Mike Pope MPP-1 rack preamp

Latinferno · #1 07-12-2010, 06:05 AM

Has anyone had the chance to check one of these out? They are rather pricey and I was curious if someone had one and could post a review. Thanks

chadds · #2 07-12-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinferno

Has anyone had the chance to check one of these out? They are rather pricey and I was curious if someone had one and could post a review. Thanks

This is not a critique of your budget. Pres of this quality cost this much.
If you notice there are gradations of price like in most things retail. Quality of construction and design is not subjective but your tone goals are. I found that I kept wanting more and more clarity after getting an IP. Not hifi per say but quality of reproduction even if it was of a vintage tube tone.

NickyBass · #3 07-12-2010, 07:01 AM

I love mine. I have tried alot of high end studio gear over the years, and the Pope is the closest, cheapest and most convinient way to get that sound to the stage. Of course, it all depends on your tonal goals. What type of music are you playing?

lo-freq · #4 07-12-2010, 08:51 AM

I'd love to try one.
The MPP-1 and Glockenklang Bass Art are the two I'd most like to check out that are on my preamp GAS list.

Latinferno · #5 07-12-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

I love mine. I have tried alot of high end studio gear over the years, and the Pope is the closest, cheapest and most convinient way to get that sound to the stage. Of course, it all depends on your tonal goals. What type of music are you playing?

I mainly play rock/metal but also like clarity/punch/low noise in a head. I've tried/owned a ton of heads over the years (Carvin, Boogie, Trace Elliot, Ashdown, Ampeg, Eden, Hartke, SWR) and have yet to find THE tone. It would be nice to hear the nuances of all my basses (MTD 435, Spector, Stingray, Bongo 5 HH etc) instead of a company's interpretation of what my bass should sound like.

KJung · #6 07-12-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinferno

I mainly play rock/metal but also like clarity/punch/low noise in a head. I've tried/owned a ton of heads over the years (Carvin, Boogie, Trace Elliot, Ashdown, Ampeg, Eden, Hartke, SWR) and have yet to find THE tone. It would be nice to hear the nuances of all my basses (MTD 435, Spector, Stingray, Bongo 5 HH etc) instead of a company's interpretation of what my bass should sound like.

Every piece of gear, from the lowest end amp to the highest end preamp is a company's interpretation of what they think your bass should sound like. That's why every piece of gear (even different high end preamps and channel strips) all sound different.

It is more about matching the 'sound in your head' to your backline. That is typically not a 'high end versus low end ' or 'component versus integrated head' issue IMO.

Haven't heard this particular pre, although I've done many a gig with the Pope on-board pre in various basses (Foder and Stambaugh). Nice stuff... smooth and warm and clean.

Latinferno · #7 07-12-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

This is not a critique of your budget. Pres of this quality cost this much.
If you notice there are gradations of price like in most things retail. Quality of construction and design is not subjective but your tone goals are. I found that I kept wanting more and more clarity after getting an IP. Not hifi per say but quality of reproduction even if it was of a vintage tube tone.

So were you able to try one out first? The MPP-1 is hardly "retail" in availability and there aren't many boutique bass stores in my area. At this point, I'd settle for some sound clips on the versatility of this product.

Also, "quality of construction" and "tone" are rather subjective. I personally would prefer a mass produced 70's Fender bass weighing 8lbs over a custom built Fedora that weighs as much as a "smart" car. Ha!

chadds · #8 07-12-2010, 09:44 AM

I could use up bandwidth waxing on about the Glock BAC. I'll be brief. The Kern IP777 brings that tubey gooey. Plug into the BAC and think you're gonna have SS disappointment? OH NO! Huge sweetness. All the sweet in tubes and it can grind.

Angus · #9 07-12-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinferno

...over a custom built Fedora that weighs as much as a "smart" car. Ha!

You have a hat that weighs as much as a car?

In on the thread- I've yet to find one in person, but I'd like to as I like the sounds other people are getting with the pre. I'm a big fan of the on-board (though it is sometimes a bit too bright with certain pickups/instruments), so I'd love to try a rack version in person but they are pretty hard to find.

Latinferno · #10 07-12-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

I love mine. I have tried alot of high end studio gear over the years, and the Pope is the closest, cheapest and most convinient way to get that sound to the stage. Of course, it all depends on your tonal goals. What type of music are you playing?

If the MPP-1 ($1500) and the MPP-2 ($1850) is considered "cheap" I'm curious to see what other high end bass products are out there when it comes to pre-amps. I've yet to go this route (pre-amp/power amp) and would like to check out some options.

cnltb · #11 07-12-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinferno

They are rather pricey

Not really I think, compared with some other stuff out there.

I too am keen to try one.

