Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 17 2012 10:31 AM
Just for everyone's information, my local music store http://www.facebook.com/#!/PoconoMusicExchange has just serviced and prepped for sale this amp. It's a 1979 or early 1980 Music Man 212-HD 130. It's got a tube preamp (12AX7) and four 6C-A7 power tubes. All new JJ Tesla tubes. New reverb pan too. All jacks are tight. Still has the original Music Man speakers it came with.
And, it's on wheels. It needs them because it's HEAVY!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Feb 19, 2014 14:24:52
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jazzmaster48
Joined: Mar 26, 2011
Posts: 21
Eastern Pa
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Posted on Oct 17 2012 05:37 PM
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 17 2012 05:45 PM
jazzmaster48 wrote:
were are you located at
I Live in Kresgeville. Pocono Music Exchange is located a few miles north of me on Rt. 209 in Brodheadsville.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Oct 17, 2012 17:48:33
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 22 2012 07:24 PM
I just got back from playing this amp before my guitar lesson. Wow!!!!!! First off, incredibly clean, it sings, but it broke up just a little at 6 with my Strat on 10. I should mention my Strat starts to get crunchy above 7. The reverb is huge. HUGE! Very wet. Huge wet crashing reverb. Amazing. The Tremolo is perfect, with Speed and Intensity giving me the ability to dial in exactly what I wanted.
I love this amp. It sounds so perfectly surfy. I'm going back tomorrow with my Jazzmaster and Jaguar to see what they sounds like. Plus I'll be able to play it a lot louder with the store empty. I can't wait to hear it then. I'll let you know.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Oct 22, 2012 19:26:35
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BrownThunder
Joined: Jan 01, 2012
Posts: 7
Northern Colorado
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Posted on Oct 22 2012 09:19 PM
Noel, I was very interested in your feedback about the amp. I have a Music Man HD130 Reverb head that I love for surf, but I did not know if mine was somehow just a fluke.
Does anybody else have any experience with these?
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Matt22
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 2858
Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Posted on Oct 22 2012 10:34 PM
Music Man amps are all pretty damned good! I have the 112 first generation with the tube pre-amp. I used it just this weekend backing up Laramie Dean and it sounded really good! From my experience, the reverb is not as strong as I would like, but with a tank these amps rock very much!
I've got mine up for sale and it has the footswitch and original alnico speaker.
— Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html
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WoodyJ
Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1547
Bethlehem, GA
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Posted on Oct 22 2012 11:08 PM
Being an old guy, I remember when these first came out. They became VERY popular for a time and the earlier ones (like the one for sale) are killer stage amps.
Here's a review I found online:
Hands down, one of the most under-rated, under-valued amplifiers of all time. The entire Music Man line of amps is awesome, but the HD-130 is really something if you want some serious muscle. The low-high power switch is fantastic if you want a bit more juice from the head at lower volumes and this feature was really a bit ahead of its time. Equally as cool are the tremolo and reverb, as are the "bright" and "deep" switches that add a subtle touch of both. While the amount of drive available via the master volume is fairly mild, where this head really shines is when you turn it up; the amount of natural compression and sheer wallop that the 6CA7 power tubes produce is outstanding. You'll be hard pressed to find a point-to-point, hand-wired 30+ year old head that sounds this amazing.
— Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)
The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025
The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)
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fenderfan
Joined: Jul 13, 2008
Posts: 782
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Posted on Oct 23 2012 07:26 AM
Through all of my other amp transactions over the years, which includes every fine Fender model, the one amp that has stayed with me is my Music Man 1x12 65. Amazingly powerful and loud if you need it to be, with excellent reverb and trem, and works perfectly with pedals. It also shines with almost every speaker I put in it - currently, it is producing beautiful, deep tone with a Weber Michigan.
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Oct 23 2012 12:03 PM
Just returned from playing this with my stock CIJ Jaguar. Okay, first, I know some believe these guitars aren't very good until you replace the neck, pickups and wiring. Well, with my Quilter MicroPro-200 and 160 WATT Fender Stage 112SE, my Jaguar sounds just fine. But with this all-tube Music Man HD - 212 130, my Jaguar roars. Incredible sound. Full, balanced, chimes, growls and rumbles; more like a Lion than Jaguar. Very surfy.
I want to add here that I've played my Jag through both my amps with both volumes set at 10 many times, but it's never sounded like this.
One thing I forgot to test last night. The reverb pan is the biggest I've ever seen. It must be 20 inches long, and Paul said it's full of springs. Right off, it dripped heavy and deep as soon as I palm-muted the guitar. At 10, the tone has a different texture than my Texotica, darker, with heavier splashes. But it's a great drippy reverb and dials down for ligher tones very nicely. I felt soaking wet playing it. I could see using this amp without a tank and not lacking anything in crash, spash, saturation, and drip.
That's all there is to tell. It's prefect for someone who plays out and wants a great tube amp that was just fully serviced and is perfect for surf.
Edit: I keep forgetting to mention that it has the original footswitch for Reverb and Tremolo, and it works fine.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Oct 23, 2012 17:53:00
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 03 2012 04:48 PM
Would it surprise anyone to learn that I am seriously considering buying this amp? I truly don't need it but it sounds so unbelievably amazing. I can't get how it sounds out of my head and I can't make my other amps sound just like it. Besides, I'm saving up for this Fender Road Worn 60's Stratocaster in aged Oly White that looks so much like Martin Cilia's.
http://media.fmicdirect.com/fender/images/products/guitars/0131010305_frt_wlg_001.jpg
Somebody help me! 
