Anyone use custom 50 as power amp only?

jmp22684

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Jul 22, 2017
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That's pretty much it.

I was thinking about trying out some of the models in the Helix direct to the return on the custom 50.

Since the amp doesn't have a dedicated master volume I guess I would just control level via the Helix. Don't want to run too hot a signal to the return and fry it.

If I do this on my other amps the preamp is bypassed but I maintain level control via the master/output.

Thanks!
 
No... but I run into the front end with pedals, and it's fantastic for that. Whether you could control the volume via your board, is the question.
 
Yeah I have multiple ways of controlling volume at the board + use a boss fv-500L at the end of the chain with a min volume of 20% in heel position to pick up any volume discrepancies quickly when live.
 
Tried it a few times with the Kemper but didn't bond with it.
I need to try again.

I was thinking about a kemper. I like the work flow of the Helix and everything it offers, but feel like the profiling of the kemper may be better. But I'm also known to split hairs. If I could find someone to trade with for a while. ;) Lol.
 
Okay... just tried it out.... yuck!

And I ran the Helix with no amp direct to PA for a little over a year... So I know all the tricks!!
 
You need to EQ the amp for the best results. I’m doing something similar with my Boogie MkIII and the built-in 5 band graphic EQ makes all the difference in the world. It sounds glorious.
 
When I ran to the return on a mark V using an hd500 it sounded phenomenal! (My old rig was the hd500 + DT50. Doesn't model so much as the hd500 controls the amp. The DT50 physically changes it's own circuitry to match, you can hear all the switches in the amp go off when making a change to how it powers the tubes. Quite cool) DT50 blew a power transformer. In a rush I plugged the hd500 to the return on a mark v for that weekends gig. It was awesome!

Not getting the same feel from the Helix and the custom 50.

I am running the Helix direct to the return leaving eq out of the equation, but I also tried into the front of the amp as well. Didn't work out the way I wanted.

I'll goof later but gotta practice up for the weekend after no practice for the past 9 days.

Battling what may be carpal tunnel :mad:. So I took a week off of playing, except for lessons, and this last weekend was the band's monthly weekend off. Back to work this weekend. X-ray didn't show any arthritis... but it's been REALLY bad. I almost couldn't finish the last set. It sucks that not playing is NOT an option... period.

Guitar is my ONLY source of income. So its every precaution I can take to be easy on it: rest, stretches, exercises, bracing/splitting, even dietary changes... nursing this as best I can. While still being able to pay the bills, support the family and keep food on the table...

^That's the disclaimer from those that would say, "you're being stupid using it and making it worse!" Not using it means home foreclosure and an empty stomach for a 4 year old.
 
and, make sure you are turning off the cab sim as well if you're running into the C50 return then a guitar cab. If not, you're running it through a cab sim EQ and a real cab both, which usually isn't good.
 
I started with only preamp, then full amp model with no can block.

Then tried the above with several cab impulse responces.

Tried both the above in the return and into the front.
 
p.s. Are you both warming and stretching completely before playing? That can really make a difference.
 
All the time. I usually start with a single to double alternate picking exercise which is really slow for the fretting hand, then play a chromatic exercise twice per round. 17 rounds for each exercise (34 for the chromatic) sixteenth notes, starting @ 85 bpm, increasing to 125 @ 5 bpm intervals, then decreasing @ 5 to 95 bpm.

Basically start working my picking hand while slowly working my fret hand, then work my fretting hand.
 
Do you physically stretch it though? With arthritis, that can be very important. But not sure how the stretching affects it if it's Carpel Tunnel. I know my mom stretched a lot before playing both before and after she had CT surgery (on both hands!).
 
I haven't until recently. I'm not sure it helps either. Basically I'm doing my best to mix personal pt research and such with the doctors. We're on one of those insurance plans only musicians can afford with a 12k deductible and the last time I did p.t. (for a ruptured disc in my neck) I came to the realization that there wasn't a single thing I did there, for $200 a day, that I couldn't do at home for free.

Unfortunately I think I'm going to need to cough up the dough and tell the doctor to order an MRI so I can really see what's going on. I want to do that now.... went through the run around with my neck:
-nothing on the xray.
-Here take this pill (I don't take pills... and I could have a serious supply with my neck MRI... it's screwed up hardcore! Lol)
-5 months later I'm going days without sleep, can't sit, can't lay down, don't have enough strength in my left arm to lift a glass of water...

-FIVE MONTHS later they run an MRI. My disc is ruptured and cutting through the nerve root so bad I almost lost use of my left arm.

No interest in playing the game this time around.

Run the scan, get it to a specialist, and let's fix it so life can go on until the next item that makes me feel older than I actually am... (my body and my brain are on two COMPLETE different levels. Body wants to fall apart and I'm the type that never stops going. 10 pounds of $hit in a 5 pound bag kinda life)
 
Dang, that's brutal. Hope they get this figured out and fixed like pronto!
 
I haven't until recently. I'm not sure it helps either. Basically I'm doing my best to mix personal pt research and such with the doctors. We're on one of those insurance plans only musicians can afford with a 12k deductible and the last time I did p.t. (for a ruptured disc in my neck) I came to the realization that there wasn't a single thing I did there, for $200 a day, that I couldn't do at home for free.

Unfortunately I think I'm going to need to cough up the dough and tell the doctor to order an MRI so I can really see what's going on. I want to do that now.... went through the run around with my neck:
-nothing on the xray.
-Here take this pill (I don't take pills... and I could have a serious supply with my neck MRI... it's screwed up hardcore! Lol)
-5 months later I'm going days without sleep, can't sit, can't lay down, don't have enough strength in my left arm to lift a glass of water...

-FIVE MONTHS later they run an MRI. My disc is ruptured and cutting through the nerve root so bad I almost lost use of my left arm.

No interest in playing the game this time around.

Run the scan, get it to a specialist, and let's fix it so life can go on until the next item that makes me feel older than I actually am... (my body and my brain are on two COMPLETE different levels. Body wants to fall apart and I'm the type that never stops going. 10 pounds of $hit in a 5 pound bag kinda life)

Dude, best wishes and good mojo headed your way.
 
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