Hi everyone;
Here’s been my experience after living with a Magnum 44. First, it’s remarkable. Its clean tone is excellent. When you push it, you do get extra drive and sustain but be aware: this ain’t no JCM45 or Blues Deville. The overdrive is somewhat buzzy due to the odd-order harmonic content of the class D circuitry, most likely. It still sounds pretty good for what it is and perfect for a small gig, rehearsal (amaze your band-mates), a back-up amp stored in your glove compartment(!) or just practicing.

I’m still not sure if I’d gig with it as it only has around 22 watts (if it’s 44, I’ll run naked through downtown Chicago). I’m talking real RMS power. It seems EHX took a page from the old hi-fi industry and is using “music power” to come up with 44 watts (ad-speak). I need to try it at gig levels and have not yet done so. You should know that it’s highly speaker/cab dependent. After all, it only has a bright switch for an EQ. The better the cab, the better the sound.

Regarding a pedal making a solid-state amp sound tube-like, it’s never perfect. Certainly an English Muffin won’t do it. If you simply want some drive in order to sound like a tube amp pushed, try the Boss Blues Driver if you’re on a budget or an RC Booster from Xotic if you’re not. The latter has bass and treble making it a fantastic addition to the 44. If you want all out fuzz or crunch, the amp’s architecture is less important and yes, a heavy distortion pedal will help a solid-state amp if you want that tone. DISCLAIMER: As a reviewer, I don’t buy a lot of pedals. I get them free for review. I’ve never established a relationship with EHX and they may have some great pedals I’ve never heard. My colleagues tell me they make great stuff. I just cannot comment on anything I’ve not heard. Reviews mean nothing: You must listen to know. We all have different tastes.

The problem with soild state is they suck when pushed but sound fine clean. Tubes get even better when pushed (a good one will; just because it has tubes does not guarantee good sound). You do not know how a pedal will work with an anp without trying them as a unit. Some pedals sound great with one amp and crappy with another. By the way, the 44 sounds best with single coils as humbuckers push it into a bit of tizziness in the tone.

Finally, adding a Celestion to “warm up” a tube amp? What Celestion? They are not known for warmth–hence the Marshall sound–raunchy, ballsy midrange but hardly warmth! The Gold and Blue models do have warmth but you’ll pay dearly. With Celestion, the more you spend, the greater the warmth and chime. Get a mid-priced Jensen or Eminence to warm up the amp and add clarity. You’re obviously on a budget and these two brands are not expensive. I’d guess a late-60’s solid-state Gibson amp would truly suck as did all the early solid-state amps–guitar, PA or hi-fi. I’ve heard great things about Weber speakers too but never reviewed them. Everything else I’ve mentioned above, I’ve reviewed for various magazines. Never heard a Weber. Looking forward to it.
Good luck
“Magic” Frank

Back to the subject of the Tube EQ, my Tube EQ is plugged into a Vox Valvetronix AD50VT-XL fx loop in which I had to add for this 50 watt solid state modelling amp. I’m also using BBE Stomp(after the Tube EQ) and a 7 band EQ(before) in the same loop. I must say this amp is still two dimensional WITHOUT the Tube EQ on! With it on, it brought out alot more amp than before. I find myself using models that I didn’t care to use before(modded plexi, AC with top boost, fender 2×12 black, JCM etc) that were included for this amp, they just sound and feels good with this on! Using an overdrive pedal upfront is now quite feasible. This amp is like whole different beast now. I even put off saving for a Peavey valveking because of this curious device. Man, now the over driven preset models feel like the sting of 48 hour coffee blend that was reduced on the hot plate WITHOUT this on. Those are my experience with the Tube EQ.