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Non ADA Gear => Rack Gear => Topic started by: Dante on August 27, 2017, 06:07:09 PM

Title: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on August 27, 2017, 06:07:09 PM
I'm not proud of this, but i had to do what I had to do. Both my main preamp and my backup are fubar right now, so I had to get something to hold me over until I get them in shape. I found a Behringer V-amp Pro on Craigslist for the price of a stompbox ($60), so I pulled the trigger. All I need are a few basic tones, I can get by with a minimal number of patches.

By itself, the Behringer is not fantastic. The MicroTube 200 helps a great deal. Together, I managed to get 5 good tones to get me through any gig - I may have to adjust the overall volume on a guitar-by-guitar basis, but that's it. I have:

10 = Clean/dry tone
11 = Clean/wet tone
12 = Classic Rock (brown) tone
13 = Modern Rock tone
14 = Dirty solo with some delay
Heel switch in my Wah pedal is a clean boost = clean solos with patches 10 or 11

Can't wait to get my shit fixed
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rnolan on August 27, 2017, 09:52:51 PM
Hey Dante, well better than nothing and very cheap.  I thought your MP-2 was working again ??
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Systematic Chaos on August 27, 2017, 10:05:51 PM
Blast from the past!!! I used to have that thingy many moons ago when my MP-1 was in maintenance.
If paired with a good poweramp the amp models are not too bad. I had the best results with the "Savage Beast" for mid- and hi-gain stuff and either the "Classic Clean" or "California Clean" for cleans and sounds with a slight break-up.
The trick is to pair the V-Amp Pro with an external FX unit (e.g. your GX-700) and with a tad bit of tweaking you're more than good to go as a redundancy 'til your real Pre's are back up and running.
You can even set it up in 4-c-m with the GX-700...just make sure you only use the Amp Sim (no SpeakerSim - set to BYPASS!!) and the external FX, You'll be surprised
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: vansinn on August 28, 2017, 12:30:12 AM
Well, at least it's blue.. :lol:
Never played one, but heard sounds from it; not too bad.
I bet someone must have created some tone-mods for it..

EDIT: Nope, didn't find any mods, not even on the analog pre/post-end.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on August 28, 2017, 07:02:26 AM
Quote
Well, at least it's blue.. :lol:
I thought the same thing - lol!

Y'know, after writing this post, I did hook it up to my GX-700 via the 4CM. It sounds pretty good, at least, better than I expected. What's more, now that I'm hooked into my GX-700, I can toggle the solo boost (EQ), chorus, delay, and any other effect in the GX-700 with my quad switch. I have five patches instead of ten, but it'll work. The cleans are not as clean as I expected, but I found a couple good gain combinations by playing with the speaker sims.

I also hit up a guy selling a Peavey TubeFEX Pro preamp on Craigslist and may be trading a guitar for that. He's getting the better end of that deal for sure, but I always regretted getting rid of my Peavey preamp, that thing rivals the MP2.

Richard; I thought it was working too, but no, it's a shell of itself. The tones are there, but sound like they're being choked by an overzealous noise gate. Something is definitely not right with that unit. BTW: I did check the ribbon cable & it's fine.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Iperfungus on August 28, 2017, 03:58:19 PM
Hey Dante, what happened to your preamps?  :dunno:

BTW, if you're looking for a damn' good "general purpose plug-and-play" complete backup, look for a Zoom 9150.
It's cheap and better than any cheap digital modeling unit.
To my ears, the 9150 is a better stand alone unit than GX-700 or Voodu Valve units....they are similar (preamp + digital fx), but the 9150's tone is a winner.

Pair it with a good power amp and a good stereo cab and you're done.
Use a good overdrive in its mono loop in the preamp section (turn Turbo OFF!!!) and you'll be blown away.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on August 28, 2017, 06:13:14 PM
Hey Dante, what happened to your preamps?  :dunno:

BTW, if you're looking for a damn' good "general purpose plug-and-play" complete backup, look for a Zoom 9150.
It's cheap and better than any cheap digital modeling unit.
To my ears, the 9150 is a better stand alone unit than GX-700 or Voodu Valve units....they are similar (preamp + digital fx), but the 9150's tone is a winner.

Pair it with a good power amp and a good stereo cab and you're done.
Use a good overdrive in its mono loop in the preamp section (turn Turbo OFF!!!) and you'll be blown away.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep my eyes open. As for what happened to my preamps, my Classic got really noisy, then my MP2 died on arrival to a gig. I played with the entire 4 hour set of cover tunes with one tone at a time....awesome. The gains were not fantastic, but I had a tube screamer pedal for solo boosts and I had a crybaby. That was it. It was rough.

