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    Music Man Guitar Amps

    Posted in: Amps,Mark Knopfler gear by Ingo on February 15, 2009


    The history of the Music Man company began about 1971 when Tom Walker, Forrest White and Leo Fender started a company called Tri-Sonic. Walker and White had worked for Fender before. Leo Fender himself had to sign a 10 years non-compete contract  when he sold his company Fender Musical Instruments to the CBS Corporation  in 1965, so he remained in the background until 1975.

    leo-fender

    Leo Fender

    In 1974 the company name was changed to Music Man, and in 1975 Leo Fender was named as its president.

    Music Man started their amp line in 1974. It is not absolutely clear in how far Leo Fender was involved with the design of these amps, most sources say that alone Tom Walker was responsible for the amps, while Leo Fender designed the guitars and bass guitars.

    The first Music Man amp – a head called Sixty-five – had already most  features of all later models.  In very short, these are:

    music-man-amps-1977

    The Music Man amp range in 1977, from left to right, front: 112 Sixty-five ; 410 Sixty-five, second row: 212 HD 130 ; 112 Sixty-five, third row: 410 HD 130 ; 212 Sixty-five, back: Sixty-five ; HD 130 ; Sixty-five ; HD 130

    The hybrid design – Get that Fender sound with a solid-state design

    Fender amps were basically built for a clean sound. The distortion that is created when a tube amp is overdriven was something invented by creative musicians or by chance when musicians tried to get as much volume out of their amps as possible. Fender didn`t  focus on the distorted sound, in the contrary, they even tried to avoid it. In the mid-seventies , the famous Fender Twin Reverb even  made use of some tricks often found in HIFI amps to reduce as much distortion as possible (the so-called ultra-linear circuit).

    It is surely fair to say that  Music Man followed the footsteps of earlier Fender amps, so their amps were also aimed at the best possible clean sound. So it is not a big surprise that they used a solid-state design (ICs and transistors) for the pre-amp section. Solid -state requires lower voltage and less energy and thus causes less heat. For this reason it was considered as more reliable than tubes.

    The whole pre-amp section is mounted on a printed circuit board, while Fender amps still used point-to-point wiring for their amps at this time.

    music-man-112

    A Music Man 112 Sixty-five from 1978

    Tube power for warmth

    The output section of the first Music Man amps used  6CA7 power tubes. A tube output section adds a certain warmth and subtle distortion to the clean sound. This is the opposite approach to the more modern approach of using a tube pre-amp with a heavy-duty solid-state power amp, a setup more suited for that singing, high-gain distortion.

    The 6CA7 tube is pin-compatible with the EL34,  the tube that was made famous by Marshall amps, while Fender amps mostly used 6L6 tubes (or 6V6 for smaller amps). The 6CA7 can simply be replaced with EL34. As today hardly any tube manufacturer still produces the 6CA7, most Music Man amps meanwhile run on EL34s.

    However, the circuit was rather different from Marshall. The power tubes in a Music Man amp operate at up to 700 volts at the plate. Fender or other tube amps – including Marshalls – normally have about 450 – 550 volts here.

    About 1980 Music Man changed from 6CA7 to 6L6 tubes. Apparently this had not to do with tonal preference but with supply facilities at that time. Generally the amps kept their typical Music Man sound, no matter whether they had 6CA7/EL34 or 6L6.

    The rectifier was solid-state (diodes) and not a tube rectifier like in many early Fender amps. A tube rectifier causes a drop in voltage during the moment the amp is driven to maximum output. Thus, the sound becomes softer, similar to a compressor. Solid-state rectifiers sounds punchier and slightly harder.

    Originally there was one pre-amp tube – a 12AX7 – used for the phase  inverter stage of the amp. This is the stage between pre-amp and power amp. This way a certain amount of tube distortion was added. In about 1977 this tube was replaced with a solid-state version. The reason was that a certain malfunction of this tube could cause severe damage to the complete output section, including a damage to the power tubes and the expensive output transformer. The amps with the new solid-state phase inverter still sound very similar to the earlier models, but are nevertheless by some considered as sounding not as warm as before.

    All Music Man amps can be switched to low power. This is not realized by switching off some of the power tubes like some other manuyfacturers do, but with a reduction of the voltages at which the power tubes run.

    Music Man amps look very much like a typical Fender combo amp from the 60ies or 70ies. Like those black-face Fenders, they have a black control plate, a silver grill cloth to protect the speakers, and are covered with black tolex. The handle and the casters on some models are also very similar to Fender. Unlike Fenders, the Music Man amps never had those tilt-back legs that allow to tilt back the amp to adjust the speaker on the player`s ears instead on his knees.

