PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[Jazzy]

Hi

I got a Polytone Megabrute last week. I`ve been searching for one for some time now, but it was worth the wait. It`s an amazing little amp, the best polytone model I`ve tried

[PJM_335]

Well played young Sir!! I've never even played one in real life. Hope it was a good price. Like this Jazzy?

[M]

The overdrive settings in PJM's photos seem to be set appropriately!

[greentone]

I couldn't agree more. The Mega-Brute is a fantastic amplifier. Many people gravitate to the Mini-Brute amps because this or that jazz icon was quoted as having used them. They _are_ great jazz amps.

I own or have owned Polytone amps with speaker configurations from 8" up to 15". The Mega-Brute is THE sweet spot for jazz guitar, let me tell you. You will never regret your purchase.

The distortion circuit is not much to write home about, though. I rate it as the SECOND most lame distortion circuit of all time (after the distortion knob on the Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120).

Your settings shown in your photo are A-OK. You have dimed the master volume and are controlling volume with the input volume. This takes the MV out of the equation and produces a better overall sound, IMO, from your Polytone. Your EQ settings are good, too. I like the middle position for the brite/dark switch for most things (e.g., a humbucking neck pickup on an archtop).

Enjoy!
_________________
Soul Jazz & Blues

[sunflower]

Is that an 8" speaker ?

[greentone]

The Mega Brutes I've played all have eights, like the old Baby Brute--only the cabinet is different. The Baby had a one-cubic-foot cabinet, but the Mega is a little bigger. The amp is also a little more powerful--140 watts, versus 90.
_________________
Soul Jazz & Blues

[PJM_335]

It's not actually my amp in the pic. I just never seem to be in the right place when a used brute is for sale.
Another version of the Mini-Brute I was looking at was the Benson model. 15" speaker & 140 watt. What a beast!!

[Jazzy]

I also have a minibrute IV, it`s similar to the Benson model I think. But I prefer the megabrute now. But, I haven`t tried the Megab. with a full band yet.
Regarding the Eq on the pic, I prefer almost no treble, mid around 6-7 and bass at 2-3. I`ll try to post some soundclips soon.

[Jazz Playa]

Can't wait for that Jazzy I always enjoy your playing very much .

Anyone tried the Mini-Brute II? On the Polytone site they say that model is George's favorite. I know you gotta trust your own ears. Just wondering if anyone here has played through a Mini-Brute II and compared to a Mega-Brute?

[Jazzy]

Thanks for that JP

I actually got a MB II as well, hehe... ( BTW, all the clips on my myspace page is that amp. Also the latest youtube video I posted a while back. No pedals, just the guitar and the amp. )
It sounds great, but the reason I bought the Mega Brute was that I wanted something smaller. My MB II is the old model with just bass and treble, no mid. That`s another reason why I bought the mega, I want a mid control. I think you can get these amps quite cheap, if you do, buy it. I`m sure you`ll like it I think I paid around 200 usd for mine.

M

[Jazz Playa]

Yeah sounds nice Jazzy your tone is very clear and "pure" sounding . Yeah I'm gonna start keeping a look out for a Mega-Brute on ebay. Sounds like Greentone has tried 'em all so that's where I'll start, with the Mega-Brute.

[Jazzy]

Sounds like a good plan JP And yeah, listen to Greentone, he really know what he`s talking about. I`ve got lots of helpful replies from him.

[Jazz Playa]

Yeah he definitely knows his stuff . Which brings to mind another question:

If you replace a stock speaker that has a sensitivity of 96 with a speaker that has a sensitivity of 99 then about how many extra decibels of sound would that add? Would that add any significant volume to an amp?

I saw this on another site: A speaker with a sensitivity rating that's 3 dB higher than another speaker's only needs half as much power to deliver the same amount of sound.

So does that mean that going from 96 to 99 in speaker sensitivity will effectively double the perceived wattage of an amp (make a 50 watt amp as loud as a 100 watt amp)?

Maybe I just answered my own question ? Guess I'm just looking for confirmation from someone who's actually done it before.

[Jazzy]

I guess Greentone or randyc can answer this...
I didn`t understand a thing, haha

[Jazz Playa]

Its okay Michael I found the answer already on some websites. According to various SPL calculators going from 96 to 99 sensitivity will increase the SPL at a given volume setting by 50%. That sounds like a fairly noticeable increase in volume to me.