Jim, I am a guitarist of 40 years and am completely amazed by your tone!!! I really Fucking mean it! There is no amp, pedal, or entity that provide the true to be life experience that you have provided to us….. The pros know that excuses are meaningless. Holy shit my brother, your whole everything,……tone, attack, and believability where blowing my mind! I’ve heard a gazillion cats but U have the nuance and shit…that make a believer out of anyone that heats you! WELL DONE!
Im one of those guys also, was a Heavy Rocker in the late 70s throgh 82, now older guy with kids and grandkids but still have my Marshalls and Orange Amps, Guitars Basses etc. same age as Eddie actualy
here's a head scratcher...this sounds so close...I'd say identical...to Fair Warning which I listened to A LOT. No variac, plugged into the wall, no post production fiddling, no eardrum rupturing volume...I can't imagine any closer tone to "Ed in a box" than this. Simply amazing demonstration...my neighbors are going to be super pissed when one of these winds up in my house.
Just want to express my gratitude to Jim for making these clips of our new Metro-Plex! I haven't paid him anything, I just offered to send him that prototype to check out. There was no obligation to make a video, or even like the amp. Geeking out on technical specs and theories about VH1 has been great. Really evokes memories of the old metroamp forum days. Like everyone else, I'm in awe of his playing and dedication to NAILING these tones. Incredible! You're the best Jim. Thanks a million!
Thank you George! As I've said to you personally, you've hit a home run on this amp. It's really spectacular. Congratulations! And I'm just happy to be a part of it!
So I have a quick question, is the amp he is playing through and describing a metro amp that he modified to sound like this, or is he merely demo’ing a metro amp that is built this way and he is explaining his setting and tweaks? Thanks!
George is the most knowledgeable and committed amp builder I have ever dealt with -- I am so glad the universe guided me to him and that my first experience was getting my Super-Plex MK II and then to just get my Metro-Plex MK II - I have all the bases covered -- these amps come with an innate wisdom of tone and SOUL that I greatly appreciate -- it is fun just jamming -- I am Born again..... I am Complete
Off topic, yesterday was one of the most shocking and overall effed up days in a decade and when I finally got home from the hospital I just happened to open YT right as yesterday’s video posted. I texted George about 3/4 the way through how unbelievable awesome the MK II sounded (your chops being insane helped too🤣) and how stoked I am for my build coming up in the que. But what I’m trying to say is it was a real kick ass ending to an otherwise garbage day proving once again there’s almost no funk some Eddie through a great sounding amp can’t cure!
Hey Jim, great sounding amp and fantastic playing! Hear About It Later is one of my favorite Van Halen songs to listen to and to play. You really nailed Eddie's feel and timing. Every time I hear that song, it just reminds me of Eddie's unreal talent. I mean, how did he dream up some of this stuff? Everything from the phrasing to the note choices, chord progression, timing, rhythm and everything in between is sheer genius. Keep up the great work!
Simply amazing Jim! Btw, your performance of "Im The One" in the previous video was amazing. Even Phil X who plays it well claims to not play it properly. That was always my favorite from VH1.
Thank you! I appreciate that - my brother is a drummer, and obviously we grew up playing together - he used to throw sticks at me until I learned that shuffle / swing pattern. 😉
Same here, but maybe even a bit more refined than Ed in his early days. Ed's playing seemed more about that funky shuffle rhythm thing he had going. Then again, I've herd Ed not sound like himself life. Jim comes very close to the recordings, no doubt.
Great stuff Jim! I would love to see a tour of all the equipment and guitars you have, and some full length covers with that sweet sweet tone of yours would be killer!
Your demo was fine Jim. It's designed to be cranked like a 68' plexi was meant to be. Although George's new MV is incredible. I actually messaged him to ask if he'd put one in my 12XXX build and I never use MV amps. Anyway, always great to hear you play again in any context.
Hey Ryan! I probably should've demonstrated, but if you're really curious, go take a look at George's "long form" video of the Metro-Plex Mk II. He goes through that whole topic and demos how it cleans up with just the volume knob...that's the beauty of the Marshall Super Lead circuit...
@jegaus You are THE MAN! Very cool that you came back with this addendum video. Still sounds amazing. I don’t think George has done any long form video going through all the amp features by the way. He did that with the older Metro Plex. He's only done quick videos showing off the basic tones of the amp. What's amazing is how different yours sound to his videos. All great regardless. Thank you, Jim!
Thanks RIk! Much appreciated! - And I see that you got "instructions" to see George's "long form" video about the amp....enjoy that one, too. There are a lot of good nuggets in that one, too!
Wow. Pretty much nailed Fair Warning. Great amp and playing. I have a Metropous DVL-1 which has a channel that is basically the Metroplex sound. If George is reading these, I’m wondering what the difference is from the DVLs MP channel compared to the MPII.
Bounc this video sound off a half track, i bet its wxact and time's, if it isent all ready, i would not be able to tell the differance in a band mix. Amazing Amp, Amazing playing you really inow those songs. 😊
Great to hear the amp at volumes/volts that most people would be using it at. Tone is definitely in the fingers. But this sounds killer! Just the right amount of mids and chirp - even low! I think as you lower a PPIMV the phase inverter overdrives (just like a loud amp), AND the feedback increases (another EVH mod). Why they sound pretty cool low too.
