Mesa/Boogie V-Twin Rackmount Tube Preamp

I bought this mesa product for 400 euro from someone in the Netherlands. I was looking for a quit easy to use preamp for my 50/50 and after I read some review I bought one. Well..After I have downloaded the user manual I found out is is very easy to use this great preamp. I use it with a midi board, a boss GX 700 for the loop FX and I use a little midi interface to preset te mesa and the Boss.

The sound is really amazing, It is just what you can expect from a good tube amp. The clean is good and clear and the distortion is warm and smooth. The only argument is, the amp doesn't have to much gain. If you only play very loud metal, this amp is maybe not your amp. I play several things like dire straits, nirana, metallica, vai, satriani and queen but i don't really play death metal. The use the footswitch only for switching the loop on and off. I use the midi floorboard to switch the channels of the preamp.

Mostly I play with Gibson les paul models but I also have an Ibanez with paf pro picks on it and a nice push pull switch. Most important with this amp is: your guitar signal stays natural, your strat will sound lik a strat and your les paul sounds like a les paul. What isn't with the modern digital preamps. The distortion is very deep and toneful, if you play a full chord you can hear every indipendeble string of your guitar. Very great clean for blues, mark knopfler solo's and a really good slash look a like sound. The preamp itself is very noiseless, I only have to replace a cable, but that doesn't have something to do with the amp.

I haven't used it yet with a gig, cause I have this thing just for a week but I've got enough trust it will work very well!! It is build very proffessional and solid. I don't have a backup so I have to trust on it.

Never dealed with them, but...If you live in the Netherlands and you want to order some mesa stuff direcly from their website, it is not possible to ship things. They suggest to concact with a local dealer. That could be easier i think!

I play for 7 years, of course that's not a guarantee to play well and know a lot of the gear but I have lots experience with different musicstyles and different types of gear and I have to say this is absolutely a great amp. But you must use it with a good Power amp like the mesa 20/20, 50/50 or 2:90. I use two 50/50 units (one as backup) and found out a real good combination. I think I never will buy anymore than mesa stuff!! It rocks!! If it where stolen I Would buy another one or maybe another mesa preamp with a little more gain. I really like the full tone what is useble for any type of solo. Use a wah pedal and a eq for a more kirk hammet sound!

Playing an Ibanez UV777GR with Evo7 in the bridge and a Blaze bridge in the neck with stock Blaze single. I use this guitar to play death metal and some shred and it does an ok job just by itself. I can manage to get a variety of distorted and clean sounds with the UV ranging from Meshuggah-like tones to Fender-like sparkle cleans. The preamp isn't noisy when used by itself direct to board. I've used the headphone output to feed the line-in input of my soundcard to record on-the go riffs and it wasn't noisy. When used in a rack setup, I had to use a noise suppressor/gate so I can access higher gain settings without feedbacking like hell!
Like any tube amp, each guitar will affect how this preamp will sound. As for the preamp's tone, I'm only going to compare 2 modes. I've compared my setup with a Dual Rectifier head and I was happier with the sound I was getting with my setup. Lead mode Distortion takes a while to get that elusive Rectifier grind but once acheieved, it's a sound that devastates (combined with an awesome poweramp of course). As for the Fat Mode, the bass is turned up while the overall tone is 'louder' compared to the other clean modes. I'm giving it an 8 becuase this preamp had so much potential in terms of sounds but certainly lacked in the hi-gain department, despite having the gain set almost to max(!).

