Mesa Boogie vs Tubeworks (preamp)

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 3 Apr 2004 5:00 pm

Which is better or which one wins or anybody A/B 'd em?

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Apr 2004 12:07 pm

I have a TubeWorks II and a Mesa V-Twin. I prefer the V-Twin. It's more flexible and it sounds better to me.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 5 Apr 2004 1:39 pm

Bobby - What else are you using with your V-Twin (power amp, speakers, etc.)? I'm seriously thinking of pressing mine back into service.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Apr 2004 9:31 pm

I'm using a Mesa 50/50 power amp, and two 12" EVMs. But I have a second setup that uses a Mesa 20/20 and two Tone Tubbies, and it sounds better. It can't handle the louder gigs as well, though.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Chris Allen Burke · Post by **Chris Allen Burke** » 6 Apr 2004 9:51 pm

I have tired a lot of pre's. I am a "rack guy", and have been buying and selling rack gear for more than 15 years. I used to have a set-up for live gigs and one for studio, but about 8 years ago I decided to scale down to one set-up. The 1 item that tied it all together was the purchase of a Mesa-Boogie, Triaxis preamp. The best there is. Completely versitile, single space all tube. A simple midi footswitch controls the patch settings. It sounds like any amp, any tone you want. I use it for steel, elec.& aco. guitar, harmonica. Recording direct out is not my favorite sound but when the producer says that's what has to to happen, it has never let me down. My personal preferance in the studio, 1 signal to the board and 1 to a Nashville 400. Live, just into the Nashville. 1 drawback, it cost $1500 new. I bought it $1250. But soon the price pain goes away as the tone and ease of operation take over. Check the mesa site.
Good luck
Keeponapicin'
CAB

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 7 Apr 2004 9:29 am

I use a V-twin in one of my rack rigs. For a wide range of crystal clear tones, it's a steal for the money. They appear on ebay all the time for around 3 bills and change. Very musical sounding pre. I will probably offend a lot of people with this, but I think the overdrive side is pretty corny sounding, but the clean side is great, LOUD too. And of course the cool blue LED is a plus. I wonder if anyone has tried the MB Formula Preamp? I haven't seen one in the flesh yet. Like a V-twin with a graphic EQ, I believe.

I should mention that I use the V-Twin into a Lexicon MPX-550, which goes to a Hafler Transnova P3000 and out to two Bogner Shiva single 12 cabs, loaded with Celestion Classic 80s. Pretty giant sound.

G[This message was edited by Gerald Menke on 07 April 2004 at 10:31 AM.]

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 7 Apr 2004 5:26 pm

Put the V Twin on E-Bay. Bobby !!

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 8 Apr 2004 11:08 pm

I use the mix mode of the V-Twin for distortion tones. I like to hear some of the clean steel in there.

The preamp in my Mesa Maverick really kicks butt. Sometimes I wish it was rackable. I've been known to run it into effects and a stereo power amp, not using the amp in the combo at all. Killer tone for rock with the Sierra Laptop!

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax