Randall?

tarznamps · 07-24-2009, 11:19 PM

Randall is not usually on my radar of amps I would like to have but I just saw and heard the RM20 and heard about the RM22.

These are the Randall amps that have the MTS "plug in preamps". The amp I am interested in is the RM20/22 which is a 20 watt head with either 1 plug in slot (20) or 2 plug in slots (22).

Does anyone have any opinions on this amp series and the various plug in preamps? Seems like a cool idea. I would assume the could copy the preamps section although the power amps section would all be the same Randall design.

MTS Modules | Amplifiers

Landshark · 07-27-2009, 03:56 AM

This seems like a really cool idea for Randall to come out with an amp that you could pretty much make all your own. I wouldn't mind trying it out, but there are so many modules. Which one's were you looking at?

tarznamps · 07-28-2009, 07:57 PM

not sure which modules to get. i don't think i need/want a clean channel so I'm thinking the xtc and something else.

anyone have this series of amp?

bro blue · 08-10-2009, 07:15 PM

I have played a few, couldn't tell you the modules used, but both clean and gain sounded really good on them.

American Viking · 08-10-2009, 09:05 PM

Plug in preamps sounds like a cool idea to me. If I was able to buy a solid, reliable all tube power section and then plug in a JCM800 preamp or plexi or JCM900 that would be awesome. That I guess wouldn't be the same as these are Randall's but the idea looks great on paper it's just an issue of whether they would sound great or not. I've never really listened to a Randall up close.

thrawn86 · 09-01-2009, 03:17 PM

I remember that Randall did tinker with this idea during the early part of the decade. I always thought it was a cool idea as well.
Just do a little math, though. I poked around and found that the RM20 is around 7 Bills USD from a major retailer, give or take. It's a 15w amp with one(1) EL34 for the power tube. It also comes to your door unloaded, and here's where the math comes in. Each module that I saw (and they did look rather enticing

) was between 280 and 300 USD.
So if you want to fill both bays, you practically double the cost of the 15w head to 1300. Just something to think about as far as $$ goes, but if it's no object, could be cool to customize your amp without the wiring process.

clintonb · 09-01-2009, 04:54 PM

I bought a Randall RM-4 preamp that can hold four modules.
For a power amp I used a Peavey Classic 60 or the effects return of my Crate Vintage Club 50 amp.

I bought the JTM45 and SL+. I don't know, maybe it was my power amps, but the modules just didn't sound good to me. The JTM45 was too bassy. The SL+ sounded better, but it seemed muddy and buzzy at the same time. They seemed too compressed. Didn't sound dynamic or "open". But I've heard some clips where they sound good. So perhaps the problem was me.

I'd like to try them again using one of their amps or their power amps to see if it sounds better.

There is a Randall MTS forum at grailtone.com where people trade modules, discuss mods to modules etc. It seems like many people do a clarity mod to clear up muddiness.

The Randall MTS stuff was designed by Bruce Egnater. The Egnater website has their own version of the system with supposedly better sounding modules. I get the impression the Randall modules have more gain.

clintonb · 09-01-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thrawn86

Just do a little math, though. I poked around and found that the RM20 is around 7 Bills USD from a major retailer, give or take. It's a 15w amp with one(1) EL34 for the power tube. It also comes to your door unloaded, and here's where the math comes in. Each module that I saw (and they did look rather enticing

) was between 280 and 300 USD.
So if you want to fill both bays, you practically double the cost of the 15w head to 1300. Just something to think about as far as $$ goes, but if it's no object, could be cool to customize your amp without the wiring process.

I think the RM20 actually has only one module slot and two EL84 power tubes.

You can find used Randall MTS gear for quite a bit cheaper than new.

thrawn86 · 09-02-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clintonb

I think the RM20 actually has only one module slot and two EL84 power tubes.

You can find used Randall MTS gear for quite a bit cheaper than new.

Sorry I misspoke on the el84 tube, and yes it is 'one channel'.

Sounds kinda pricey for what you get.....

HOT TUBES 70 · 09-07-2009, 11:07 PM

hey guys !! i have a chance to pick up a RH200SC head dirt cheap !!
are they a P.O.S or what , i have never player one !!!
i know its a solid state unit , it would just be a practice amp for home ....

rockinr0ll · 09-10-2009, 09:41 PM

I want to check out the V2 being an fan of the AVT I would think it would kick ass.

thrawn86 · 10-21-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOT TUBES 70

hey guys !! i have a chance to pick up a RH200SC head dirt cheap !!
are they a P.O.S or what , i have never player one !!!
i know its a solid state unit , it would just be a practice amp for home ....

Did you get it?