1994 V-twin Rackmount stereo Preamp. 2 12AX7 tubes (1 Mesa SPAX7 and 1 Mesa 12AX7-russian),6 modes, 2 channels (3 channels if ya include the Mix channel that enables both clean and distorted chnanels). Essentially, a very stripped down and basic Mesa/Boogie preamp that has its own tone. 3 modes for each channel. Lead mode is Mesa Boogie; basically a Dual Rectifier-type sound. Crunch mode is Marshall-like; good for Rock if gain doesn't exceed 12'o clock. Blues mode is a very light distortion over the clean signal but can sustain for days; Santana comes to mind with this mode. As for the clean channels, there are 3 modes as well; Scooped, Bright, and Fat. All of these modes can be accessed through individual relay ports using a switching device or 2 of these modes can be accessed by just the accompanying footswitch.
Personally, I think the best feature on this unit is the fx loop switching. Basically, this preamp can be setup to enable the fx loop on either channel which can be done via a toggle switch or via relay. What's missing in this unit is the mythical reverb unit which was integrated into this preamp's design. I'm giving it a 9 because of the missing and non-existant reverb unit.

I'm kinda worried about how the 12AX7 tubes are mounted perpinduclar to the PC board on individual sockets where the only thing holding them are a couple flimsy metal contacts. Otherwise, it hasn't broken down on me. I've replaced the FX loop switch twice and it still works fine. The pots need cleaning but it's nothing major at the moment.

I purchased this unit used and was hot-rodded by the previous owner. He had replaced the master volume in the rear with the same concentric volume knob found in the Triaxis and installed it where the blue light originally was. I had to replace a few parts and had to order them directly from Mesa/Boogie, not the Hollywood outlet store that was 15 minutes away from me. Great support and treated me with top priority, although it might take them a few hours to call you back. They indeed had the parts I needed to make the repairs while a couple of 'em were out of stock. It took them about 3 weeks to send the remaining parts and wasn't charged until it was en route to my house. They even let me choose how it should be shipped. Overall, getting a Mesa/Boogie means 100% customer support from the people who make these amps.

Been playing guitar for more than 10 years as a hobby. Mainly shopped around for a preamp to replace the Studio Pre I had. The Studio Pre was great, but not necessarily the sound I was looking for. Within the price range I was looking at, it was either a Formula Pre or a V-twin rackmount. I was sold on the V-twin due the fact it came out around the same time the Dual Rectifier's were at its peak and the misunderstood headphone jack.
My rig consists of a RackRider RR-15, BBE 482 Sonic Maximizer, Hush IICX, and a Mesa/Boogie Simulclass 2:95 poweramp shockmounted in a Mesa 12 space rack. Still a very basic setup for now but there will eventually be a couple more 'toys' added in the long run. The Hush and BBE are connected in the V-twin's fx loop at 100% (serial) and set to be enabled only when Distorted channel is selected. I like this preamp because of the Mix Mode feature plus the selectable FX loop. I'm not going to get rid of this anytime soon but I'd like to compliment it with an additional preamp; perhaps a Rectifier Pre or an Engl 530. Although, I wished Mesa actually used more than 2 preamp tubes for more gain saturation.
As mentioned earler, Mesa tried to integrate a reverb tank into this preamp but never got to it. It would've been a better choice to have a reverb tank into this unit since the only other preamps that have them are the Studio Pre and the Quad Pre.
As with any Mesa amps, read the careful manually and adjust knobs very slowly.

the sounds this thing can produce are phenomenol. This thing rocks. I am using it with a mesa 50/50 power amp and it plays like a dream. I can get the best crunch like the recto and a sparkling clean tone. I don't get it, when other people say that it isn't any good. You need to have time to play around with it. That is what i have been doing everyday for the last month.

this is an extremely versatile amp. It kicks ass. It is great because you can mix the clean and distortion channels to get basically any sound. I wouldn't be able to find a more versatile amp that sounds this good, not including all that line 6 crap that has no tone. I have only had it for a month, but i am amazed. Though nothing gets a perfect score.

Haven't had it for too long. From what i have heard mesas are built like tanks.

I have asked them many questions about it, they seem nice and helpful.

Great amp. Try it first, because it is not for everyone. It is the amp for me though. I play punk and hardcore and it sounds awesome

Played with Strat, Tele and LP. Excellent clean sound - especially the scooped setting - clean blues aplenty with lots of depth and bite.
Mediocre overdrive channel though. Not a patch on the MB Studio or Quad for the classic rock and blues that I play. Seems to lack definition and tightness for chord stabs. And muddy with many overdrive tones where the Studio is clear.

