I haven't heard the FM MEM, but I can tell you this about my FM100; It will not sound good without the C-lator. I have a head with build in C-lator, but just because I was curious, I tried to dial in a sound without it. I can't. You can tame the highs to an acceptable level, but then the sound is no good. No sparkle and quite a harsh character.

So I think the choices are OTS FM with C-lator, or the MEM without...

thanks man! Yeah sorry, I shouldn't apologize for my playing, but everytime I hear myself recorded I realise I should practice more  It also took me a while to just smile and say thanks to people, when they come up to you after a gig and say they liked it. Instead of going " no man, I usually play much better than this..."

I don't know "someday..."

Here's a sloppy quick take:

http://soundcloud.com/soulrebels/fm100-cleanish

I tried to set it up for a little breakup with my tele, and switched pickups here and there.

So, and sorry if I don't understand completely, is the purpose of RG-400 cable to smooth out the high end by attenuating (length/resistance) OR preserve as much high end as possible (high quality cable). Or maybe both, I can imagine certain harsher frequencies being tamed, but others untouched?

Thanks! I've actually no idea my ears are smarter than my brain and fingers. i tend to follow the colors I "hear" in a track, that 's why my fingers are always a bit behind and my timing isn't great. It gets better when I play more (duh). I did have lessons in the past, but I couldn't connect the theory to the playing. As soon as I start playing, my mind goes blank! I also play in a bigband and according to the bandleader the easiest way to have me turn down the volume, is to put a new arrangement in front of me ;-)

This backing is all minor I think, haven't analysed it. There's one bit where a chord steps out a bit. I either ignore it or do my lame version of playing outside; raising whatever I'm playing a halfstep. I haven't mastered that trick yet, as it's very important where and when you step " in and out". Having mastered that, you also have to play it with 100% conviction and then it can sound really cool!

http://soundcloud.com/soulrebels/fm100test

Time for me to start practising again!

The new settings sound something like this: http://soundcloud.com/soulrebels/fm100test
Thanks again Erwin

[/quote]
[/quote]

Erwin; So about two meters from Amp out to Clator and two back. Are you using regular guitar cables for send/return? I guess RG400 cable isn't very flexible.

does the cable brand matter (different values maybe?) I'd like to try it, but I have no idea how to solder jack plugs to that cable... Erm, I actually have no idea how to solder period    On that note; If I ask really nice, could I possibly order a set from you Erwin?

Coming back to the amp itself; I tested your recommended settings with a bit more volume last night and was pleasantly surprised! The OD was woody but smooth, the amp went into feedback really nice, I think with a little more hours on the speakers and amp this should turn out really nice! All the bright switches off seems to work for me OD-wise. Raising the presence and opening up the tone controls solved my PAB volume jump as well, thanks.

But I still have the feeling my cleans sound better with bright on the amp on. I'm not going to do any mods before I've had a chance to gig it a couple of times, but should the need arise, what would be my options for having clean with bright on and OD with it off? (besides reaching around when I go into Robben-mode  )

Thanks Todd, my trimmer is also set on 9 'o clock. OD-wise I guess I'm looking for a nice sustain/bloom with the least amount of gain I can get away with  Gigging volume will help a lot too there I think. I just hope I can fine tune the balance between my cleans (which I like with a bit of glassy topend and just a hint of breakup when I hit it hard) and a nice fluid, warm (dark?) OD. Impossible?

[/quote]

Aw, now you've made me very curious ;-) Anyway, when you have some time, I'd love to hear about it. Just found a post from a guy with a Quinn 183 who also uses them. Length determines the effect?

Thanks Erwin! I'll give that a try tonight. What is the relation between presence, tonecontrols and PAB? I thought PAB took the tonecontrols out of the signalpath? Is what you're saying, the more the controls are open in "non-pab setting", the less(?) the gap between non-PAB and PAB?

Hi, first time poster (the netherlands), just became the proud owner of a FM100 head with build-in C-lator, which I'm running into a TT-Cabs "Dumble"cabinet with G12-65 Heritage. Totally stock. Speakers and head are brand new, no burn-in period, so these questions might be premature, I'll ask anyway:

First, I agree with other posters saying the FM is unusable without the C-Lator, harsh and bright. I run the C-lator with the drive on 12 'o clock, first bright off (on is horrible?), In on 12 'o clock, Out low so I can open up the master volume on the amp, and the second bright on. Bright on the amp is also on. Guitars played sofar; PRS HBII, The Paul with T-Top's and Tele with Broadcasters.

Here's a clip if you can stand the noodling, I wasn't really playing, just hitting notes and listening to the way the amp responded ;-) It was recorded with a crappy mike, there's no low end to speak of, but you can sort of make out the good and the bad. This is the PRS HBII by the way.



From the few hours of playing I did sofar (sorta bedroom volume), I like the clean; round but spanky. The OD I can't nail yet. I think it's the "fizz" that's bothering me a bit. If I set up the clean the way I like (above settings), I feel there's a little bit too much fizz on the OD. It's better if I turn off the second bright switch on the C-lator, but then the clean suffers. So I guess the questions are:

What part of the amp actually generates this fizz and can something be done?
Can it be done seperately from the clean?
Is there a way to reduce the volume jump of the PAB?

Thanks for any thoughts!