Anyone here use the Randall RM4 modular preamp (or the RT2/50)?

[bduersch]

Believe it or not, I've been giving some consideration to going back to a rack setup for my main amp. I should've learned by now that every time I disassemble & sell off my rack, I only end up missing it a couple months later...

Anyway, I've been looking at the Randall RM4 modular preamp--it is a 4-channel preamp where you can pick the 4 channels from 13 available modules (everything from blackface Fender to Marshall Plexi to Mesa Rectifier to Bogner Ecstacy). It has built in MIDI control as a bonus. It was designed by Bruce Egnater and is similar to the Egnater M4 preamp (actually, the Randall & Egnater modules are interchangable).

http://www.randallamplifiers.com/mts/mts.asp

The corresponding power amp (Randall RT2/50) also has a lot of potential. It is a switching power amp where channel A is 50w with two 6L6's and channel B is 50w with two EL34's (MIDI controllable as well). A cool feature here is the bias points on the front panel.

http://www.randallamplifiers.com/mts/rt250.asp

So I'm just curious to see if anybody here has experience with the Randall gear... any comments on the tone, reliability, flexibility, etc. would be appreciated!

Thanks!
--B

[GuitarPlayerShaun]

dude, that randall is the mad awesome amp right there. Go for it, i support you 100 percent. this conflicts with my other post, but that amp is awesome for a tube amp.

[bduersch]

I've been doing my homework ever since I made this post (reading lots of reviews, and getting some good tips from Kent), and I've decided I'm going to go forth with the RM4 rig. I'm planning on getting the Blackface, Brown, Recto, and Ultra Lead modules (for starters, at least, but I'm also interested in the Top Boost and SL+ modules).

I'm going to look for an alternative power amp, though, since the RT2/50 is pretty pricy. I'm giving strong consideration to the new Carvin TS100 power amp, which looks like a steal for $500 (and looks sweet with the chrome panel on the front).
http://www.carvin.com/products/singl...TS100&CID=GPRE

Then to round out the rig, I'm looking for a DMC Ground Control, a TC Electronics G-Major, and a couple of 2x12 cabinets (which I will most likely buy new from Avatar). And I just picked up a Peavey MidiPro (think Patchmate / GCX) today to help with switching & routing.

Anyway, I still haven't actually played an RM4 in person, but I'm making an extended road trip Saturday to the closest dealer to check one out and audition some modules. I'll report back on how it goes.

--B

[bduersch]

Well, after doing a little more homework, I took the plunge tonight and bought the Randall preamp and most of the other components I'd need to get a functioning rack rig together. Here's what I ended up getting:

Rocktron MIDIMate foot controller--not the Ground Control I was originally looking at, but pretty close, and it was on deal since apparently this controller is being discontinued

Pedals--As mentioned before, I've got the two wahs (Crybaby 95Q & Bad Horsie) and two pedals mounted in the rack (Sparkle Drive & Carl Martin compressor), which will be switched in & out of the signal chain using a Peavey MIDIPro.
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Randall RM4 Preamp--Along with the Blackface, Brown, Recto, and Ultra Lead modules.
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TC Electronic G-Major--IMO, the best mid-range FX unit out there.
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Carvin TS100 power amp--Cost effective, gets good reviews, and (as a bonus) can have each channel biased independently for 6L6's and EL34's. Not quite as cool/flexible as the RT2/50, but it's also less than half the cost.
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Avatar cabinets--Again, cost effective, good reviews, and many options for customization. I got one 2x12" open back cab with G12T-75's and one 2x12" closed back cab with Vintage 30's.

All the gear should be here by the end of next week, so I'll be sure to report back on how the RM4 sounds.

--B