Hey Andy! Thanks for jumping in to the conversation...so, just to clarify, this MV is not a PPIMV - it's pretty much a completely new "thing" on the scene. It doesn't get fizzier as you turn it down, like a typical PPIMV. So it's very, very accurate to the "cranked" sound, as you turn it down. As you know, there really isn't a substitute for moving air (volume) - but this is the best one I've heard/played at keeping that full volume sound intact. Also, this video, where I engaged the MV - the amp is still pretty loud. I set it to a level that would be acceptable at most live music clubs, playing with a drummer, and having a mic on the amp...so, it's not at "bedroom level." But, considerably quieter than my full length video, where the amp was dimed, running at 90v. Thanks again for watching and jumping in!
I dig you "pushing the speakers" at 90V, but Standard Wall Voltage and highlighting the MV is also a plus... George musta thought it through! Why variac when US Standard hovers around 120-123... he musta put that in the amp, ready to go wherever! Which MV did he employ? I'll have to go back to George's intro vid to the MKII. I think the MV highlight actually "works" better for the modern man. TONE and CLARITY! And your playing seemed more inspired after the colab w GM! 20/20. Awesome addendum, Jim, and nice workaday coat... Tennessee Whiskey!
Just to clarify, George was completely on board with what I was up to in the first video...we discussed it before I shot / recorded the video... - I did this addendum to address the MV and variac question. So, I completely understand where you're coming from! Thanks for the shoutout on the wardrobe. 😉
Just on the strats. Destroyer, no...but, I'm pretty sure Ed did on the destroyer, although I wonder how he did it. The route doesn't really setup for that. He must've cobbled some wood blocks into the deeper pickup routes (for the screws on the pickup)
Wow Jim ! Great job .. we need a vid of you going thru your pedals .. that flang is dead on ..not everybody gets that’s right ! In fact that me be a tad better then the record ! lol
Thanks Carlton! You know, part of what I've learned about the flanger, is that the tone of the amp makes a huge difference in pulling out "that particular sound." I can't quite describe it, but when you've got the signal chain and the amp right, the flanger just kind of jumps out - the right way....but, honestly, it's nothing special - just one of those vintage 70s mxr flangers with the knobs set at approximately 11 o'clock - and the regen set around 4 o'clock. I can't max mine out, but I know you can on some...the rest of it is just the script logo phase 90 and the original Echoplex MP3
Jim since this amp has an Fx Loop I bet a good parametric EQ could get you the rest of the way there. I feel like boosting a little 4Khz would get you that high end sheen that Eddie had in the studio. Just by me listening back and forth to the isolated guitar.
Absolutely! But, keep in mind - even the 24 track iso guitar stuff that just came out recently - was eq’d going to tape. So, it always depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you want the amp to sound like Ed’s did in the room, or do you want it to sound like it did on the final product, or do you want it to sound like the 24 track iso tracks sounded???? Ahhhh, and so the conundrum keeps coming back - welcome to my world! 😉
@@jegauss I sure is a good time isnt it? 😄. I have a 1985 Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ im proud of. Serviced by the man himself Mike Bendinelli over at Mesa in Petaluma, California. Merry Christmas Jim. Keep Rockin 🤘🏼
Would the newer fender EVH 5150IIIs 100 do this too? Thing is... I like the glassy underlying tone of the old super leads/plexis. That upfront gritty bite along with the saturation. I'm just thinking the EVH may have a darker voicing? Worth paying the extra $$$$ for the Metro?
Nope. I’ve tried (owned) the EVH amps at least 3 times, including the 5150III. They’re aren’t even close. You cannot get a Marshall Super Lead tone out of one. It’s not even close. I’m not saying they’re bad amps, they just don’t do the same thing.
Bravo 👏🏼 It’s a little more clearer not cooking the power amp on 10, bottom end stays together better and sounds more EVHish but we’re splitting hairs here. The fact that it sounds like a thunderous cranked plexi at reasonable volumes is incredible. George is a fantastic player but he’s admitted Eddie is not his style of playing….so handing this over to a master Ed head like yourself, playing through this amp just setup stock out of the box is great. Great job! Btw looking spiffy! You clean up well! 😁
Hey Brent, yeah, I get it, and what you're hearing - but Ed's amp was really pretty flubby on the bottom. What you hear on the albums has been hi-passed to get rid of a lot of that. One of the things that amazed me about what George did, is that he captured and bottled the same Flub that Ed's amp had, without going over the top - he and I had that very discussion about how he "quelled" some resonance in the power section. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite show up in the MV version - the tone is there for sure, but it is missing (just very slightly) what a '68 plexi sounds like when cranked - but, it's the best master volume I've played or heard...tight bottom end, is for the Sunset Strip in 80s...(take that either way, because they're both true 😉) And yes, I own a company, so every now and then I gotta "clean up" a little.....but, thank you!
