A Year Living With Monique. Is the Honeymoon Over?
August 2014 makes a year since I took possession of the Monique by Jule rack preamp. I have used Monique through a Crest ProLITE 2.0 and two Aguilar GS112 cabs for every gig played in the past year. Recently I switched to AudioKinesis Hathor 1203 cabs. Playing my regular theater gig, a few outdoor events, and a few events at different venues.
Enough time has passed, and enough playing time under my belt that I feel it is time to revisit the Monique Preamp. As of the last gig, Monique is still just as awesome as it was when I first purchased it. In fact, it is better. I guess I should say, I have learned to use it better. Monique really hasn't changed!
I must be honest. When I first took possession of Monique, it took time for me to get used to her. I had spent the last five years playing through a Thunderfunk. Totally different animals. Out of the box it sounded great, I just had to spend some time with her and learn how to dial my tone in. Probably my biggest hurdle was the Sensitivity Control. It is a great control, but it took me a while to figure it out and use it properly. I am not ashamed to admit, it took me a while to actually understand the Sensitivity Control and utilize it in the best way for whatever gig and guitar I was playing. You see, the Sensitivity does more than just one thing. I can't get all technical on you and tell you exactly what it does, except to say, the control goes from crystal clean and clear to very growly and aggressive. Plus you can pull the knob for an extra 4db gain increase (although I have not yet needed the extra). Monique is very responsive to player dynamics.
I still stand by my statement that it is hard to get a bad tone out of Monique, very hard! Although the 3 band EQ (Baxandall) seems subtle, it is very effective and totally useful. Remember, the EQ is non-interactive. The change you make to any band doesn't affect the other bands. Once I got the Sensitivity Control figured out and found the settings I liked, I really started enjoying the adjustability of the EQ. Very musical. I start out each gig with the EQ straight up and Sensitivity full counter-clockwise. For me, it takes very little time to dial in a great tone. The last gig I did was on a very hollow (hard to get along with) stage. I think this gig I used the most extreme EQ settings on Monique to tame the extreme boomy stage. I had the High at 1:00, Mids at 3:00 and Low at 9:00! To me, this is extreme EQing for Monique. In any other regular gig I would find myself in, this extreme EQ wouldn't what I would be using. In addition, I was using a pair of very mid forward AudioKinesis Hathor 1203 cabs (more on them in another post), plus I had to utilize my fdeck HPF III. This was the toughest stage I ever remember playing on, but with the Monique, with a little help from fdeck, I got a great tone.
Build-wise, Monique is still doing fine. I have the exact same setup I started out with:
My goal in doing these review is to offer enough advice to folks considering the equipment that I use. I live in a very rural part of Georgia with the closest good music store is two hours away. Much of the equipment I purchase, I do so without trying it first. I depend on other people's reviews and sound clips to help me make my decisions. So far, it's working!
One other thing I would like to address is the price. Jule has his prices clearly listed on his web site. I have seen people post that the prices are high. I disagree. They might be outside of your budget, but for what you are getting, plus the quality, I think the prices of Jules products are a great bargain! Think about it for a moment, the rack pre is $1365, the rack pre with the 700 watt amp is $2250 (as of 12-05-2014). Compare those prices to comparable products. Then consider the quality of Jule's products, his excellent customer support, and the fact that he actually listens to what his users want and/or need in equipment and he responds (he is very much tuned in to the bass community)! You are getting custom hand-built in America products, using the best components with excellent customer service. This is clearly a win-win situation. If we had more talented folks like Jule around to offer quality products that actually perform and last, how great would that be?
So, that's my take on Monique after a year and a half of gigging. I have what I consider to be the ultimate bass head. If you are looking for something different, a quality component with a rich tube-based tone, check out the Monique by Jule. I think you will like it.
Later,
Dave
Enough time has passed, and enough playing time under my belt that I feel it is time to revisit the Monique Preamp. As of the last gig, Monique is still just as awesome as it was when I first purchased it. In fact, it is better. I guess I should say, I have learned to use it better. Monique really hasn't changed!
I must be honest. When I first took possession of Monique, it took time for me to get used to her. I had spent the last five years playing through a Thunderfunk. Totally different animals. Out of the box it sounded great, I just had to spend some time with her and learn how to dial my tone in. Probably my biggest hurdle was the Sensitivity Control. It is a great control, but it took me a while to figure it out and use it properly. I am not ashamed to admit, it took me a while to actually understand the Sensitivity Control and utilize it in the best way for whatever gig and guitar I was playing. You see, the Sensitivity does more than just one thing. I can't get all technical on you and tell you exactly what it does, except to say, the control goes from crystal clean and clear to very growly and aggressive. Plus you can pull the knob for an extra 4db gain increase (although I have not yet needed the extra). Monique is very responsive to player dynamics.
I still stand by my statement that it is hard to get a bad tone out of Monique, very hard! Although the 3 band EQ (Baxandall) seems subtle, it is very effective and totally useful. Remember, the EQ is non-interactive. The change you make to any band doesn't affect the other bands. Once I got the Sensitivity Control figured out and found the settings I liked, I really started enjoying the adjustability of the EQ. Very musical. I start out each gig with the EQ straight up and Sensitivity full counter-clockwise. For me, it takes very little time to dial in a great tone. The last gig I did was on a very hollow (hard to get along with) stage. I think this gig I used the most extreme EQ settings on Monique to tame the extreme boomy stage. I had the High at 1:00, Mids at 3:00 and Low at 9:00! To me, this is extreme EQing for Monique. In any other regular gig I would find myself in, this extreme EQ wouldn't what I would be using. In addition, I was using a pair of very mid forward AudioKinesis Hathor 1203 cabs (more on them in another post), plus I had to utilize my fdeck HPF III. This was the toughest stage I ever remember playing on, but with the Monique, with a little help from fdeck, I got a great tone.
