Old Music Man amp head

Puffer Fish · 11-13-2009, 08:43 AM

I used to own a Music Man HD 150. It sort of regret getting rid of it, but it was deafening (at 150 watts--6 EL34s!) and it had no real way to get any useful overdrive because the head I owned did not have a master volume control.

Fast forward to this week... I got to play through a Music Man HD 130 the other night at the studio. It DOES have a master volume control so I was able to dial in some crunch. Boy-oh-boy, what a great sounding amplifier! The clean was just delicious and the dimed out preamp volume with the master vol. channel was a lot of fun to run through.

I mention all this because these amps are still a really good deal on the used market. I noticed they are not quite the same great deal as a few years ago, but still are under-valued in my opinion.

I know, this is a MARSHALL forum and the Music Man amps are really the next generation of Fender amps, so they have a strong sonic resemblance to a Fender. However, I really think these are great amps and are well built. They can be tricked out by a good tech and the Music Man amplifiers are very solid road gear from my experience. And now I can say that I am enamored with the Music Man tone again. But me Marshall sound still comes first.

bloosman1 · 11-13-2009, 09:18 AM

The HD 130 is a legend... I love them!

lasiksurgeon · 11-15-2009, 03:27 AM

I mention all this because these amps are still a really good deal on the used market. I noticed they are not quite the same great deal as a few years ago, but still are under-valued in my opinion.

Bigpine · 11-15-2009, 10:47 AM

I've got a 410-65. Actually it was my 1st real amp. Still sounds good.

Superbee · 12-26-2009, 08:32 PM

I have a late 70's HD 130 (the good one) that I might be interest in selling.
it needs to be retubed but I have know the amp since new and it is a very good solid piece.

I also have a matching cab for it . it will need to be loaded with speakers.

Email me superbee3834@yahoo.com if interested.

Ken · 12-30-2009, 03:29 PM

I have the 65 watter with reverb (head only). It was my main amp for many years. It's crunchier than a Fender but not near a Marshall for gain. Takes pedals well and mine has been 100% reliable in 30 years of playing. It has a solid state preamp but you'd never know it if no one told you. It's a one trick pony in that you need to play it half up at least but it's a really good trick! It does classic rock really well. The 65's are rare but not especiallly valuable which is a shame. They sell for $300 and change on eBay but usually none or just one is listed at any given time compared to the 130 version which always has a bunch listed.

Ken

rjohns1 · 12-31-2009, 07:46 AM

I just picked up an rp100 112 combo about a month ago. Really cool amp, especially when I run my Blackstar HT-Dual pedal in front. The built in phaser is pretty cool too. There is a trick where you can freeze the phaser anywhere in it's sweep by quickly turning the rate knob to zero when you find the spot you like. Also, the reverb is one of the best I've heard built into an amp. I pulled apart this amp when I got it, and it is 100% original. Not a single component was touched, minus tubes of course. All pots are clean, no rust on the trannies, a real gem. The Phillips ECG 6l6 tubes sounded pretty good too, but I doubt they are original, as that name brand came about around 1982, and the amp's build date is 9-25-80. Which coincedently, was my 5th birthday. All for $450.

Ken · 01-01-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjohns1

All for $450.

That's a good deal for that combo. While used Marshall combos are always cheaper than the head versions, used Music Man combos are always somewhat more expensive than just the heads. Those combos must sound great!

Ken

Superbee · 01-02-2010, 12:40 PM

My HD 130 has a single 12AX7 in the pre amp. Two Channel with Tremlo and Verb. Has bright and deep switches on it it is super loud and clean. if I ever have head room problems then this is the monster I take as a B amp great for clean stuff.

Very underrated amp imho.

rjohns1 · 01-04-2010, 09:19 PM

Yeah, it was a pretty good deal. I like the amp, I have this blackstar pedal that just sounds awesome through it. Not a marshall, but it sounds cool. The cleans are crazy clean too.

