Product: Standel MC2G Preamp
Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted
04/27/2006
at
01:12pm
by
huggy
Email: anothergoodman at yahoo<dot>com
Features
:
7
The Standel MC2G I own was made in 1969 and has the potted solid state modules Standel was famous for.
It is a two-channel guitar preamp - one channel with tremelo/reverb and one channel clean. Both channels have bass, treble, high gain, and accent (bright) settings. It has effects switching for reverb and tremolo on/off on that channel, but no channel switching. Reverb is a standard dual spring tank reverb.
The preamp head has a line loop system for connecting to the main amp that allows daisy-chaining of multiple devices. That is, it has a line in as well as a line out to allow multiple preamps to feed the same power amp.
Sound Quality
:
10
This is, like most Standels, a very clean solid-state preamp. In fact, it is so clean you have to use distortion effects units to get any kind of overdrive sound. Even the high gain setting is remarkably clean! It has a very wide range for a guitar amp. I couple this unit with a pair of Imperial 48 powered 4x12 speaker cabinets (see other review).
Most of the time I run the unit on 3 or less - the stack just has so much power there is no need to crank it any higher. While I wouldn't say the unit is perticularly versatile in and of itself, it does have a great unique sound that isn't heard every day out there now.
Reliability
:
10
Other than the occasional need to clean jacks and pots, it is 100% dependable. I use it as my main amp, and I've had it for over 20 years.
Customer Support
:
10
Dealing with the new Standel company now being run by Danny MCKinney, I've had nothing but good experience. He has posted all the schematics online in PDF files for free, has a nice history of the line and people Standel has dealt with over the years, and is genuinely passionate about the Standel legacy. I only wish for two things: an illustrated history of the Standel products, and resurrection of a couple of the solid state models as well as the boutique tube units they have out now.
Overall Rating
:
9
I got this premap (and the stack) in a trade at some point earlier in my life. I've had it for over 20 years now. I am extremely please with this preamp (and stack) and am always looking for other Standel gear. Some day I hope to be able to have a Standel combo tube amp, but till then I'm happy with the MC2G and Imperial cabinets.
