Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp

Yakult

So I have found one of these for peanuts somewhere!



I just have a few questions to ask!

1. For studio recording will I need a power-amp? or can I DI it?

2. for live playing could I use the PA as the power-amp? I have heard of alot of bands doing that!

3. And what are the cleans like? and the distortion? I play everything from blues to death! So would it handle!

Voodu Child

The studio pre is an absolute gem, a real classic, and they can be had for a steal, although prices go up every year as people realise there's not much made today that can touch them.

I can't comment on whatever particular one you're looking at, or the seller etc...

But your specific questions:
1)I would always run it into a valve power amp. The poweramp is at least 50% responsible for killer tone. You can DI it, but it would be a waste of a killer pre IMO.

2)See above...

3)The distortion is legendary tbh. It's 95% the same pre circuit as the famous IIC+, i'll pull up a few clips if i can, but suffice to say, it's amazing.
Cleans can be excellent too, it's just an excellent preamp tbh. I had trouble dialling in a perfect clean and distorted tone at the same time, but it's possible.

I would say just buy it anyway man, if you've found a good deal (under market price) why not? But as I said, I cant vouch for whatever seller you're looking at, or the unit in question. Make sure to ask all the relevant questions and protect yourself with insurance etc.

Beecher

R_H_C_P wrote:

So I have found one of these for peanuts somewhere!



I just have a few questions to ask!

1. For studio recording will I need a power-amp? or can I DI it?

2. for live playing could I use the PA as the power-amp? I have heard of alot of bands doing that!

3. And what are the cleans like? and the distortion? I play everything from blues to death! So would it handle!

1. To play it through a cab you will need a power-amp but for recording you can just DI it. However you will need some sort of software speaker simulator for it to sound anyway good and even then a Pod may be better.

2. You can plug it into a PA and use the PA's speakers but it wont touch a valve poweramp and a proper guitar cab. A Pod would also be better in this case.

3. With a proper setup (Im using a Ibanez TS10 (with the gain at 0, I just like how it tightens up the tone) -> Studio Pre -> Mesa 50/50 -> 2x12 V30 cab) it sounds nothing short of amazing, the clean tones are great as is the distortion. However since it is a one channel preamp you cant really switch between a high gain distorted tone and a clear clean tone. In saying that the lead gain is footswitchable and between that and your guitars volume knob you can clean up a fair bit of the distortion while using high gain settings.

Alternatively you can do what I do and use the Mesa for distortion and a/b it with another preamp. In my case im using an ADA MP-1 since I can set it to have a tube clean tone or a solid state clean tone depending on my mood

Yakult

well **** it then Im gonna buy it!

Voodoo, what do you mean insurence?

What would the market price be on one of these?

Beecher

R_H_C_P wrote:

well **** it then Im gonna buy it!

Voodoo, what do you mean insurence?

What would the market price be on one of these?

On Ebay I have seen them sell anywhere from €300 - €600 but generally if its in good condition it ends up around 450'ish. Also check if the voltage is 110v or 230v cause if its 110v you'll need to factor in another 60-70 bills for a step down transformer (unless you are confident enough to mod it to 230v).

Edit: Petrucci IIC+ Demo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yUUCRJGdko

Yakult

ok i will check! and yeah 450 incl. postage is what Im getting it for! great condition tho!

Yakult

Hey guys!

Just before I bid I want to like make sure everything is normal!

"Legendary Studio Pre as used by Steve Lukather,Frank Gamble and even Angus Young,It features 2 channels,graphic eq and tube driven spring reverb(all footswitchable)Stereo effects loop and stereo speaker simulation.It has a great fender type clean sound and a very versatile Lead channel with all the gain you could want,and the classic mesa lead sound.It has just recently been serviced with new valves (jj ecc83s in v1) and mesa valves in v2-v4 and new circuit board supports.It is in great condition,has some rack rash on top and bottom of the case.Get the one of the best from mesa for very little,good luck"

Whats v1-v2-v4 mean?

And I cant see any tubes in the picture (normal?)

Voodu Child

v1, v2 etc are just designations for the various preamp valves usually in the order they appear in the circuit. Each valve will play a slightly different role in the tone of the amp, so guys who really know what they are doing might want to put a high-gain valve in v1, a lower gain valve in v2 etc. Just little ways of tweaking the sound to your own personal tastes.

I see 5 valves in that picture. Youre not looking hard enough

R_H_C_P wrote:

Whats v1-v2-v4 mean?

And I cant see any tubes in the picture (normal?)

Yakult

voodoo_child wrote:

v1, v2 etc are just designations for the various preamp valves usually in the order they appear in the circuit. Each valve will play a slightly different role in the tone of the amp, so guys who really know what they are doing might want to put a high-gain valve in v1, a lower gain valve in v2 etc. Just little ways of tweaking the sound to your own personal tastes.

I see 5 valves in that picture. Youre not looking hard enough

Ok, so when I get it I should do a little tube change yes?

And opps.. Now I see it! Also Im gonna go for the one you sent me! saves a nice 50 euro!

SirLemonhead

Bought Olaf's I assume?

Yakult

Ya I did! :P

SirLemonhead

Give me a shout if you don't like it and i'll buy it from you. I was going to buy it from him but he sold it to you without giving me a chance to get back to him

Yakult

I could link you to another Studio pro going for 450?

Yakult

I dont believe this

I found a like new Mesa 50/50 for 400 euro BUT I have no money because my stupid Jackson wont shift for 350 Anyone want it? :P Emgs, floyd rose...

(And mods I know this isnt classifieds)