Distortion/Preamps w/Tubes

[JereFuzz]

Tell me what you think ... I picked up the VLD1 (Carvin Vai Legacy Pedal) and am really impressed. What other tube pedal/preamps should I consider? I am really impressed by the ADA APP-1 so I now have the MP-1-Channel in mind. I am also eyeing the AMT stuff, including the AMT SS10 which is a rack tube preamp. The ENGL E530 also looks sweet. What else is out there that is worth pursuing?

[Gone Fission]

For full preamps, I have a 3 rack space Boogie Quad (that is in major need of fixing right now--I need to save for that work). When it's running it is ridiculous overkill, basically a MK II and a MK III in one package. Since I don't gig and I've gone a bit overboard on rack stuff, I really should make it the heart of my rig and I plan to over the next year.

For tubed distortion/overdrive stuff intended to run into a full amp, I have a Damage Control Liquid Blues which is really nice despite the "Blues" part. But with the size and grapefruit-sized outboard power supply, it's as inconvenient as fuck. It's a shame, since I barely use it but I know it's too good to flip.

What capabilities are you looking for, what sounds, what usage, what budget? The Synergy Amps Syn 1 and Syn 2 with your choice of modules is the new hotness in full preamp world, but is kind of expensive and no used market yet. Myasinkov is a Russian cloner of mainly high-gain preamp circuits like Soldano, Friedman, etc., and is fairly affordable if that's your thing. There is a big user community with support info for used ADA MP-1 pres, which do more things than the new pedal and generally for less cash. Plenty of other stuff out there, but this comes to mind as easy stuff to get.

I'll ask about the Vai pedal, is the clean channel as bland as the reviews indicate? Are you using it into a full amp or into a power amp or mixing board sort of deal?

[JereFuzz]

What capabilities are you looking for, what sounds, what usage, what budget? The Synergy Amps Syn 1 and Syn 2 with your choice of modules is the new hotness in full preamp world, but is kind of expensive and no used market yet. Myasinkov is a Russian cloner of mainly high-gain preamp circuits like Soldano, Friedman, etc., and is fairly affordable if that's your thing. There is a big user community with support info for used ADA MP-1 pres, which do more things than the new pedal and generally for less cash. Plenty of other stuff out there, but this comes to mind as easy stuff to get.

Top of list for capabilities

Great sound
Tweakable
Diverse sounds
Footswitch capabilities

Secondary

Savable patches
Fx loop
Loud output

Basically I want a tech21 psa 1.1, which I love, but with tubes. I already have a power amp so I don’t need anything like your Mesa monstrosity.

As for price, I tend to want to stay under $1k ...

[The Eristic]

Probably my favorite rack pre is the Kasha Rockmod II. Really rich and truly clean cleans, '80s Thrash crunch channel, crazy saturated lead channel. The II has fairly basic switching options, but apparently the III has more switching options than the II including some degree of MIDI control, plus effects loop and a third EQ channel instead of Clean + shared dirty.

[Gone Fission]

If you want tweakable, diverse, footswitchable, and patch saving, you should look at ADA MP-1 and Mesa/Boogie Triaxis. Marshall JMP-1 may come up, but I gather it's a bit limited in what it's good at. I hear good things about the Hughes & Kettner Access, but pretty rare. If you're spoiled on the PSA-1.1's versatility, the only other thing out of your range I would think of is the Black Widow Audio Designs MGP-1A.

Everything else tube that I know is multi-channel stuff that's generally as diverse as "it does Fender cleans and a dirty Marshall sound." Hey, that can be great, and those sounds might be better than in the flexible gear, but what you see on the front panel is it. Under a grand, Egnater, Mesa Boogie, and Bogner-designed Haflers come to mind. Soldano SP-77 comes in on budget, though you hear some aren't happy until they're modded. I recently saw two Fryette-era VHT GP3 pres sold in your range, but you don't see them often.

[gringostar]

Maybe try the effectrode stuff?

They make some killer tube pedals and I've heard good things about their two channel blackbird preamp.

[JereFuzz]

Probably my favorite rack pre is the Kasha Rockmod II. Really rich and truly clean cleans, '80s Thrash crunch channel, crazy saturated lead channel. The II has fairly basic switching options, but apparently the III has more switching options than the II including some degree of MIDI control, plus effects loop and a third EQ channel instead of Clean + shared dirty.

They don't show their prices ... can't be cheap

[JereFuzz]

Maybe try the effectrode stuff?

They make some killer tube pedals and I've heard good things about their two channel blackbird preamp.

Saw that ... sounds pretty good ...

[The Eristic]

They don't show their prices ... can't be cheap

The II usually goes for $300-400 on ebay/reverb, definitely worth investigating if you're getting into stuff like the MP1 (which I've had as well, along with a handful of others). I recall reading somewhere that the III is actually pretty reasonable price-wise, but I think it was on Gearslutz or HRI, so god knows what "reasonable" means.

[JereFuzz]

They don't show their prices ... can't be cheap

The II usually goes for $300-400 on ebay/reverb, definitely worth investigating if you're getting into stuff like the MP1 (which I've had as well, along with a handful of others). I recall reading somewhere that the III is actually pretty reasonable price-wise, but I think it was on Gearslutz or HRI, so god knows what "reasonable" means.

So I’m going the modular route w/guitar amplification. I have a 2U rack case w/a power conditioner along w/power amp. I have multiple speaker cabs, and various preamps - tech21 psa 1.1, ADA APP1, and Vai Legacy pedal. This modular layout lends itself to significant sound shaping. I am currently in the market for an AMT SS-11A. What I need now is a cab sim out ...

[popvulture]

The Effectrode stuff is indeed super rad. One downside: weird power supplies, but I imagine you'd run into that with more than a few tube pedals.

[doommeow]

The Fryette stuff is great. Raising in price it seems and yeah, require their own PS, but filthy and versatile.

[qersty]

I've heard good things about the digitech 2120/2112

[JereFuzz]

The Fryette stuff is great. Raising in price it seems and yeah, require their own PS, but filthy and versatile.

I saw that helmet’s singer/guitarist uses these amps

[JereFuzz]

I've heard good things about the digitech 2120/2112

I’m waiting for Digitech to update their rack offerings