Got EQ? Analog that is….

[KingsXJJ]

Just got in the preamp and thought you guys might like to see a side by side. I’ll be firing it up after work. These buggers are seriously heavy!

 

[JiveTurkey]

Nice! I've wondered how these are. Report back!

 

[KingsXJJ]

Nice! I've wondered how these are. Report back!

Yes Sir! Will do.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Sounds pretty killer. Noise gate and bright switch are awesome. Very flexible and does high gain exceptionally well. I’ll try lower gain later as I am too busy enjoying chunky riffing. Insider look…

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

Those both look pretty serious there, Fred Garvin.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Those both look pretty serious there, Fred Garvin.

At her Majesty’s service.

 

[KingsXJJ]

I think I’m gonna fart around with this and use the pre-EQ to shift my SD Hum buckers ( SH-5 or JB bridge usually) toward hot rodded single coil tone like Ty Tabor on Gretchen goes to Nebraska then full humbucker with boost for Dogman tones. It’s very likely my two all-time favorite tones… not true, I love a lot more like B. Gibson on Just got Paid. But you get the picture. I hope that using the Pentatone preamp after allows the final touches with its tweak-ability. A tall order but wouldn’t that be nice? RIP my favorite director.

 

[dronerstone]

I think I’m gonna fart around with this and use the pre-EQ to shift my SD Hum buckers ( SH-5 or JB bridge usually) toward hot rodded single coil tone like Ty Tabor on Gretchen goes to Nebraska then full humbucker with boost for Dogman tones. It’s very likely my two all-time favorite tones… not true, I love a lot more like B. Gibson on Just got Paid. But you get the picture. I hope that using the Pentatone preamp after allows the final touches with its tweak-ability. A tall order but wouldn’t that be nice? RIP my favorite director.

View attachment 36646

Absolutely gutting.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Absolutely gutting.

Yes, a huge and unique loss.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Sounds pretty killer. Noise gate and bright switch are awesome. Very flexible and does high gain exceptionally well. I’ll try lower gain later as I am too busy enjoying chunky riffing. Insider look…

View attachment 36631

She’s the most inexpensive guitar I own but I got lucky and scored an exceptional build. It compares well with ESP E-II’s in my collection.

It’s my daily driver and I love it! Post your beloved beaters if you have any that fall in to this category!

 

[KingsXJJ]

I have to add that even without pre-EQ or extensive use of the onboard EQ, the Ibanez preamp has a huge sound. Very full. Compared to the Panama and a couple of other dirt pedals it makes them seem smaller in comparison. Kind of extraordinary in my opinion. I’ll play with it some more to see if that impression sticks. The noise gate is excellent and I typically don’t use one knob onboard options like this much but it’s dialed in to pretty much perfection as far as I can tell. That was a really nice surprise bonus for me. Their standalone gate, if based on the same circuit, is worth checking out IMO.

It is not a Turbo Tubescreamer at all. It’s probably the most complete amp-in-a-box that I’ve used. I do wonder if anyone else has tried it and what their opinions are…

And it is quite heavy! Feels like it built like a tank. Looks like a tight and solid build.

J

 

[V|J]

I’ve read killer reviews about this preamp.
They should market it a little better.

Single box solution for high gain and the feature set is amazing.
Everyone exclaims how massive it sounds!

 

[KingsXJJ]

I’ve read killer reviews about this preamp.
They should market it a little better.

Single box solution for high gain and the feature set is amazing.
Everyone exclaims how massive it sounds!

I’m not surprised. Every one has their touch and tone for sure. This thing is something else though. I’ve got a good selection of amps in a box. Some nice favorites to be sure. This box however adds something unique I think. A heavy chunk you can feel and riff on like a tweaked high gain amp in the sweet zone.

I’ll be happy to entertain thoughts that I’m wrong. This is more than another dirt pedal for me though.

 

[V|J]

I’m not surprised. Every one has their touch and tone for sure. This thing is something else though. I’ve got a good selection of amps in a box. Some nice favorites to be sure. This box however adds something unique I think. A heavy chunk you can feel and riff on like a tweaked high gain amp in the sweet zone.

I’ll be happy to entertain thoughts that I’m wrong. This is more than another dirt pedal for me though.

I learn death metal songs for fun but am not into high gain at all, anymore.
But this is still a bucket list kind of gear.
And I’m a sucker for EQ.

Have fun with yours!

 

[KingsXJJ]

I learn death metal songs for fun but am not into high gain at all, anymore.
But this is still a bucket list kind of gear.
And I’m a sucker for EQ.

Have fun with yours!

Thanks! The PEQ only version is considerably cheaper and might serve you well for whatever type tone you are currently enjoying. It’s a steal compared to the $350 Empress and isn’t blue. Which I personally don’t care for that shade…

 

[V|J]

Thanks! The PEQ only version is considerably cheaper and might serve you well for whatever type tone you are currently enjoying. It’s a steal compared to the $350 Empress and isn’t blue. Which I personally don’t care for that shade…

Yeah, I was a little surprised you got a dedicated EQ since the preamp has an elaborate EQ as well.

 

[KingsXJJ]

Yeah, I was a little surprised you got a dedicated EQ since the preamp has an elaborate EQ as well.

It’s for use with other gain pedals or in the loop of amps.

 

[la szum]

Cool thread, @KingsXJJ .

 

[JiveTurkey]

Can you adjust these values to match the Boogie 5 bands that are unobtanium?

 

[laxu]

Can you adjust these values to match the Boogie 5 bands that are unobtanium?

Quick google says these are the actual frequencies/Q factors of the Mesa graphic EQ:

80Hz -> R=470 / L=1H / C=3.3uF ---> Real F=87.61Hz / Q=1.171
240Hz -> R=470 / L=0.39H / C=0.47uF ---> Real F=371.7Hz / Q=1.938
750Hz -> R=470 / L=0.22H / C=0.22uF ---> Real F=723.4Hz / Q=2.128
2200Hz -> R=1K / L=0.068H / C=0.15uF ---> Real F=1576Hz / Q=0.6733
6600Hz -> R=1K / L=0.033H / C=0.033uF ---> Real F=4823Hz / Q=1.000

Without a frequency analyzer it might be hard to find the exact frequency and Q values, but the range is there for all but the "240 Hz" which is apparently actually 371 Hz and the Ibanez maxes out at 360 Hz.

But you can probably get away with just using that, or even just matching them to the labels on the front panel.

Range of the sliders might also be different. Finally the behavior of the sliders are likely to be different so you can't just copy Mesa EQ settings and call it a day. Apparently the Mesa graphic EQ is pretty terrible at this where the middle of the range barely does anything and then there's a lot of effect at the extremes.

@FractalAudio made a great post here.