Build-wise, Monique is still doing fine. I have the exact same setup I started out with:
- SKB 6 rack case.
- Monique Rack Mount Pre.
- Crest ProLITE 2.0 Power Amp.
- fdeck HPF III (out of the loop unless needed).
- Radial Bigshot ABY (for mute and tuner).
- Sabine STX 1100 Tuner.
- 2 AudioKinesis Hathor 1203 cabs since September (review upcoming).
- (I still have and use the Aguilar GS112 cabs occasionally).
- Fender American Standard Precision (Ash body, Maple board, Rounds).
- Fender '74 Precision (maple board, flats).
- Fender American Standard Jazz (Maple board, rounds).
I play finger style. The music we perform ranges from classic country, Americana, classic rock and some originals. I don't slap, and rarely use a pick. We primarily do American style music, so I try to keep things solid and simple on the bass side of things. Our band consists of: three vocalist, acoustic guitar, lead guitar, keys, drums and me. We try not to wander into other players territory, and to keep the music open instead of packed and busy. So I shoot for a solid bass tone (with a focus on a good mid tone, without any mud), that carries the tune without throwing in a ton of notes. Monique allows me to support the music with just the tone & dynamics I am looking for.
I haven't had the first problem with this setup. The Monique is built very well. Like a tank! The quality of Monique and Jule Potter's design/build philosophy pretty much had me sold before I ordered it. Form follows function. Everything you do need and nothing you don't. Handmade & hand-wired in Santa Cruz, using quality components. Clean signal path with nothing to take away from your sound.
You might find a couple of things missing from Monique that other amps/head have like: mute, tuner out, effects loop and maybe a few other items. I have even seen discussion about the lack of these options on forums. Jules reply (I hope he doesn't mind me speaking for him, and paraphrasing as well) is; he could add those options easily enough, but felt that it would have a negative effect on the tone. I can live with that! Simple, functional, less to go wrong! I solved two of the "missing options" with the Radial Bigshot ABY switcher. One output goes to the pre, the other goes to the tuner. When I mute (switch), my tuner is ready. Simple solution! Having the ABY box may seem like overkill to some, but I had the switcher, plus I had room in the rack. Makes things simpler overall.
I couldn't be happier with my setup. Totally cured of GAS (with my most recent acquisition, more on them later)!
I realize this revisited review of Monique doesn't offer much new information. There is really not much new info to offer. It is a confirmation that Monique is a great piece of equipment that has held up well and has the capability of delivering the tone that I want! I will say that the rich solid tone I get from Monique is something a lot of people dream about. Personally, I love having a tube pre with the efficient Crest power amp to drive my cabs. It really is the best of both worlds. With the equipment I currently have, I have no excuses! It makes me want to play my best and practice to get better at what I do. I realize it is a great situation to be in.
Now, before you start thinking I am just a Monique fanboy, forget it! I try to be subjective about the equipment I use. So, what would I change about Monique? Actually I do have something I would change. I have never been crazy about the Line Level pot. My pot offers almost no resistance when adjusting it. Plus, when turning the Line Level pot, it gradually increases the level until the 4:00 position then there is a significant (huge) increase in level to the 5:00 - 5:30 position. It is something I have gotten used to but I have never liked it. I would prefer one like the Balanced Level pot. It has a good solid feel and seems to be more linear. I'm sure I could get Jule to swap it out for one I would prefer. In fact he offered to send me another pot for replacement. But it isn't a big enough deal for me to replace it at this point, maybe later. Maybe it's just that I am used to a pot that is totally linear with a lot of feel (physical resistance) to it. This is not a huge deal and I don't know if all Line Level pots are like this. In the big scheme of things, this is almost a non-issue.
One other thing I am considering, Jule is now offering the Jule Rack Mount and MoniqueTardis with an integrated custom built 700 watt class D amp in the case. From what I have read, this combination is killer. I might get mine upgraded at some point. That would allow me to use a smaller rack case and lighten my load somewhat and simplify my rig. I think that would be a worthy upgrade. Beyond that, all is well with my gigging rig.
My goal in doing these review is to offer enough advice to folks considering the equipment that I use. I live in a very rural part of Georgia with the closest good music store is two hours away. Much of the equipment I purchase, I do so without trying it first. I depend on other people's reviews and sound clips to help me make my decisions. So far, it's working!
One other thing I would like to address is the price. Jule has his prices clearly listed on his web site. I have seen people post that the prices are high. I disagree. They might be outside of your budget, but for what you are getting, plus the quality, I think the prices of Jules products are a great bargain! Think about it for a moment, the rack pre is $1365, the rack pre with the 700 watt amp is $2250 (as of 12-05-2014). Compare those prices to comparable products. Then consider the quality of Jule's products, his excellent customer support, and the fact that he actually listens to what his users want and/or need in equipment and he responds (he is very much tuned in to the bass community)! You are getting custom hand-built in America products, using the best components with excellent customer service. This is clearly a win-win situation. If we had more talented folks like Jule around to offer quality products that actually perform and last, how great would that be?
So, that's my take on Monique after a year and a half of gigging. I have what I consider to be the ultimate bass head. If you are looking for something different, a quality component with a rich tube-based tone, check out the Monique by Jule. I think you will like it.
Later,
Dave
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