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Nov 03, 2012 16:50:12
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Stokemon
Joined: Feb 09, 2010
Posts: 413
Goleta, CA
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Posted on Nov 03 2012 09:26 PM
Noel wrote:
Somebody help me!
Sorry, my friend, you are on your own here. The only help for you is G.A.S-Ex. I find myself in the same pickle at least twice a month. Man up (and buy both)! 
— You're not drunk if you can put your socks on while standing.
Last edited: Nov 03, 2012 21:27:28
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 03 2012 10:43 PM
Stokemon wrote:
Man up (and buy both)!
I already thought of that.  Thanks!
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Nov 03 2012 10:47 PM
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 04 2012 03:41 PM
You guys are killin', er, encouraging me. Now fenderfan has to show me this
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/19917/?page=1#p259759
and I'm about done for.
Besides, the wet side of my tank's 12AX7 failed and I was caught without a good spare, so I'm using my FRV-1 for now. I'd so much prefer the killer reverb (not to mention the tremolo) on this one.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Nov 04, 2012 15:42:15
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 05 2012 02:12 PM
I'll make a decision one way or the about this amp this week. My Quilter MicroPro-200 really does cover 100 percent of my amp needs. I was hoping someone here who plays out and needs really huge vintage sound would buy the Music Man so I didn't have to walk by it all the time. Oh, well.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
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Blankophonic
Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 28
Home of the Blob
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Posted on Nov 06 2012 09:20 PM
Noel, I use a Music Man HD-130 head for gigs where I need a "big" amp, and I love it. This is the head version of the combo amp here. I use it with an old Fender Bassman 2-12 "diagonal" cab with newer, higher wattage speakers in it. If you're looking for loud, thick, and clean, this could be your amp! The reverb is really lush and the tremolo goes from single deep to double deep, if that makes any sense... it kind of covers both blackface and silverface territory for tremolo. The "HD" in the model number stood for "heavy duty". They are built like tanks with some of the biggest transformers I've ever seen. In The National Bird our bass player uses the same model head for bass, using the "less frills" side, and it sounds great for that too (the combo wouldn't be too good for bass, of course).
Negatives? The heads can be a bit dark... the combo may be less so. Recently our bassist's HD-130 needed service, and it ended up needing one of the old IC chips replaced. The repair guy, who really knows his stuff, said the non-12AX7 versions of these amps have easily replaceable IC chips. But the older Music Man amps with the 12AX7 phase inverter use some different IC chips that can be hard to find. Just a word of caution there. And it is Heavy. And as good as the reverb is, it just isn't a tank sound, so I still use a reissue Fender tank.
My HD-130 head was like new when I bought it, still with original power tubes. It also included a late-'70's manufactured mood-enhancer in the back. I removed the dust bunnies and left the groover's little helper... I figured it just belongs there after all this time.
— Blanko Dave/The Mingo Creek Balladeers - acoustic folk rock, pop, blues, & originals
The Thrifty Discount DJs - 98% Vinyl, 100% Retro
The National Bird - original folk rock with gronky machinations and electric guitar explosions
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Nov 07 2012 07:28 AM
It's the sheer sanity of this reality that's keeping me from pulling the trigger on this wonderful beasty.
reventlos wrote:
guitar wrote:
Also, that's a great guitar tone in this video, what is the amp? It sounds so full.
That's the amazing Quilter Micropro 200 (my brother Pat's creation). 200 watts of unapologetic non-tube power, available in 8, 10, or 12" versions. (Mine is the 8", atop an ext. cab. That's just the amp in the video, no effects, no reverb tank!)
Here's another vid from the same show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNr7GtuF6Yc&list=UUbuj5xvQ8IMaK60oABXnrHQ&index=2&feature=plcp).
Less than 20 lbs, louder than sin, and tone for days. Check out the SG101 thread on the amp, and visit www.quilterlabs.com . It's just about all I play these days---leaving the big stuff at home. Would love to see you playing one!
Kinda sad in a way; such a great music maker being played by someone with my skills, or worse, just sitting. It sure would make a great backline amp at the next Instro Summit, but then so would my Quilter.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Nov 07, 2012 07:29:28
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Dec 19 2012 07:10 PM
I had ta' do it. I had ta' do it I tell ya'. I just had ta'. Called the guitar store and told 'em it's mine. She laughed and said, " We knew it all the time." Just couldn't help myself.
Tube Amps. Can't live with 'em and can't live without 'em. Now, about that guitar ...
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Dec 19, 2012 19:29:42
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fenderfan
Joined: Jul 13, 2008
Posts: 782
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Posted on Dec 19 2012 07:49 PM
Congratulations, Noel (from a fellow post-retirement history teacher and Music Man lover). Fine amps, built to last!
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Stokemon
Joined: Feb 09, 2010
Posts: 413
Goleta, CA
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Posted on Dec 19 2012 08:08 PM
— You're not drunk if you can put your socks on while standing.
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May Birthdays 
)