    From May 1979 on, Mark Knopfler played two Music Man 212 HD 130 on stage

    From May 1979 on, Mark Knopfler played two Music Man 212 HD 130 on stage

    Other features

    All early Music Man amp models were 2-channel amps. The reverb and the tremolo effect affects the second channel only.

    The reverb was based on a Acutronics reverb spring, similar to the one  in Fender amps. However, the reverb sound is different – thinner and brighter – than the extremely warm Fender reverb. This is rather due to the circuit design than to the spring itself. The tremolo effect is very effective, but also sounds different than on Fender amps.

    The Music Man logos came in two versions: the original one was black on silver, while after 1980 it was silver on black. This way you can tell the older amps from later ones at first glance.

    Most early Music Man amps had speaker made by Eminence, typically models with square alnico magnets. About 1980 they changed to round ceramic magnets, still produced by Eminence. However, some models with 10″ speakers always had ceramic magnets.

    Other important players of that time who used Music Man were Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter or Albert Lee.

    Eric Clapton, Music Man ad from 1976

    Eric Clapton, Music Man ad from 1976

    More information on Music Man amps can be found here. One of the next articles will cover the Mark Knopfler model, the 212 HD 130.

    "Buy me a beer" - donate for the site via PayPal. Or buy a backing track in my online shop :)

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    Related articles



    26 Comments »

    1. “The distortion that is created when a tube amp is overdriven was something invented by creative musicians or by chance when musicians tried to get as much volume out of their amps as possible”

      Yes, totally agree. I think most of “vintage sounds” we all like so much weren’t always intentionals, it was most of the time because the guitarists wanted more volume ! Warm and drive tones from the 60′s and 70′s were maybe not what they want to have ! Perhaps, they were dreaming of clean 80′s tones in their heads ! (Hendrix always said that he couldn’t really recreate what he heard in his head) So the paradox is that now, it’s the graal of any guitarist to recreate this tones that maybe the originlas players didn’t like so much at that time ?

      As I’ve explained before, the site Gilmourish explain that most of Gilmour tones from early 70s ( e.g the rhythm of Money, or the bluesy lead on Atom heart mother – funky dung) are obtained with a fuzz face at a lower volume on the guitar. I think it strange, because he could have this tones just by the amp gain, this warm vintage tone that we’re all looking for nowadays.

      I don’t have tube amp, just a transistor one, so to have a warmer tone, more sustain, I have to use the drive channel, with less guitar volume, and then it`s like I had a tube amp (well not really, but you know what I mean).
      But I do that because I don’t have the budget (and the room) to play on a JTM or bassman, but why did Gilmour did this way ?

      Sorry, I know this blog is about Knopfler, but the multitude of different drive tones with different gain density has always interested me : when I head drive sound in any record, the first question comming to me is “how is he create this sound : “natural” saturation of the amp, or “artifical” distortion of an effect ?

      If I had heard the Ingo demo about recording with 2 mics without his information, I would have guess that he was using a fuzz, bluesbreaker, crake or so one, and he wasn’t. And when I listen to Floyd, I was quite sur that it was just amp, and it wasn’t.

      So very difficult to say (to me at least)

      Other example : Revolution by the Beatles (maybe one of the more saturated tone I’ve heard) is made (to my mind but not sure) by cracking the amp, and maybe the sound take (compressor, desk, I don’t know)

      Well, it’s the same about Knopfler in the 80′s : drive tones of 83-85 were made just by Mesa-Boogie, or any effects ? (I think of TR, Tunnel, Solid Rock, Ride across, One world….)

      Comment by Jean-François — 19. February 2009 @ 21:57

    2. [...] Some general info on Music Man guitar amps can be found in one of the last articles. [...]

      Pingback by Mark Knopfler’s Music Man HD 130 212 guitar amp | Mark Knopfler Guitar / More Knowledge about the guitar — 7. March 2009 @ 16:29

    3. Another great band that used MusicMan amps is Heart. Both Nancy Wilson and Roger Fisher used MusicMan amps in the studio for BARRACUDA. I’ve also seen pics of them on stage using MusicMan amps as well.

      Comment by Guitar Bob — 7. April 2009 @ 19:50

    4. [...] the very first amps were produced before the company was renamed to Music Man (see this article for more info on Music Man amps). As this was the first and only time I have ever seen such an early model, I want to feature it [...]