Latinferno · #12 07-12-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

You have a hat that weighs as much as a car?

In on the thread- I've yet to find one in person, but I'd like to as I like the sounds other people are getting with the pre. I'm a big fan of the on-board (though it is sometimes a bit too bright with certain pickups/instruments), so I'd love to try a rack version in person but they are pretty hard to find.

Of course not. But you can find some nice "hats" here in case you are interested:

http://www.fodera.com/home.html

I'd like to try one as well, but given that the availability is limited in my area. I figured I'd ask people who own the product to write a review to see if it was worth my time/effort to hunt one down.

Of course I could always gamble and buy one and sell it to one of you fine chaps if I didn't like it.

Angus · #13 07-12-2010, 10:12 AM

I was making fun of the spelling "Fedora" rather than "Fodera".

I've considered taking the gamble of buying it and "hoping", but over time I've found that that is a PITA exercise that rarely works out great and usually wastes a LOT of time and money, so I won't do it anymore, even if I think I'd like the gear.

Latinferno · #14 07-12-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

I was making fun of the spelling "Fedora" rather than "Fodera".

I've considered taking the gamble of buying it and "hoping", but over time I've found that that is a PITA exercise that rarely works out great and usually wastes a LOT of time and money, so I won't do it anymore, even if I think I'd like the gear.

Haha my bad. SP on Fodera. And I have gambled on a few items myself. This is why I'm probing about the unit first before taking the plunge. That's the problem with most of these high end pre-amps, they are hard to find if you don't live in a large metropolitan area. Call me a bass pauper, I find that gambling $1500 on a pre-amp sight unseen/unheard to be rather "pricey" when it comes to gambling on a unit.

bongomania · #15 07-12-2010, 10:42 AM

Yeah it's all about context. If a blue-collar bassist is used to playing through an amp rig that all-together cost them two or three week's wages, then buying a preamp alone that costs three or four week's wages seems pricey for sure. For recording engineers OTOH, it's commonplace to spend $3K or more on a single preamp.

NickyBass · #16 07-12-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinferno

If the MPP-1 ($1500) and the MPP-2 ($1850) is considered "cheap" I'm curious to see what other high end bass products are out there when it comes to pre-amps. I've yet to go this route (pre-amp/power amp) and would like to check out some options.

I'm talking about high end recording gear, not bass gear. There are many studios who have several $10k+ preamps at their disposal. I feel that the MPP is the closest you can get to having the 'studio on stage' tone in the under $2k price range.

It isn't a cheap preamp, to be sure--and I wouldn't put it up against a 10k preamp---but it is the closest and cheapest option if that is the desired tone.

Also, the eq on most studio 'channel strips' isn't voiced for bass like the MMP is.

chadds · #17 07-12-2010, 11:19 AM

Does Mike have a consideration period? 24-48 hours? Many makers do.
Do those Foderas come in a 7.5? Do the rack ears fit over your ears or do use the bolts?

johnk_10 · #18 07-12-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

I'm talking about high end recording gear, not bass gear. There are many studios who have several $10k+ preamps at their disposal. I feel that the MPP is the closest you can get to having the 'studio on stage' tone in the under $2k price range.

It isn't a cheap preamp, to be sure--and I wouldn't put it up against a 10k preamp---but it is the closest and cheapest option if that is the desired tone.

Also, the eq on most studio 'channel strips' isn't voiced for bass like the MMP is.

these channel strips have all worked great for my live bass rig (and work great in the studio too). the Focusrite and Avalon don't have 'bass specific' eq, but i feel that they have more and flexible eq than i'd ever need.

Latinferno · #19 07-12-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickyBass

I'm talking about high end recording gear, not bass gear. There are many studios who have several $10k+ preamps at their disposal. I feel that the MPP is the closest you can get to having the 'studio on stage' tone in the under $2k price range.

It isn't a cheap preamp, to be sure--and I wouldn't put it up against a 10k preamp---but it is the closest and cheapest option if that is the desired tone.

Also, the eq on most studio 'channel strips' isn't voiced for bass like the MMP is.

Ahh. I was only referring to bass pre-amps. I'm sure pre-amps have a wide variety (a la microphones) and each have their own distinct purpose etc.

What other bass pre-amps (under 2k) have you tried/worth checking out? Have you (or anyone) had the chance to compare the MPP-1 to say a Phil Jones P-1 Bass Preamplifier?

cybersnyder · #20 07-12-2010, 11:55 AM

I heard Mike Pope playing the MPP-2 recently at a local show at the Lakefront. I couldn't really tell how much of the tone could be attributed to the preamp versus the bass and, of course, the player. So I guess I've heard one being played but not in a context where I can tell what the it really sounds like.