Thank you, but nah - these videos are a lot of work. There's really not much in there. Sunset Sound Chamber and Harmonizer (subtle) on Fair Warning, and just Sunset Sound Chamber on the VH 1 stuff. If you turn the balance control to the left, you'll get more of the raw guitar / no reverb....we could end up going down the rabbit hole of "let's try this and let's try that, etc..." In the end, the amp just sounds really good - and yes, I'm recording it in a studio situation, but it's still just trying to be an accurate representation of the sound of the amp, and not a doctored up / post eq'd version. Make sense? Thanks for watching and reaching out!
Hey Brady - it's a "note for note" recreation of what we know to be in Ed's '68 - the last upgrade I need to make is transformers (mains and output), and I should be as close as I'll ever get with that amp. Currently it has Mercury Magnetics in it - I'm putting in the Dagnall clones from Heyboer. Anyway, here's the complete spec: Split cathode V1a 250uF/820,V1b .68/820 All coupling caps are 0.022uF - Bright channel coupling cap is 0.0022uF 470k mixer resistors 500pf [red out of 69 amp] mixer bypass cap Bypass cap on V2a is .68uF and a 220uf to 470uf 33k/560pF lemco tone stack combo 100k NFB resistor at 4 ohm tap 220k bias splitter resistors 0.1 uF cap on presence control .022uf output couplers filtering is 2] 100uf's f&t in series mains 2] 32uf's f&t in series screens 1]100uf lcr phase inverter 1] dual 33 x 33 f&t preamp
Thank you so much, Jim!! You’re a legend. Really looking forward to starting this build. I just have one more question for you regarding amps and that is how do you bias your amps when running a variac? I’m a bit new to Variacs in general, but I have heard some mixed opinions regarding their compatibility with tube amps! Again, thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge. Have a good weekend!
Jim love your stuff that amp is my dream one. Is there any way you could post your settings for sunset sound reverb I cannot seem to get it correct amongst others I can’t seem to get the right hand side to have that splash thing? Also what would be your ultimate pickup selection.
This forum won't let me put up screen shot of the chamber setup...but, I used chamber 2 (as a send to it's own bus), hi-passed the lo-end of the reverb at about 180hz, and took the top end down to about 8khz. I think I used a 22ms - 30ms predelay - oh, and the chamber isn't panned to one side or the other - it's straight up the middle - the guitar is panned left - I don't quite go full left, but that pan knob is probably pointing to roughly 8 o'clock. Hope that helps.
@@jegaussthanks man I’ll try that out sounds incredible !!!! Did you use studio two as well? I followed the older instructions and am very happy would be great if you could just post a video update on the exact settings when get time. Keep rocking man. Also did you use pre rola grenbacks or rola ?
Actually, no....I'm running the Duncan '78 in this video...I change my mind often. Either pickup will get you close. It depends on the amp and signal chain. Just use your ears. I sometimes find that the FW or the JB style pickups just have a hair too much gain - but again, if you've got a relatively "clean" sounding superlead, they're perfect. This particular amp has no issues developing some gain / drive. Hope that helps.
Question for you Jim. Do you like the tone of the MetroPlex MKii better than the Marshall you own that’s been modded and doesn’t have the built in variac?
Good question - for me, I prefer my amp. Especially since I did the transformer upgrade (George Metropoulos sent me his exact replica Heyboer transformers from his original '68 Super Lead). I think the Metro sounds amazing in every way, and George hit it out of the park. But, the "tinkerer" in me, prefers the simplicity of the original circuit - George's circuit is not a plexi circuit in the purest sense. It's absolutely brilliant how he did it, but it's not that simple, 1959 circuit. So for me, I like getting in my amp and messing around with it, changing components, etc...I'm also not a big fan of the 90 volt virtual variac - I believe the Ed ran his much, much lower than 90 volts - which, you can do with the Metro, without issue, by the way...so honestly, if I didn't know what I did about the original Super Leads (I've played them almost all of my guitar playing life - 49 years, now - and I know how they operate, how to get them to work for you, even in relatively small venues, how to record them, etc, etc...). But, if I didn't know all of that - an original, non-master volume 100 watt super lead is, for most people, a completely unusable amp - George's Metroplex MKII is the hands down choice. You can really great tones at very, very reasonable volumes - and honestly, he nailed it! Plus, you get the replica of his stock '68, then you can switch the channel and get the 12301 version - Ed's spec on his '68 Super Lead...so, it's just a great amp.
