Kern IP777 preamp

Awesome. I loved mine, and I'm currently looking for a used one to replace the one I never should have sold. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

 

This is great news for all those who owned a Kern...but sold it. Also great news for all those (like myself) who could have purchased a new one when they were available...but didn't. Shame on all of us.

P.S. If you currently own a Kern pre, please don't rub it in by gloating.

M. M.

 

Okay, I won't.

 

I hate you.

 

/* switch gloating = off */

That's great to hear!

/* switch gloating = on */

 

But maybe I will...

 

Since the Kern web site is now down it appears that a new release of the Kern bass preamp isn't in the works. If you have info to the contrary, please post.

 

And I always regreted selling mine-though mine went to the awesome Hollowman.It was my all time favorite pre-loved it.If I ever go back to a power amp/pre setup it would be a Kern.

Les was great.I sent mine to him and he totally went through it and updated a few things-came back a brand new unit.Don't know what is going on with this though-he said years ago there would be another run of these.Has not happened yet.

 

I have a Kern pre and would like Les to do that for mine, if he's still taking on such projects. Do you have contact info for him?

 

Damn these threads from 2008... got me a bit excited!

Anyway, I've had shedloads of preamps but never a Kern. But I'm curious.

In a nutshell, what is so good about these preamps? Seem to recall it's the warm tube tone, is that right?

 

very warm... it had a deep voice and also a pretty good range of tones, but always a fat presence even with "modern" EQ settings. So much so that I sold mine. I still think it was a very nice unit. Sound persons I worked with seemed to either love or hate it for that reason. ...but it was always a big, fat warm sound in every case.

 

LOL (at the OP's original post). I'm laughing because I sent Les almost the same exact e-mail about a year ago, and I received exactly the same response.....that he plans to reinstate making the almighty Kern IP-777. I wonder if there is a computer set up somewhere to automatically reply to all inquiries with that same reply.

At any rate, I decided to just buy one from a guy on the 'bay. It's one of the later models with the built-in power supply (no wall wart).

I sure am glad I bought it! It sounds fantastic, especially with some high quality NOS tubes in it!

 

What tubes do you like in yours? I am trying some out in mine.

 

I noticed the site went down a couple days ago. Still I guess could go either way...Maybe they're putting up a new site, maybe it's the end of the road.

The good news for me is that I have one coming sometime next week. TB'er Chadds offered up his beloved non-wart Kern to me about a month ago, and now its slated to ship in the next few days.

To provide some useful CURRENT info, I'll add that I believe the new Jules Monique is the only reason he's agreed to sell. Anyone interested in the Kern, but wants a current production tube pre, and you have the scratch to be considering this direction should check out the Monique.

 

Robal, I went with these NOS tubes:

12AX7 RCA long black plates, military spec, premium matched pair

RCA black plates 12AU7/6189 triple mica

 

Yeah, I have heard nothing but good things about the tone that comes out of that Jules Monique bass preamp. For those who may be interested in the Monique, here's a thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/jule-amps-monique-741469/

 

I love RI Tung Sols but some can be very inconsistent. They can have big bass sweet highs and airy but present mids. I used NOS Sylvanias. Dark and warm and sweet. I did end up with new EH because they are good Russian tubes presumably inspected and selected. They are very consistent. After you finish adjusting your bass, mid, and treble, the tone knob just bringings the special taste!