Conference napalm::guitar

    A friend of mine has a Shultz Rock-Module.  For live sound he
    goes into a rack mount 4 channel mixer were he is able to mix
    in reverb and echo (he owns a Roland SRV-2000 digital reverb
    and a Delta Lab ADM-1024).  The output from the mixer goes into
    a BGW 250 power in stereo into two speaker cabs.  It's a little 
    hissy at loud volumes but not too bad.  He gets a lot of great
    sounds from this setup and every thing is in a rack.  Also he 
    uses a variety of footpedals to switch Rock-Module, delay and
    reverb settings. 
    
    The only things I have noticed is that on distortion settings, it
    lacks a little "warmth" and "crunch".  Also, on distortion settings
    the Rock-Module eq's the sound funny.  It takes out lows and highs,
    leaving a very mid-rangy "Sultz" sound.
    
    As far as your problem goes, it might be because the Mesa-Boogie
    is not expecting a pre-amped signal, with lots of harmonic distortion.
    It might also be the wrong type cord or a grounding problem.
    
    Dave D

    Re: moderator.    Great Idea this file!!!!
    
    Re: .0
    
    I was going to start a topic of the Rockman modules myself
    because I've considered purchasing them. And I wanted comments.
    
    I think your problem is due to the line level low ohm
    output from the Rockman. Guitar amps are ment for high ohm
    input.

    Re: .1
    
    I agree that the distortion settings leave quite a bit to be desired.
    Last night I spent a couple of hours experimenting with a few different
    combinations of the Rock-Modules and the Boogie and found the best
    alternative.
    
    As far as I can tell, the best results are achieved when you use
    only the chorus/delay portion of the rock-module.  I let the Boogie
    provide the distortion.  Voila!  My guitar sound has increased 
    dramatically! The sound is much warmer and less processed, and some
    of the original Mesa Boogie sound is back!
    
    My verdict on the Rock-Modules: they are probably the best piece
    of equipment on the market for recording of guitar tracks, because
    the direct input capabilities allow for a very clean track with
    a wide variety of sound options. For live purposes, the distortion
    unit is pretty lackluster---it is too noisy and it really muddies
    up the sound, while the chorus/delay portion is fine (EXCEPT that
    you can only use chorus OR delay, not both, and the delay only goes
    to 1/4 second).  So, if you basically intend to use the unit live,
    this toy is probably not for you.

    I have a question on the Rockman units. I recently looked at them
    and wonder if the added cost of the X100 over the Soloist is really
    worth it. As near as I can tell you get an extra clean setting
    and echo for $100. The price seems to be high.
                                      
    dave

    RE .4
    
    It is my understanding that the X100 unit was a major improvement
    over the original Soloist because of the drastic reduction in noise.
    The Rockman X100 costs about $215, a price that I consider to be
    pretty reasonable.  If you are using the unit for line recording,
    it is a definite improvement that is worth the extra money, because
    there is a much better signal to noise ratio.  This is also quite
    noticeable when using the Rockman as a preamp in live situations.
    
    (I don't know what price you were quoted for the X100, but I have
    seen it for $215 at Music Workshop in Nashua, and at Daddy's in
    Salem and Nashua).
    

I'm looking for a simple headphone amp so I can practice when I'm away from
home without having to cart my Peavey with me. I don't necessarily need
graphic equalizers, compression, chorus, distortion, digital delay and all
that stuff, and I don't expect to be doing much recording direct into the
board either. But maybe I'd consider having all those things if I could
convince myself that it's cost effective and a good investment.

So what I need to know is what options are available? How modular are the
modules?  Can I start small and work up?

Is there somewhere I can write or call to get the glossy illustrated
sales brochures that will tell me everything I need to know? Is there a
store in the area that carries this line where I could check it out?

Thanks,
Don.

    Noone's corrected it so far so I thought I would.  Tom *Scholz*
    would probably  barf if he saw the way his name has been abused.
    

    
    The title looks a little better now, huh??
    
