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iamqman « 80's rock preamp »
Published on 04/06/11 at 15:41What can I say about this preamp that hasn't been said already throughout various rock records during the 80's and early 90's? One of the most famous bands to use this was Skid Row. They used it pretty much through out their first two albums. Basically anyone during that time who was recording with Michael Wagener was going to use this unit. Bands such as Extreme and the guitar player from that band Nuno Bettencourt used this extensively for the Pornograffitti album and the tour that followed. Since the early 90's many hard rock players and bedroom rock players have bought into this unit. It has a great 80's tone and being able to switch via midi makes it something useful for live gigging operation.
Another artist who was famous for playing this unit was Paul Gilbert. He is more know for his skills and not tone as much used this and in my opinion had the best tone during this point in his career.
One of the down falls of this unit was how noisy it was. There is website that offers modifications to it that make it more usable and less noisy. There is a host of possible mods that you could perform to this preamp.
UTILIZATION
The unit is pretty easy to figure out. It has the same function that a normal tube amp has but it is all digitally control. It does have tubes in it which made it sound like a real amp. It also came with a footswitch back in the day. These are harder to find now a days.
SOUNDS
The sound from this unit is Marshall like in the gain structure and feel. It has a very high midrange 80's tone that make it sort of a one trick pony. It does have a good clean channel in it but the thing lives in the high gain territory.
It really scream when coupled with a Super Strat guitar. It was like the two were made for each other. It will sound good with a Les Paul as well, but something about the voicing just wants a Charvel plugged into it.
OVERALL OPINION
This is a fun preamp that can give you a great sounding Marshall tone great for hard rock and metal. You can run this in the effects loop of a JCM 800 or another effects loop of a Marshall style guitar amp and you will get a great hair metal rock tone.
You can get these used on ebay all day long. They are usually priced around the $250 mark. So go for more and some for less but that is nice medium for the going rate. I would recommend this preamp to anyone wanting a nice 80's hard rock tone. You might want to get the thing modded for less noise and a cleaner clean channel.
Another artist who was famous for playing this unit was Paul Gilbert. He is more know for his skills and not tone as much used this and in my opinion had the best tone during this point in his career.
One of the down falls of this unit was how noisy it was. There is website that offers modifications to it that make it more usable and less noisy. There is a host of possible mods that you could perform to this preamp.
UTILIZATION
The unit is pretty easy to figure out. It has the same function that a normal tube amp has but it is all digitally control. It does have tubes in it which made it sound like a real amp. It also came with a footswitch back in the day. These are harder to find now a days.
SOUNDS
The sound from this unit is Marshall like in the gain structure and feel. It has a very high midrange 80's tone that make it sort of a one trick pony. It does have a good clean channel in it but the thing lives in the high gain territory.
It really scream when coupled with a Super Strat guitar. It was like the two were made for each other. It will sound good with a Les Paul as well, but something about the voicing just wants a Charvel plugged into it.
OVERALL OPINION
This is a fun preamp that can give you a great sounding Marshall tone great for hard rock and metal. You can run this in the effects loop of a JCM 800 or another effects loop of a Marshall style guitar amp and you will get a great hair metal rock tone.
You can get these used on ebay all day long. They are usually priced around the $250 mark. So go for more and some for less but that is nice medium for the going rate. I would recommend this preamp to anyone wanting a nice 80's hard rock tone. You might want to get the thing modded for less noise and a cleaner clean channel.