Pedal to add an additional preamp tube to a plexi?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lumberjack
  • Start date Start date
L

Lumberjack

New member
I bought a new Marshall SLP 1959 reissue amp and I want to add an additional preamp tube to it. Before I send it to my amp tech, I'd like to hear if you guys know a pedal that could achieve similar results so that I don't have to mod it at all?

Is the Friedman Motor City pedal a good option? I read that the pedal features an internal voltage of 220V, which is certainly a quality that should make it sound closer to an internal plexi preamp tube.
 
This is what pretty much every clean boost and drive pedal aims to do, so try a couple a sits what fits. If you do go with modding the amp, maybe start with something simple that doesn't require adding a tube, i.e. 2203 cascade. Same result without drilling holes.
 
glpg80 said:
Hot mod V2 adds an extra preamp tube unobtrusively. Check them out
Click to expand...

This looks intriguing! I'll have to check it out!

ZEN Amps said:
This is what pretty much every clean boost and drive pedal aims to do, so try a couple a sits what fits. If you do go with modding the amp, maybe start with something simple that doesn't require adding a tube, i.e. 2203 cascade. Same result without drilling holes.
Click to expand...

The problem I'm having with these clean boosts is that they mess with the tone and the dynamics of my guitar signal. I've tried the Koko Boost, Rockaway Archer, Bogner LaGrange, Boss SD-1, Empress Buffer with clean boost etc. but I always notice a big difference as compared to going straight into the Plexi. I guess adding an internal preamp tube just adds the necessary extra boost to the preamp circuit without messing with the dynamics and the top end. Probably has to do with the much higher voltage inside the amp (extra headroom) as compared to those measly 9V or 18V pedals. The Friedman Motor City runs at 220V internal Voltage which would make it a good contender, but even if that kind of pedal isn't able to deliver the goods, I'll have to go with the hot mod or the extra preamp tube mod...
 
You can get plenty of gain out of the amp without adding an additional tube if you decide to mod it.
 
i would try an eq pedal, a slight level bump with a frown shape might be just enough and not kill dynamics
 
Hot mod 100%.

Otherwise, you're really going to have to get it modded by a pro.
 
Hot Mod V2 for sure! So simple and easy and no mods. Make sure you get the version specially for the reissues that are wired slightly different. You can still add a slight boost or eq pedal to carve the tone once you have the extra gain stage.
 
OP: Doesn't like what pedals are doing to sound

50% of replies: jUsT BOosT iT. MaYBe twO tImeZ
 
SoooRad said:
OP: Doesn't like what pedals are doing to sound

50% of replies: jUsT BOosT iT. MaYBe twO tImeZ
Click to expand...
When you turn it up you don’t notice any diodes in the mix…just raw crushing tone.
 
glpg80 said:
Hot mod V2 adds an extra preamp tube unobtrusively. Check them out
Click to expand...
Problem with the Hot Mod is that it doesn’t really work that well with NMV amps. It’s mostly designed to work with 2203/4s. I had one and while it sounded great with my 2203 all it did for my Tremolo is boost the volume.
Kasha used to make a device that plugged into one of the preamp tube slots; it adds a master while adding another preamp tube to the signal.
With my 72 I tried a few expensive pedals; didn’t like what they did to the dynamics like you describe. But I tried some cheaper alternatives and they ended up being the perfect choice, and least expensive…Boss OD1X and cheap OCD clone, Joyo Ultimate Drive. I tried Thorpy, Airis, VFE….nice pedals but the other 2 smoked them with my 72.
 
Racerxrated said:
When you turn it up you don’t notice any diodes in the mix…just raw crushing tone.
Click to expand...

That's true. You also need less gain from the pedal once you get the master between 5-7..the whole amp opens up. Sometimes you bring the preamp vol back to tighten it. A lot of people with the extra tube stage still boost or shape with an eq or OD anyway. It is the tightness that is sometimes missing depending on the design of the circuit and the overall amp.
 
Racerxrated said:
Problem with the Hot Mod is that it doesn’t really work that well with NMV amps. It’s mostly designed to work with 2203/4s. I had one and while it sounded great with my 2203 all it did for my Tremolo is boost the volume.
Kasha used to make a device that plugged into one of the preamp tube slots; it adds a master while adding another preamp tube to the signal.
With my 72 I tried a few expensive pedals; didn’t like what they did to the dynamics like you describe. But I tried some cheaper alternatives and they ended up being the perfect choice, and least expensive…Boss OD1X and cheap OCD clone, Joyo Ultimate Drive. I tried Thorpy, Airis, VFE….nice pedals but the other 2 smoked them with my 72.
Click to expand...

I also find the NMV have "that" sound, raw and huge but they are pickier with pedals. You have to find the right one for your circuit or else it compresses and mushes out. (neck pickup always reveals this compression to me on the low strings for fast tracking or runs) Probably why the treble boosters were so popular and the OD-1 as you mentioned. OD-1 is perfect for that circuit as we know from Jake E Lee's reliance on them for the early tones.

I think that is why I prefer a really good 2204/2203 turned up and just pushed with OD. I like the control. Angus would agree with that, all his superleads are now modded with cascading gain and MV's for a reason. The hotmod sounds good but to my ears he could have added even more of a bass cut. As the gain goes up, the definition is lost.
 
I'd check out some of the new nanotube pre-amp pedals.
 
Kapo_Polenton said:
I also find the NMV have "that" sound, raw and huge but they are pickier with pedals. You have to find the right one for your circuit or else it compresses and mushes out. (neck pickup always reveals this compression to me on the low strings for fast tracking or runs) Probably why the treble boosters were so popular and the OD-1 as you mentioned. OD-1 is perfect for that circuit as we know from Jake E Lee's reliance on them for the early tones.

I think that is why I prefer a really good 2204/2203 turned up and just pushed with OD. I like the control. Angus would agree with that, all his superleads are now modded with cascading gain and MV's for a reason. The hotmod sounds good but to my ears he could have added even more of a bass cut. As the gain goes up, the definition is lost.
Click to expand...
Recently I had a really good ‘83 2203, 500v PT….great sounding Marshall with any number of boost pedals I have it was killer.
Last summer I picked up the 72 SuperTrem and it made that nice vertical input 2203 sound small…and it was a GOOD 2203. Those vintage NMV Marshalls are monsters if you get a good one; and stock NO MV mods needed. They neuter the amp imo.
 
Racerxrated said:
Recently I had a really good ‘83 2203, 500v PT….great sounding Marshall with any number of boost pedals I have it was killer.
Last summer I picked up the 72 SuperTrem and it made that nice vertical input 2203 sound small…and it was a GOOD 2203. Those vintage NMV Marshalls are monsters if you get a good one; and stock NO MV mods needed. They neuter the amp imo.
Click to expand...

Yeah if you get a good one, hard to beat. I think what I like is the consistency for me with the 2203's in terms of how I can get the gain I want from pedals. But if you get that right NMV, it's gonna cook and has a shit ton of grind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top