    Rick

    re: .6
    
    It sounds to me like you would be better off with the SCHOLZ (is
    that better guys?) Rockman, rather than the Rockmodules. The Rockman
    was designed to be used like a Walkman. It is a small, compact unit
    which can be used with headphones or as a preamp into an amplifier.
    There are four preset sounds, 2 clean and 2 distortion, and you
    can also add delay and stereo chorus. The X100 version of the unit
    goes for about $215, and I've seen it at Music Workshop in Nashua,
    all of the Daddy's Junky Music Stores, and at E.U. Wurlitzer's in
    Boston. I'm sure most major music stores with current technology
    will carry them.
    
    Re: .7 and .8
    
    Sorry about the spelling, guys. I've always had a mental block about
    how to spell that name for some reason.

    
    	Anyone try the Sholtz Rockman Sustainer?  That little $500 (!)
    box with features (tm) like Autoclean, channel switching, ect?
    Sounds like the "hot" front end to me!
    
    	Joe Jas
    

    See my note in Guitar #6 for my reactions to the Sustainor. It's
    great as far as recording goes, but as a front end for an amp, it
    has its share of problems, especially in the distortion settings.
    No matter what you do, the sound comes out somewhat muddy. There
    is some high end loss and some hum that is kind of hard to control.

    I found it to be good, especially for recording. BUt it could be
    used live. Channel 2 has an extra tone control (eq trim) that aloows
    the distorted sound to be adjusted to a more normal sound when driving
    an amp. I had no problem getting a good sound running it into my
    Fender Studio Lead.
    
    After working with a friend's rockman I think the hum may be a defect
    and have called SRD to talk with a technician about the problem.
    The rockman is hum free, bu the rockmodule I have (Dan;s old one)
    has some hum.
    
    dave

    		I dunno about the live stuff with the Rockman products.  
    	They just don't have the snap I get out of a road amp.  We've
    	tried them, and retired  them to the *home rehersal/recording*
    	tool.  	In that environment, there  absolutley unbeatable

    		I've heard other guys use them as front ends scince
    	the new stuff came out, and to be honest, they didn't do it
    	for me.  One problem was harmonics went south, and forget long 
    	sustaining feedbacks.

		> I think the hum may be a defect <
    
    	I've played through about 9 of the ROCKMANIIs and the new rack
    	mounts also.  I noticed humming in all of them.  The noies
     	level got worse when single coil axes were being used.  Wasn't
    	as bad with the humbuckers.

    /ray

    Well I sent the sustainor back to SR&D about two weeks ago and today
    it came home...whoops sorry sir it was unrepairable here's a new
    one....guess what NO HUM! none......the only noise in the things
    is a bit of high end noise, agravated by the auto clean switch,
    that function makes it very hissy, other than that it's pretty superb
    I may use it through an amp since I don't have any trouble getting
    long sustains or harmonics out of it. The compressor will crush
    the harmonics a bit so I suspect too much compression if you can't
    get harmonics. It's a slight bit muddy but with my ten band eq it
    sings.
    
    Interesting note, the new one hasn't got half as much gain in the
    preamp stages as the old one that was bad.....maybe they fixed their
    problem by cutting the gain.
    
    Dan: They charged it to warrantee work even though the warantee
    is non-transferrable, lucky me.
                              
    Overall I like it. The chorus/delay module is less exciting, clean but
    marginally adjustable and 200 ms max delay doesn't cut it for me......
    This unit is very useful for the recording guitarist. I ran mmy
    acoustic through it and got some very exciting sounds, my synth
    also.....next is my drum machine. distorted drums????? hmmm.....
    
    dave 

    Dave: Congratulations on getting the new Sustainor unit. Especially
    with the warranty work.
    
    This past weekend I met a guy who is very good friends with Brad
    Delp and Tom Scholz (No, he wasn't kidding either). I told him about
    my feelings regarding the Sustainor and Chorus/Delay units, and
    that I actually preferred the Rockman I had bought since selling
    Dave the other units. He told me that Tom is looking for criticisms
    of his new products so that he can make the necessary improvements.
    Supposedly, I'll be getting a call soon from either Tom himself
    or his #1 engineer at SR&D.
    
