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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

1657.0. "SOHO Acoustics preamp - Insane Gain" by FREEBE::REAUME (0 to 60 - on 6 strings) Mon Jan 29 1990 11:02

 
      Add another guitar preamp to those worth checking into for making
    your rack sizzle. In addition to having all the right stuff, the
    price is reasonable for a tube unit with four modes of operation.
    The two rackspace unit is the SOHO Acoustics QTR-1. In essence this
    preamp is similar to the well received, but hard to find (and
    expensive), Kitty Hawk Quattro preamp. 
      There are some enhancements such as a input level control 
    independant of the gains for the different modes. The front panel 
    includes rack handles and ventilation slots. Mode selection is either
    through push button switches on the front panel or a footswitch which 
    is supplied and LED indicators are on both the front panel and the 
    footswitch. 
    
    
      The four modes of operation are:
    		
    		1) Clean 
    		2) Crunch - an adjustable rhythm overdrive 
    		3) Lead - second hottest mode for solos
    		4) Hot - virtually infinite sustain (even from single
     			 coil pickups)
    
      The lead modes were designed to be rich in harmonics and perfect
    for controlled feedback. All in all looks like a nice unit! And
    the list price is $579.95!  Check it out!
							-BOOM
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1657.1check the valves!FREEBE::REAUME0 to 60 - on 6 stringsMon Jan 29 1990 11:095
      Oops - this is a TUBE unit. Four glowing 12AX7's. Before someone
    tries to compare it to the numerous cheaper solid state units that
    are out there I should let you know that would an apple and oranges
    comparison. Some of the solid state units out there don't sound
    that bad, BUT they aren't a substitute for tubes!
1657.2At NAMM?CSC32::G_HOUSEIt's just a jump to the left...Mon Jan 29 1990 11:515
    Did they in fact debut this unit at NAMM last week?  I talked to a
    friend that was there and he said he didn't see it.  If it was there,
    it must not have been a show stopper.
    
    Greg
1657.3Anyone care to do some comparisons?COOKIE::G_HOUSEGreg House - DTN 523-2722Fri Mar 30 1990 19:5815
    FWIW there is a short writeup on the SOHO preamp in the New Products
    section of either this months or last months Guitar Player.  
    
    I hadn't realized it took two rack slots, is the KH Quattro also a two
    rack slot unit?
    
    How does this unit (and/or the Quattro, I understand they are based on
    the same design) compare with some of the other similar units available
    on the market right now, in terms of gain, clarity, noise, crunch?  I'd
    be specifically interested in how it compares to an ADA MP-1 (which has
    only two tubes).  I know the basic differences in control layouts, MIDI
    compatibility and all that, that's not what I'm interested in.  How
    does the thing *sound*?
    
    Greg
1657.4UPWARD::HEISERRed Sea Beach ClubMon Apr 02 1990 13:214
    I've also noticed the ads in Guitar World with the all familiar LPMG at
    the bottom.
    
    Mike
1657.5they should stick with percussion!FREEBE::REAUMEsiZZle on |||6|||Tue Oct 15 1991 16:399
       Just got mail from a noter that LPMG is getting out of the 
    electronics biz and the Soho preamps are being unloaded for 
    $149 !!!! These are effectively a Quattro clone as mentioned in
    previous replies in this topic. If I didn't already have my 
    Testarossas and Quattros I'd consider one. 
       Any Vultures out there???
    
    
    							-B()()M-
1657.9DECWIN::KMCDONOUGHSet Kids/NosickTue Oct 15 1991 19:2623
    
Do we call the sequel "Revenge of LP Music?"   8^)
    
    
    
    
                 <<< CVG::WORK3:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GUITAR.NOTE;2 >>>
                              -<  Guitar Notes  >-
================================================================================
Note 1103.24                Kitty Hawk Amplification                  24 of 1565
ARCHER::GOODWIN_S                                    15 lines   2-NOV-1989 00:10
                         -< distributor, dealer info >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Kitty Hawk's exclusive U.S. distributor:
    
    	LP Music Group
    	160 Belmont Ave.
    	Garfield NJ 07026
    	(201) 478-6903
    	"Angelo" handles KH product line  (Was Josh....Kevin)
    
    
    
1657.10FREEBE::REAUMEsiZZle on |||6|||Wed Oct 16 1991 11:3012
      I don't wanna know...  Seriously, If I was in the market I'd call 
    to see if this is for real. I have three preamps already AND a GSP-21 
    that is pretty much a preamp (but it don't glow).
    
