Fender M-80 Amp Questions

[Alden_Sloe]

I just bought an old (that's in between new and "vintage ) Fender M-80. Can someone explain what "presence" and "contour" are supposed to do on the overdrive channel?

This is the explanation I got from the fellow I bought the amp from.

Contour is sort of the tone and Presence just sort of adds more presence to the distortion. They're both sort of tone controls.

I have a problem with using "presence" to describe "presence"

This is also the first amp I've had with two inputs. Would this be for two simlutaneous sources, like a mic and a guitar, or is it more for like leaving one guitar plugged in while your playing another? Or something completely different?

Also new to me are the output/input jacks for "effects". Does the output deliver a clean "line out" signal irregardless of whether you're using the clean or gain channel? Would it be reasonable to "mix in" another source at this point by running the output through a mixer?

There's an external speaker jack which I assume (prehaps incorrectly) will be a variable output tied to the volume. Ignoring for the moment miking the amp, what's the best way to record from the amp? I'm guessing the effects loop is one option but what if you want the sound from the gain channel? I've seen reference to speaker simulation/emulation on output so maybe there's no good way to capture the tone of the amp without using a mic.

I guess that's enough scatter for one thread

[famous beagle]

haha ... I had one of those amps back in the day.

The effects jacks are the effects loop. You go out the output into an effects processor's input (or a pedal's) and come out the processor's output back into the amps effects input. It's another option for where you want to place your effects in the signal chain. Some people like to put them in front of the amp (like most pedals) and some people like to use an effects loop. There are differences. For instance, if you use a delay pedal in the effects loop, you'd get clean-sounding delayed notes when playing with distortion. In other words, the delayed notes will sound as though they were played separately and won't bleed together. If you use a delay pedal in front of an amp that's distorted, the delayed notes are going to sound "dirty" and rub together. There's no right or wrong; it's just a matter of preference.

You should be able to do a quick search to find definitions for presence and contour. Or I would imagine you'd probably even be able to find a copy of the amp's manual on line. But several modern amps still make use of a presence control (less use a contour), so it wouldn't be hard to find a good explanation of it as it applies to another modern amp.

The external speaker jack is for use with speakers. It's not a line out for recording. The effects loop send is one option for direct recording, but I don't know that it would sound that great. Miking is definitely your best option.

I'm guessing you got the combo version?

[Alden_Sloe]

Originally Posted by famous beagle

haha ... I had one of those amps back in the day.

Does that make you "old" or "vintage"

Originally Posted by famous beagle

I'm guessing you got the combo version?

You're probably right but I'm not sure. It looks just like this one which is described as a Combo:
http://www.musicgoround.com/gear/inv....asp?id=585930

On the other hand this one looks identical except for the color of the knobs and enclosure:
http://www.musicgoround.com/gear/inv....asp?id=611214

I guess there are Bass versions and M-80s that are just the head. If that's what you mean then yes I've got the "Combo". Does "combo" mean combined amp and speaker (like in stereos where "integrated amp" means amp and controls) or does it suggest use as a guitar and/or some other "combination" of instrument?

[Alden_Sloe]

Originally Posted by famous beagle

You should be able to do a quick search to find definitions for presence and contour.

"contour which dials in a mid cut for a slap tone"
"Contour (basically just a really good tone control)" Or is it just marketing speak for a single tone knob instead of separate Bass/Mid/Treble.
"contour is just a presense control like in a Marshall or the tweed Fenders"
"presence drive (for high-end gain)" This one actually makes some sense. It would explain why "presence" is specific to the gain channel (preamp?) and different than tone.
"contour-control to set the color of tone. This contour can control from fat to crystal sound, so when you play with non-acoustic amplifier, this can make the similar sound from acoustic amplifier." OK, the Jinglish in this is a bit hard to follow and how does crystal, warm, touchy-feely relate to frequency/reverb/etc?

Originally Posted by famous beagle

Or I would imagine you'd probably even be able to find a copy of the amp's manual on line.

Looks like you can order hardcopies through Fender for $5 a piece. Probably worth it for the schematics; not sure it the owners manual will be much help. I'll read through the manual for some of the newer models that are online and see if they help explain it.