Bought this for the versatility (two independent channels), having owned MB Studio Pre and Quad. Voice switches are useful and effective. Loads of footswitching options. Can't work out a purpose for the Mix mode though!

No problems during the time I had it. I'd worry about damaging the board when replacing tubes though. Since there are about 16 screws between you and tube replacement though, it's not meant to be a tube-swappers sort of preamp.

No idea. MB stuff tends to last in my experience

Still got my MB Studio that this was supposed to replace, I hoped the V-Twin would give me the same sounds with more versatility. Wrong! If this was my first preamp, I might have thought it was awesome but after the Quad and Studio, it's disappointing. About on a par with the JMP-1 (which can't do a decent clean tone to save it's life).

I primarily use Ibanez guitars (a JEM7VWH and a UV777BK). My other electrics include an American Standard Strat, an old Ibanez RT450, and a custom, Jem-style guitar loaded with Dimarzio Evolutions. To give you an idea of my style, my favorite artists are Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Dream Theater, etc. I also play in a local jazz band.

From shred to jazz, this preamp covers all of it. The crunch channel is great for rhythm, and the solo channel is really smooth and great for lead tone in Satch and Vai songs. Great dynamics. The blues channel is ok but I don't often use it as it doesn't suit my style. All of the clean channels are exceptionally tight and responsive. Perhaps the best characteristic of this preamp is that it is incredibly quiet. Even with maximum gain there isn't even the slightest hint of a hiss or hum.

As for the brutality of the distortion, I would say that this preamp will cover everything except extreme death metal crap. It sounds too sweet and smooth for that. If that's your style, then get something cheap and solid state.

Very versatile, with 3 distortion channels (crunch, solo, blues) and 3 clean channels (fat, bright, scooped). You can mix clean and distortion channels, too, which is very cool. Lots of outputs and different methods of control. No midi, of course since it isn't digital. Also no reverb. What you get is six channels of great-sounding tube tone. Uses 2 12AX7s.

It looks very, very solid. I feel it is very dependable and I would definitely gig without a backup.

It's Mesa/Boogie. I bought this preamp used and as soon as I got home I downloaded the manual for it, which was exceptionally well-written. I haven't dealt with Mesa personally but I've heard great things.

For about the cost of one of those silly little Line 6 PODs (hehehe), I got a flexible, powerful tube preamp. It doesn't try to model anything, it just has its own unique sound. Go buy it. Oh yeah, and buy it used from someone who doesn't need it anymore--not from those commission-driven jerks at Guitar Center.

this petal is easy..plug in. If u can do that ur on ur way. like i read and found out,,this petal will work wonders on a good amp. Initialy there isnt a wide range of tone but with an amp with good eq... this baby squeel's. switch on bottom for adjustments.

well i wanted to beef a vintage setup to rock while maintaining all tube quality,,,and job done! i run this through a fender twin (loud), and an american strat with single coils (changing neck p/u for real use of the petal). u wouldnt believe the sound..the petal has by-pass so i dial in the amazing fender sparkle..then with a stomp,,,get a very liked distortion. very cool for blues...sustains great and can get those van halen squeel's too. Also goog for rock/heavy rock but wouldnt recommend this if u were a metalhead. for my case this petal is great and recommend this if u are in the same boat. u have a set-up that is real good but threw falt of ur own for not being knowlegable enough u by something with no balls,,,,,buy this...its a pre-amp so its like best of both worlds.

this baby i assume is reliable exept the plug in that just falls out....i really dont understand such a great company cant fix something like this,,ohh well.

dont know final sale .. but i took that risk when i saw this tank...shouldn't ever be more than changing tubes for a probem.

expensive...and going up 200 bucks(woah!),,so if it were stolen id cry cause $620cdn. is kinda alot to spend on a petal. i play heavy type blues and rock/heavy rock and this petal solved alot of problems.i feel confident bout my tone AND sound and after 5yrs. im happy.love the petal , hate the cord . im kinda anal for not wanting some digital or transistor crap but but there really is a difference to a boss jo-blow. people diss this petal are people who use a 20watt amp made from sears or somthig..cause with a good set up this baby works!