@@jegauss 🙏 thanks for the detailed response man. You rock 🤘😎🤘 one of the best answers I’ve ever experienced from the UA-cam guitar community. Much appreciated my friend. Keep up the killer chops and great Chanel you have going. Really liking it
@@jegauss what do you find you like more about yours in terms of the tone and feel? How does it differ exactly from George’s? I’m thinking of buying his metroplex mkii but am wondering what I’d be getting into if I got a plexi and what it’d cost to “muck about” with it. I’d love to learn how to tinker with amps
@@howe_bradical Honestly, I don't think my amp varies much in tone or feel from George's Metroplex MKII - he really nailed the sound and feel - and, you can get his to "that" sound at a "reasonable" volume. I still don't think it's very good at a "bedroom level" (nothing really is), but you can get it sounding really great at slightly more than "apartment level." My amp doesn't have a master volume - I've had the PPIMV installed, and then I take it out, then I put it back in - I did get a better version of that PPIMV from Dave Friedman, had that installed for awhile, but ended up taking that out, too. So, for me, I use the variac, turned down to 63 to 68 volts, which gets the amp to a level you could use in a decent sized club - it's a volume level that works great with a drummer. It makes a really great onstage mix between guitar and drums...and front of house engineers don't bitch too much about the guitar volume on stage - especially if I "side wash" the cabinet, and blow it across the stage, instead of pointing at the audience. So, at home, I just use an old, Marshall Power Brake to keep the volume really low when I'm just working on stuff and noodling around, and don't feel like playing really loud. Using the lower variac setting helps to keep the "fizz" out of the sound while using the attenuator.... The actual "VH mods" that you would make to a standard super lead, are honestly less than $10.00. A decent variac will cost you $50-$100 - attenuaters get kind of pricey - I really like my old power brake. There's a mod that you can do to it that makes it fizz a little less - it's simple. I remember I found it online a few years ago... So, it all kinda comes down to if you want to tinker, and learn some things about the Marshall Super Lead, how to play them, how to quiet them down, etc, etc...it's kind of a lost art. Those amps are so dynamic, you literally have to learn how to "play" the amp, along with the guitar. I'm old enough, that I grew up with them - but they're very sensitive to your attack. You can really shape and control your sound with your playing technique. The Metroplex has that, too - but, like any super lead type amp, you have to turn it up to get that kind of feel. Master volumes tend to limit those right hand dynamics. But, it has so much more of that going on for it, than most modern amps. Long story short - it's hard to go wrong with the Metroplex - but if you want to take yourself back in time, and really learn, spend the hours to figure out how to make the beast work for you, get the original...hope that all helps - let me know what you end up doing 😉
Once again I'm blown away! I decided to go for it and got a '71 100w Super Lead a few weeks back, now I'm looking into Greenbacks and JBLs. Cant find any JBL's at reasonable prices. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hey Nathan! Congrats on the '71 Super Lead! As far as the JBLs, I'd say it's they aren't a vital component to "the sound." In fact, there's some pretty good evidence that they weren't used at all on that first recording...either way, it's a minor, minor thing in the overall picture. You can take a couple of Green Backs -mic one in the center and mic one closer to the suspension ring of the speaker - that will give a you a bright and a warm track to blend. Which, most likely, is how it was really done...good luck!
There aren't too many EVH tone junkies that wear a suit jacket and explain Master Volume effects on a Plexi. Always appreciated! #EVH
We need a VH cover band dressed like early Beatles.
Ha! I'm just trying to "class up the joint!" 😉
Jim, I am a guitarist of 40 years and am completely amazed by your tone!!! I really Fucking mean it! There is no amp, pedal, or entity that provide the true to be life experience that you have provided to us….. The pros know that excuses are meaningless. Holy shit my brother, your whole everything,……tone, attack, and believability where blowing my mind! I’ve heard a gazillion cats but U have the nuance and shit…that make a believer out of anyone that heats you! WELL DONE!
Very, very kind words! I very much appreciate that! Thank you!@@elimakowski1469
Im one of those guys also, was a Heavy Rocker in the late 70s throgh 82, now older guy with kids and grandkids
but still have my Marshalls and Orange Amps, Guitars Basses etc. same age as Eddie actualy
here's a head scratcher...this sounds so close...I'd say identical...to Fair Warning which I listened to A LOT. No variac, plugged into the wall, no post production fiddling, no eardrum rupturing volume...I can't imagine any closer tone to "Ed in a box" than this. Simply amazing demonstration...my neighbors are going to be super pissed when one of these winds up in my house.
Yeah, it's really a great amp! George nailed it.
Just want to express my gratitude to Jim for making these clips of our new Metro-Plex! I haven't paid him anything, I just offered to send him that prototype to check out. There was no obligation to make a video, or even like the amp.
Geeking out on technical specs and theories about VH1 has been great. Really evokes memories of the old metroamp forum days.
Like everyone else, I'm in awe of his playing and dedication to NAILING these tones. Incredible! You're the best Jim. Thanks a million!
Thank you George! As I've said to you personally, you've hit a home run on this amp. It's really spectacular. Congratulations! And I'm just happy to be a part of it!
So I have a quick question, is the amp he is playing through and describing a metro amp that he modified to sound like this, or is he merely demo’ing a metro amp that is built this way and he is explaining his setting and tweaks?
Thanks!
There are no tweaks or mods done to the amp. This is the way the amp sounds. @@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX
@@jegauss Good lord how just how
George is the most knowledgeable and committed amp builder I have ever dealt with -- I am so glad the universe guided me to him and that my first experience was getting my Super-Plex MK II and then to just get my Metro-Plex MK II - I have all the bases covered -- these amps come with an innate wisdom of tone and SOUL that I greatly appreciate -- it is fun just jamming -- I am Born again..... I am Complete
Jim and George, this amp sounds fantastic, period!
