Ok - will try to answer questions and clear up any a few points
I first got an ADA MP1 in 1988 and it turned my world upside down and have never been without one since.
They are not hard to program at all, as they dont give you a lot of options
I actually don't like preamps/processors where you start having to chose algorithms and scroll through settings.
It is the reason that when I did have the successor to the MP1 ----- the MP2, although the sounds were killer, I didn't like using it.
The controls on the MP1 could only be easier if they were controlled by knobs like on the Rocktron Pirhana (which is brilliant as you just dial in a tone like you would on an amp head and hit store when you like what you hear)
The MP1 has only the following controls to set up a patchVoicing: Choose clean tube, distorted tube or solid state clean
OD1: sets gain for first tube (high gain on 1st tube = crunchy, high gain on 2nd =fatter tone)
OD2: sets gain for second tube
Master gain - sets output level for patch
bass +/- 16db
mid +/- 12db
treble +/- 16db
presence +/- 12db
fx loop in/out
chorus depth (0= chorus off)
chorus speed
Easy really.
I would use just one but for the fact that some of the mods offer really different tones
I love the stock unit, but intend to add a bass tweak control to allow me to shift the centre frequency of the bass control from 160hz to whatever sounds best for my system - just swapping out a resistor for a variable resistor
There is a superstock mod which I am keen to try that just gives you better clarity and tone so I may do that.
one of my two stock units I run on 5750 valves rather than the stock 12ax7a/Ecc83/7025 as it sounds cleaner for really clean stuff.
I have the 3TM modified version - kick ass sound and the Mod4 has that 80s modded Marshall tone
they do a mod3.666 which is supposed to top even a dual rectifier for THAT tone, but that hasn't gotten me yet , although I may have one of my stock units modified to that in time
I always liked the ADA MP-1 and would jump at the chance of owning one if the price was right. Would be great for all that 80s metal stuff. I'd just get a SS power amp for home use.
Still think it sounds way better with a valve power amp (and maybe with a BBE at times) - run it into a 10w tube power section - great for home.
your engl rack in seconds out looks pretty cool too... why are you selling that, out of interest?
I really like the sound of the ENGL and ENGLs do have
that sound that almost nobody else can get, but I have just gotten back into the ADAs and am treating myself to the Egnater stuff and i need some space (& money).
Same is true of the Soldano - great unit, and would keep it if space and money were not an issue
My girlfriend now counts my amps when she calls round to see if they have "multiplied" while she was away.
I see the appeal of racks but they get outdated too fast and cost alot!
Dont agree
My ADA has been with me since 1988 - pretty good value for money considering how long I've had it - even though it cost nearly £800 back then. Price wise I have chosen my moments to get more ADAs carefully and always paid about
£200 or less (often done trades with friends)
Tonally it is still what I love, so it is about as out of date as a Marshall head - timeless if that is what you like
And I believe I could never get a decent tone with that many options... would get lost, change everything and find nothing
No - easy to do really - would only be easier if it had knobs on as i said before
And the reason I am happy to have 4 or so units is that they all program in the same way no matter which mods you have on them, only the sounds an settings differ
I also like big racks, guitar racks specifically are always something I want to try out more, but think "hell, why not just put that lead into my guitar, and the other end into my amp"
I guess that is why I have my second rack that wil just be like a 4 channel amp head
Egnater M4 with 4 preamp modules which are just like the controls on an amp, TC Electronics reverb/delay, Martamp 10w poweramp.
