For Paul Franklin and other MB Studio pre users

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 5 Dec 2003 6:37 pm

I am about to purchase a Mesa Boogie Studio preamp. I called Mesa Boogie to ask them a few questions and found out about a modification that can be performed on the preamp known as the "Paul Franklin modificaton." My cause for concern is that I heard that Paul Franklin does not modify his Studio Pre. Should I consider the mod to eliminate the potential for my BL 710s to cause distortion in the preamp?

How well does this unit work using the "Power Amp In" input on the back of a Nashville 1000?

Does anyone have any tips on settings?

Any suggestions from Mr. Franklin as well as other users to help me get the most from this preamp will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.[This message was edited by Cameron Parsons on 07 December 2003 at 04:42 PM.]

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 5 Dec 2003 9:50 pm

Cameron, Where did you learn all them big fancy words? Surely not in your business. Just joking. Looking forward to hearing you play at our club meetings next year. See you down the road. Jody.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 6 Dec 2003 10:31 am

I would love to hear more about this also as I am currently using one. I was told from Jim Baron that Paul uses the recording out put, this works for me as I run into the front end of my Webb and I can keep from overdriving the front end of the Webb.

I am using a 4 ohm EV speaker, it has a lot of bass, the MBSP really gives me back my highs.

I don't use the EQ section for the steel but have it preset for Banjo. The manual is very good about describing the uses for the various controls and the "Sweet spots". It seems like most controls like the 6-7 setting.

Larry Behm

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 7 Dec 2003 4:44 pm

Greg Derksen · Post by **Greg Derksen** » 8 Dec 2003 7:12 am

I would be curious about the mod also, steel PU's , really hammer the front end of that preamp,
I get around it by putting my effect unit ahead, its working fine,
Any info Paul? Particularily where you run your TC Delay in your chain,
Greg

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 8 Dec 2003 8:24 am

The Studio Pre is very similar to a Fender preamp section. The input is just a 1 meg resistor to ground, which is similar to the high gain input on a Fender. What I did was to make it like the low gain input by pulling the wire off the input and attaching a 68K resistor between the wire and the hot contact on the input. Then attach another 68K resistor from the wire/resistor connection to ground. With this setup you won't overdrive the first tube stage. Works for me with my L710's.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 8 Dec 2003 5:44 pm

I run 710's into my stock MB, and don't seem to have an overload problem...

Greg Derksen · Post by **Greg Derksen** » 9 Dec 2003 9:53 am

John, even when your Volumn pedal is dimed?
You don't get any front distortion? Hmmmm
Thats got more output than my 705,and my
705's just smash the front end of my preamp and older Fender amps, I have to attenuate
my input level about 12db, for it to be perfectly clean, Thanx, Greg

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 9 Dec 2003 5:48 pm

Doen't seem to. I bought it and the MosValve and it sounded great right out of the box. My 710's are spaced correctly, too, so they are not backed off.

I bought the MB used--maybe someone else modded it??? It has an intermittent that I need to open it up and look at it. I'' check then...

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 11 Dec 2003 7:45 am

I go straight in using stock Zum single coils. It's clean as a whistle.

I don't feel that the sound of a mic'ed speaker can be beat for recording. But the MB preamp is the best non-speaker recorded sound I've ever gotten.

After 30 years of Peavey, my ears had completely forgotten what fantastic tones come from vacuum tubes.

mm

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 19 Dec 2003 9:45 pm

Franklin · Post by **Franklin** » 20 Dec 2003 4:59 am

I am confused about where the PF mod originated. I own two mesa studio preamps and neither one has ever been modified. They are both off the shelf. I no longer have the original one I used with Dire Straits. Perhaps that one was modified? I don't know.

If you like the Fender sound?... You will love it.

Paul

Bob Snelgrove · Post by **Bob Snelgrove** » 20 Dec 2003 8:41 am

Paul,

Could you explain your complete current setup including effects, etc?

thx

bob

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 30 Dec 2003 6:18 pm

Paul others would like your set-up also. I am going to run my MBSP into a PV Mace power amp in, it has 6 6L6's and two BW 12's, we will get some highs now.

Larry Behm[This message was edited by Larry Behm on 31 December 2003 at 09:40 AM.]

Jim Marconi · Post by **Jim Marconi** » 31 Dec 2003 3:57 pm

Hi Larry...can you tell me why you like to run your MBSP into your Webb 614E..I own both and I never tried doing that and I am sure if you are doing this there is a good reason..just picking your brain and educating mine...
Thank You
Jim Marconi

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 2 Jan 2004 9:19 am

Jim I was looking for options. The MBSP gives me many options; the unit placed right next to me gives me control options; the 5 band EQ section gives me options for other instruments used just now and then on the show; the overdriven section gives me options when I want that sound. The tubes change the sound.

When using the recording outs you can run into your amp front end. Turn down the volume and the master to 5 or so. I rewired the Webb so I can also run into the power amp only if I want to.

Even though I like the Webb, everytime you add something to your chain you get more options.

Larry Behm
503-722-7562

Cameron Parsons · Post by **Cameron Parsons** » 2 Jan 2004 11:50 am

I have been using the MBSP for about three weeks now. It sounds great! Could some of you give me some examples of settings especially with regard to the Volume, Master, and Output? I have been setting the gains as follows to prevent overdriving the unit.

Volume: 1 to 1.5
Master: 8 to 9
Output: 10

Are these settings similar to yours? Thanks for all your replies.