I'm waiting on some parts for both units, then I'll get them patched up by a friend. Until then, I have the V-amp thingy and possibly a Peavey tube pre. I'll know more about that in about an hour.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Iperfungus on August 29, 2017, 02:43:12 AM
The Peavey TubeFEX seems to be an interesting unit as well...but not so easy to be found...
Better than Marshall JMP1 for sure...

Did you attempt already to use a GX700 as preamp, by the way?
I assume it's better a lot than the V-AMP Pro, even if the Zoom 9150 has even better tones...
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on August 29, 2017, 07:06:34 AM
I tried the GX-700 by itself and was not impressed, the V-Amp is much better, although limiting. I have a solid "classic rock" tone, "modern rock" an ultra clean/dry and clean/wet patch and one dedicated solo patch just in case - that's 5 patches per bank in the V-Amp. My Quad switch allows me to toggle FX in the GX-700 for a solo boost, chorus, delay, or ????

I can get through gigs with this setup until my ADAs are fixed.

Oh, and I did trade for the Peavey, it's in another rack waiting to be explored. Got the original footswitch with it, a cache card that slides into the front like an old computer card, and it's had a battery mod done. Just popping through patches, that thing sounds great, but I need to write a bank of patches in the GX-700 before I can use the two together. Should be pretty adequate, once I unravel the puzzle.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 29, 2017, 01:15:20 PM
Hands down the TubeFEX beats all that stuff for a "complete" unit.

If It was good enough for Tony Iommi it's good enough for you.................and me

I just scored one today  :crazy: :whoohoo!:  I have been on the look out for a while now.  What I have read is it's a Peavey Rockmaster with built in FX.  And given I am a dual Peavey Rockmaster owner, this thing could suit me very well, and be particularly handy when I have to travel on a plane to play abroad.

Apparently the Batter-less mod is the way to go as the old batteries are known to leak and damage internals.  The battery-less mod allows the battery to be removed and a new ram chip inserted capable of holding setting even when powered down.  Pretty cool!
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Iperfungus on August 29, 2017, 02:20:08 PM
Where did you find those TubeFEX units, guys?

I've seen one on UK Ebay for 250 euros...is it a good price?
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on August 29, 2017, 03:15:55 PM
They are rare, even rarer, one in good shape. I looked everywhere for months with no results.

The fact that I got a clean one WITH the foot controller was pretty much the only reason I traded a guitar for it. That guy got the better end of the deal, but as Gerry said, this is a great all-in-one unit. If I had a deeper 2u rack, I'd just pair it with an amp and call it good. However, all my 2u racks are shallow and the TubeFEX is deep  :facepalm: So, it's in a 4u rack...

Dante
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 30, 2017, 12:26:48 AM
Where did you find those TubeFEX units, guys?

I've seen one on UK Ebay for 250 euros...is it a good price?


Well I have waited over a year for mine, they are rare.  250Euros is a good price, where did you see this?  I managed to bargain my guy down to 205euros.  He had it for sale at £235 (205euro) but had the "best offer" option available on ebay.  I chanced my arm and thre out £190 expecting the guy to hit back with £200 or £210, but he accepted the £190.  Unit has been serviced as recent as June and seems in great shape.  He bought it on sunset boulevard apparently, and when coming back to UK he had Peavey change the voltage on it.  Seems in good shape to me.

rap yer eyeballs around this and tell me what you think of the condition of the unit in the photos

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-PEAVEY-TUBEFEX-guitar-rack-preamp-/142486547964?nma=true&si=DzGC7TcsBWPVof3WsJL4foUCuG8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-PEAVEY-TUBEFEX-guitar-rack-preamp-/142486547964?nma=true&si=DzGC7TcsBWPVof3WsJL4foUCuG8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Iperfungus on August 30, 2017, 01:14:33 AM
Where did you find those TubeFEX units, guys?

I've seen one on UK Ebay for 250 euros...is it a good price?


250Euros is a good price, where did you see this? 


Here!  :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

£235 = 254 euro...



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-PEAVEY-TUBEFEX-guitar-rack-preamp-/142486547964?nma=true&si=DzGC7TcsBWPVof3WsJL4foUCuG8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-PEAVEY-TUBEFEX-guitar-rack-preamp-/142486547964?nma=true&si=DzGC7TcsBWPVof3WsJL4foUCuG8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

So now I know WHO "stole" it...  :nono: :nono: :nono:  :banana:
Very good score, mate!  :banana-rock:
Very hard to find one...

It looks in very good shape...just the display back light is reported to be not working (minor issue).

I do not remember: are you from UK?
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 30, 2017, 02:30:26 AM
 :lol:

I didn't realize you were watching it, and I didn't even read this thread until I bought it yesterday morning.  I can't believe he took my offer of £190, that's £45 less than he was asking.

