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So I went to watch Voodoo Child one of my favourite local bands (with great guitar tone!!) and I found myself close enough to smell the guitarists breath (Wasn't smelling too bad though) and as always I started checking out his rig and It was quite simple yet confusing..

Tokai Les Paul > Boss Gt8 > 2 other stomp boxes (Delay and overdrive I think) > Marshall Preamp (Model Unknown) > Fender Amp (Looked Like a Hot Rod Deluxe)

So my question is simple, why the outboard preamp? I searched the web and forum but could't get a answer for a outboard preamp in a live situation? Specially when the combo should have a preamp built in?
    Freddy-Bl00D wrote: So I went to watch Voodoo Child one of my favourite local bands (with great guitar tone!!) and I found myself close enough to smell the guitarists breath (Wasn't smelling too bad though) and as always I started checking out his rig and It was quite simple yet confusing..

    Tokai Les Paul > Boss Gt8 > 2 other stomp boxes (Delay and overdrive I think) > Marshall Preamp (Model Unknown) > Fender Amp (Looked Like a Hot Rod Deluxe)

    So my question is simple, why the outboard preamp? I searched the web and forum but could't get a answer for a outboard preamp in a live situation? Specially when the combo should have a preamp built in?

    The marshall preamp will give you the Marshall kinda sound. Billy Gibbons runs a rig almost like that. The Fender preamp will give a different sound obviously. Was he running the preamp into the Fender's effects loop return or into the front input?
      Possibly he'll be using the preamp as a clean volume boost, or just to kick the amp harder when needed.
        Alan thats what i suspected but still not sure but seems logical

        EZietsman i didnt really pay attention to where the cable went ☹ but the marshall sound also is a logical explanation...

        I did manage to contact the guitarist so when (if) his explanation comes through i'll post it...

        But wont a preamp infront of the combo push the amp too hard? My amp knowledge is really limited (im working on it) but a amp can only go so loud so how much will a preamp do in the 'volume boost' scenario..
          Freddy-Bl00D wrote: But wont a preamp infront of the combo push the amp too hard? My amp knowledge is really limited (im working on it) but a amp can only go so loud so how much will a preamp do in the 'volume boost' scenario..
          It all depends on your amp settings:

          - If your amp is set very clean, with lots of headroom, you'll get a volume boost - good for clean solos.
          - If your amp is set on the verge, the preamp will push it over the edge to crunchy goodness and probably up the volume a bit too
          - If your amp is already distorting, the boost will give you even more drive and distortion, but won't get louder.
          - This effectively doubles your number of drive settings out of your amp. With a two channel amp, you end up with four sounds
          - You can also use the preamps EQ to give you a bit of a tonal boost to help you jump out of the mix during solos.

          It's worth noting that a lot of overdrives can be used in a similar fashion - as more of a volume boost than a drive pedal (or sometimes a bit of both). A lot of the classic overdrives like tubescreamers and the much maligned DS-1 were often used in exactly this way.
            Thanks alan.. Okay so the end question is: why would i need a preamp? Because everytime i see a fancy new piece of kit i think 'maybe i need this in my rig' as a typical gearaholic i'm always looking for new tools... I have a fender usa deluxe strat (its on its way :? check the your gear section on the 22nd and you will see her) i have in my opinion a damn good pedal setup and i'm working on a decent all tube amp (marshall class 5, peavey classic 30 or a Laney cub) im busy thinking more then 12months into the future but its good to know what i'll need in the long run..

            So how will a outboard preamp help a lil tube amp to shine if i have a nice guitar and pedals...
              Fulltone OCD also works wonders! Nigel hendroff use to have one (don't know if he still does)
                Freddy-Bl00D wrote: Okay so the end question is: why would i need a preamp?
                Well, if while playing you find yourself wishing you had any of the above listed volume or drive boosts. Or if you are someone who has to experiment and try everything once yourself. At the end of the day, only you can really say if you need one.

                They are most effective with a tube amp, so you might want to wait until you get one and then see if you need it. The amps you list are mostly single channel, so chances are good you will want the extra boost (but then again you might be happy using an overdrive pedal to do the boost).
                  I've used a tube microphone preamp between my strat and my Super Champ.
                  It creates different tones - always fun to experiment ?
                    6 days later
                    Well I contacted the guitarist and got the full explanation... It seems technical but I get the idea ?
                    hey bro sorry it took so long to reply, i dont have internet at the moment. the reasons i use the jmp1 are : it has 4 channels (2 cleans 2 od's) and you can save up to 100 patches, making my boss gt6 the ultimate foot switch. i use all my distortion tones from the jmp1. the jmp1 is designed to go with a seperate power amp (El34 50/50) and a speaker cab, all of those i used to use, honestly it sounds better thru the fender. one can bypass the fender's pre-amp by connecting the jmp1 thru the fx loop but i find these particular 2pieces of gear work and sound rad 2gether thru the fenders pamp. another handy thing about the jmp1 is if need be, say on tour or watever, if i have to use a supplied guit amp i can just take my jmp and theres my sound more or less, sometimes thru the loop sometimes thru the input. the jmp1 uses 12ax7 (ecc83) preamp valves which alot of pedals are using like radial tone bone, these pedals are essentially preamps so theres nothing stopping one from having a pre amp in a pre amp if they sound cool. rad dude..
                    Seems like a solid rig??
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