Thank you!
Thank you! Jim is doing all the work!
Great stuff. "Hear About It Later" in particular caught my attention. Both the rhythm and lead tones are absolutely killer. Great playing too.
Thank you! I appreciate it!
Wonderful stuff Jim. I don’t think anyone can get any closer without Eddie’s hands.
Thank you! Very kind!
Off topic, yesterday was one of the most shocking and overall effed up days in a decade and when I finally got home from the hospital I just happened to open YT right as yesterday’s video posted. I texted George about 3/4 the way through how unbelievable awesome the MK II sounded (your chops being insane helped too🤣) and how stoked I am for my build coming up in the que. But what I’m trying to say is it was a real kick ass ending to an otherwise garbage day proving once again there’s almost no funk some Eddie through a great sounding amp can’t cure!
Love it! Glad we could turn a crap day into a good one!
Hey Jim, great sounding amp and fantastic playing! Hear About It Later is one of my favorite Van Halen songs to listen to and to play. You really nailed Eddie's feel and timing. Every time I hear that song, it just reminds me of Eddie's unreal talent. I mean, how did he dream up some of this stuff? Everything from the phrasing to the note choices, chord progression, timing, rhythm and everything in between is sheer genius. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! And, I agree 100% that's one of the reasons Ed's music is so much fun to play and timeless in the rock world. He was truly one of a kind.
Love your channel Jim, this sounds incredible! What a spot-on tone and outstanding playing.
Thank you, Nathan!
That’s an amazing amp. The only thing it doesn’t do is have the power transformer sag.
But it sounds insane. George is a master amp builder
One could spend a lifetime studying the works of King Edward, and it wouldn't be a wasted life. I appreciate your passion. Thanks!
Thank you, and I agree with the sentiment...
Simply amazing Jim! Btw, your performance of "Im The One" in the previous video was amazing. Even Phil X who plays it well claims to not play it properly. That was always my favorite from VH1.
Agreed
Thank you! I appreciate that - my brother is a drummer, and obviously we grew up playing together - he used to throw sticks at me until I learned that shuffle / swing pattern. 😉
If I didn't know I would think this was isolated tracks of Eddie.
Thank you!
Same here, but maybe even a bit more refined than Ed in his early days. Ed's playing seemed more about that funky shuffle rhythm thing he had going. Then again, I've herd Ed not sound like himself life. Jim comes very close to the recordings, no doubt.
great feel and tone for days from that Metro. Well done by both you & George \m/
Thank you!
Sinner's Swing is such a great riff. I just learned it and confirmed through your last video that I am playing it correctly. Awesome sauce!
Great! Glad to hear I could be your confirmation!
Great stuff Jim! I would love to see a tour of all the equipment and guitars you have, and some full length covers with that sweet sweet tone of yours would be killer!
Thank you! That might be a good idea for a video...a gear tour of the studio...I'll have to give that some thought!
@@jegauss GREAT idea!
@@jegauss of course! keep it up, I and a lot of other people love what you're doing!
You have to be the best EVH tone master going. Nailed it
Your demo was fine Jim. It's designed to be cranked like a 68' plexi was meant to be. Although George's new MV is incredible. I actually messaged him to ask if he'd put one in my 12XXX build and I never use MV amps. Anyway, always great to hear you play again in any context.
Sounds great to me!
Nice job!!👍🏻
Sounds absolutely killer, just missing how it cleans up with the volume knob 😉. Thanks Jim.
Hey Ryan! I probably should've demonstrated, but if you're really curious, go take a look at George's "long form" video of the Metro-Plex Mk II. He goes through that whole topic and demos how it cleans up with just the volume knob...that's the beauty of the Marshall Super Lead circuit...
@jegaus You are THE MAN! Very cool that you came back with this addendum video. Still sounds amazing. I don’t think George has done any long form video going through all the amp features by the way. He did that with the older Metro Plex. He's only done quick videos showing off the basic tones of the amp. What's amazing is how different yours sound to his videos. All great regardless. Thank you, Jim!
Yes he has. There's a 45 min video of the MP MKII.
@@jcshirke You're absolutely correct. My bad.
ua-cam.com/video/9W2UqzOM0iU/v-deo.htmlsi=68HXlPeTVMS2ilLA
Thanks RIk! Much appreciated! - And I see that you got "instructions" to see George's "long form" video about the amp....enjoy that one, too. There are a lot of good nuggets in that one, too!
@@jegauss You're very welcome, Jim!
Wow, awesome recreation. You got it perfectly nailed for sure!
Thanks for dressing up for this!
Wow. Pretty much nailed Fair Warning. Great amp and playing. I have a Metropous DVL-1 which has a channel that is basically the Metroplex sound. If George is reading these, I’m wondering what the difference is from the DVLs MP channel compared to the MPII.
Thanks again for these vids! Stellar!!
Thank you! And, you're very welcome!
