Fun Preamps for Metal
- Thread starter Stealthdjentstic
- Start date
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Spinedriver
Well-Known Member
As a child of the late 80's and early 90's (In guitar at least) I often think back to the Marshall 9000 series (there's a tube or solid state choice - both sound great) as well as the Hughes and Kettner 1/2 rack space series (Cream Machine, Metal Shredder) etc.
You just have to be in the right place and the right time.
I remember seeing ads for the H&K modules in Guitar Player all the time. Same goes for the Rockman 'headphone amps' that looked like a cassette player.
troyguitar
Well-Known Member
Mesa Studio Pre rules.
bhakan
Well-Known Member
Even though this is tube, I second this. I have one, great Mark series tones.
The Marshall JMP and ADA mp1 have a tube or two, but are mostly solid state, so they may be enough within your limitations
ShadyDavey
7ibrarian
Yeah, a friend of mine built a tiny combo with a Cream Machine and a 6" speaker - it sounds brilliant! They do sometimes appear on ebay and the Metal Shredder is actually quite ferocious through an amp's power section.
I seem to remember Peavey doing a couple of pre-amps/effects units that were used on a few recordings and IIRC Tony Macalpine used the Rockman to record a couple of his early albums.
Great tones
geetar_geek79
Well-Known Member
Joe Harvatt
Well-Known Member
I run mine through a Marshall EL34 100/100. It slays.
Yes, though I felt it was adequate without, too (which the Bulava wasn't really). My boost these days is a TC Integrated Pre, though, so it's as much about tone shape / fine-tuning as it is about boosting. Both of my AMTs really come to life with a very mild boost and a more generous low end rolloff.
Wookieslayer
OOOAAARWWWRR
Oh fuck yess TMM! Eager to hear more thoughts and clips on that Vt2!
bumping this to say I got my VT2 in the mail today.
holy shit, through my power amp and cab as a preamp it sounds ridiculous. This will easily be a live backup preamp. The cab sim plugged direct is much better than any other cab simulator I've experienced though it still leaves a tiny bit to be desired.
I still haven't tried the preamp in with impulses yet, I'll hopefully post some clips soon!
holy shit, through my power amp and cab as a preamp it sounds ridiculous. This will easily be a live backup preamp. The cab sim plugged direct is much better than any other cab simulator I've experienced though it still leaves a tiny bit to be desired.
I still haven't tried the preamp in with impulses yet, I'll hopefully post some clips soon!
AfroSamurai
Well-Known Member
That sounds great! Post some clips when you can 
By the way, what power amp are you using?
By the way, what power amp are you using?
Wookieslayer
OOOAAARWWWRR
Sick man! So does it nail the VHT tone or feel? Can you compare it to a specific model?
petervindel
Well-Known Member
I've actually been using that for years aswell
LOVE IT!T-e-r-r-y
Well-Known Member
I actually much prefer the sound of my B1 to the the bogner model in the HD500. I use them together with the Pod for effects and it's awesome. 
Wookieslayer
OOOAAARWWWRR
I actually much prefer the sound of my B1 to the the bogner model in the HD500. I use them together with the Pod for effects and it's awesome.
Do you ever try the B1 into the Pod's cab sims? How does that sound?
That sounds great! Post some clips when you can
By the way, what power amp are you using?
When it first came in the mail I tried it through my VHT 2/90/2 but I took my power amp to get re-tubed yesterday so today's clips wont be through the KT88 goodness.
There is a bit too much sizzle on the high end, and the bass is not as tight as you'd expect from a VHT. But to my surprise and to their credit they really caught that hollow, scratchy and aggressive midrange
The only VHTs I've owned for an extensive enough period to know inside and out would be the Ultra-Lead and GP3, so I couldn't let you know which one it most represents. When I get my 2/90/2 I plan on doing a comparison with it mic'd vs the onboard cab sim.
Here a couple of short wank videos through a camera mic, couldn't crank it too loud in my apartment. It's also 90 degrees right now and my clothes are sticking to my body
Oh and like TTM said, no boost was really necessary. Right now it's running through a cheap american audio SS poweramp through my vader carnage strain.
T-e-r-r-y
Well-Known Member
I don't think you can use a cab without using an amp model in the POD. Although I could be wrong.
I run the rig out to a Laney GH stack, which is my power amp and cab.
