ADA MP-1... Whats all the fuss about

[rupe]

they were good for the time, in the early 90s I ran a whole ADA rig. It got old really fast, the sound is really processed. I was able to get that ADA's Paul Gilbert tone and Nuno's too. But it's just very processed sounding so eventually I sold them and opted for a Mesa Mk IV.

It's only processed sounding if you process it. Nothing processed about it at all if you run it into power amp with no effects.

 

[JohnSykes]

Good thread.

 

[jlbaxe]

80's was all about processed guitar

 

[Racerxrated]

they were good for the time, in the early 90s I ran a whole ADA rig. It got old really fast, the sound is really processed. I was able to get that ADA's Paul Gilbert tone and Nuno's too. But it's just very processed sounding so eventually I sold them and opted for a Mesa Mk IV.

It's only processed sounding if you process it. Nothing processed about it at all if you run it into power amp with no effects.

I had one FOR YEARS. Loved it..but a nice Marshall or other tube rig is still a step up. But I ran my sound dry and had a little delay for leads with an old Rocktron unit..It was a good sounding rig. Not processed unless you made it that way..

 

[midnightlaundry]

Used one for about 5 years. But the fuss was over about 20 years ago..

 

[ibenhad]

ADA parts & repair is available from ADA. They're back in business again. If you can find one, the ADA Depot 3TM "Ultra" modded MP-1 preamps are the shiznit! I have 2 of them. I converted my original MP-1 preamp into a 3TM mod and bought another one from a local seller.

Guitar George

This is where it's at. Stock units sound awesome but do the 3TM mod and it slays most everything. Supposedly Gilberts had a third preamp tube in it. The three tube preamp has sooooo much gain on top it is absolutely insane. Nuno ran his through an old Macintosh tube power amp. Can't get more boutique than that. ADA MP-1 FTW!

 

[dpeterson]

garbage... I remember working at GC in Covina California and I couldn't get a good tone out it, had to basically give them away.

 

[snowdog]

garbage... I remember working at GC in Covina California and I couldn't get a good tone out it, had to basically give them away.

Idiot Alert.

 

[Anonymous]

ADA parts & repair is available from ADA. They're back in business again. If you can find one, the ADA Depot 3TM "Ultra" modded MP-1 preamps are the shiznit! I have 2 of them. I converted my original MP-1 preamp into a 3TM mod and bought another one from a local seller.

Guitar George

This is where it's at. Stock units sound awesome but do the 3TM mod and it slays most everything. Supposedly Gilberts had a third preamp tube in it. The three tube preamp has sooooo much gain on top it is absolutely insane. Nuno ran his through an old Macintosh tube power amp. Can't get more boutique than that. ADA MP-1 FTW!

the mac was a solid state Power amp.

as per the mwagener thread's i posted!

 

[Anonymous]

garbage... I remember working at GC in Covina California and I couldn't get a good tone out it, had to basically give them away.

Idiot Alert.

not necessarily. tube preamps can be finicky. i love my mp1...hated my mp2. and hated the classic i had.

depends on the version. also depends on the software version, and what tubes you have in it.

mine, AFAIK is bone stock. i go back and forth with the idea of modding it.

 

[sivad]

I had one back in the daze--loved it but it did sound alittle thin compared to a tube amp

 

[BigBrewtus]

Ive been searching ebay lately for another preamp to run through my Peavey 50/50 since my Rm4 is running into the fx return on my rm100. Ive come across dozens of MP-1's for sale for pretty decent prices. I have read alot of review from people raving about these things and their overdrive prowess, one thing that gives me a little hesitation is that they are pretty much reliant on midi to switch patches and I am an idiot when it comes to anything midi, I avoid it like the plague but I have seen a couple MP-1's that come with a footswitch. Is it worth grabbing one of these thing and a midi controller for some midi education and for some great preamp tones? (although i doubt that anything could replace my RM4)
-mp-

Matt,
I have one and bought it just so I had something to go with my Peavey Classic 60 power amp until my RM4 was brought back up to
par. It is one fun piece. It does have that processor kind of feel but enjoyable tones. It makes me want to try a bunch of old school
preamps too. I am a tube head kinda guy so it may be against what my heart wants. haha As long as your ears are happy that is all
that matter I suppose. I have plans of using it at the computer for headphone practice and a bit of quick recording too. Just get one!

 

[Anonymous]

Ive been searching ebay lately for another preamp to run through my Peavey 50/50 since my Rm4 is running into the fx return on my rm100. Ive come across dozens of MP-1's for sale for pretty decent prices. I have read alot of review from people raving about these things and their overdrive prowess, one thing that gives me a little hesitation is that they are pretty much reliant on midi to switch patches and I am an idiot when it comes to anything midi, I avoid it like the plague but I have seen a couple MP-1's that come with a footswitch. Is it worth grabbing one of these thing and a midi controller for some midi education and for some great preamp tones? (although i doubt that anything could replace my RM4)
-mp-

Matt,
I have one and bought it just so I had something to go with my Peavey Classic 60 power amp until my RM4 was brought back up to
par. It is one fun piece. It does have that processor kind of feel but enjoyable tones. It makes me want to try a bunch of old school
preamps too. I am a tube head kinda guy so it may be against what my heart wants. haha As long as your ears are happy that is all
that matter I suppose. I have plans of using it at the computer for headphone practice and a bit of quick recording too. Just get one!

thats exactly what i use mine for!

perfect application.

 

[dpeterson]

not an idiot.. probably played guitar longer than most on here have been alive. had studio pre, jmp1, soldano pre, quad pre, triaxis', AxeFx.

I'm guessing you would need to mod it, as the stock ones back in late 80's early 90's would be great for an ac/dc tribute band at best.

 

[TDePaul1313]

I'm guessing you would need to mod it, as the stock ones back in late 80's early 90's would be great for an ac/dc tribute band at best.

I don't think Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Nuno & more was in a AC/DC tribute band.
I just got one & lovin' it! The chip is the 1.38 as Nuno used. I know Gilbert had a extra tube in his. But dose anyone know what chip was in his?

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

garbage... I remember working at GC in Covina California and I couldn't get a good tone out it, had to basically give them away.

User error

 

[timeroo]

There was "fuss" about these units like 20+ years ago. Sure, they can still get you a good tone today as well but there's far better gear out there in my opinion.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

It's hard to believe that ADA is going to give you something drastically different than what you can get with your mts

 

[messenger]

The two separate gain controls were key IMHO. And until you understand how to use them it can be hard to get a good tone unless you luck out. It took me a while and I can understand why people would say they suck. Put in those Nuno patches and tweak from there (a little dark for my guitar) and it's sounds killer.

 

[rupe]

not an idiot.. probably played guitar longer than most on here have been alive. had studio pre, jmp1, soldano pre, quad pre, triaxis', AxeFx.

I'm guessing you would need to mod it, as the stock ones back in late 80's early 90's would be great for an ac/dc tribute band at best.

If that's all the more you could get out of it (knowing what others have gotten out of it) and you've come to the conclusion that it's garbage based solely on your lone experience, then you are indeed an idiot regardless of how many years you've played and what other gear you've tried.
I've tried every unit you mentioned and none of them were able to displace the MP-1 from my rack (the exception being the Axe-Fx...I had it after I had retired my old rack system). When dialed in right, it's still a great sounding unit.