      Pingback by Musitek guitar amp - predecessor of the Dire Straits Music Man 130HD 212 | Mark Knopfler Guitar / More Knowledge about the guitar — 4. May 2009 @ 14:36

    5. [...] det er nok en smule mer komplisert: Music Man Guitar Amps | Mark Knopfler Guitar / More Knowledge about the guitar Recording Electric Guitar Et innblikk i studio-praksis sier mye om hvor enormt lyd farges ved [...]

      Pingback by AVforum.no - Rørlyd, Transistorlyd og klasse D. — 7. July 2009 @ 10:51

    6. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

      Margaret

      http://guitarlearntoplay.net

      Comment by Margaret — 21. August 2009 @ 04:56

    7. [...] ich verweise mal auf diese Links, da gibt es Infos zum Musicman HD 130 212: http://www.mk-guitar.com/blog/2009/0…n-guitar-amps/ http://www.mk-guitar.com/blog/2009/0…12-guitar-amp/ MfG Gitarrenstaender __________________ [...]

      Pingback by Music Man RP 115 - Seite 2 - Musiker-Board — 5. September 2009 @ 11:17

    8. I am trying to find a circuit dia. for Music Man Amp 2275-130. Ser. No. B003190. thank you

      Comment by Ralph Smith — 26. December 2009 @ 22:07

    9. see here: http://www.pacair.com/mmamps/schematics/index.html

      Comment by Ingo — 27. December 2009 @ 11:50

    10. Musicman AMPs were really great AMPs!
      I tried to built the 212HD – 130, but the Problem was, that there are some transitors which you can´t buy nowadays.
      But you can buy cheap amps on ebay, but there is the next problem, if ah transitor break down, it is impossible to get new ones.
      So now I´m working on ah self build brown Fender Vibrolux.

      Comment by Nico — 5. January 2010 @ 02:25

    11. I repair, restore and mod The old Musicman amps. I mod them in way that can be returned to stock at anytime. They are great sleepers. I have been able to get very good sounds from these amps with my mods. Check out the HD-130 mod clip on myspace. My customers have said they have not been able to replace their Musicman with the Boutique amps today. The Musicman is capable of an honest tone and can be made to sound like the best Fender with a great clean boost like a Klon in front of a Deluxe or Twin. Good speakers are important as well, depending on the tone your going for.
      email me for info at goforthsound@yahoo.com or check out the clip at http://www.myspace.com/goforthound HD-130 mod.

      Comment by Ed Goforth — 19. January 2010 @ 22:51

    12. ops! I must be missing a finger, I mis spelled the URL, sorry :)
      Ed

      Comment by Ed Goforth — 19. January 2010 @ 22:53

    13. try http://www.myspace.com/ goforthsound

      Comment by Ed Goforth — 19. January 2010 @ 22:55

    14. I purchased a Music Man 210 in 1973 I need to replace the the cones or the speakers.
      My email is: happydaze128@yahoo.com I LOVE THIS AMP. I’ve found nothing that compares.
      Who can I contact to talk about my speakers.
      Thanks,
      Roger Tune

      Comment by Roger Tune — 16. June 2010 @ 17:25

    15. I have had a gs412 cab for about 20 years. I finally found the right head it is a HD150.This head and cab sound amazing together.If you turn it up and stand to close it will literally blow the hair on your legs.Nothin but tone.All I use is a delay and a Korg Mr.Multi phase/wah. What a blast!!!!!! Thanks again to Leo

      Comment by Judasmack — 27. September 2010 @ 04:27

    16. Great Blog, I recently acquired a 65 115 in extremely original condition (original eminence alnico 15 dated Oct 1977) I love the sound, best spring reverb I ever heard. I run through a rack rig with a channel switching Dean Markley DR preamp, so the channel switching issue is not a problem.

      Comment by Dave C. — 25. November 2010 @ 16:31

    17. Love the Music man guitars amps and of coarse the basses! Keep up the good work

      Justin
      Russellville AR

      Comment by Justin — 23. January 2011 @ 23:50

    18. I purchased a 212 130 Music Man amp in 1973 at the age of 14. It has serial number 76 on it and I was told that they were numbered sequentially.. After college I sold it to my best friend who kept it for 6 years when I contacted him and offered to buy it back. Thank god I did. Thirtyeight years later I am still proud to say that this amp is the star of my 4 amps. I have played many different amps and always come back to this one.

