ADA MP-1's - Opinions?

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glpg80

glpg80

Well-known member
im either going to build an amp and voice it myself, or voice a preamp that already exists and just power-amp-it.

i know PG used the mp1's back in the hay-days of racer x. some serious gain going on - heavy stuff.

my question is, are these things a good basis to start from for a 80's chainsaw type gain when modded or would it be better off looking somewhere else?

never really have had a chance to play one since they arent in production anymore. also opinions on this thing would be cool. anything would help. im just looking for a place to start :thumbsup:
 
i was looking at something to give me 80's tones, and thought id love to try one out. Ended up with a ADA MP-1 and a mesa 20/20. Played it though a peavey cab with v30's. I wasnt over the moon about it. So i sold the lot and got a 800 2204, couldnt be happier (with a boost)

I was REALLY looking forward to the ADA and wish i got to try it though more power amp's to see if that was the problem but that wasnt possible. Great cleans though, but thats what i use the least of!

Lots of tones in there also. But none that i was looking for..

Just my 2 cents :)

Deffinalty give another one a go
 
If you want thin, buzzy, 80’s distortion then this will work for you

I personally don’t like it, also didn’t like the 3TM modded version we had either
 
stock MP-1 straight through a 2150 will rip your face off. seriously badass. :thumbsup:
 
nah i dont like thin/cheesy/hissing/stale type gain.

i like beefy tight, low-focused mids with enough gain to give it the chainsaw effect. but not too much to over saturate your tone making it sound thin.

ive never played through a mesa-anything i liked. ive heard mesa's that dont sound bad at all. but ive never played one i liked. ever. although, no matter what "IT" is, i as far as pre-amps go i do know the marshall crunch like a 2204 will be necessary in the power amp stage. whether its a head or not :rock:

thanks for the inputs guys. time saver indeed :D
 
I used to use an MP-1 for cleans and leads and a JMP-1 for dirty mid gain and rhythm. I LOVE the cleans on the MP-1. I'll never get rid of mine, but the JMP-1 is out the door as soon as I find someone who wants it.
 
I have a voodoo modded MP-1 and it totally kicks the shit out of my stock one I used to have. While I wouldn't say it's the be-all end all, I can certainly say I'm never going to say it. It's earned a permanent spot in my home studio rack

sub
 
I remember being a big fan of Vito Bratta. I bought a brand new MP-1, Sonic Maximizer, Alesis quadraverb and a Carvin FET400. I loved the sound, but when I went back to my Marshall, I felt the ADA just was lacking that attack you get from Tubes. Back then, I believe MEsa just came out with a guitar tube power amp. I didn't know too much about them then. I wish I would have tried it with a tube power amp. I then got a brand new rack mount Rectifier, played it for 2 months and then into the closet for the next 10 years.
I definately miss my ADA,luckily they are fairly cheap to get used. Sam Ash had one for $160.00 in their studio/keyboard section. When I finally decide to go back and get it. It was gone :aww:
 
i used to play that ada . the 1 channel was awesome. no need for the other settings :thumbsup:
 
bravedude2":1wpzcl5o said:
that is a amazing amp...i would love too own one one day :yes:
Click to expand...


I owned both XLS1000 & the XLA1000

the XLA1000 is basically the XLS1000 minus the clean/crunch channel.


I love my XLA1000 for two reasons

1. sounds very marshall 800 (but thicker) to my ears

2. takes pedals better than any other amp I've owned
 
My buddy had one that I played all the time back when they came out. It didn't have enough gain or attack for my tastes - FYI I was running a boosted 800 at the time. Maybe modded or boosted they could be good.
Low focused mids- don't think so. They are voiced similar to a Marshall IMO which isn't heavy on low-mids at all.
 
jaybird":vmf3k2yu said:
My buddy had one that I played all the time back when they came out. It didn't have enough gain or attack for my tastes - FYI I was running a boosted 800 at the time. Maybe modded or boosted they could be good.
Low focused mids- don't think so. They are voiced similar to a Marshall IMO which isn't heavy on low-mids at all.
Click to expand...

don't doubt that a bit

I also heard some XLA's/ Metaltronix that sounded like complete ass

I actually unloaded one (XLA500) before I happened unpon my XLA1000



I'm definitely thinking of making a very precise "blue-print" of this head before I ever consider selling it !

BTW - sorry to hi-jak your ADA thread, glpg80

just figured I'd mention the Lee Jackson / Paul Gilbert connection

cheers :D
 
guitarslinger":2wwnvse7 said:
stock MP-1 straight through a 2150 will rip your face off. seriously badass. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

+1. They're freaking great. They have enough gain to shoot yourself in the foot with (which is usually where most people that don't like them f*ck up and then blame the pre) and plenty of mids/cut. They have a great Hot Rod Marshall tone. I've got two and love 'em to death.
 
glpg80":3q5det2d said:
nah i dont like thin/cheesy/hissing/stale type gain.

i like beefy tight, low-focused mids with enough gain to give it the chainsaw effect. but not too much to over saturate your tone making it sound thin.

ive never played through a mesa-anything i liked. ive heard mesa's that dont sound bad at all. but ive never played one i liked. ever. although, no matter what "IT" is, i as far as pre-amps go i do know the marshall crunch like a 2204 will be necessary in the power amp stage. whether its a head or not :rock:

thanks for the inputs guys. time saver indeed :D
Click to expand...

i had one and didnt find it thin and buzzy :confused: . it actually gave me a great lead tone, with some nice cleans as well. everyone has a different opinion tho!
 
Stratboy151":3jnbf24h said:
glpg80":3jnbf24h said:
nah i dont like thin/cheesy/hissing/stale type gain.

i like beefy tight, low-focused mids with enough gain to give it the chainsaw effect. but not too much to over saturate your tone making it sound thin.

ive never played through a mesa-anything i liked. ive heard mesa's that dont sound bad at all. but ive never played one i liked. ever. although, no matter what "IT" is, i as far as pre-amps go i do know the marshall crunch like a 2204 will be necessary in the power amp stage. whether its a head or not :rock:

thanks for the inputs guys. time saver indeed :D
Click to expand...

i had one and didnt find it thin and buzzy :confused: . it actually gave me a great lead tone, with some nice cleans as well. everyone has a different opinion tho!
Click to expand...


ive never played one. that was a response to saxx :thumbsup:

so far everyone loves the cleans.

i think my best bet would be to start with an 800. couple people here already mentioned it in an ADA thread. so its gotta sound bad ass :rock:
 
I wasn't a big fan. I even disliked the clean. I prefer them modded, but I'd rather have my JCM800 than the preamp.
 
Subclavian":2k2ycihq said:
I have a voodoo modded MP-1 and it totally kicks the shit out of my stock one I used to have. While I wouldn't say it's the be-all end all, I can certainly say I'm never going to say it. It's earned a permanent spot in my home studio rack

sub
Click to expand...

I agree and used to have the same thing and switched to a 3TM and it was very nice. The 3TM was quite clean and the overdrive I really loved and wish I still had. I used it on tour a bit and played with it in studio -vs- my Digitech's.

There are some very nice mods for the MP1 and its worth the research.

http://www.marshalljmpmodshop.net/ada%20mp1%203tm.htm
http://www.adadepot.com
 
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