      I think that the preamp market pretty much got flooded. LPMG saw
    a good thing when the KH Quattro first came out, there wasn't as much
    competition back then. Then somebody opened the floodgates. So now
    we've got a excess with some good deals to be had.
    
      Good Luck - I'm out of this one!!!
    
    							-B()()M-
1657.11QRYCHE::STARRWe are hope, despite the times....Wed Oct 16 1991 15:185
So - has anyone ever tried one of these babies, or even heard one??? Not that
I can afford it, but it would be nice to have a backup to my Quattro in the
rack, just-in-case.....

alan
1657.12CAVLRY::BUCKDances with Timberwolf!Wed Oct 16 1991 15:321
    I rtied one out...it IS a Quattro in a different package!
1657.13DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDUNIX is cool...Wed Oct 16 1991 15:578
I blew the whistle. I dunno if LP is dealing direct with customers or not.

However I know a dealer who will get them for you but he want's to add a
tarrif for his trouble. he's also the guy who showed me the LP flier.

It's true! But $149.95 was dealer cost.

dbii
1657.14FREEBE::REAUMEsiZZle on |||6|||Thu Oct 17 1991 15:465
    
    
       Yikes!! Thanx dbii, I'm off the hook. See if anyone takes the bait!
    
    							-B()()M-
1657.15FDCV09::GOODWINThu Dec 26 1991 17:024
Does anyone know if there are any dealers out there that might still have
one of the SOHO preamps kicking around?

/steve
1657.16KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Dec 26 1991 17:134
I don't know if this will help, but ProSound here in the Springs
has a new one for ~$250...  It's a Quattro in a two space-case.

I can get you there number ifin' ya want.
1657.17smells like a dealCAVLRY::BUCKThu Dec 26 1991 18:167
>I don't know if this will help, but ProSound here in the Springs
>has a new one for ~$250...  It's a Quattro in a two space-case.
    
    Steve, ya might wanna call them and drop a few names...Angela,
    LPMG, $149.00 blow-out prices, and see how the dood deals!!
    
    Buck, who said a deal might be had there
1657.18sounds like it's worth a phone call...FDCV09::GOODWINThu Dec 26 1991 19:408
    Hey JC, Buck,
    
    Yeah, could you post their number and I'll give them a call... even
    if I don't end up buying it,  I'll reply with any details I can pick
    up on... just so we can keep the NIA (noters intelligence agency)
    fully informed on all guitar-related developments.  8^)
    
    /Steve_Wilbur_South_of_Houston_etc
1657.19FREEBE::REAUMEKH/REXX SnoBFri Dec 27 1991 11:085
    
       I wouldn't call Angelo "Angela", HE might get pi$$ed adn charge you
    double!
    
    							-B-
1657.20SOHO HO HO...GOES11::G_HOUSETommy The CatFri Dec 27 1991 11:1913
    Steve,
    
    The number at ProSound in Colorado Springs (they have other stores in
    Denver and Boulder) is (719)597-9962.
    
    Just FWIW, they have a policy (at least they claimed) of never giving
    prices over the phone, so I don't know how well you'll do.  In
    compliance with the DEC noting policy, I'll refrain from saying
    anything about my personal opinions of the store.  Send mail if you're
    interested...
    
    Greg
        
1657.21oh yeah, don't forget the SFH!CAVLRY::BUCKFri Dec 27 1991 11:266
    >I wouldn't call Angelo "Angela", HE might get pi$$ed adn charge you
    >double!
                
    Whoops!  8^)
    
    Gotta love those typos!!  ;^)
1657.22HEDRON::DAVEUNIX is cool...Mon Dec 30 1991 09:014
Victor  Litz mailorder has them for $249. I have no idea what the quantities 
available are.

dbii
1657.23FDCV09::GOODWINTue Jan 07 1992 17:1039
Well... I didn't call Prosound because I had misgivings about trying
to purchase from a store located halfway across the country that wasn't
in the mail order business in the first place.

Instead, I gave our old favorite LPMG a call to see if there might
be any dealers in my area that had the SOHO preamp in stock. The bad
news was that there were no local dealers (apparently not much demand
during the recession.) The good news was that they were quite willing
(at their own suggestion, BTW) to sell them direct at a special price
to retail customers.

So.. you know me (there's a sucker born every minute!)

