John McLaughlin's PRS amp

[Duane The Seeker]

Does anyone know the model and wattage of the PRS amp John McLaughlin used on his recent 4th Dimension tour? Thanks in advance.

 

[WeFixFlats]

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/Rig_Rundown_John_McLaughlin

According to Mr.McLaughlin himself, he stopped using amps many years ago per the Rig Rundown he did a few years back. He makes this comment @3:00.

Maybe someone has some newer, first hand information: Interviews or Pictures/Videos.

 

[László]

Re that interview, 2011 isn't exctky current info.

 

[LJD]

According to Mr.McLaughlin himself, he stopped using amps many years ago per the Rig Rundown he did a few years back. He makes this comment @3:00.

Interesting. One of the times I saw him in the mid 90's his amp died on stage immediately. No backup (I thought was weird), and he was pissed off. Dennis Chambers and Joey DeFrancesco wailed for an hour or so and JM just stood off to the side.

I wonder if that's why he stopped using amps.

 

[WeFixFlats]

Though this is undated, it's from his official website:

http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/equipment/

He's also on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/jmcl_gtr

You could try a DM to him to see if he responds to any new gear update request, too.

 

[Duane The Seeker]

Thanks all! I have indeed tried to engage him on Twitter about the amp but he doesn't answer much. A gentleman on another board had pictures of JM and The 4th Dimension in his studio (2013 I believe) and the amp was very evident. Some of the behind the scenes video from that tour showed the amp but in all of these sources I cannot make out the model. Oddly, he used the same pedal board that he uses when he goes to FOH without the amp. I don't want to mention the other site but if you Google John McLaughlin PRS amp images the pics and link show up.

 

[WeFixFlats]

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Here's a nice tight shot from the studio at least. Date unknown.

 

[Luminandy]

Here is the link from where the pic above is from. Sry it is a link to another forum. Still no answers, however, the question is asked.
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-...aughlin-live-setup-cheap-but-effective-4.html

 

[Duane The Seeker]

Yes! Those are the pics/link I was referring to. I was hoping maybe Paul or someone else who had worked with JM would have been able to answer the question. Thanks all who have tried.

 

[László]

Maybe we can narrow it down.

Because of the configuration of top mounted controls, it has to be one of what were formerly referred to as CAD amps. It doesn't have an eagle on the bottom right corner, so we can rule out an HXDA or Anniversary amp.

I don't see the easily identifiable white knobs of the Recording amp.

That leaves Original Sewell, Blue Sierra, Dallas, Blistertone, MDT, Paul's Amp, and Super Dallas? Of these, I think the presence of the wood fascia makes it a more recent model than the Dallas, Blue Sierra, or Original Sewell. All of these models were offered in 50 and 100 watt versions.

What remains are the Blistertone, MDT, Paul's Amp, and perhaps Super Dallas. The Blistertone is a higher gain amp that I can't really imagine McLaughlin using. And Paul's amp was a head-only model. So two more are possibly eliminated. I'm not seeing the "Dallas" name tag on the bottom right of the amp, either. Every Dallas I've seen (or Super Dallas) had one.

Therefore, I'm going to guess MDT 50 watt, since I can't imagine PRS installing a 100 watt amp into a single 12 combo (PRS usually uses V-30s that can only take 60 watts max). Seems to me most likely that it's the MDT.

Maybe this exercise helps?

 

[Duane The Seeker]

Maybe we can narrow it down.

Because of the configuration of top mounted controls, it has to be one of what were formerly referred to as CAD amps. It doesn't have an eagle on the bottom right corner, so we can rule out an HXDA or Anniversary amp.

I don't see the easily identifiable white knobs of the Recording amp.

That leaves Original Sewell, Blue Sierra, Dallas, Blistertone, MDT, Paul's Amp, and Super Dallas? Of these, I think the presence of the wood fascia makes it a more recent model than the Dallas, Blue Sierra, or Original Sewell. All of these models were offered in 50 and 100 watt versions.

What remains are the Blistertone, MDT, Paul's Amp, and perhaps Super Dallas. The Blistertone is a higher gain amp that I can't really imagine McLaughlin using. And Paul's amp was a head-only model. So two more are possibly eliminated. I'm not seeing the "Dallas" name tag on the bottom right of the amp, either. Every Dallas I've seen (or Super Dallas) had one.

Therefore, I'm going to guess MDT 50 watt, since I can't imagine PRS installing a 100 watt amp into a single 12 combo (PRS usually uses V-30s that can only take 60 watts max). Seems to me most likely that it's the MDT.

Maybe this exercise helps?

Thank you! I've been doing that mental exercise myself lately. I would have to say you are probably correct. Your keen eye and knowledge are much appreciated and respected!

 

[László]

Of course, it could be a custom deal because he's a PRS endorser, or the name plate could have fallen off, etc. So it's just a guess.

PRS has been known to modify some of their amps to an endorser's taste. In fact, they've done it for ordinary customers.

 

[Duane The Seeker]

The first MDT's did not have a mid knob...the Paul's Custom MDT did...which then turned into the Paul's Amp...That amp looks like it has one too many knobs to be a first gen MDT....I know that there is a difference in the way the first switch is labeled between the Custom MDT which has a Bright/normal/high cut switch and the Paul's amp which has a clean/dirty switch...but I am not exactly clear on how the amps truly differ.

my guess would be a custom MDT, early Paul's amp or a Dallas.

Great point. I always assumed that he would want a clean platform to work from since he uses the same pedals hat he does going direct. The mystery continues, it seems.

 

[László]

The folks at PRS Customer Service might know.

 

[Duane The Seeker]

The folks at PRS Customer Service might know.

Sent them a missive the other day with the above pic included. Thanks for your input!