    So, you DECCIES that have used the Scholz units, do you have any
    comments you'd like me to make?
    

    Well after using the new on for an entire two days now I have to
    say that with the exception of the hum the first unit sounded
    better.....the new unti has less gain in the compressor stage, and
    the tone of the new unit is rather all high end and all low end.
    Using a eq I am able to bost the mids up where it sounds ok, but
    you have to have the eq to do it. 
    
    The chorus is rather tame.....I prefer the Boss CE-1 to the rockmodule
    chorus and the delay is too short 200 ms is not enough for me. Also
    the delay is sort of on/off, the volume for the repeats has a threshold
    that just jumps up after a certain point. 
    
    Possibly 3 band tone controls fo the sustainor would be helpful.
    I know I'd like them.
    
    They can call me at (207) 622-7472 after 4 pm anytime.......:-)
    
    I'd be glad to be a field tester for any products thay would like......
    
    dave

    
         I have used a ROCKMAN for direct input into a 4 track and it
           definately beats miking an amp.   For your problem with the
           ROCKMAN making noise into a guitar amp, I had the same result
           going into my MARSHALL (noisy,muddy).  If you run the ROCKMAN
           direct into a P.A. it sounds excellent.  To use my MARSHALL
           live I use a POWER SOAK and mic it.  (saves your ears!)
               
                                                   Larry C.
    

    I was thinking about getting a rockmodule or a rockman, and I probably
    will at some point, but one thing about them REALLY bothers me:
    its sound is SO identifiable that it tends to make
    people using them sound alike, and too much like Boston.

	db    

    First, I would like to thank the person responsible for starting
    this conference ! It's great !  I have purchased a Scholz Rockman
    X100 recently and love it. I use it live with a Fender Showman and
    I have not had any distortion problems. I compared the X100 to the
    Soloist and there wasn't any comparison for the little extra the
    X100 is definitely worth it ! If you wish to save a buck I recommend
    the Arion Hot Watt, the new model, it retails for 99.95 and is a
    much better value than the Soloist, in my opinion. I have also
    considered the Rock Modules, while they do provide more options
    than the X100, they certainly cost much more, and I have been informed
    that you really need an EQ to get a "good" sound, in addition to
    the Rock Modules. Seems like a lot of expense to me. There is one
    more thing, there is available a Rockmount unit that lets you mount
    a Soloist or an X100 in a rackmount housing. The housing provides
    a Footswitchable bypass function and a Master volume, as well as
    DC power and all the needed jacks for stereo or mono operation.
    There is only one pitfall to this setup, it appears to me that you
    can either have the Rockman in the loop or out. You can not footswitch
    Chorus or Echo or Distortion. You must have the Rockman preset to
    your desired setting. This unit retails at 139.95. If anybody has
    any more information regarding the Rockmount please let me know.
    
    My only problem with the Rockman, or any distortion for that matter,
    is that I use a Strat with Single coil pickups. I have looked for
    other pickups to cancel the noise but I am told that if I replace
    the pickups, I will lose the Strat sound. I have shielded the existing
    pickups which help a great deal, but, I would like to eliminate
    the problem. Any suggestions ? I am open !
    

	See note 126.0 - 126.25.  This contains a discussion around
	replacing/rewiring a strat to achieve a humbucking sound/effect.

	-gary

    re: Strat sound...there is a note on pickups that this was discussed
    in but, I use Semour Duncan Hot stacks on my strat, it sounds like
    a strat but has absolutely no hum, They're a bit expensive, I believe
    it cost me around $120 to refit the guitar with them but the
    elimination of noise was well worth it. I believe that Dimarzio
    also has a "humbucking" strat pickup that give s a good single
    coil sound with no hum.
    
    dave

	re -.1

	Also Bill Lawrence L-250s.  I put a set (3) of these on my strat
	and it still sounds like a strat but no  hummm.

