Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $650
Standard/Professional
$300
$701+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
- 130W
- solid state preamp (pre-'77 had one 12AX7 tube in the preamp)
- 4 x 6CA7 power amp (EL34's can be substituted)
Product specs
| Brand | Music Man |
| Model | 212-HD One Thirty 2-Channel 130-Watt 2x12" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1974 - 1979 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Hybrid |
| Impedance | 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 130 |
| Power Tube Type | EL34 |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
| Speaker Configuration | 2x12" |
FAQs
-
What kind of tones can I expect from the Music Man 212-HD 130 for rock music?
-
The Music Man 212-HD 130 delivers powerful, clean tones with a robust midrange, making it ideal for rock music. Its spring reverb adds depth, and the hybrid design with EL34 tubes provides a classic, punchy sound that excels in both clean and overdriven settings.
-
Is the Music Man 212-HD 130 suitable for gigging with a live band?
-
Yes, the Music Man 212-HD 130 is well-suited for live performances. With its 130-watt output and 2x12" speaker configuration, it offers ample volume and projection to compete with a full band, including drums.
-
How does the hybrid design of the Music Man 212-HD 130 affect its sound?
-
The hybrid design combines solid-state preamp with tube power amp, offering a unique blend of warm tube tones with the reliability and clarity of solid-state electronics. This results in a versatile amp with both clean headroom and rich overdrive.
-
Does the Music Man 212-HD 130 take pedals well?
-
Yes, the Music Man 212-HD 130 is known for handling pedals effectively. Its clean channel provides a great platform for effects, allowing modulation, overdrive, and other pedals to shine without losing clarity or dynamic range.
-
What is the speaker configuration of the Music Man 212-HD 130?
-
The Music Man 212-HD 130 features a 2x12" speaker configuration, which contributes to its full-bodied sound and excellent projection, making it suitable for both stage and studio use.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Music Man 212-HD 130.
Build quality
-
The Music Man 212-HD 130 is known for its significant weight, rivaling even a Fender Twin in heft.
Source
Features and functionality
-
Owners highlight the amp's excellent performance as a pedal platform, with some noting the value of the tube phase inverter, particularly the 12ax7.
Source -
The onboard reverb is notably quiet, possibly due to a faulty tank or requiring higher volume to fully activate.
Source -
The amp's channels can be jumped, allowing for blending both channels for a fatter sound using both sets of controls.
Source
Setup and maintenance
-
Retubing requires careful biasing, a necessary step for maintaining optimal performance.
Source -
Unplugging and re-plugging reverb tank cables and cleaning the footswitch jack can help resolve reverb issues.
Source -
It's advised to check if the amp has undergone a cap job, as failing caps can lead to hum or even transformer loss.
Source
Comparisons
Value and pricing
-
While some owners paid as low as $350, others suggest a value up to $650 depending on condition and features like the phase inverter.
Source -
An HD130 head needing new tubes and a recap was acquired for $250, highlighting potential deals for savvy buyers.
Source -
A clean head with a matching 4x12 cab is considered a good deal at $900, especially with included original footswitch.
Source
User experience
Mods and upgrades
-
Owners have noted that modern EL34 tubes may not handle the over 700V these amps run at, as originally equipped with Philips tubes.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 7 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Mark Knopfler started to play Music Man amps around September 1978. These amps were used for all live gigs from then on until the end of the Making Movies On Location tour in 1981. The Music Man amp was used on some studio recordings from this era, probably also on Making Movies, but it was most likely not used on the first album, and neither on Communiqué (here amps borrowed by Robert Palmer, probably Fenders, were used).
According to this article about famous gear used during the original punk era of the late 1970s, Vedder purchased Joe Strummer's HD-150 2x12" combo after the Clash leader passed away.
"Strummer’s Music Man came up for sale a few years ago and was purchased by [his] fan and friend, Eddie Vedder. [Eddie] wanted to use the amp onstage but, alas, found it too loud and too clean. Some horses can only be ridden by one rider."
From a Premier Guitar article titled "The Gear of the Original Punks," detailing Joe Strummer's use of a Music Man HD-150 212 amplifier:
"Strummer’s tone could be summed up in one word—clean. After dabbling with a number of heads and combos, everything from a Vox AC30 to a Marshall SLP, Strummer settled on a silverface 1970s Fender Twin Reverb. He used this until the end of 1979, when he switched to a Music Man HD-150 212. His famous quote on the subject, from a 1981 Musician magazine interview, was, “I don’t have time to search for those old Fender tube amps. The Music Man is the closest thing to that sound I’ve found…that plastic motif on the front is repulsive. Those little guys in bell-bottoms. Ugh!.” Strummer found the Music Man to be durable enough to withstand the Clash’s rigorous touring, and powerful enough to provide loads of clean volume, even when driving a 2x12 extension cab. His clean tone was a singular contrast to Jones’ saturated, effects-laden onslaught. Strummer’s Music Man came up for sale a few years ago and was purchased by Strummer fan and friend, Eddie Vedder. He wanted to use the amp onstage but, alas, found it too loud and too clean. Some horses can only be ridden by one rider."
Original source article here.
In this photo of Dean you can see him plugged into a Musicman 212-HD 130 amplifier.
Joan originally used a Marshall during her time with The Runaways, but later switched to this amp, which she used to record songs like “I Love Rock ‘N Roll.” Joan uses Music Man amplifiers to this day.
You can see a Music Man 212-HD 130 going to Eric's pedals at the begining of this video.
According to the official James Burton website, James Burton used a Music Man 212-HD 130 Vintage combo amplifier from the 1970s.
As seen in the "Live from Camden Palace" video, Dave Fielding switched to using a Music Man 212HD amplifier (Reg at this point is using the Carlsbro Stingray Dave used previously)
At 30:40 in this video (and throughout), you can see Dan's vintage Music Man combo amp near the back.
A close-up of his amp can also be seen at 5:24 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CWTrb7SQgc
This is a vintage, hybrid, solid state/tube combo amp. It has a more brittle tone that an all tube classic like a twin reverb. I bought it years ago when we were starting the band because I saw a photo of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd of Television both playing out of them. We recorded a lot of stuff for this record direct, but the combination of this amp and an American Stratocaster remain close to my heart. Fuck it, I'm old.
Album Usage
The Music Man 212-HD 130 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Music Man 212-HD 130, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
More Music Man Combo Guitar Amplifiers
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Combo Guitar Amplifiers
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
TtherussianorphanGear IQ 64
-