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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 19, 2018 17:47:41 GMT
I’m waiting for Harley Benton MA-500 VS to be delivered. It’ll be my first electric instrument. Planning to mainly play through headphones using an iRig. It it has two single coil pickups and a 3 way switch. I assume the switch allows me to have the output from either or both pickups? Is there anything I need to know or is it plug in and go? Can I use the same strings as on my acoustic mandolin? Newtone Phosphor Bronze. If I wanted to use an amplifier any recommendations for a low cost option? The objective of this instrument is to have a generally quiet instrument that doesn’t disturb the family but may want to play it out loud from time to time. I like the idea for the “cute” factor of the Marshall MS2 but is that just a toy?
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Post by scripsit on Jun 20, 2018 5:21:37 GMT
You are looking for the same sort of amplifier that works for acoustic guitar. If it has sophisticated EQ controls (eg bass, mid, treble and specific frequency notch cut), so much the better if you need to shape your sound.
And, yes. the mini Marshall is a toy (I have one, and would like the bar fridge shaped like a marshall stack, too). Fun to plug an electric guitar into and set on the dirty channel when you want to be Jimi Hendrix while everyone elsewhere in the house is trying to sleep, but seriously under-powered for amplifying an electric instrument up to 'acoustic' level, and with no EQ adjustment.
Kym
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 20, 2018 7:05:43 GMT
You are looking for the same sort of amplifier that works for acoustic guitar. If it has sophisticated EQ controls (eg bass, mid, treble and specific frequency notch cut), so much the better if you need to shape your sound.
And, yes. the mini Marshall is a toy (I have one, and would like the bar fridge shaped like a marshall stack, too). Fun to plug an electric guitar into and set on the dirty channel when you want to be Jimi Hendrix while everyone elsewhere in the house is trying to sleep, but seriously under-powered for amplifying an electric instrument up to 'acoustic' level, and with no EQ adjustment.
Kym
Thanks - it's actually a solid body mandolin rather than acoustic though so wouldn't a need an electric amplifier?
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Post by scripsit on Jun 20, 2018 7:28:25 GMT
Only if you want to make electric noises.
Kym
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David Hutton
Cheerfully Optimistic
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Post by David Hutton on Jun 20, 2018 12:11:19 GMT
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 20, 2018 12:44:30 GMT
Thanks probably more than I was planning to spend main idea of the electric mandolin is for practicing with headphones. The only reason I asked about the Marshall was a cheap option if I wanted to play out loud.
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Post by scripsit on Jun 20, 2018 13:10:37 GMT
Electric guitar amps are designed for electric guitars. That means they usually have a focus on high mids, and often involve speakers/cabinets that only deliver this range efficiently.
Acoustic amps would properly be PA systems, because acoustic guitars create sounds from about 80 Hz up to about 1100 Hz (overtones deliver above the top E and can go considerably above that). The modular acoustic amps usually have speaker and EQ possibilities to approach the ideal in a small package.
You'll have to try your electric mandolin through some amps to see what it sounds like, but electric guitars through acoustic amps tend to sound more like acoustic guitars, or at least they tend to have a wider range of delivery, even from wound electromagnetic pickups.
Kym
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 20, 2018 13:40:14 GMT
Electric guitar amps are designed for electric guitars. That means they usually have a focus on high mids, and often involve speakers/cabinets that only deliver this range efficiently.
Acoustic amps would properly be PA systems, because acoustic guitars create sounds from about 80 Hz up to about 1100 Hz (overtones deliver above the top E and can go considerably above that). The modular acoustic amps usually have speaker and EQ possibilities to approach the ideal in a small package.
You'll have to try your electric mandolin through some amps to see what it sounds like, but electric guitars through acoustic amps tend to sound more like acoustic guitars, or at least they tend to have a wider range of delivery, even from wound electromagnetic pickups.
Kym
Thanks! That makes it clear! Like I said the amp is a nice to have for occasional use as I'll mainly be using it with headphones and if I do I'll be the only one listening. May just try some PC speakers I've already got in the first instance - I'll be using an iRig and the audio output from an iPad so it "should" work.