    
    Thanks a bunch ! I'll give it a try and see what happens. I have
    also heard that coating the existing pickups in wax helps. I am
    still trying to verify that one. I heard it from a guy that works
    in a used guitar shop. Once again thanks !!!!!
    
    Tony

    Re .16:
    
    Dipping pickups in wax, or Potting as it's refered, is helpful in
    eliminating pickup squeal, but be sure if you try it not to leave
    the pickup in there too long (only a few seconds is needed), or
    it'll start to melt! Also, be sure to use non-flammable wax (i.e.
    - some waxes are oil based).
    
    Have `fun'
    wjb
    
    p.s. - Seymour Duncan pickupos come `pre-potted' if you don't want
    the hassle.
    

    Thanks, I am going to try it at next string change.
    
    Tony

    I know this is a little late, but I'm a new comer to the conference.
    
    I too have a rockman (IIB?)  I use it for recording, and I loved
    the sounds.  Then I went to EU Wurlitzer and tried a Gallion Krueger
    250 ML (This was before the rackmount jobbie.  The sound is similar,
    and in fact, when playing live, is fantastic.  I play a lot of hard
    rock, and the distortion (adjustable by a trim pot under the top
    cover) is perfect for what I play.
    
    The GK is a 50 watts/channel with a stereo chorus and echo built
    in.  To me, it's a rock man in a box.  It's also got two Pyle Driver
    speakers (six inch).  The other guitar player in my present band
    has a 100 watt marshall 1/2 stack, and while I can't say that mine
    is louder, it's loud enough to keep up, and I can walk intoi a gig
    with the amp in one hand guitar in the other, and be ready for some
    rock and roll !!!
    Jeff
     

    I picked up an X100 for $200 last week.  I needed something to practice
    through when I'm away from home.  At home I have a small practice
    amp, but I must admit that it was nice to get rid of the embilical
    cord to the amp and be able to walk around the house with the X100.
    
    It does sound awesome but I'm fairly determined to resist using
    it for recording only because I think its sound is just TOO
    identifiable.  It's like "Boston in a box".  I have this problem
    practicing with it because every 5 minutes I end up interrupting
    my practice routine and break into the riff from "Smokin".
    
    	db

    No replies as yet about the Bass Rockman...
    Anyone have/used one?
    Are they worth $199.00?
    Jeff

    
    
    	Rockmount is available from Four Designs. They are a California
    based company. I don't have the address but they usually have ads
    in Keyboard Player Mag. for their FX racks and Son of FX rack.

    	Does anybody know anything about the SR&D half-rack comp/limiter?
    	I believe it's a new offering.  Wurli's will be selling them
    	for $105 (when they get them in a couple of weeks).  I've got
    	room for a half-rack comp/limiter, are there other manufacturers
    	as well? (e.g. Dbx?).
    
    	joe.

    My impression of the latest Sholz offering is they took the comp/limit
    stuff they had in the Sustainer and made it into a seperate product.
    I'm not saying it's good or bad, but I have a Sustainer and find the
    limiter section a bit too noticeable when it kicks in.
    
    dBX offers two products (I think). One  is a limiter, the other
    a compressor. Both are priced around $130. 
    
    Alesis makes a micro limiter which is stereo in/out, 1/3 space,
    and lists for around $140.
    
    Boss (Roland) used to make a half rack compressor/limiter as part
    of their micro-rack series. Don't know much about the limiter but
    the chorus was terrific. You might be able to find one used. 
    
    

    I'd like to share several positive experiences I've had with
    the Scholz Research and Design Company with the rest of you
    guitar noters.
    
    I bought a Rockman X-100 just about a year ago.  There's no doubt
    that the sound is identifiable, hwoever, I don't believe it is only a
    Boston sound.  It's a generic, heavy guitar sound!  Listen closely
    to advertisements, other recording professionals, and even a few
    live acts.  The sound has become a virtual cliche.  But that's not what
    I'm here to discuss.
    
