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12-25-2010, 10:05 PM
|  | Livin' it up at the Hotel California | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sacramento California | | | Les Plopa to make Kern preamps again
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In July 2010, I sent an e-mail to Les Plopa of Kern Engineering as follows: Hello. I am a bass player in California. I was wondering if you ever plan to start making the Kern IP-777 tube bass preamp again, as I am interested in buying one. I read somewhere on the Internet that you might start making them again, with some "upgrades". Please let me know. Thank you.
I received a reply to that message today, Dec 25, as follows: Sorry for the long delay getting back. We were sidetracked by a health problem and work issues. I am doing them again with an upgraded power supply, rear tube cage and a clip indicator on both main and line output. We will be building them with the help of Mike Bacino of Bacino Amps. Mike was my tech guy at Victoria Amp Co. for about 5 years, and a trusted associate, and as rabid in his attitude for high American quality products as I am.Thanks for your continued interest in our products. Happy Holidays..Les
I have since acquired a Kern IP-777 that I found on the 'bay, but I thought I would share Les' reply with the TB community in case any of you are interested.
Here is the link to their website: http://www.kernacm.com/
I have no affiliation with Kern.
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Experience is acquired by bad judgment.
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12-25-2010, 10:12 PM
| | | | Great News!!! |
12-25-2010, 10:19 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA | | | Haha, that's funny; I too emailed Les in July asking about a new amp (in an email from a couple of years ago, he'd mentioned to me that he was working on a new design). Like you, I got my reply today!
Can't wait to see what he comes up with; the IP-777 is one of my all-time favorite sounding preamps!
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You can't have everything. Where would you put it?
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12-26-2010, 05:00 AM
|  | Hey, what does this knob do? | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Hampshire | | | One of the few pieces of kit I've seen that tells you whether or not it inverts polarity. Wish every preamp and amp manufacturer did that. |
12-26-2010, 11:32 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: MTD basses and strings | | | | | Fantastic...
The only pre that might coax me away from the Summit stuff...and besides the names match - Kern IP into a Berg IP!
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Cameron Quote:
Originally Posted by SactoBass  In July 2010, I sent an e-mail to Les Plopa of Kern Engineering as follows: Hello. I am a bass player in California. I was wondering if you ever plan to start making the Kern IP-777 tube bass preamp again, as I am interested in buying one. I read somewhere on the Internet that you might start making them again, with some "upgrades". Please let me know. Thank you.
I received a reply to that message today, Dec 25, as follows: Sorry for the long delay getting back. We were sidetracked by a health problem and work issues. I am doing them again with an upgraded power supply, rear tube cage and a clip indicator on both main and line output. We will be building them with the help of Mike Bacino of Bacino Amps. Mike was my tech guy at Victoria Amp Co. for about 5 years, and a trusted associate, and as rabid in his attitude for high American quality products as I am.Thanks for your continued interest in our products. Happy Holidays..Les
I have since acquired a Kern IP-777 that I found on the 'bay, but I thought I would share Les' reply with the TB community in case any of you are interested.
Here is the link to their website: http://www.kernacm.com/
I have no affiliation with Kern. |
__________________ Quote: | MTD + Summit 2BA-221 pre/TLA 50 + Berg IP ministack = bass nirvana | |
12-26-2010, 01:23 PM
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Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North central Ohio | | | |
12-27-2010, 09:23 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassflute The only pre that might coax me away from the Summit stuff...and besides the names match - Kern IP into a Berg IP!
Merry Christmas, everybody.
Cameron | The Kern is the only thing that eclipses the Summit from a high voltage tube pre perspective. It does allow me to dial out a lot of bass. The IPs require that at least for my uses. Other than that I like pres to be out of the way. It's funny that the Glock pre has all the other sweetness that the Summit has. My rambling says the Summit is in between, for me, the Glock and the Kern. The Kern is rich and clear. All that tube gooey but way hi-end clear. |
12-27-2010, 09:43 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seweracuse, NY | | | I'm of the opinion that this might be the preamp for me, as I move towards a pre/power setup this spring. I've never played the Kern.
I'm looking for clean but warm...for the past few years I've been rockin' a LMII, but don't have enough clean headroom and detest the power amp limiting. I'm going to have to do some research, on this to see if it will suit what I like on stage. I tend to roll most of my highs and if I boost lows I like them in the 40-60hz range. On quick look it appears to be close to the Bassman tone stack, which really isn't ideal for me though...
__________________ fEARful: for those who want something better: http://greenboy.us/fEARful/ For Sale (locally only): Bergantino HT115 with Cover: $500.00. PM me about it.