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walkingdecay
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Post by walkingdecay on Jun 20, 2018 15:15:37 GMT
It probably won't help, but the only amp I've ever used for mando is a Fishman Loudbox Mini used with Schertler contact pickups. You can get good mando and guitar sounds out of it, and it's got enough punch to compete with a loud and drunk pianist.
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 21, 2018 13:50:03 GMT
Let me introduce Judas I bought it as "B stock" but can't find a mark on it! Looks great out of the box, tuners nice and smooth. Finish looks good with a couple of rough edges to the frets. Setup was a doddle, and a nice bridge that allowed me to set the intonation and action for each course individually. I've played for a few minutes but needed to get back to work . Obviously heaver than I'm used to and a narrower next but overall it will serve its primary purpose, to give me something that I can play with headphones on - The E string is a lot quieter than the others. Seems to happen on either pickup. Does that indicate a fault or do I need to adjust pickup height?
- I'm using iRig with AmpliTube and can't get a clean sound. Any tips? or is there another app that I could use that might give a cleaner sound?
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Post by scorpiodog on Jun 22, 2018 9:30:21 GMT
I have one of these. They have a headphone socket. The tone controls (can I really call it eq?) are reasonable, and it's perfectly loud enough for home use. I think they're good value. Use nickel strings rather than phosphor bronze, and you may wish to experiment with flatwounds. They cut sustain (but it's an electric so that's no bad thing) but eliminate string squeak which becomes more pronounced as you amplify. Lovely looking Mando, by the way.
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
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Post by garynava on Jun 23, 2018 14:50:01 GMT
Looking at the telecaster style bridge, I'm assuming it takes ball-end strings. In which case, it's easy to make up your own custom set of strings by buying single electric guitar strings. I make up sets for my emandos using Ernie Ball super slinky. You can't use bronze strings with magnetic pick-ups. Cheers Gary
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 23, 2018 15:08:10 GMT
Looking at the telecaster style bridge, I'm assuming it takes ball-end strings. In which case, it's easy to make up your own custom set of strings by buying single electric guitar strings. I make up sets for my emandos using Ernie Ball super slinky. You can't use bronze strings with magnetic pick-ups. Cheers Gary Thanks, yes it does take ball end strings so I’ll order a new set. Worked out out how to adjust the pickups so I’ve now got a more balanced sound, but still needs tweaking. But I’ve already got upgraditis: been looking at a replacement pickup already The jury is still out on the iRig, I can have fun playing with the effects, but can’t get a clean sound out of it. Looking for more of a Byrds’ jangle than Hendrix wail. But have an Ander acoustic headphone amp on order that will hopefully do the job. But as I haven’t had any complaints from the family it’s doing its job!
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jun 26, 2018 7:51:50 GMT
I have one of these. They have a headphone socket. The tone controls (can I really call it eq?) are reasonable, and it's perfectly loud enough for home use. I think they're good value. Use nickel strings rather than phosphor bronze, and you may wish to experiment with flatwounds. They cut sustain (but it's an electric so that's no bad thing) but eliminate string squeak which becomes more pronounced as you amplify. Lovely looking Mando, by the way. scorpiodog Thanks What's the battery life like on the Blackstar? And can you plug in an regular external power supply or does it use a proprietary socket? The price of the genuine one is about the same as the amplifier!
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Post by scorpiodog on Jun 26, 2018 9:33:59 GMT
I have one of these. They have a headphone socket. The tone controls (can I really call it eq?) are reasonable, and it's perfectly loud enough for home use. I think they're good value. Use nickel strings rather than phosphor bronze, and you may wish to experiment with flatwounds. They cut sustain (but it's an electric so that's no bad thing) but eliminate string squeak which becomes more pronounced as you amplify. Lovely looking Mando, by the way. scorpiodog Thanks What's the battery life like on the Blackstar? And can you plug in an regular external power supply or does it use a proprietary socket? The price of the genuine one is about the same as the amplifier! I have found mine has a pretty good battery life (which, of course, depends a lot on how much you use it and the volume level). I have the Blackstar power supply, but I guess as long as it's rated properly and has the correct polarity, you can use a non-proprietary power supply. According to tonywoods (who has a grasp on technology that I can only dream of) there's no reason not to use a correctly rated power supply on virtually anything.
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