ADA MP-1 vs MP-1 Classic

[SFW]

I've owned several original MP-1s and had a Classic in the late 90s. The classic is a better pre. It has the ADA mojo with a better signal to noise ratio. Plus you get a third voicing. I've been trying to find another Classic for years. Sounds great in a band context.

 

[guitarslinger]

I recently owned two stock MP-1's and a Classic.

IMO, the stock sounds "BETTER".

It's still one of my favorite preamps, and I've owned most preamps. :thu:

 

[glpg80]

I said preferably tube...how do you debunk my preference? Because Nuno did it one way that means its the only way? You really need to grow up and quit trying be an authority on everything...I have an opinion that's different from yours and you can't accept it without throwing insults?

here, maybe this will be more clear to you:

According to Micheal Wagner
The setup for the guitar sound for the EXTREME sessions as well as the first SkidRow album and White Lion's "Pride" album (in most cases, not on all tracks) was a Furman PEQ-3 into an unmodified ADA MP-1 (version 1.0, still got it) going into a McIntosh transistor poweramps (2100) into an original Marshall cab with 4x G12H (30W). The mics were, if I remember it right: Fostex M11RP Ribbon, Countryman lavalier and possibly a SM57/58 going into John Hardy M-1s and from there via a mono buss into a UREI 530 EQ and a BBE 802 then to digital tape (Mitsubishi 32 tack)

can an ADA sound great? yeah it can, but you need alot of studio magic/post EQ/low pass filters, pre-amp boost of some sort, a great poweramplifier, post pre-amp EQ, etc - its just not worth it at that pricepoint or purpose

i have been down this road already and for the OP's sake you will not get tube-warmth/depth/fullness based tones with just an ADA preamp and a tube power amplifier or solid state poweramplifier for that matter - as much as hype claims on the forums. been there, done that, got that t-shirt. whoever owns what does not matter, experiences based on facts, and not what google spits out, is what i am talking about here. or did you forget the name of this forum is "rig talk"?

You have the potential to be a good dude...I've seen it. Lay off the know-it-all BS and you'll be a better person and forum member for it.

better forum member? i have contributed plenty to rig talk and helped many people out with both electrical and personal obligations. quit running your trap and going off topic

Do you think the OP is gonna use "studio magic" every time he fires it up? Or do you think maybe he might prefer good in the room/in the club tone when he fires it up? I used the MP-1 with a SS power amp for a while and going to a 2:90 took it to the next level...which is what most people will want for regular use.

why would you purchase something and not want it to sound its best? that makes no sense. clearly if i could have grabbed the ADA Extreme tone which sounds great i would still own an ADA today. not saying thats what the OP wants, but having not played one - he mentioned about a trade wanting a rig-talk discussion about the units, so here it is. im not in this topic to argue, im here to tell the OP the truth based on my experiences. as the saying goes, YMMV.

So how long did you work with the MP-1 and what was the rest of your rig? I'm confident most people here know who's talking out of their ass.

if you feel the need, search this forum with my username and "ADA" and you will see i have reiterated the same thing over and over again for many many years, you're just now realizing it i guess?

but since you asked, it was a furman PC, ADA, classic 120/120, G-Major original, midimate, peavey rack profex, two 4x12's.

you can catch the G-major sale on this forum if you want further proof in the buyer feedback.

Let's pick a tune...or just a riff if you prefer. You record it with your 5150 and I'll do it with my ADA. Single mic on a cab, no effects. I'll be your huckleberry

i have no recording methods - but i do plan on posting clips

huckleberry? dude come'on now your egging danno to post his thigh high manshorts arent you

 

[craftm1]

I have two and have had one since they came out! I've tried many others including the Marshall, never gelled with any of them like the MP-1.
Great solid units capable of just about repoducing any type of tone wanted. Great recording tool as well

 

[bsp01]

All this talk of the Nuno tone on the Pornograffitti album got me thinking about it. There's a l lot more to Nuno's sound than just an MP-1 and Parametric eq. That smaller swamp ash body guitar, ebony fretboard, and the Bill Lawrence pickup probably being a huge factor. Not to mention Nuno himself, and all the effect on his sound. Why people try to argue a live tone, in the room vs. a recorded, compressed, processed sound is beyond me.

If you want to hear an MP-1 with a T100S power amp and minimal effects, look for bootleg Extreme videos from the same time period (there's loads around). Nuno's tone was smoking, and sounded like an MP-1 to my ears.

I've got a mahogany guitar with a Bill Lawrence L500XL, and a cab with G12H30's... throw a little reverb/delay on and plug in the MP-1 with that cab and I can get a decent Nuno tone easily.

There is nothing wrong with an MP-1, they have a huge variety of great tones. Like anything, they can be dialed in to sound good or bad. To each his own.

