Preamps

[psy]

Well, I went & did something stupid last night...  turned up to practise with out the power adapter for my multi-fx pedal.  Now in the past this hasn't been a problem, I'd just turn up the gain up the amp & carry on... but I've just switched to running the pedal straight in to rack power amp, so that wasn't an option.  Fortunately our singer uses my old Korg multi-fx.  So I borrowed that off her & she used the amp overdrive.

Anyway, back on topic...  I'd like a nice simple rack preamp.  I'm no bothered about space for hundreds of presets or anything.  I'd quite like something with a few knobs for gain/bass/mid/treble.  I'll mainly by using it to get the sound on the very each of clean (so if I dig in really hard it'll break up a little), but also to cover myself if I ever need to play without my fx.

Mind I waffle on a bit.

[Adam.M]

Well i just got a POD XT Live as a preamp/all in one unit and i've got a Marshall 9200 coming, 100 watts per side 5881's, 8 of the damn things!, i'll see if that gives me what your after. I honestly think pods are great when used with a good valve power amp, not perfect but i need versatility.

Though really i don't know of any preamps that were really designed for those sort of tones, though really thats probably because i only ever hear them in high gain situations.

I'm sure Feline will suggest an ADA MP-1 though ;)

[psy]

I'm running a Boss GT6 as the preamp at the moment straight in to a VHT 2902.  It's almost got the sound I have in my head LOL.  So it'd be a waste to get a pod too.

[FELINEGUITARS]

No - for simple and easy to use - get a Peavey TG raxx or a Peavey Rockmaster

An ENGL E530 would do nicely too

A Randall M4 and some modules would becracking and still simple to use - all knobs, no menus
If you have money to blow get the Egnater version of the M4 and some modules

An ADA MP1 is very nice but requires more programming

I'm running a Boss GT6 as the preamp at the moment straight in to a VHT 2902.
It's almost got the sound I have in my head LOL.  So it'd be a waste to get a pod too.

Well look at the Boss or Roland Rack units like the SX700 or similar as they will have similar sounds to what you are used to.

[dheim]

i had an engl e530, but i don't think you're after that kind of tone... cleans are... well, very clean. and cold. and distorted channels are pure metal.

[psy]

I'll go investigate all the ones mentioned :)

What are the Tech21 stuff like?  The PSA I just seen on Thomann looks nice & simple.

[Will]

I've just sold mine. I will try and explain it. Personally, I am quite the fan of the Marshall sound, and however long spent twiddling the knobs, it was only just as good as my 2203 at low volumes.
I wanted 1 sound, that had LOTS!
Also Dirty Fingers pickups seem quite picky with the patches, so if I did want some variety I had to change to another guitar. It says in the manual, something to the extent of 'each patch is voiced for the correct gutiar for the situation'. So for the Schenker patch, I should be playing a V with Patent numbers in; thats not going to happen.
It also takes a while to dial in, each knob has 256 little steps, which is hard to focus on the right area.

I am still interested in the character pedals though, which are still a preamp

[marantz1300]

Try a Mesa Boogie Studio Pre. Very versitile, switchable reverb,EQ,and Clean /Dirty channels. Plus direct and main outputs. You can pick them up cheap.Oh and they sound excellant.                                                                              

[Adam.M]

That's what im looking for, a studio pre...

Mark IIC+ circuit apparently.

I need me a bass pre-amp, as well as guitar, fun.