07-24-2009, 11:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
tarznamps Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Music City, USA Posts: 213	Randall? Randall is not usually on my radar of amps I would like to have but I just saw and heard the RM20 and heard about the RM22. These are the Randall amps that have the MTS "plug in preamps". The amp I am interested in is the RM20/22 which is a 20 watt head with either 1 plug in slot (20) or 2 plug in slots (22). Does anyone have any opinions on this amp series and the various plug in preamps? Seems like a cool idea. I would assume the could copy the preamps section although the power amps section would all be the same Randall design. MTS Modules \| Amplifiers __________________ Tarz-N-Amps Marshall Heads - JTM 45, Haze 15, JCM 2000 DSL 100, JCM 800 2205, JCM 900 4100, Vintage Modern 2466, 1987x Plexi Marshall Cabs - 1960BX, 1960A, 1960AV, 1965B, 425A, 1936, Haze A&B Marshall Combos - JMP 4140 Club & Country, DSL 401, JTM 615, JCM 900 4501

07-28-2009, 07:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
tarznamps Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Music City, USA Posts: 213	Re: Randall? not sure which modules to get. i don't think i need/want a clean channel so I'm thinking the xtc and something else. anyone have this series of amp? __________________ Tarz-N-Amps Marshall Heads - JTM 45, Haze 15, JCM 2000 DSL 100, JCM 800 2205, JCM 900 4100, Vintage Modern 2466, 1987x Plexi Marshall Cabs - 1960BX, 1960A, 1960AV, 1965B, 425A, 1936, Haze A&B Marshall Combos - JMP 4140 Club & Country, DSL 401, JTM 615, JCM 900 4501

08-10-2009, 07:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
bro blue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern USA Posts: 112	Re: Randall? I have played a few, couldn't tell you the modules used, but both clean and gain sounded really good on them.

08-10-2009, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
American Viking Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Posts: 1,510	Re: Randall? Plug in preamps sounds like a cool idea to me. If I was able to buy a solid, reliable all tube power section and then plug in a JCM800 preamp or plexi or JCM900 that would be awesome. That I guess wouldn't be the same as these are Randall's but the idea looks great on paper it's just an issue of whether they would sound great or not. I've never really listened to a Randall up close. __________________ -I'd rather be a good liver than have one...

09-01-2009, 03:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
thrawn86 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Far Nor Cal USA Posts: 426	Re: Randall? I remember that Randall did tinker with this idea during the early part of the decade. I always thought it was a cool idea as well. Just do a little math, though. I poked around and found that the RM20 is around 7 Bills USD from a major retailer, give or take. It's a 15w amp with one(1) EL34 for the power tube. It also comes to your door unloaded, and here's where the math comes in. Each module that I saw (and they did look rather enticing ) was between 280 and 300 USD. So if you want to fill both bays, you practically double the cost of the 15w head to 1300. Just something to think about as far as $$ goes, but if it's no object, could be cool to customize your amp without the wiring process. __________________ Drivin' faster in my car... 02 DSL 401-Ei's 02 1960b 02 Gibson LP Studio Silver 03 PRS Santana SE Holy Grail reverb Originally Posted by J. Robert Oppenheimer "We knew the world would not be the same."

09-01-2009, 04:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
clintonb Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 27	Re: Randall? I bought a Randall RM-4 preamp that can hold four modules. For a power amp I used a Peavey Classic 60 or the effects return of my Crate Vintage Club 50 amp. I bought the JTM45 and SL+. I don't know, maybe it was my power amps, but the modules just didn't sound good to me. The JTM45 was too bassy. The SL+ sounded better, but it seemed muddy and buzzy at the same time. They seemed too compressed. Didn't sound dynamic or "open". But I've heard some clips where they sound good. So perhaps the problem was me. I'd like to try them again using one of their amps or their power amps to see if it sounds better. There is a Randall MTS forum at grailtone.com where people trade modules, discuss mods to modules etc. It seems like many people do a clarity mod to clear up muddiness. The Randall MTS stuff was designed by Bruce Egnater. The Egnater website has their own version of the system with supposedly better sounding modules. I get the impression the Randall modules have more gain.

09-07-2009, 11:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 1,675	Re: Randall? hey guys !! i have a chance to pick up a RH200SC head dirt cheap !! are they a P.O.S or what , i have never player one !!! i know its a solid state unit , it would just be a practice amp for home .... __________________ MARSHALL 6100LM MARSHALL 1960A W/-G12H 30's CUSTOM BUILT 2X12 W/-V30's "MARSHALL" - only the best will do !

09-10-2009, 09:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
rockinr0ll Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,340	Re: Randall? I want to check out the V2 being an fan of the AVT I would think it would kick ass.

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