software

I'm still doing research on a good preamp for me. I'm into rock/metal most of the time but i want something with a little versatility. For the most part I want a clear-clean and a thick heavy distortion with high-high's and low-feel it in your stomach-palm muting-low's (Thrice/Bigwig). I'm not one for really mid/high, harsh, gritty, chimey, bright sounding dirty tones.

I was also wondering if it would pair up nicely with this power amp. I'd be playing this through a Marshall 4x12 with Celestions.

I don't like the v-twin as a solo preamp. It's a bit noisy, but a noise gate fixes it. The v-twin, if used with another clean preamp afterwards, had rediculously tight lows and a pretty good high end. It doesn't have a whole lot of mids, but enough. I have one and run it through channel one of a rectifier.

is there a different mesa preamp you'd recommend?


Originally Posted by Clockwork_Orangeis there a different mesa preamp you'd recommend?

Quad...actually, I'd pretty much recommend anything over the V-Twin...I was really disappointed.

I on the other hand swear by mine, and I don´t think anyone here would argue that my tone is thin

One thing about the V-Twin: You REALLY gotta fiddle for a while with different tubes once you get it, but after that´s done you´re set. Then again, ANY Mesa User should be used to tweaking knobs for days because of the way the EQ works

Yeah Mesa's are very very very sensitive to EQing.


Originally Posted by ZerberusI on the other hand swear by mine, and I don´t think anyone here would argue that my tone is thin

One thing about the V-Twin: You REALLY gotta fiddle for a while with different tubes once you get it, but after that´s done you´re set. Then again, ANY Mesa User should be used to tweaking knobs for days because of the way the EQ works Ditto. I use mine through the FX return of a convertible 60 running on EH EL34's into an old (1969) Vox 2x12quot; cab and it sounds great. The cleans are almost acoustic, the Blue channel can get anything from old AC/DC to MTV era ZZ Top, and the Red channel has more gain than I will ever need.

BTW, I'm running a pair of EH 12AX7's in mine.

Personally, I love Mesa's power amps, but I'm not fond of their preamps.
Zerb, however, knows his ish, so I would take his opinion with more than a grain of salt ...

Thanks, TO.

Perfect example: I was finding my tone too quot;loosequot; about last month or so. I was seriously considering a new amp.

But I wasn´t ready to give up the cash for a Pittbull UL or a Bogner, so I fiddled with the settings on my JCM and my V-twin. Long story short: Problem solved in 2 days with ZERO Cost. TOgether with a Single Channel 800 Marshall it´s still my quot;tone to beatquot;, and one of the most versatile setups out there

BTW, Tip for those that have boosters (EMG PA-2, SD Pickup Booster or similar) in their axes/on the floor : Try out the Blues channel with the Gain maxed out (and the boost maxed as well) instead of the Lead channel. Much tighter low end, and with the Afterburner there´s even a hint more gain than before. Interesting, because it´s the same tube. Shows you how much effect Mesas quot;cascadingquot; gain stages have on the tone

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Im looking into the v-twin also. Any other opinions out there?