Using with Ibanez w/ dimarzios Super Distortion and Paf-Pro.No noise or distortion on the clean channel!!Great!!
The distortion is great.Not enough if you play crappy new metal(arrrrrggghhhhhh!!!!).newmetalcocksuckers,stay away!Singing sounds from the solo channel,and for metal leads,I stick a Ds-2 w/ it.
Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaattttttt!!!!!

One of the recent ones,tube preamp from Mesa/Boogie.More than enough for the styles that I play,an I play jazz,70's funk,progressive metal and all the styles that you could imagine!3 channel,alternate button to switch beteen blues and clean.No Fx loop(that I wish it had!) and a very useful headphone jack.

Built like a army gun!I could trust my life this thing will never let me down!

Never dealt w/ them

Have owned digitech,zoom and boss distortions.Couldn't be hapier.
Own a Dc-2.

Go to next store and try one of this...

Lo tengo conectado a una etapa MARSHALL 9200 DUAL MONOBLOCK y es muy peligroso ,te puede reventar la cabeza de un empellon.
Sonido dulce y calido cargado de graves muy definidos...

Increible, puedes acceder a cantidad de registros sonoros ,con una gran calidad..desde el Pop pasando por el Blues y terminando en el Metal

Facil de manejar y bonitoo:-)

Perfecto...profesionalidad a tope

Mola mogollon ...si tienes para pagarlo

I am playing with an Ibanez Prestige guitar with Damarzio pickups and a double locking bridge. I have a Mesa 20/20, the V-Twin, a BBE Sonic Maximizer, and an Alesis Quadraverb GT. This setup is amazing, it is versitile enough to play jazz, blues, country, rock, and heavy metal, but most importantly it is easy to use.

Two channels(clean & solo), and a three way toggle switch for each. It has a mix channel that is amazing. It has everything you need in a preamp and more

This unit is built like a truck. The tubes are internal, not opened in the back like the Tri-axis. The knobs and switches are smooth. the only thing that will mess this thing up is maybe falling down a flight of stairs.

Mesa Boogie is a great company, they don't make one bad product, but their customer support is ok, not great. If you are unable to speak to a real person and you have to leave a message, it could be a couple days before they get back to you, but they will get back to you.

Overall, this preamp with this setup is all I ever asked for. I used to play a Marshall DSL 100 and that thing sounded like crap. All I can say is that you cannot go wrong with Mesa!

I think it's easy, altough I didn't get the sound I really want out of it (yet?), but maybe it will never do that...The footswitch is easy, with 2 channels and 1 combined. I have the late model, without the possibililty of changing from 'sound-type' 1 to 3...But I wish I had it!!
The manual is ok, but there should have been some more examples of possible 'presets'

I use my vtwin with a peavey 19" 2x60 Watt Classic PW Amp, a marshall 4x13 cab and a digitech RP-5, which I'm going to replace very soon, what a piece of rubbish....My guitar is a musicman silhouette.
I think the vtwin-gain/overdrive sounds rather 'thin', I wish it had a little more warmth, depht and power, I can't get a real heavy-metal sound out of it an I can't get a real heavy solo sound out of it.
The clean channel is ok.

It never failed to work (YET??)
I have no money for a back-up, but I might gonne use it as one, when I'm gonne buy a tri-Axis!!

I play mainly covers, but I don't think it's 'allround' enough. Thats why I'm gonne buy a Tri-Axis once...
If it were stolen, than I would buy a tri-axis!
I choose it, because it's was cheap and because it is a mesa-boogie!!