bargain preamp (marshall 9001)

[HTH AMPS]

Personally, I'd put a poweramp-input in your 2204 - just break the connection before the master volume and inject the signal from the 9001 there.  Use a switching jack so that the signal is complete as before when there is no jack inserted, and when the jack is inserted, the connection from the tonestack is broken.  It works a treat, did this myself with a similar amp. 

i've been tempted many times. the thing is, i use both speaker outputs and can't really sacrifice that hole in the case. not keen on drilling another one due to resale value.

thanks for the tips on h&h and that crate.

(i also wonder about modding a valve junior or my combo for an effects loop. it should be quite easy to add to either in the same way)

actually, why not use your Epi VJ as a power-amp??? - just bypass the first gain stage and inject the signal at the grid of V1b - that'll work great.  the EVJ is cheap and is a cracking little amp with the appropriate mods - you could add a switch to make it an 'amp' or 'poweramp' - you dont mind drilling/modding an EVJ right?

[gwEm]

the EVJ idea was just an idea, i don't have one, but was thinking of getting one to mod.

anyway, as it happens i've run down to maplins this afternoon and got a socket to add a power amp input to my (much modified) solid state combo. not the best solution, but good enough i think for the time being.

anyway, as you predicted, its considerably easier to hear whats going on with it now :) i haven't reinserted the clipping diodes, but i have changed my opinon about the drive 2 control - i do prefer it rather high. my R2 could do with a bit more saturation as i thought.

also agree regarding the high-mid control - the tone really comes alive with this set rather high. in fact i have mine flat out. i still find with the EQ set flat that it reduces the output level slightly though. obviously, with it set up to my tonal liking, it does boost the volume.

the noise of this preamp is really low - even with high gain dialled in to it you often wonder if its turned on.