mine but need to sell it because I don't gig and it is too much wattage for me, especially since i'm moving into town soon.