The Steel Guitar Forum

I have a lexicon mx 200 and it needs some kind of a pre amp. My Evans and Sho Bud amps don't have effect loops and the signal from the steel is not enough for the unit to work well. What do you guys suggest for a pre amp, Without spending an arm and a leg. Looking forward to your ideas. Terry

Terry your pre amp is where you get your tone. I'd give serious consideration to what pre amp I use (not just any pre amp)
An Evans pre amp would do well for you.

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Fred Justice,
Justice Custom Cases & Cabinets,
Fred's Music, www.fredjusticemusic.com

One solution...

Take the amps to a good tech and he can add an effects loop, "Preamp Out" and "Power Amp In" jacks. All he needs is a schematic, and for you to tell him where you want them!

ART Makes an inexpensive but good pre-amp but the best sounding one I have found is in a Hilton Vol. Pedal.

Good Luck
Ken Metcalf

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Ken Metcalf/ San Antonio
Carson Wells D-10
Nashville 400
Peterson V-Sam

The Steeldriver II has a very good preamp.

The Baggs Para-Acoustic DI, while not designed for steel, works great and has a terrific EQ section.

Both are relatively inexpensive.

If you can find one, the Ashley SC-40 instrument preamp is also a really nice one, with a built in parmetric EQ. The don't make them anymore because it's a set and forget unit and people today want programmable ones.

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Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

Thanks guys for your help. I will look around to see what I can find. Terry

I'm using an older solid state gallien and kruger. I had the same problem running into my Zoom 1100 EFX box which is there because I can't figure out the impedence match for the now missing spring reverb that was in my Stage 720 twin. (I would love to have that old reverb back -you know -the ones assembled by naked women ...)
Seriously- If you like a bright old style tone this setup works and the pre only cost me $75 including shipping of Ebay.

Owning one, I echo Ken's comment to use a Hilton volume pedal for the added drive gain you need. Great tone, and you get a great overall pedal to boot. Give one a try.

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Sho-Bud Super Pro
Mullen HWP D-10 (Coming soon)
Nashille 1000 Amp
Hilton Volume Pedal
Sun Solara Tube Amp

A "Sansamp" pedal may work for you (the Bass version may perform better for steel). I heard someone playing through one of these straight into the PA board and it sounded pretty good.

Silverface! You're right on about the Baggs unit. I've tried it on everything I have. Works great on a Tele too.

I have a Lee Jackson Tube pre that I used to use all the time in the studio. Works great, I just don't use it anymore. I'll part with it, if you want it... not sure what to ask for it, though... I'll have to check around...

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Mikey D...