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***Club Verellen***

You could also just buy a preamp and run it into any combo amp.

Now that I'm convinced the MS tone works for me, I am actually thinking of selling my two SVTs (2Pro and 3Pro) and using the funds to get an Aguilar TH500 with an Ampeg Micro 210 cab. Should make a nice portable practice rig, and I can just run my MS pre into the Ag effects return when I need to.
 
I've thought about that as well. With my full PT Pro, bass, head, cab, and MS pre, there is a lot to haul around. Call me lazy, but it would be nice to have the full time MS tone with less to haul.

I have also considered attaching a Crown power amp to the back of my FEarful 15/6/1 and simply using the MS with my rig in that manner. I would build a compartment on the back of the amp for the power amp. That might be how I end up going.
 
I've thought about that as well. With my full PT Pro, bass, head, cab, and MS pre, there is a lot to haul around. Call me lazy, but it would be nice to have the full time MS tone with less to haul.

I have also considered attaching a Crown power amp to the back of my FEarful 15/6/1 and simply using the MS with my rig in that manner. I would build a compartment on the back of the amp for the power amp. That might be how I end up going.

Although I have the rack version, I use it with a Crown XLS1000 through an LDS 15/6. Perfect light weight rig.
 
Although I have the rack version, I use it with a Crown XLS1000 through an LDS 15/6. Perfect light weight rig.

Hows that rig working for you? I also have a Crown XLS1500 and DIY fEarful 15/6, but I haven't actually tried the Crown with the MS pre yet. I've been (ab)using my 50W tube poweramp instead. It doesn't have quite enough headroom though, and I really need to push it hard. Maybe I'll try the Crown at practice tonight.
 
Hows that rig working for you? I also have a Crown XLS1500 and DIY fEarful 15/6, but I haven't actually tried the Crown with the MS pre yet. I've been (ab)using my 50W tube poweramp instead. It doesn't have quite enough headroom though, and I really need to push it hard. Maybe I'll try the Crown at practice tonight.

Let me know what you think after trying it. I have never used a power amp before. I assume I would still pull the "Record Out" from the MS and us the standard out to the power amp. Ben got back to me with a quote. Not cheap, but reasonable if I move some of my unused Mesa gear.
 
Hows that rig working for you? I also have a Crown XLS1500 and DIY fEarful 15/6, but I haven't actually tried the Crown with the MS pre yet. I've been (ab)using my 50W tube poweramp instead. It doesn't have quite enough headroom though, and I really need to push it hard. Maybe I'll try the Crown at practice tonight.

Try it. I think you'll like it. Plenty of headroom. Crown XLS1000 is 1100w @ 8ohms bridged. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Mesa Strategy 400 tube power amp to go with the MS. But the Crown seems to do just fine. And honestly, I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference between the two (minus the weight).
 
I run mine with a peavey tube power amp that's bridgeable for 240 watts. I got it for $230, way less than the Mesa 400's go for. It's awesome in every way, except for the fact that my 4 space rack weighs 80 pounds.
 
Try it. I think you'll like it. Plenty of headroom. Crown XLS1000 is 1100w @ 8ohms bridged. I've been toying with the idea of buying a Mesa Strategy 400 tube power amp to go with the MS. But the Crown seems to do just fine. And honestly, I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference between the two (minus the weight).

I don't have the proper cable for bridging, and I find it a little under-powered un-bridged.
 
To help anyone wondering what amps work well with the Meatsmoke, I've got another one to add to the list - the Ashdown ABM500 really gels well with the MS Pre. It has a weird design that it mutes itself if you run a preamp into the line in without anything plugged into the instrument input. As a result, I plugged a patch half into the input and ran it pure to the power amp that way. It sounded great - really clear and I can see why MS users go for that approach instead of the traditional "pedal effect" approach.

But then I put the MS through the instrument input of the ABM and thought it sounded even better. There's ridiculous bottom end generated by the Ashdown. It's a thick sounding amp and that seems to be perfect for the MS - which adds zing and warmth. I decided to stick with the front of amp approach. It's now MS (and pedals) through the ABM500 into a 4 ohm Glockenklang 2x12. It's one of the smallest rigs I have used yet it seems to also be one of the loudest. Might be time for me to admit class D amps don't kick as hard.
 
So I used my Crown XLS 1500 at practice last night. I'd say I lost a bit of "character" VS using the tube power amp, but the extra headroom really added a lot of weight to the low end, and my clean tone ended up being a lot cleaner. No surprise really, since I basically have to dime my 50W tube amp to get the volume I need.

I think I'll be bringing the Crown to my gig tonight, and I'm going to be a rebel/idiot and use my MS pre anyway, despite the resistor issue... Don't tell Ben... ;)
 
I found it interesting that Bens initial mail said that the resistor may never present an issue, however he said he recommended having it changed regardless of whether or not there had ever been an issue. Then, he suggested avoiding use until it could be repaired...

I'd have a hard time not using too it if I had to play a show. The tone is just THAT good.
 
Think a 100w tube power amp would be loud enough with the MS and LDS 15/6? I'm thinking of picking up a Carvin TS100 locally.

Hard to say without knowing what kind of bands you're playing in. I'm trying to keep up with two 4x12 guitar rigs, so I need more power than some might. I was really slamming that 50W tuber pretty hard to get myself heard with a 15/6. Actually says a lot for the 15/6 that I could even hear myself at all.

100W might do it, but maybe not cleanly. Probably would still have to push the tubes pretty hard.