Gallien-Krueger 100MPL (V 1.21D)

This thing is absurd for a 1U rack unit! even by todays standards (I dont know when it was actually made) CONTROLS: Five preamp voicings, gain, volume, [mid]shape, Four-band tone, seven-band EQ (theres almost too many variables, all digitaly programmable by the way) plus this little cab emulator button on the front which really beefs it up at low volumes ( I turn it off when I run through a real 412...otherwise too much *whoompf*). Full midi capabilities: internal mapping, external mapping (you can control a whole refrigerator sized rack of equip. with this thing), supposedly accepts real-time control...never tried it. Very lacking for effects though, has chorus and tremelo...but I now use a midiverb. Effects loop, external switching control, dual stereo aux ins, stereo line out, dual XLR outs (balanced), an unbalanced line out which pretty much sends your front end input signal straight to the back of the preamp with no alteration to it. Also has noise reduction with thresh. control (its ok, helps a little). Oh yeah, every control (asside from cab emulator and master volume knob) is assignable per preset channel (0-99). Ok, theres a few more cool features on this thing but I'm dragging it on and on here. My rating on it tells all. Lets just say, A manual would be helpful, I'm still making discoveries on this thing.

I use an Ibanez RG450dx with EMG 81s, and a Les Paul Studio (cant afford a standard) with a Lynch Screamin Demon (I like hot pickups, what can I say). Sound, well, this thing sounds heavier than dick!! It's perfect for any kind of death/black/power/thrash/melodic metal, which is my thing. You can completely sweep your mids if you want, but I keep the mids there, bigger tube-like tone. It definately isn't like todays tube emulating preamps, its 100% digital, but I'm still finding ways to make it sound more like my Lee Jackson Ampeg tube head. Oh yeah, lets not forget the clean voicing, and I'm talking crystal clean. It shimmers with a nice reverb/chorus (again, dont bother with the internal effects, get a separate processor). By the way, the thing sounds like ass when run direct as does the headphone out even with cab emulator on (too thin), so if you're recording with it send it through a mic'd speaker cab and you'll be much happier. For a live rig its sweet, I wouldn't mind a better noise gate on it

I had another one, and the power supply took a massive crap on me out of nowhere, the shop said it would cost me about $150 for a new power supply, so I gave him $100 plus the broken preamp and got a working one...what could I do, $400 for a non-working one or $500 for a working one. This one has been running strong for the last 3 years or so. The original had a massive dent in the top over the power section, so thats what I'm attributing its failure to. I was told those power supplies are a bit sensative to impact, so dont throw the preamp into the van I guess, like you'd do that with your tube amp anyways...???

I dealt with a repair shop, but had no warranty as I got it used. I've never seen any other info on this unit, I tried writing to G-K a while back about it, but never heard anything, I'll try again some time

I've been playing over five years, and I refuse to let this thing go, just way too versatile...especially in a dorm room, cant use the Ampeg at low volumes. Too many cool features, I think its pretty unique and innovative for its time (whatever time that was). I run the GK into a Valvestate 8008 poweramp (hey, dont give me any crap about the valvestate, this thing pumps out some serious volume) then into the Marshall 4x12, and of course I have the Midiverb III in the effects loop of the GK. It makes for a very compact but powerful, versatile, and great sounding three-space setup. Besides, when you shut it off it puts out the most toneful farting sound you've ever heard! haha