Bounc this video sound off a half track, i bet its wxact and time's, if it isent all ready, i would not be able to tell the differance in a band mix. Amazing Amp, Amazing playing you really inow those songs. 😊
This is unbelievable
Thank you!
Holy smokes ! You should take satch place on that tour with Sammy and Mikey
Ha! Thank you! But, I haven't heard from Sammy yet.....😉
Probably busy counting his tequila money!
Great to hear the amp at volumes/volts that most people would be using it at. Tone is definitely in the fingers. But this sounds killer! Just the right amount of mids and chirp - even low! I think as you lower a PPIMV the phase inverter overdrives (just like a loud amp), AND the feedback increases (another EVH mod). Why they sound pretty cool low too.
Hey Andy! Thanks for jumping in to the conversation...so, just to clarify, this MV is not a PPIMV - it's pretty much a completely new "thing" on the scene. It doesn't get fizzier as you turn it down, like a typical PPIMV. So it's very, very accurate to the "cranked" sound, as you turn it down. As you know, there really isn't a substitute for moving air (volume) - but this is the best one I've heard/played at keeping that full volume sound intact. Also, this video, where I engaged the MV - the amp is still pretty loud. I set it to a level that would be acceptable at most live music clubs, playing with a drummer, and having a mic on the amp...so, it's not at "bedroom level." But, considerably quieter than my full length video, where the amp was dimed, running at 90v. Thanks again for watching and jumping in!
I dig you "pushing the speakers" at 90V, but Standard Wall Voltage and highlighting the MV is also a plus... George musta thought it through! Why variac when US Standard hovers around 120-123... he musta put that in the amp, ready to go wherever! Which MV did he employ? I'll have to go back to George's intro vid to the MKII.
I think the MV highlight actually "works" better for the modern man. TONE and CLARITY! And your playing seemed more inspired after the colab w GM! 20/20. Awesome addendum, Jim, and nice workaday coat... Tennessee Whiskey!
Just to clarify, George was completely on board with what I was up to in the first video...we discussed it before I shot / recorded the video... - I did this addendum to address the MV and variac question. So, I completely understand where you're coming from! Thanks for the shoutout on the wardrobe. 😉
This tone is even more polished than Eddie’s. Sounds killer.
Thank you!
Hey Jim, apologies if you've answered this before, but do you always screw the pickups directly into the wood? On the greco destroyer and everything?
Just on the strats. Destroyer, no...but, I'm pretty sure Ed did on the destroyer, although I wonder how he did it. The route doesn't really setup for that. He must've cobbled some wood blocks into the deeper pickup routes (for the screws on the pickup)
Im in the serial # 20's cant wait for mine to come in so pumped!!!!
Congratulations!
The holiday last week slowed production down a bit. But we're chained to our workbenches again and you'll see more amps shipping.
Killer brother thanks for update!@@georgemetropoulos5124
Wow Jim ! Great job .. we need a vid of you going thru your pedals .. that flang is dead on ..not everybody gets that’s right ! In fact that me be a tad better then the record ! lol
Thanks Carlton! You know, part of what I've learned about the flanger, is that the tone of the amp makes a huge difference in pulling out "that particular sound." I can't quite describe it, but when you've got the signal chain and the amp right, the flanger just kind of jumps out - the right way....but, honestly, it's nothing special - just one of those vintage 70s mxr flangers with the knobs set at approximately 11 o'clock - and the regen set around 4 o'clock. I can't max mine out, but I know you can on some...the rest of it is just the script logo phase 90 and the original Echoplex MP3
Jim since this amp has an Fx Loop I bet a good parametric EQ could get you the rest of the way there. I feel like boosting a little 4Khz would get you that high end sheen that Eddie had in the studio. Just by me listening back and forth to the isolated guitar.
Absolutely! But, keep in mind - even the 24 track iso guitar stuff that just came out recently - was eq’d going to tape. So, it always depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Do you want the amp to sound like Ed’s did in the room, or do you want it to sound like it did on the final product, or do you want it to sound like the 24 track iso tracks sounded???? Ahhhh, and so the conundrum keeps coming back - welcome to my world! 😉
@@jegauss I sure is a good time isnt it? 😄. I have a 1985 Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ im proud of. Serviced by the man himself Mike Bendinelli over at Mesa in Petaluma, California. Merry Christmas Jim. Keep Rockin 🤘🏼
Would the newer fender EVH 5150IIIs 100 do this too? Thing is... I like the glassy underlying tone of the old super leads/plexis. That upfront gritty bite along with the saturation. I'm just thinking the EVH may have a darker voicing? Worth paying the extra $$$$ for the Metro?
Nope. I’ve tried (owned) the EVH amps at least 3 times, including the 5150III. They’re aren’t even close. You cannot get a Marshall Super Lead tone out of one. It’s not even close. I’m not saying they’re bad amps, they just don’t do the same thing.
Bravo 👏🏼
It’s a little more clearer not cooking the power amp on 10, bottom end stays together better and sounds more EVHish but we’re splitting hairs here. The fact that it sounds like a thunderous cranked plexi at reasonable volumes is incredible. George is a fantastic player but he’s admitted Eddie is not his style of playing….so handing this over to a master Ed head like yourself, playing through this amp just setup stock out of the box is great. Great job!
