Mesa Boogie Preamp

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 16 Jun 2005 5:29 pm

Saw a Mesa preamp today I was wondering about, the FormulaPre. Anyone have any experience with these? Prices paid?

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MSA Classic 12, Peavey Delta Blues, Proco Rat, Robert Randolph - Shubb bars

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 16 Jun 2005 7:53 pm

I have a Formula Pre and a Studio Pre, so I've had some opportunity to compare. Bottom line is that I use my lightly modded Formula Pre, and my Studio PRe is collecting dust.

If you want to use the Formula for steel, I recommend substitution of first tube with 12AY7, followed by 12AT7's.

I spent US$420 + about $100 for new tubes. Was it worth it ? I use it and have equally expensive gear sitting around unused.

I'll be happy to contribute as this thread evolves.
[This message was edited by Tom Gorr on 01 March 2006 at 07:04 PM.]

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 16 Jun 2005 8:48 pm

I'll be using it, if I get it, for lap steel, mostly overdriven. I normally replace the first 12AX7 with a 12AT7 already, even for my Tele's... Mesa's are gainy as hell though, do you think a 12AY7 would be better?

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GFI D8 Non-Pedal, Peavey Delta Blues, Goodrich H10K VP, Modded Vox V-847, Ibanez DD1000 Digital Delay, Dunlop Lap Dawg bar

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 17 Jun 2005 4:33 am

Keith...I haven't tried the Formula,but a friend who has one says it is identical to the Studio...I do know that it is one rack space,and I think it has three channels instead of two...I'd like to have one myself,but they are no longer made and I've never seen a used one for sale...good luck with it!

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http://home.comcast.net/~stevehinson

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 17 Jun 2005 6:38 am

I have both the Formula and the Studio. The Formula does not have reverb, but other than that, I can get it to sound as good or better than my Studio Pre. Plus I like the overdrive much better. I have not experimented with tube swapping. I'm too cheap.
Hey Steve H.
Dave Ristrim

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 17 Jun 2005 7:14 am

Hey Dave!I forgot about the lack of reverb on the Formula...you are correct...hope you are well and busy!

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 17 Jun 2005 7:48 am

I always loved the reverb on the Studio Pre.
I don't know of any other Pre-Amp with Spring Reverb.

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 17 Jun 2005 8:24 am

I strongly disagree that the FP & SP are "the same". Not even similar.

The SP - and its close cousins, the Mark IIc & III, have drive channels that are remniscent of early 80's metal - eg. Metallica.

The FP strikes me as being more of a country/blues machine. Prefer it with SC P-ups (mainly due to the slightly muddy lead voicings) whereas a lot of Boogie equipment sounds better with HB's.

The FP still has that grainy asyymetrical clip that is signature Boogie. However, that is all about the lead channels.

The clean channel on this unit is sweeter than sugar pie. For OD on a lap steel, I would use the clean channel and run the FP nto an overdriven power amp like the PEAVEY Classic 50/50.

Better yet - save some bucks and consider a PEAVEY Classic 30 combo which has the fattest and most dynamic power tube overdrive I've ever heard. I'd expect that the tone you are after would be found in an OD Power amp (eg. Classic 30), rather than an OD Preamp (eg. Formula Pre).[This message was edited by Tom Gorr on 17 June 2005 at 09:30 AM.]

Keith Cordell · Post by **Keith Cordell** » 17 Jun 2005 10:17 am

Interesting that you brought up the Classic 30, I use a Delta Blues and kinda like it. I am thinking of getting a little more hi-fi though, and the Delta Blues has been prone to lots of problems so far so reliability is also a concern.

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GFI D8 Non-Pedal, Peavey Delta Blues, Goodrich H10K VP, Modded Vox V-847, Ibanez DD1000 Digital Delay, Dunlop Lap Dawg bar

David Decker · Post by **David Decker** » 18 Jun 2005 5:26 am

Hummingbird Music Studio in Sugarcreek, Ohio has a used Mesa Formula Pre for sale. Ask for Rick 1-800-361-1770