11-13-2009, 08:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
Puffer Fish Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 71	Old Music Man amp head I used to own a Music Man HD 150. It sort of regret getting rid of it, but it was deafening (at 150 watts--6 EL34s!) and it had no real way to get any useful overdrive because the head I owned did not have a master volume control. Fast forward to this week... I got to play through a Music Man HD 130 the other night at the studio. It DOES have a master volume control so I was able to dial in some crunch. Boy-oh-boy, what a great sounding amplifier! The clean was just delicious and the dimed out preamp volume with the master vol. channel was a lot of fun to run through. I mention all this because these amps are still a really good deal on the used market. I noticed they are not quite the same great deal as a few years ago, but still are under-valued in my opinion. I know, this is a MARSHALL forum and the Music Man amps are really the next generation of Fender amps, so they have a strong sonic resemblance to a Fender. However, I really think these are great amps and are well built. They can be tricked out by a good tech and the Music Man amplifiers are very solid road gear from my experience. And now I can say that I am enamored with the Music Man tone again. But me Marshall sound still comes first.

11-13-2009, 09:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
bloosman1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 298	Re: Old Music Man amp head The HD 130 is a legend... I love them! __________________ Amps: JCM 2000 DSL 100 1960 A Cab. Fender Hot Rod Deville Fender Pro Jr. Pignose Axes: Fender 2009 American Standard Strat Fender 81 modified strat Fender 98 mim modified strat Fender 04 Highway 1 strat Gibson Swamp Ash Les Paul Studio Gibson Black Les Paul Studio Gibson SG Gothic Taylor Accoustic Washburn Accoustic Dobro 'M' Series Effects: Everything from a PODxt to analog...too darn many

11-15-2009, 03:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
lasiksurgeon Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	I mention all this because these amps are still a really good deal on the used market. I noticed they are not quite the same great deal as a few years ago, but still are under-valued in my opinion. __________________ lasix dallas \| lasik surgery dallas\| best lasik dallas

11-15-2009, 10:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bigpine Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 12	Re: Old Music Man amp head I've got a 410-65. Actually it was my 1st real amp. Still sounds good.

12-26-2009, 08:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Superbee Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 16	Re: Old Music Man amp head I have a late 70's HD 130 (the good one) that I might be interest in selling. it needs to be retubed but I have know the amp since new and it is a very good solid piece. I also have a matching cab for it . it will need to be loaded with speakers. Email me superbee3834@yahoo.com if interested.

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12-30-2009, 03:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ken Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington Heights, IL Posts: 1,172	Re: Old Music Man amp head I have the 65 watter with reverb (head only). It was my main amp for many years. It's crunchier than a Fender but not near a Marshall for gain. Takes pedals well and mine has been 100% reliable in 30 years of playing. It has a solid state preamp but you'd never know it if no one told you. It's a one trick pony in that you need to play it half up at least but it's a really good trick! It does classic rock really well. The 65's are rare but not especiallly valuable which is a shame. They sell for $300 and change on eBay but usually none or just one is listed at any given time compared to the 130 version which always has a bunch listed. Ken

12-31-2009, 07:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
rjohns1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 311	Re: Old Music Man amp head I just picked up an rp100 112 combo about a month ago. Really cool amp, especially when I run my Blackstar HT-Dual pedal in front. The built in phaser is pretty cool too. There is a trick where you can freeze the phaser anywhere in it's sweep by quickly turning the rate knob to zero when you find the spot you like. Also, the reverb is one of the best I've heard built into an amp. I pulled apart this amp when I got it, and it is 100% original. Not a single component was touched, minus tubes of course. All pots are clean, no rust on the trannies, a real gem. The Phillips ECG 6l6 tubes sounded pretty good too, but I doubt they are original, as that name brand came about around 1982, and the amp's build date is 9-25-80. Which coincedently, was my 5th birthday. All for $450.

01-02-2010, 12:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Superbee Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 16	Re: Old Music Man amp head My HD 130 has a single 12AX7 in the pre amp. Two Channel with Tremlo and Verb. Has bright and deep switches on it it is super loud and clean. if I ever have head room problems then this is the monster I take as a B amp great for clean stuff. Very underrated amp imho. __________________ Pete 74 JMP Marshall 50 combo 74 JMP Marshall 50 watt head 2003 JCM 2000 DSL Head 78 Music Man HD 130 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Mesa Boogie L-50 head JCM 800 Cab JCM 900 Cab 69 Les Paul Custom 90 1960 Les Paul Re-issue 2008 1961 SG Re-issue 2007 Fender Strat Relic

01-04-2010, 09:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
rjohns1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 311	Re: Old Music Man amp head Yeah, it was a pretty good deal. I like the amp, I have this blackstar pedal that just sounds awesome through it. Not a marshall, but it sounds cool. The cleans are crazy clean too.

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