Btw looking spiffy! You clean up well! 😁
Hey Brent, yeah, I get it, and what you're hearing - but Ed's amp was really pretty flubby on the bottom. What you hear on the albums has been hi-passed to get rid of a lot of that. One of the things that amazed me about what George did, is that he captured and bottled the same Flub that Ed's amp had, without going over the top - he and I had that very discussion about how he "quelled" some resonance in the power section. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite show up in the MV version - the tone is there for sure, but it is missing (just very slightly) what a '68 plexi sounds like when cranked - but, it's the best master volume I've played or heard...tight bottom end, is for the Sunset Strip in 80s...(take that either way, because they're both true 😉) And yes, I own a company, so every now and then I gotta "clean up" a little.....but, thank you!
seriously, you are great to me
Well, thank you! That's very kind!
Amazing, Jim. Perhaps a dry vs wet clip?
Thank you, but nah - these videos are a lot of work. There's really not much in there. Sunset Sound Chamber and Harmonizer (subtle) on Fair Warning, and just Sunset Sound Chamber on the VH 1 stuff. If you turn the balance control to the left, you'll get more of the raw guitar / no reverb....we could end up going down the rabbit hole of "let's try this and let's try that, etc..." In the end, the amp just sounds really good - and yes, I'm recording it in a studio situation, but it's still just trying to be an accurate representation of the sound of the amp, and not a doctored up / post eq'd version. Make sense? Thanks for watching and reaching out!
@@jegauss Keep setting the bar, my man. Thanks for the hard work.
That AMP sounds great. Was it a build, or does Metro just sell complete Amps only? Do they do any custom stuff/mods etc?
It's the new offering from Metro - it's a killer amp. You buy it as an assembled amp.
It's our new Metro-Plex MK II. Thx
Hey Jim what's on the floor on yr speaker carpet or ? Thanks sounds great
It's just a rug.
Sounds good Jim!
Thank you, Derryl!
Hey Jim. As far is how much gain/distortion goes, is it the same regardless where the master volume is set?
I'd say it's extremely close. Watch the original video and addendum - that should give you a pretty good idea.
Hey Jim! I was wondering if you could provide any details about your ‘68 Marshall build?
Hey Brady - it's a "note for note" recreation of what we know to be in Ed's '68 - the last upgrade I need to make is transformers (mains and output), and I should be as close as I'll ever get with that amp. Currently it has Mercury Magnetics in it - I'm putting in the Dagnall clones from Heyboer. Anyway, here's the complete spec:
Split cathode V1a 250uF/820,V1b .68/820
All coupling caps are 0.022uF - Bright channel coupling cap is 0.0022uF
470k mixer resistors
500pf [red out of 69 amp] mixer bypass cap
Bypass cap on V2a is .68uF and a 220uf to 470uf
33k/560pF lemco tone stack combo
100k NFB resistor at 4 ohm tap
220k bias splitter resistors
0.1 uF cap on presence control
.022uf output couplers
filtering is
2] 100uf's f&t in series mains
2] 32uf's f&t in series screens
1]100uf lcr phase inverter
1] dual 33 x 33 f&t preamp
Thank you so much, Jim!! You’re a legend. Really looking forward to starting this build. I just have one more question for you regarding amps and that is how do you bias your amps when running a variac? I’m a bit new to Variacs in general, but I have heard some mixed opinions regarding their compatibility with tube amps! Again, thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge. Have a good weekend!
Jim love your stuff that amp is my dream one. Is there any way you could post your settings for sunset sound reverb I cannot seem to get it correct amongst others I can’t seem to get the right hand side to have that splash thing? Also what would be your ultimate pickup selection.
This forum won't let me put up screen shot of the chamber setup...but, I used chamber 2 (as a send to it's own bus), hi-passed the lo-end of the reverb at about 180hz, and took the top end down to about 8khz. I think I used a 22ms - 30ms predelay - oh, and the chamber isn't panned to one side or the other - it's straight up the middle - the guitar is panned left - I don't quite go full left, but that pan knob is probably pointing to roughly 8 o'clock. Hope that helps.
@@jegaussthanks man I’ll try that out sounds incredible !!!! Did you use studio two as well? I followed the older instructions and am very happy would be great if you could just post a video update on the exact settings when get time. Keep rocking man. Also did you use pre rola grenbacks or rola ?
hey jim, what's that first riff you're playing? sounds killer!
That would be " Unchained"
Yep - that's Unchained off of the Fair Warning album
Thanks! Knew it was off that record but couldn’t put my finger on it.
Jim .. what speakers were you using ? Thank you
I had to go back and check 😉 It's a mid-70s Marshall 1960A, loaded with 25w Blackbacks
For this demonstration, were you using a 250k pot w that FW pup you mentioned in another video?
Actually, no....I'm running the Duncan '78 in this video...I change my mind often. Either pickup will get you close. It depends on the amp and signal chain. Just use your ears. I sometimes find that the FW or the JB style pickups just have a hair too much gain - but again, if you've got a relatively "clean" sounding superlead, they're perfect. This particular amp has no issues developing some gain / drive. Hope that helps.