      Comment by Ken O — 7. May 2011 @ 03:14

    19. How much is a 77′-78′ Music Man 410 Sixty Five worth?

      Comment by Will N. — 14. May 2011 @ 16:54

    20. I bought a Musicman amp in 1989 for £300
      It’s very heavey so I don’t take on gigs as I am 66 but it has a beautiful sound.
      I would be interested to know how much it is worth.
      One of these links should work:
      http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228697_10150230763847533_630402532_8555219_7499893_n.jpg

      http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150230763652533.360942.630402532#!/photo.php?fbid=10150230763847533&set=a.10150230763652533.360942.630402532&type=1&theater

      Comment by Mike Fisher — 26. May 2011 @ 23:22

    21. The first one works!!

      Comment by Mike Fisher — 26. May 2011 @ 23:23

    22. [...] Now, after many years and thousands of miles away from where I started, I can indulge in my purchases; I am now a proud owner of a Music Man 112 RP Sixty-Five. [...]

      Pingback by for the crying and singing of a guitar | "me no big chief ... — 14. August 2011 @ 16:55

    23. [...] #split {}#single {}#splitalign {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}#singlealign {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;}.linkboxtext {line-height: 1.4em;}.linkboxcontainer {padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px;background-color:#eeeeee;border-color:#000000;border-width:0px; border-style:solid;}.linkboxdisplay {padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px;}.linkboxdisplay td {text-align: center;}.linkboxdisplay a:link {text-decoration: none;}.linkboxdisplay a:hover {text-decoration: underline;} function opensingledropdown() { document.getElementById('singletablelinks').style.display = ''; document.getElementById('singlemouse').style.display = 'none'; } function closesingledropdown() { document.getElementById('singletablelinks').style.display = 'none'; document.getElementById('singlemouse').style.display = ''; } Line 6 Adds Six More Amp Models for Free on POD HD PedalsWhich Digital Unit Is Better (Axe Fx / 11 Rack / Line 6 X3 Pro)? – The Daily GuitarMusic Man Guitar Amps [...]

      Pingback by Free Update for POD(R) HD Multi-Effects Adds New HD Amp Models and More — 3. October 2011 @ 14:10

    24. I have an HD-130 head, black on silver (and 4×12 cabinet), original owner. Can anyone comment about settings when running a recent Tube Screamer into the main channel? Sounds great with the TS-9 that I have. I’m considering giving the pedal the “Keeley Mod” so the output of the pedal is more electrically (and acoustically) similar to a TS-808. A lot of guys use the current TS-9s with this mod which pairs well with a tube pre-amp. But I’ve got an HD-130 with the solid state pre-amp and 12AX7 tube phase inverter. The guy who works on my gear replaced the power tubes with Groove Tube EL84s, they sound great. Wondering if anyone has experience with the Keely mod TS-9 running into the solid state pre-amp (before I simply just go ahead with the changes to hear how it sounds). Presuming these days, that most good OD pedals will sound just like an overdriven tube pre-amp when this HD-130 is set to clean.

      Comment by TomF — 4. November 2011 @ 03:32

    25. Check out my Music Man mods here. I was on My space, but it was getting too much crap from Rappers wanting to use my Blog to advertise their CRAP, oops, RAP that is!

      Comment by Ed Goforth — 26. January 2012 @ 21:23

    26. http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/david-gilmour-solo-sorrow

      Modded HD-65 Bass head modded for guitar with 12ax7 driver.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/hd-130-in-low-power-mode-mp3

      Modded HD-130 Bass Head for guitar with Preamp send/return jacks, channel switching
      and voiced for guitar with a bit more gain. This is in the Lead channel.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/rd-50-with-weber-hemp-alnico

      RD-50 with Weber hemp/Alnico 10″ and my Fender Deluxe 1 mods.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/rd-50-reverb-upgrade

      RD-50 with upgraded reverb.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/chris-cain-through-my-modded

      Chris Cain playing through one of my modded amps owned by Richard Lunetta, Corona CA.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/rd-50-with-jbl-k-120

      RD-50 Tweaked to 64 Fender Blackface Deluxe specs.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/64-deluxe-jbl-k-120

      My 64′ Fender Blackface.

      http://soundcloud.com/goforthsound/hey-joe-zz-top-rd-50-mod

      Me Jamming with ZZ Top with a RF1 Modded RD-50 for smooth Robben Ford-like tones.
      (NO, that is not a new type of Dildo, it’s the actual waveform of the track, as some have asked….. :^/

      Comment by Ed Goforth — 26. January 2012 @ 21:38

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