From flyer42@aol.com Wed Mar 14 05:49:50 2001
Subject:Re: Tube preamps

In a message dated 3/13/2001 10:41:09 PM Eastern Standard Time,
arice@creativepages.net writes:

> I think the tube warmth and real Leslie more than make up for the
> crappy XB-2 clone, so I would say invest the money in a tube preamp
> first.
> What does everyone else think?
>

I agree almost totally. I play an Oberheim 0B3/2 for my upper keyboard and
an XB/2 with the latest rev firmware for my lower. Between the two I
personally like the Oberheim better but that's another subject. I play these
through a 100 watt all tube Fender Showman amp through a 147 leslie with no
amp. I put a Triode/Pentode switch on the Showman so it is switchable 50/100
watts depending on the need. I think much of the warmth and growl everyone
is looking for comes from clipping a tube power amp, as with a real leslie.
I think a real solution for clones run direct into anything solid state would
be an inline tube effect with a small class A power amp thru a small output
transformer with input and output level controls. You can clip a tube preamp
stage, but it's a much more trashy sound than the sweet growl from a tube
output stage. Something like this would have to be custom built as I know of
nothing like this on the commercial market.

Steve