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12-27-2010, 09:48 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BurningSkies I'm of the opinion that this might be the preamp for me, as I move towards a pre/power setup this spring. I've never played the Kern.
I'm looking for clean but warm...for the past few years I've been rockin' a LMII, but don't have enough clean headroom and detest the power amp limiting. I'm going to have to do some research, on this to see if it will suit what I like on stage. I tend to roll most of my highs and if I boost lows I like them in the 40-60hz range. On quick look it appears to be close to the Bassman tone stack, which really isn't ideal for me though... | The Kern isn't that Fender tone stack sound. It's in another universe from the Alembic etc. It can do that but it's got so much more going. Seems like tube McIntosh quality. |
12-27-2010, 09:56 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seweracuse, NY | | Quote:
Originally Posted by chadds The Kern isn't that Fender tone stack sound. It's in another universe from the Alembic etc. It can do that but it's got so much more going. Seems like tube McIntosh quality. | That has me more interested, especially at the price that these will probably sell for. Anyone know where the EQ centers are and roughly how they act? Also the 'tube' aspect of this amp...I tend to not really want the 'tube grit' that a lot of people like. Clean clear and smooth is more of what I want.
For reference, my rig currently is Dingwall Voodoo/Zebra (active OBP-1 with Sheldon's proprietary electronics/hybrid tone control) with fEarful 15/6+15/sub and it would be powered by one of the new Peavey IPR3K amps.
__________________ fEARful: for those who want something better: http://greenboy.us/fEARful/ For Sale (locally only): Bergantino HT115 with Cover: $500.00. PM me about it.
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12-27-2010, 11:53 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland OR | | Anybody checking out this thread might want to consider a Sarno tube preamp, either a Classic or Revelation. Rich, warm & clear musical tones in a low noise, high headroom circuit. The icing on the cake is that the owner is a nice guy and very responsive. I had questions about the voicing of the eq and got detailed, courteous support the same day. No affiliation, just a very satisfied owner. http://www.sarnomusicsolutions.com/index.html
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12-27-2010, 02:47 PM
| | | It's smooth and clear. You know it's tubes.
Hey, I've been on TB for some years. This piece I can say is what folks have quietly described.
Ceramic sockets, ptp, 12au7 for DI, two 12ax7s, high voltage which means tubes really work, tone controls really work!  |
12-27-2010, 07:41 PM
|  | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: DR Strings, SMS, D-TAR | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boulder, CO | | Quote:
Originally Posted by koobie Anybody checking out this thread might want to consider a Sarno tube preamp, either a Classic or Revelation. Rich, warm & clear musical tones in a low noise, high headroom circuit. The icing on the cake is that the owner is a nice guy and very responsive. I had questions about the voicing of the eq and got detailed, courteous support the same day. No affiliation, just a very satisfied owner. http://www.sarnomusicsolutions.com/index.html | +1. Very nice pres. Brad let me take one of the prototypes of the Classic on the road and after a couple days, I had to have it. I found it to be a lot more responsive to eq changes on the bass than the Alembics I had been using. I've always wanted to try a Kern, but it would take a lot to get me to move on from the SMS. |
12-28-2010, 08:56 AM
|  | Resident Packer Fanatic | | Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin | | | How 'bout a tube pre micro Les? |
12-28-2010, 09:05 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seweracuse, NY | | | What are the EQ centers on the Kern and the Sarno? What are any details about how the EQ functions?
__________________ fEARful: for those who want something better: http://greenboy.us/fEARful/ For Sale (locally only): Bergantino HT115 with Cover: $500.00. PM me about it.
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12-28-2010, 09:46 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: DR Strings, SMS, D-TAR | | Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boulder, CO | | | The Sarno is essentially the Fender Showman tone stack. There is tons of documentation online about that. |
12-28-2010, 09:59 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: La Salle, IL USA | | Great to hear. Might bring be back around to a preamp solution for my next rig.  |
12-28-2010, 10:11 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seweracuse, NY | | Quote:
Originally Posted by edwinhurwitz The Sarno is essentially the Fender Showman tone stack. There is tons of documentation online about that. | Paint me less enthusiastic then...
__________________ fEARful: for those who want something better: http://greenboy.us/fEARful/ For Sale (locally only): Bergantino HT115 with Cover: $500.00. PM me about it.
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12-28-2010, 11:21 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Fort Worth -- that's my hood. | | | The Kern is an extremely versatile tone machine.
I'd love to have 1 -- one of these days.
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Currently creating low frequency vibrations with the aid of EBMM SR5, EA iAmp-600, & EA CX-310. |
12-28-2010, 11:59 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2001 Location: Orangevale, CA 95662 | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BurningSkies Paint me less enthusiastic then... | +1 | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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