    My power supply died several weekends ago.  I went out at lunch on a
    Monday, popped it in the mail (UPS) and went out to stock up on
    batteries.  On Thursday of the SAME WEEK, a brand new power supply
    was waiting on my doorstep.  Granted, I live in Massachusetts and the
    firm is based here, but that is still a phenomenal response in my
    book.  End of first story.
    
    I decided to purchase a Four Designs Rockmount unit.  It allows you
    to control the Rockman's volume with a traditional pot, and to
    be able to switch the Rockman out of your signal chain with a foot
    pedal.  I slid the X-100 into the Rockmount and it didn't come
    on.
    
    To make a long story short, the Rockmount didn't work.  I sent it
    back to CA and the chief designer-owner called me and said he burned
    it in for three days and it was fine.  He told me to fix my X-100.
    
    I took the X-100 to SR&D and they said it was fine (it was working
    fine for me, incidentally) but they would put a new battery spring
    board in.  Which they did WHILE I WAITED, and for free.  I then went
    home, plugged the X-100 into the Rockmount and boom!  It still didn't
    work.
    
    I called SR&D and they said to bring it in with the Rockmount.  They
    then tested the Rockmount (even though it wasn't their product) and
    recorded the power supply readings.  The Rockmount was indeed broken
    and was not supply the right power.
    
    The SR&D person, Sue, then called the Four Designs Company and
    described the problem to them.  All of this in the space of two
    days.  Four Designs sent me a brand new, working Rockmount and returned
    the original to them for the second time.
    
    For the second time, SR&D refused to take any money, even though it
    wasn't even their own equipment that was malfunctioning.
    
    I'm impressed.  I'm also not afraid to spend money on some of their
    larger products.  Sure, I have criticisms of the X-100....the battery
    compartment door is lousy, the whole unit "feels" kind of cheap,
    and it certainly is noisy.
    
    However, you can get it serviced, and I still have yet to find a better
    clean guitar sound for the budget I work in.
    
    Brian
    
    
    

    Wow!  That sounds very impressive!
    
    I don't remember any discussion of the new Sholtz midi controllable amp
    (XP100) in here so far.  It looks pretty impressive, but quite
    expensive.  Does anyone have any experiences with these to share?
    
    (if there's already some notes on this, please direct me there)
    
    Greg

    Yeah, I saw that in GP !  I wann try one of those !  Has anyone
    checked it out ????????
    
    jc (A Rockman fan)

    
    	Could some please list the various types of rockmodules available?

    
    I haven't seen any of the new Scholz boxes yet.  One dealer here
    in MA has had some stuff on back order about three months. Sounds
    like the old case of advance promo to whet people's appetites.
    
    Available modules (correct me somebody):
    
    Sustainor
    Distortion Generator (poor man's Sustainor)
    Stereo Chorus
    Equalizer
    Smart Gate
    MIDI Octopus
    Compressor/Limiter
    
    

    I have a sustainor and a chorus/delay that's available with the
    rackmount adaptor...
    
    
    dbii

    Re:  Sustainor and stuff
    
    Are they any good ?  Are they quite and clean ?
    
    I have a Rockman that is pretty ruff.  All the solder joints come
    loose, the jacks have broken...  I was bummed.  I wonder if SR&D
    will fix mine for me (It's about 5 years old!) for free ?
    
    ;^)

    re: fix for free...
    
    well, back in da old days...I used to bring my stuff over to Tom's
    place here and say "what gives?", and he'd fix it for free, but now
    with all the success I would probably doubt it.
    
    The sustainor is cool...gives you that satriani clean chord sound. 

    They are in pretty good shape, never gigged...
    
    call or write
    
    dtn 271-6935
    
    dneast::bottom_david

    I recently purchased a used Rockman Sustainor. Unfortunately it came
    with no manual. Can someone make a copy and send it to me. I'm located
    in Littleton Mass. Thanks,
    
    John Z
    
    Mailstop  LTN1-2/H09

    A kind soul has sent me a copy. Now I know what all those flashing leds
    mean! Thanks,
    
                                                       John Z

    Anyone else notice the new SR&D combos and heads in the catalogs? 
    They're all based on the XP100 amp.  The combos are all 2x12s.
    
