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Ron Meecey

 

From:
Pacific Mo. USA
Post  Posted 27 Feb 2005 5:23 pm    
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I am using Lexicon mpx1 processor and want to add a pre amp. Any suggestions on what would be the best pre amp to add. I have a friend with this set up who uses a Peavey pre amp that may not be in production anymore. My steel amp is a Evans SE-200. Would really appreciate and help or comments. Ron
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Harold Parris

 

From:
Piedmont, Alabama USA
Post  Posted 27 Feb 2005 6:01 pm    
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I am partial to tube preamp for pedal steel. I am using a Seymour Duncan KTG-1 which is not in production any more but it works very well with pedal steel and has two channels one with overdrive and crunch which may be used for a lead guitar also.

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Sierra Session Guitar, EMCI Double 10 Guitar, Nashville 400, Session 400, and Evans FET 500 HiVolt, and Gretsch Nashville Pro Steel Amps, Keith Hilton Digital Sustain pedal and Digital Sustain Box .
Harold Parris email hparris9@aol.com

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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 28 Feb 2005 1:25 am    
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Since you are using an Evans amp, and I assume you like it, why not go with an Evans preamp? They make a one space rack type preamp. John Hughey has used one for years.

I'm using a used (out of production) Rocktron "Sidewinder" preamp in my rack system. The clean channel works good for steel.
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Olli Haavisto


From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
Post  Posted 28 Feb 2005 7:08 am    
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Why use a preamp if you use a combo amp like Evans? Just patch the Lex in the effects loop...

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Olli Haavisto,
Finland



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Jack Stoner


From:
Kansas City, MO
Post  Posted 28 Feb 2005 8:37 am    
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The Lex won't work very well in the SE-200 effects loop as it is an "instrument" level loop and the Lexicon is a "line level" device. I ran into that with the SE-200 I had (and sold after 6 months).

However, you can put the Lexicon between the Preamp and the Power amp.

I assume he is wanting to setup a rack system and why he wants a pre-amp.
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Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 28 Feb 2005 10:31 am    
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Don't forget that a few rack-mount Parametric EQ's have very good FET preamps, as well as being able to dial up your EQ with precision. I have had very good results with the old Furman PQ3 (green face) 3 band (it can give a little "growl" when pushed hard enough) which I recorded the stuff on my website with some years ago. More recently I discovered the superb Audio Arts 4100 4 band (absolutely clean and smooth). You will have to find these units used, but I am sure that there are others that I haven't tried that are still on the market.

If you go this route, put the PEQ between the volume pedal and the effects devices, then the power amp after the effects.

[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 28 February 2005 at 10:33 AM.]

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Ron Randall

 

From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 28 Feb 2005 2:52 pm    
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My guess is you are talking about the Peavey VMP-2 preamp, that is not in production. They can be found on ebay a few times a month. They are great preamps. 2 separate channels meant for microphones, line, or instrument. They are a 2 rack space unit full of tubes and transformers. About $600 to $900.

If $ and weight are no object, the Avalon 737sp is the big daddy. Check Avalon's website. about $2000.
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Buck Grantham R.I.P.


From:
Denham Springs, LA. USA
Post  Posted 28 Feb 2005 3:11 pm    
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I use an Evans preamp and I had a power amp jack put on the back of my Evans FET500lv combo amp and that's where I plug the preamp in. I get a real good sound that way.
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Ron Meecey

 

From:
Pacific Mo. USA
Post  Posted 1 Mar 2005 7:57 pm    
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A sincere thanks for all the help from everyone. It's helped me come up with something I think will work!
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Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 1 Mar 2005 10:51 pm    
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whaddaya got, ron?
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Ron Meecey

 

From:
Pacific Mo. USA
Post  Posted 2 Mar 2005 3:51 pm    
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Dave Ia'm looking at an Evans. I believe its the same one Hughey uses. It looks like a real nice unit. I play a 2003 D-10 Zum with TT pickups and like the sound a lot. My amp is a Evans SE-200. Thanks for asking.
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Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 2 Mar 2005 5:40 pm    
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Alembic F2B, just ask Randy Beavers and Tommy Dodd. Forget all the rest.
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Ron Meecey

 

From:
Pacific Mo. USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2005 4:34 am    
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Bill is the Alembic F2B a pre-amp, and if so do you know if it is still in production?
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John Daugherty


From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2005 5:41 am    
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Ron, doesn't the Lexicon have an input and output gain control? If so, you should be able to plug it into your amp at the input or the loop, then adjust the levels.
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Bill Hatcher

 

From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2005 7:48 am    
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The F2b is a pre and it is still in production--$735 list, used on Ebay $300 or so. The new ones have an effects loop, old ones don't.
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Lee Warren


From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2005 9:17 am    
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IMHO, the Alembic F2B is the real deal.
It's certainly not the only solution, but I've used it for steel, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tictac bass and even on rack toms in a session!

I can't find the "suck" knob on this thing, and don't think there is one!

It's easy to use, with controls I can relate to.
I believe it's basically the "front end" of a Fender Showman, or something very similar.

I've had mine since the late 1980's and it's at the top of my "never sell this piece of gear" list!

Just my 2 cents.
Lee
p.s. the "newer style" Alembic preamp with XLR never sounded nearly as good to me.

[This message was edited by Lee Warren on 04 March 2005 at 09:18 AM.]

[This message was edited by Lee Warren on 04 March 2005 at 09:19 AM.]

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Scott Denniston


From:
Hahns Peak, Colorado, USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2005 4:07 pm    
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The newer Alembic (F1-X) is supposed to be a copy of the F-2B but with one channel instead of two. I asked them at Alembic about this and was told that they basicly cut the board in half and then gave the signal "more places to go". Meaning-you could go out the full signal (with 1/4" phone jack) or the low & high sides of the adjustable crossover jacks, or the balanced XLR jack,or all of them. I would think that the full signal jack (though I've yet to compare) would sound exactly like 1 F-2B channel because that's really what it is--EQ circuit and all. Using the effects loop might alter the sound from an F-2B a little but one wouldn't have to use it that way. You could go out the full signal channel (just like the F-2B) and set the Lex MPX1 for mono input and come out of the Lex stereo. I haven't tried this yet but from what I've been told at Alembic this would be EXACTLY one side of an F-2B. The guy I talked to at Alembic confirmed that these were patterned after the Dual Showman circuit. I've yet to really dial in my sound with the F1-X but I do really like it.
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James Quackenbush

 

From:
Pomona, New York, USA
Post  Posted 4 Mar 2005 4:15 pm    
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You wouldn't do bad using a Mesa Boogie Studio Pre ( older model ) either..
They are very adjustable, and have a very nice tube tone to them ...I also have the Alembic ....Either one of these pre's will give you what you're looking for.....Jim
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Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 5 Mar 2005 11:04 am    
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Quote:
I can't find the "suck" knob on this thing


After years of research and development, it's FINALLY been figured out how to build a piece of gear without one!!!

[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 05 March 2005 at 11:06 AM.]

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