Rack Preamp thoughts

[alund]

VHT Valvulator GP3 vs ADA mp1 vs jmp 1 for 80s solos strictly? Or other.

 

[Racerxrated]

JMP 1 would be my vote.

 

[Purpleibby]

VHT Valvulator GP3 vs ADA mp1 vs jmp 1 for 80s solos strictly? Or other.

Hmmm.....I haven't tried anything but the MP-1....but IMO it's kind of an iconic piece that got used by a lot of heavy hitters bitd. It has a cool tone....I love my rig, I'm done tone searching.....but I would STILL love to have an MP-1 back in the fold. At one point I had 2 and a triaxis in the same rack.

 

[phil b]

JMP 1 would be my vote.

2nd that... then I would do the ADA. If I couldnt find a JMP I wouldnt hesitate on the ADA for what your going for. JMP would be my go to though.

 

[Stradazone]

CAE 3+

 

[alund]

CAE 3+

I knew this one would pop up…

 

[Mikeyboyeee]

Don't forget about Mesa Quads, Studios, Triaxis

 

[Ventura]

If ya can EVER get a MakoMak4 don't even hesitate - just do it.
The OG and various iterations of the Bogner Fish are also worthy to eyeball.

 

[ZEN Amps]

80's solos strictly? Soldano.

 

[panhead]

Find a late 80`s Engl 2 0r 3 channel. Different animal that later engl. Think scorpions Lynch

 

[firegate]

Both the Marshall and ADA are awesome pre's, but I've always found the Marshall a bit more versatile. It can get pretty modern if you need it to (hell, Petrucci even used one to record Metropolis on Images).

 

[japetus]

If ya can EVER get a MakoMak4 don't even hesitate - just do it.
The OG and various iterations of the Bogner Fish are also worthy to eyeball.

Do you have a Mako4? Those things looked so badass. Never got to play one

 

[alund]

80's solos strictly? Soldano.

I have the soldano (Caswell) and fractal. And an SLO100.

 

[TGA3]

Oops didn't see you mention you had the Caswell.

Valvesonic Plexi is crazy good for the money, one of the better Marshall pre's, and has a great 800 sound in it. CAE 3+ if money is no object.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

I have both the JMP-1 and MP-1 and you can't go wrong with either.

 

[alund]

This is all good stuff! I see no one is touching the Valvulator which makes things easier (less options less thought)
Jmp 1 and Ada appear to be topping the charts. Anything out of Russia now will more than likely be a big issue. The CUstom audio electronics seems to have a crowd following (expensive) and not sure just for lead play it’s worth the squeeze.
What are the pros and cons of the Marshall and the ADA ? Quirks? Noise? Etc etc

 

[srommes]

As a long time rack guy who has owned most of the boutique preamps etc. at one point, in all honesty I would just go the Synergy route nowadays. The preamps sound fantastic and there are so many different choices. Plus the majority of the modules were developed by the original builders so there is authenticity to their sound. For example, I’ve owned two Soldano X88R preamps in the past and can tell you the SLO module sounds every bit as good. Just my .02

 

[Ventura]

Do you have a Mako4? Those things looked so badass. Never got to play one

I did. And I held on to that beloved MINT condition direct-from-Andrew at the time Mak4 for so many fkn years. I doubled it up with a Fryette2/90/2 poweramp and an Axe-II along with 2 Fryette D412s for a year+ of jams and gigs. I remember SO many times just using the Axe as an FX rig - if at all - the Mak4 just slayed.
Couple years passed - it was in the inventory section - I'd been travelling out of country surfing for 3+ years - came back - got the studio set up, started reconnecting with friends and like-minded musos; and one of these cats asked "hey man, still got the Mak4??" - I affirmed. And he offered me a ridiculous amount for it and given I'd not used it for X number of years?? And had a ludicrous inventory of amps (at the time - I've levelled off and only have my mainstays now...it actually feels good to have what you need and use, not what you want and covet and collect dust with)?? I said have at 'er.

Short answer - no longer do I have the Mak4. Was it one of the best preamps I'd ever played through? 100% absofknlutely. Why'd I sell it?? Cuz it wasn't getting the play it deserved like it was getting in the prior years. I'd gone back to head+cab/stereo and it just never got used much after that.

 

[ghosty999]

VHT Valvulator GP3 vs ADA mp1 vs jmp 1 for 80s solos strictly? Or other.

The ADA MP1 will cut like a hot rodded Marshall, the JMP-1 I find takes more to "cut" in a mix when doing solos. Early Mr.Big you can hear the ADA really cut during solos.

 

[griff10672]

anyone mention the Synergy System yet ?