ADA MP-1 vs. Digitech RP-3/5/6/7/20

[stevieb]

I gotta Fender Deluxe 112 amp that has a blown pre-amp. Not worth fixing, but I can do just fine with it by going guitar>RP-7>Deluxe112 power amp return.

Been looking for a cheap Digitech RP-something- from what I see, it can be a -3, -5, -6, -7 or even -20. All these seem to be old enough to be going cheap- lower numbers (3) the cheapest. Either floor, or rack mount with floor module will be fine, I just want "stomp-box" ease of use.

A guy is offering an ADA MP-1 as trade fodder for another amp.

Anybody got experience with both?

 

[ermghoti]

For your purposes, I like the ADA. I've owned one or two for about twenty years. It is a good sounding hot-rodded Marshally thing, with good cleans, but you'll need a separate switcher, which you're OK with.

Digitech has never made a remotely good-sounding preamp (some of the effects are good enough though).

I'd suggest a Tonebone pedal, they're essentially tube preamps. I like the plexi-flavored ones, the Hot British and the Plexidrive, the latter is a two-chennelish thing, with a dedicated loop on the second channel. Check the excellent demo videos from proguitarshop or tonefactor on YouTube.

 

[stevieb]

Can the Tonebone do clean? Can the ADA or the Tonebone do other than Marshall/ British tones?

 

[ermghoti]

They're both pretty British, but some external EQ can do a lot to a preamp. I'm sure the Tonebone will clean up, the ADA can run totally (near acoustic, think JC120) clean.