 

[rupe]

I said preferably tube...how do you debunk my preference? Because Nuno did it one way that means its the only way? You really need to grow up and quit trying be an authority on everything...I have an opinion that's different from yours and you can't accept it without throwing insults?

here, maybe this will be more clear to you:

According to Micheal Wagner
The setup for the guitar sound for the EXTREME sessions as well as the first SkidRow album and White Lion's "Pride" album (in most cases, not on all tracks) was a Furman PEQ-3 into an unmodified ADA MP-1 (version 1.0, still got it) going into a McIntosh transistor poweramps (2100) into an original Marshall cab with 4x G12H (30W). The mics were, if I remember it right: Fostex M11RP Ribbon, Countryman lavalier and possibly a SM57/58 going into John Hardy M-1s and from there via a mono buss into a UREI 530 EQ and a BBE 802 then to digital tape (Mitsubishi 32 tack)

can an ADA sound great? yeah it can, but you need alot of studio magic/post EQ/low pass filters, pre-amp boost of some sort, a great poweramplifier, post pre-amp EQ, etc - its just not worth it at that pricepoint or purpose

i have been down this road already and for the OP's sake you will not get tube-warmth/depth/fullness based tones with just an ADA preamp and a tube power amplifier or solid state poweramplifier for that matter - as much as hype claims on the forums. been there, done that, got that t-shirt. whoever owns what does not matter, experiences based on facts, and not what google spits out, is what i am talking about here. or did you forget the name of this forum is "rig talk"?

You have the potential to be a good dude...I've seen it. Lay off the know-it-all BS and you'll be a better person and forum member for it.

better forum member? i have contributed plenty to rig talk and helped many people out with both electrical and personal obligations. quit running your trap and going off topic

Do you think the OP is gonna use "studio magic" every time he fires it up? Or do you think maybe he might prefer good in the room/in the club tone when he fires it up? I used the MP-1 with a SS power amp for a while and going to a 2:90 took it to the next level...which is what most people will want for regular use.

why would you purchase something and not want it to sound its best? that makes no sense. clearly if i could have grabbed the ADA Extreme tone which sounds great i would still own an ADA today. not saying thats what the OP wants, but having not played one - he mentioned about a trade wanting a rig-talk discussion about the units, so here it is. im not in this topic to argue, im here to tell the OP the truth based on my experiences. as the saying goes, YMMV.

So how long did you work with the MP-1 and what was the rest of your rig? I'm confident most people here know who's talking out of their ass.

if you feel the need, search this forum with my username and "ADA" and you will see i have reiterated the same thing over and over again for many many years, you're just now realizing it i guess?

but since you asked, it was a furman PC, ADA, classic 120/120, G-Major original, midimate, peavey rack profex, two 4x12's.

you can catch the G-major sale on this forum if you want further proof in the buyer feedback.

Let's pick a tune...or just a riff if you prefer. You record it with your 5150 and I'll do it with my ADA. Single mic on a cab, no effects. I'll be your huckleberry

i have no recording methods - but i do plan on posting clips

huckleberry? dude come'on now your egging danno to post his thigh high manshorts arent you

Mr. Madison, what you have just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

 

[PooPoo2U]

I'd like to chime in by saying that although many disagree, I think glog80 knows exactly what he's talking about. Not to resurrect an older thread, but I too have been down the ADA MP-1 road vs. many various all tube heads and I have much experience in analyzing and comparing the two options. In person, side by side, the all tube head ALWAYS wins in my eyes. No matter what power amp or brand of tube head you compare it to. The tube head is always bigger, fatter, more dynamic, richer, warmer, less harsh, less sterile, more responsive, etc etc. BUT, in a recording scenario, IMO the ADA wins most of the time. My favorite recorded guitar tones in the world are ADA guitar tones, hands down. Why? Because I think that there is a certain TEXTURE that the ADA just has and a certain "liveliness" that you just don't get with a true tube amp. Especially the harmonic overtones while playing sustained power chords. The distortion may be tube, but I think it's processed a bit differently as there is also a lot of solid state stuff in there. Hence the harsh, thin, and sterile sound the ADA delivers in person. I've been analyzing distorted tones for years. Also, I grow disappointed when my favorite guitarists move on to Marshall/Mesa/Peavey/etc. In their recordings. After that Im usually not as much of a fan of the band or album anymore, haha. At any rate, I have yet to get that lively ADA tone from an all tube head, or that rich, warm, and fat sound from an ADA.

 

[bognerman7]

5150 `s... i bought 2 so i could shit on one and cover it up with the other . Talk a about a fuzzy piece of garbage

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

I still have one after 20+ years.

Mainly serves as a practice amp rig at home.

I think there pretty good units.
Though I would reccomend adding a graphic eq rack or pedal between the mp-1 and power amp.

Your Classic 50 head is worth more money though.
Personally i might not do the trade straight across (Maybe Plus $100 - $150)

I think the main reason most dismiss the Mp-1 classic is i don't think there are any mods available for them.
Not sure whats different inside, just that something is.

 

[primerib]

never even seen a mp1 classic. but I still use a MP1 today. great preamp for metal and rock