    Mike

500wts !!!

jc

    HEY GUYS 
       
       I'M a new comer to these note files and I've read all there is
    about the rockmodules here in these notes. I've just recently bought
    a 63 Gibson SG and it sounds pretty good. I'm running it through a
    Peavey classic chorus 212 amp. I don't care too much for the amps
    distortion so I am running my guitar through a boss distortion pedal
    which is ok. I have just joined a band and I am wondering about 
    purchasing a rockman. What I need to know is,does anyone out there
    have any suggestions as to what kind I should buy and what I should
    look for. I intend to use it for live purposes. I also noticed the
    mention of prices. Just to let you know I'm working at the digital in
    Canada at the Kanata plant. Here in Ottawa these units go from $400 to
    $550. Isn't that ridiculous. So much for the free country crap!!!!!
    Looking forward to anyone's replies.
    
    P.S. If there is any other type of affect racks out there that I should
    look at let me know. We play alot of the old rock and rolling stones,
    cream, and are trying some of stevie ray vhaughn. I think I spelled
    that wrong let me know if I did. thanks 
    
    bob

    Bob --
    
    Just say NO to the Rockman stuff -- ESP. the distortion unit!!
                         

    I gotta agree with Bucks Synopsys.  The Rock Modules are shite.
    
    However, I heard a local band here a while back and the guitarist
    was using one of the MIDI units (forgot the model), and he had a 
    really cool sound...
    
    jc

    Aw c'mon, the Rockman modules are OK, but like any other unit, you may or
    may not like the sound!   They seem (to my ear) voiced to give that
    fat, smooth late 70s distortion sound (ala Boston, natch).
    
    There are essentially two you'd be interested in, the Distortion
    Generator and the Sustainor.  
    
    The Sustainor is a two channel unit, where each channel can be set to
    one of two overdrive modes or one of two clean modes.  You can
    footswitch between channels or bypass, which gives you a total of three
    sounds (the third being your amp by itself).  Price is about $275 US
    new.
    
    The Distortion Generator sells for about $150 US  (half the price of the 
    Sustainor) but has only one channel.  An advantage is that it gives
    more control over the distortion sound (i.e. EQ)  than the Sustainor
    does.  There is no clean mode.
    
    I have a Sustainor and like it.  It doesn't sound very much like tubes,
    and doesn't have a real good light overdrive tone for blues, but it is
    really quiet...important in a high gain device!  I think it's too
    expensive (I got mine *cheap* used) so I'd recommend the Distortion
    Generator as a better buy.  Go try one in a store and see what you
    think.
    
    							Brian

    HEY GUYS
    
      THANKS FOR THE INPUT AND YOUR ADVICE. MAYBE I'LL JUST TAKE MY
    EQUIPTMENT INTO THE STORE AND TRY THE VARIOUS TYPES OF RACKMOUNT
    MODULES WITH MY STUFF TO SEE WHAT I THINK SOUNDS THE BEST. I'M THINKING
    MAYBE I'LL JUST BUY AN OVERDRIVE FOR MY LEADS FOR NOW AND TAKE IT FROM
    THERE. I WAS HOPING TO GET A RACK THOUGH BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THE
    PEDALS ARE WORTH THE PRICE FOR THE EFFECTS THEY MAKE. AND ALSO I'D LIKE
    TO GET AWAY FROM CARRYING A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF EVERYTIME I GIG.
    
                                                    THANKS AGAIN
                                                           BOB
    

    re -1
    Shhhhhhhhhhh     8^)

    re: .49 Bob Backs
    
    What .50 means is that typing in upper-case in NOTES is regarded as
    SHOUTING!!!
    
    Please use lower case.
    
    	db