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Re: Marshall EL34 100/100 Dual Monobloc Amp
I have the older 9200 Dual MonoBloc power amp in my all rack based rig and the only difference in the 2 models is mine runs 6L6s(5881s were 'stock' when it came out). The EL34 100/100 is the same amp just the newer model replacing the 9200,and it runs EL34s instead of 6L6s.I first wanted the EL34 50/50,which is the same model as the older 9100,but they were out of stock. Then I wanted the EL34 100/100 but I was able to find and buy 2 of the 9200s used for the same price as a new 100/100. I may still try to get an El34 100/100 at some point. Thru the years I have run heads with EL34s and heads with 6L6s and my preference is for 6L6s.
Mine is a monster 100/100 or 200watt total output power amp. The best thing I like about it is the super wide amount of headspace. It is just not possible to run it to clipping.
I run a total stereo rig. I alternate between 2 different preamp/effects processors for the 2 bands and one side project I'm in- a Fractal AX-FX and a Digitech GSP 1101-instead of a tube driven preamp. I tried Triaxis/GMajor/2:90 and JMP-1/Gmajor rigs. Did not care for the tones I got. I like the modeling processor into the power amp tones and its flexibility. After the preamp my signal runs down thru dual engine processors- BBE 482i sonic maximizer,Rocktron Hush 2 CX noise reduction, then into both sides of the power amp,then runs out and into either one 1960A cab on stereo for some bar sized gigs,rehearsals, and recording or out to 2 1960s,both on mono, for most gigs and touring. I like to run the 1960s side by side.
My rig is super compact. My 8space rack has casters and rolls. Cabs roll in. On my floor is just a wah, a midi controller footswitch to change my programmed patches in my preamp/effects processor,and a single button footswitch connected to my rack tuner that is used as a mute when switching guitars on stage. I keep everything clean and well organized in the back of my rack and all cables are labeled and fall out ready to plug in at gigs. The Furman power conditioners in my rack-anything and everything electrical in my rig is connected to. I only have one electrical cable,a big thick super long heavy duty custom built electrical cable, coming out of my rack to find a power source to plug into at gigs. Thats it. Rack/cabs/Small floorboard. Loadins and loadouts are a breeze.
My rythym guitarist runs a traditional 100 watt head/pedal floorboard/2-4x12 cab rig and I have to really hold back the throttle in our rehearsals to keep from smoking his system. I let him adjust his volume,then I adjust to him. I play lead mostly but also harmonize with his rythym playing plus do all of the fills and the solos. We finally have figured out how to blend our totally different systems to make a good solid sound.
When we first got him I was messing with him in a rehearsal one day. I kept sneaking my power amps volumes up louder and louder and he kept checking his volume,kept turning it up,kept stopping, and actually even started kicking stuff.Lolll. My drummer finally resorted to wearing ear plugs it got so loud. I eventually backed off and told him what I had been doing. He had thought his rig had blown something. He went so far as to thinking it sounded like shit. Well, compared to mine, it did,and does,IMO. Mine is just smoother and more even sounding ,as well as being just a really clean type of loudness. No hum at all. Guitars dont squeel. Totally quiet rig.
Only one problem- that damn power amp weighs 85lbs by itself...
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