Preamp pedal recommendations welcome

[Spaced Out Ace]

Looking at moving away from and getting rid of my Friedman IR-X. It just isn't cutting it and sounds like ass with quite a few overdrive pedals I attempt to use as a boost. I don't know if something is wrong with it, but moving on regardless.

Any suggestions for preamp pedals? The Tubesteader stuff might be cool, primarily the Beekeeper (Dumble ODS style) and Magnezium (Marshall esque Magnatone based preamp). Are the Carvin X1 or Legacy Drive any good?

I am going for something that doesn't have any digital in it. Primarily interested in tubes or something that won't fuzz out with humbuckers. Interested in 70s and 80s hard rock and metal. I am not a fan of fuzz or clipping that sounds strange.

 

[Aelred]

Fwiw, I've been looking at Tubesteader too (Kingsley not readily available in Australia), and am usure about the Victory stuff.

Also looking at the Vox Nu-Tube pedals, the Soldano SLO and Revv.

I have a couple of old AmpTweakers - BigRockPro and TightDrivePro - as well that I need to re-try.

Not much help, I know, but I can vouch for the AmpTweakers.

 

[Joshual-L]

I’m gonna be a little vintage here but I will always love the crunch channel of the H&K tubeman mk2.
Just plug it into a ir loader and you’re done.
Back in the days I used it with a simple Palmer pdi09 and it was really great

 

[KingsXJJ]

You might consider the Ibanez Pentatone Preamp. I really like mine!

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

I’m gonna be a little vintage here but I will always love the crunch channel of the H&K tubeman mk2.
Just plug it into a ir loader and you’re done.
Back in the days I used it with a simple Palmer pdi09 and it was really great

How many rails on a Pedaltrain Classic 2 would it take up?

 

[dronerstone]

Kuro Exegol (Model T pre)

 

[ragingplatypi]

The Vox pedals are probably better than anyone expects, and relatively cheap. For high end analog I’d consider the Ethos. I’m only going on sound clips tho.

 

[djd100]

Arthur Sounds for real HV tube preamps pedals, which of course require a tube power amp or digital sim to sound like a complete amp.

Many models to choose from here...

https://www.ebay.com/usr/arthurguitarsound

I use the Twin and JCM800pedals, and their audio paths are true schematic-wise to the real deals.

The Friedman IR stuff sounds good too, can't understand why you can't make one work aside from the fact that maybe you don't like the Friedman BE's sound or it's IR's?

 

[KingsXJJ]

Arthur Sounds for real HV tube preamps pedals, which of course require a tube power amp or digital sim to sound like a complete amp.

Many models to choose from here...

https://www.ebay.com/usr/arthurguitarsound

I use the Twin and JCM800pedals, and their audio paths are true schematic-wise to the real deals.

The Friedman IR stuff sounds good too, can't understand why you can't make one work aside from the fact you don't like the Friedman BE or it's IR's?

I think the Friedman preamps are hit or miss depending on taste. They are seemingly built well and quite a few people get good results and are happy with them. I’ll second looking at the Vox pedals as well. Good luck!

 

[KingsXJJ]

I remember back in the day having a white Crate rack mounted tube preamp. I loved the gain and crunch it had. Bought it for $125 at a pawn shop and regret selling it.

 

[djd100]

I think the Friedman preamps are hit or miss depending on taste. They are seemingly built well and quite a few people get good results and are happy with them. I’ll second looking at the Vox pedals as well. Good luck!

The Vox Valve Energy pedals sound good, but they are not full tube amps, i.e. they have only one dual-triode NuTube for two tube gain stages, and everything else is solid state. They also do not have a traditional passive tonestack, rather they have a active boost/cut BMT setup.

The NuTube compares sound-wise with starved plate 12AX7's, i.e. browned out 12AX7's running at low plate voltage, but they do give a nice tube preamp feel. I like them and have a couple on a B-Rig pedalboard, but they do not compare with a real full tube preamp if full tube preamp sonic accuracy is the goal (though to do easily beat out solid state stuff IMO).

The Arthur Sounds preamps are the real deal, i.e. full HV tube preamps in a pedal format.

 

[KingsXJJ]

The Vox Valve Energy pedals sound good, but they are not full tube amps, i.e. they have only one dual-triode NuTube for two tube gain stages, and everything else is solid state. They also do not have a traditional passive tonestack, rather they have a active boost/cut BMT setup.

The NuTube compares sound-wise with starved plate 12AX7's, i.e. browned out 12AX7's running at low plate voltage, but they do give a nice tube preamp feel. I like them and have a couple on a B-Rig pedalboard, but they do not compare with a real full tube preamp if full tube preamp sonic accuracy is the goal (though to do easily beat out solid state stuff IMO).

The Arthur Sounds preamps are the real deal, i.e. full HV tube preamps in a pedal format.

I’d agree with all of this. The Vox weren’t for me but tastes vary. I was very selective with my words trying not to unduly influence OP.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

I am currently considering an amp, as I have tried quite a few pedal preamps, and it just doesn't seem to be getting there for me. I was considering a Friedman Plex or JEL50 for about a day, but if I can't get a full sentence reply, then Dave doesn't need anymore of my money. Simple as that. I'm likely going to get a JCM900 Studio unless another option is suggested that seems more appealing.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Arthur Sounds for real HV tube preamps pedals, which of course require a tube power amp or digital sim to sound like a complete amp.

Many models to choose from here...

https://www.ebay.com/usr/arthurguitarsound

I came here to say that. I have the JCM800 version but i kinda want the Twin one as well.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

I came here to say that. I have the JCM800 version but i kinda want the Twin one as well.

That might be an option if they didn't look cheaply made. It also doesn't really fit on my pedalboard.

 

[Frodebro]

I remember back in the day having a white Crate rack mounted tube preamp. I loved the gain and crunch it had. Bought it for $125 at a pawn shop and regret selling it.

View attachment 38806

Wow, that brings back some memories…

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Probably not buying anything. The comments from people regarding the Studio series that were previously complimentary are less so now, which is discouraging, and there isn't any thing else I'm particularly interested in. So yeah, not sure what I'll do with the "office" rig, but probably use the Power Station in the living room for a stereo setup, put the pedals on my small pedalboard away, and do whatever with the 4th cabinet.

 

[Frodebro]

Probably not buying anything. The comments from people regarding the Studio series that were previously complimentary are less so now, which is discouraging, and there isn't any thing else I'm particularly interested in. So yeah, not sure what I'll do with the "office" rig, but probably use the Power Station in the living room for a stereo setup, put the pedals on my small pedalboard away, and do whatever with the 4th cabinet.

Fractal is the way. Always.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

Fractal is the way. Always.

Pass. I deal enough with fucking computers. (This comes off really harsh, so I apologize. I am just burnt out from my job, which is work from home and online.)

 

[Frodebro]

Pass. I deal enough with fucking computers. (This comes off really harsh, so I apologize. I am just burnt out from my job, which is work from home and online.)

I deal with the public every day. Computers are a piece of cake.