Definitely helps…good to know these subtleties, thank you, appreciate your work and looking forward to’84!
Question for you Jim. Do you like the tone of the MetroPlex MKii better than the Marshall you own that’s been modded and doesn’t have the built in variac?
Good question - for me, I prefer my amp. Especially since I did the transformer upgrade (George Metropoulos sent me his exact replica Heyboer transformers from his original '68 Super Lead). I think the Metro sounds amazing in every way, and George hit it out of the park. But, the "tinkerer" in me, prefers the simplicity of the original circuit - George's circuit is not a plexi circuit in the purest sense. It's absolutely brilliant how he did it, but it's not that simple, 1959 circuit. So for me, I like getting in my amp and messing around with it, changing components, etc...I'm also not a big fan of the 90 volt virtual variac - I believe the Ed ran his much, much lower than 90 volts - which, you can do with the Metro, without issue, by the way...so honestly, if I didn't know what I did about the original Super Leads (I've played them almost all of my guitar playing life - 49 years, now - and I know how they operate, how to get them to work for you, even in relatively small venues, how to record them, etc, etc...). But, if I didn't know all of that - an original, non-master volume 100 watt super lead is, for most people, a completely unusable amp - George's Metroplex MKII is the hands down choice. You can really great tones at very, very reasonable volumes - and honestly, he nailed it! Plus, you get the replica of his stock '68, then you can switch the channel and get the 12301 version - Ed's spec on his '68 Super Lead...so, it's just a great amp.
@@jegauss 🙏 thanks for the detailed response man. You rock 🤘😎🤘 one of the best answers I’ve ever experienced from the UA-cam guitar community. Much appreciated my friend. Keep up the killer chops and great Chanel you have going. Really liking it
@@jegauss what do you find you like more about yours in terms of the tone and feel? How does it differ exactly from George’s? I’m thinking of buying his metroplex mkii but am wondering what I’d be getting into if I got a plexi and what it’d cost to “muck about” with it. I’d love to learn how to tinker with amps
@@howe_bradical Honestly, I don't think my amp varies much in tone or feel from George's Metroplex MKII - he really nailed the sound and feel - and, you can get his to "that" sound at a "reasonable" volume. I still don't think it's very good at a "bedroom level" (nothing really is), but you can get it sounding really great at slightly more than "apartment level."
My amp doesn't have a master volume - I've had the PPIMV installed, and then I take it out, then I put it back in - I did get a better version of that PPIMV from Dave Friedman, had that installed for awhile, but ended up taking that out, too. So, for me, I use the variac, turned down to 63 to 68 volts, which gets the amp to a level you could use in a decent sized club - it's a volume level that works great with a drummer. It makes a really great onstage mix between guitar and drums...and front of house engineers don't bitch too much about the guitar volume on stage - especially if I "side wash" the cabinet, and blow it across the stage, instead of pointing at the audience. So, at home, I just use an old, Marshall Power Brake to keep the volume really low when I'm just working on stuff and noodling around, and don't feel like playing really loud. Using the lower variac setting helps to keep the "fizz" out of the sound while using the attenuator....
The actual "VH mods" that you would make to a standard super lead, are honestly less than $10.00. A decent variac will cost you $50-$100 - attenuaters get kind of pricey - I really like my old power brake. There's a mod that you can do to it that makes it fizz a little less - it's simple. I remember I found it online a few years ago...
So, it all kinda comes down to if you want to tinker, and learn some things about the Marshall Super Lead, how to play them, how to quiet them down, etc, etc...it's kind of a lost art. Those amps are so dynamic, you literally have to learn how to "play" the amp, along with the guitar. I'm old enough, that I grew up with them - but they're very sensitive to your attack. You can really shape and control your sound with your playing technique. The Metroplex has that, too - but, like any super lead type amp, you have to turn it up to get that kind of feel. Master volumes tend to limit those right hand dynamics. But, it has so much more of that going on for it, than most modern amps. Long story short - it's hard to go wrong with the Metroplex - but if you want to take yourself back in time, and really learn, spend the hours to figure out how to make the beast work for you, get the original...hope that all helps - let me know what you end up doing 😉
What string guage do you use on the explorer guitar?
9-42s
Once again I'm blown away! I decided to go for it and got a '71 100w Super Lead a few weeks back, now I'm looking into Greenbacks and JBLs. Cant find any JBL's at reasonable prices. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hey Nathan! Congrats on the '71 Super Lead! As far as the JBLs, I'd say it's they aren't a vital component to "the sound." In fact, there's some pretty good evidence that they weren't used at all on that first recording...either way, it's a minor, minor thing in the overall picture. You can take a couple of Green Backs -mic one in the center and mic one closer to the suspension ring of the speaker - that will give a you a bright and a warm track to blend. Which, most likely, is how it was really done...good luck!
Hear About It Later sounds like you stole and EVH bootleg. Sick.🤘
Ha! Thank you!