rack virgin

[thecoz]

so im looking to go rack, i want to because i cant find a head that has the sound i want. For a power amp im gonna use a marshall 50/50, but for a preamp im looking at the mesa formula, mesa studio, the jmp-1, the tubeworks bk butler real tube II, and what ever else you guys throw out there. Im looking for mostly tube, and i dont want or need midi.So tell me your thoughts and suggestions.

[jondon1986]

The jmp-1 is a good sounding preamp for the money. Im happy with it, but I dont think I would be if I was running it solo, along side another preamp its perfect for me. The ada mp-1 is midi, but I like the jmp-1 over it.

[thecoz]

ive been hearing that the jmp-1 is easy to use with or without midi is this true? ima big marshall fan so id probably get this, good idea?

[JJ321]

You can use it without completely going midi. There is a 4 button footswitch made for it. I used to use it before I switched my setup over to rack. Here (http://community.webshots.com/photo/205937008/205948194NvqRqf#) is a pic from a couple of years ago when I was using my JMP-1 with a bunch of pedals. The switch is the black one between the LoFi and the Whammy. It's really easy to use. I was scared off by the idea of a midi controllable preamp, but if you're not using a midi controller to control your whole setup, it's just a 4 channel preamp. But the option is there if you want to add more rack equipment and use a ground control to change patches.

[thecoz]

imlooking for something a little more on the high gain side will the marshall be able to achieve this or should i look at the mesas?

[jondon1986]

It will do high gain, you will need a noize gate, its almost as loud as my ada. If you dont need midi then I might say look into a soldano sp-77.

[thecoz]

how much do the soldanos run new or used?

[satchaholic]

Triaxis

[thecoz]

Originally posted by satchaholic
Triaxis

way too confusing for me haha

[JJ321]

Check out this Engl (http://www.rocksolidamps.com/description.php?II=31&UID=2005091309460171.241.194.105&PHPSESSID=0c899f0afbca67cc088869fb3fda70f3). I've never played one, but I'm pretty sure that this is the one that Sleewel has one and he loves it.

[jondon1986]

Triaxis is a mesa preamp. it runs near $1000 usually. But if you dont need midi than mesa also makes a quad preamp thats closer to $400, but I dont think it sounds as good. The Soldano last I checked is about $400. What kind of poweramp are going to use?

[thecoz]

probably either the mesa 20/20 or 50/50 or marshal 20/20 or 50/50 and if i cant get my hands on one then the carvin one.

[jondon1986]

The marshall will probably be the cheapest. Ive owned a few marshalls, and a mesa. I am very biased though because I dont really dig the sound of el34's.

[Immortal_rites]

what are the ada preamps like, they seem kinda cheap on ebay so?

and will a marshall 20/20 poweramp do 2x20 or 1x40 watts or just 2x20?
sorry for hijacking tha thread, but hopefully itll help someone *me*