Yes I technically I live in Northern Ireland which is part of the UK.  I identify as Irish and hold an Irish passport however.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rnolan on August 30, 2017, 04:26:29 AM
Well now it's gone the link doesn't point to it anymore  :facepalm: , so nothing to see there LoL. Hope it works out well  >:D and gives you lots of fun and good tones  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 30, 2017, 06:05:36 AM
Well now it's gone the link doesn't point to it anymore  :facepalm: , so nothing to see there LoL. Hope it works out well  >:D and gives you lots of fun and good tones  :thumb-up:

it does work  click this and scrool down the page

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-PEAVEY-TUBEFEX-guitar-rack-preamp-/142486547964?nma=true&si=DzGC7TcsBWPVof3WsJL4foUCuG8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-PEAVEY-TUBEFEX-guitar-rack-preamp-/142486547964?nma=true&si=DzGC7TcsBWPVof3WsJL4foUCuG8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)


I noticed it does not mention that I got it for £190 and not the buy it now price of £235 hahahaha weird.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on August 30, 2017, 06:51:51 AM
My backlit display is burnt out too - the text is still readable, but the light is burnt out. Now, the display light in the pedal works, I wonder if they're the same  :dunno:
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: MarshallJMP on August 30, 2017, 07:52:54 AM
Seems like it's a 20x2 lcd, got some pics of it? or a partnr?
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 30, 2017, 11:07:31 AM
Seems like it's a 20x2 lcd, got some pics of it? or a partnr?

I aint got mine yet.  I might try contact Peavey and ask for a part number.  Since it sounds like you have something up your sleeve MJMP  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: MarshallJMP on August 30, 2017, 01:14:45 PM
Not really, but I might fine a replacement lcd for Dante if I had some more info.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 31, 2017, 01:19:47 AM
but mine is also broken, that's what he was saying that both our TubeFex have faulty LCD screens  :(
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: MarshallJMP on August 31, 2017, 08:45:32 AM
Sorry about that  :facepalm:

Anyway let me know when you have it.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on August 31, 2017, 12:06:35 PM
If Dante can get you info first no sweat, mine still not arrived yet.  Will probably be tomorrow.

If you could get a replacement screen that would be awesome.

The first mod I will do on the device is:

replace the SRAM with nvSRAM in order to hold settings without the need for the NiCad battery
http://virtuososo.com/TubeFex/OrderingUpgrading.html#NiMH (http://virtuososo.com/TubeFex/OrderingUpgrading.html#NiMH)

I contacted the dude in the states with the shitty extortionate prices, but he doesn't even sell over seas.  So f*ck him, I looked on ebay for the chip and BAM!  Found it!  So I shall buy the chip myself, then solder 10k resistor to leg 27-28, then install, then remove the battery  :whoohoo!:  This mod I see as essential since those battery's will leak and f**king ruin the inside of this preamp.

The more I read the more I think the tubefex could be a beast to own!  The effects are very articulate sounding from what I am reading in the manual, very well thought out settings, including a direct out with 4 different speaker sims options but also a main out you can run at the same time to your amp, meaning a live DI is possible.  Everything is stereo also!  Time to sell that Hafler and Kitthawk I think  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Systematic Chaos on August 31, 2017, 04:10:38 PM
(http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/attachments/pt92-other-taurus-pistols/117378d1431094729-pt92-afs-yoda2.jpeg)
...add sounds to that!!!
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on September 01, 2017, 06:49:32 AM
Well, it's supposed to be a hundred and f*** this weekend, so I'll be hunkered down inside the house. I'll get the Peavey out and run it through the wringer. I am going to pull my ol' MicroFET amp out of storage to see if the Peavey can get some warmth out of it.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: rabidgerry on September 01, 2017, 09:18:41 AM
mine has just arrived.  I'm excited about this thing!

MJMP you want internal shots of the LCD screen?

Dante it's cooler over here if you'd like me to take care if this?  You could end up very sweaty where you are  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: MarshallJMP on September 01, 2017, 01:06:44 PM
yes if you have some.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on September 01, 2017, 04:18:14 PM
Go ahead Gerry,

I'm going to see if the display in the preamp is the same as the one in the pedal, if so....he he, I'll be cannibalizing the pedal
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on September 13, 2017, 11:45:58 AM
UPDATE:
The backup rig worked fine last Saturday night - actually sounded pretty good. Here's a pic of both backup rigs, the one on the floor is the one I used, and yes I brought BOTH of them just in case.
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: MarshallJMP on September 13, 2017, 12:48:47 PM
Hey Dante

Did you get a chance of replacing those caps I send you?
Title: Re: Behringer V-Amp Pro rackmount
Post by: Dante on September 13, 2017, 01:16:00 PM
Not yet, I have tooo many things going on this week. I'm in touch with a buddy that is going to be doing the soldering for me, he's ready and waiting for me to have some free time. We will probably be hangin' out drinking beers while he does the work ;)