Basically, you can plug the lapsteel directly into the amp if you want. I've done this with a standard Tele pickup.
Of course, this would mainly be OK for a low volume practice situation. Using the Korg Pandora would drive the amp a lot better
resulting in more wattage output from the amp to your speaker.
I use a small Empress preamp/EQ pedal with the amp when playing out with a loud band.
That preamp can be set for up to +30 db gain but I usually only need about +20 db, which gives me more than enough volume.
I've also tried a TC Electronic Spark Booster pedal (which has EQ adjustments) with a mini HOF reverb pedal into the amp with great results.
Unless I am totally incorrect, this portable little power amp might be best used for steel guitar with a steel guitar preamp such as a Blue Tube, Sarno Tonic, PV Profex, etc. Perhaps 2 of them would work well for the stereo or 2 channel out types like the Sarno Revelation or Walker Stereo Steel. Other than lightweight powered speaker cabinets like the T.C.Furlong cabinet, a number of players have opted to use the power amp sections of combo amps such as the Nashville 400 or Evans FET 500. This little power amp will lighten the load to go between your preferred means of pre-amplificaton and just a speaker cabinet. Other uses might work well with an unpowered PA mixer to power the PA speakers of your choice. Class D power is incredibly light as evidenced by the popularity of the GK MB-200, etc. Basically, wherever you need power amplification, this little guy will do the job in a significantly smaller and lighter package.
Yes, the input is sensitive enough so that it would work at a low volume.
As Doug accurately described though, using some type of preamp (or gain booster) with it's own EQ
would really take full advantage of the amp's performance.
It's really "tone neutral" without the low end boost commonly found in other amps tweeked for bass guitar.
Also no brittle high end that I've heard in many other Class D amps.
This little power amp would be ideal for any of the preamps I make whether it's the old Tonic, the Revelation, the SMS Classic, or the octal V8 pre. What a great thing Jay has provided here!! Way cool.
I'v been looking for a small amp to mount inside of two small speaker cabinets for stereo operation.. One of my rigs is a Kemper Profiler that has Session 400 and Little Walter profiles. Do you see any problem with the vibration if they are mounted in the cabinet? I'm currently using two Nashville 112s power amp inputs but find them to have noises and static occasionally… Would love to buy a couple of powered cabinets but haven't found any..
Thanks,
Jay: I'm interested in this power amp. Are you still selling them for $250 shipped CONUS? Have you ever tried one with a Sarno Octal V8. Brad S. seems to think it would work well, but I always like to know someone has actually done it. thanks. Paul
This really sounds like an awesome option for someone that really likes the rack units. Johns idea of attaching it to a seat or some of the other ideas as putting it inside of cabinets or whatever. I can imagine several ways of mounting one of these. Jay Ganz has done it again.