It arrived via UPS yesterday, in a factory sealed carton. I connected
it thru the power amp section of one of my heads and fired it up. It
works great and I was delighted to find that the four modes do indeed
sound like the KH.

I can't make a comparison w/ the quattro, because I've never heard
one, but I could do an A/B w/ the M1 preamp by running it through
the M1 power section. The main differences from the M1 preamp are
that the SOHO (like the quattro) has a more flexible control layout.
It has six gain controls as opposed to only four on the M1, and the
eq section is four-band in the lead channel rather than the standard
bass, mid, treb on the M1.  Another significant difference is that
crunch mode is part of the rhythm channel on the SOHO, whereas it's
part of the lead channel on the M1.  But as I mentioned, the sounds
produced by the four modes are very similar to the counterpart M1
modes.  There are ventilation slots on the bottom, front and top of
the case which in conjunction w/ the two space format seems to have
eliminated the over-heating problems that some quattros had. I ran
it for 2+ hours last night and it barely got warm to the touch.	The
LED mode indicators are intentionally reversed...green is crunch and
red is lead on the SOHO. That should confuse the heck out of me when
switching between it and the M1.

All-in-all, I'm very pleased with my relatively inexpensive new toy.

/Steve
1657.24LPMG price wars begin again!GOES11::G_HOUSETommy The CatTue Jan 07 1992 18:316
    So, Steve...
    
    You didn't answer the burning question on all our minds.  How good of a
    bargain did you get on the thing?
    
    Greg
1657.25How did I know you'd ask???FDCV09::GOODWINTue Jan 07 1992 20:393
    $199.00 plus $4.20 shipping.
    
    It was an offer I couldn't refuse!  ;^)
1657.26You knew...GOES11::G_HOUSETommy The CatWed Jan 08 1992 11:181
    Curiosity killed the bank balance!
1657.27FREEBE::REAUMEKH/REXX SnoBWed Jan 08 1992 11:2311
    
      That's real hard to pass up - unless you just blew your extra denaros
    on Canadian gear. I still think LPMG had the best deals when I consider
    what I got. M1 for $350; Testarossa, patch bayette, AND M5 for $600
    total!! Now Steve snags a $579 preamp for two bills!!! I paid $300
    for my blowout Testarossa (the one I bought before the triple package).
    
      See - there are some good things about the recession! Try buying
    Real Estate if you got the bucks, it's a buyers market too!!!!!
    
    							-B()()M- 
1657.28KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Wed Jan 08 1992 12:421
Wow.  Thats tempting as HELL !
1657.29CAVLRY::BUCKStay with me tonight...Wed Jan 08 1992 14:061
    But Jeff, I thought you kind of hated your Quattro?!
1657.30KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Wed Jan 08 1992 15:483
No, I didn't *hate* it...  I like my Mp1 better.  But the $$ sure are right !

jc (Who probably won't get one)
1657.31no room in my basement!FREEBE::REAUMEI&#039;ve got a pocket full of &#039;em!Mon Apr 13 1992 10:3421
    
    
      Those warehouse cleaners at LPMG must think I've got a line on the
    world after what I did with all the KH gear. I received three identical
    flyers in the mail from LPMG, all with one sole product to sell:
    
       SOHO Guitar Preamp - BLOW OUT!!!!
    
      The recession beater deal?  $149.00 any qty. !!!!!!
    
      AND they included a toll free number so that those calls to New
    Jersey don't show up on your phone bill like they did on mine back in
    early 1990!
    
      The number?    1 (800) 526-5312 
      
      Seems like a great offer while it lasts. Let me see - for what I paid
    for the ACCESS, I could have got NINE of these preamps!!! But then I'd
    need a bigger rack! B-}.
    
    							-B()()M-
1657.32ZYMRGY::samBut Momma, that&#039;s where the fun isMon Apr 13 1992 11:224
Oh.  This is tempting.  Does anyone know if the Quatr, er, Soho has a headphone
jack?  Or will it at least power headphones from it's line out?

-- Sam
1657.33FREEBE::REAUMEI&#039;ve got a pocket full of &#039;em!Mon Apr 13 1992 11:5713
    
      Nope - no headphone out. But the line out should be able to feed 
    either a headphone amp unit (there's plenty of those out there) or
    into a multitrack unit. I don't think there are many multi-trackers
    (if any) without headphone jacks. DON'T put headphones into a line out!
    It's not the proper impedance or level. And the other way around -
    I've been told that you can damage a headphone out circuit by running 
    a line out cord into it. Makes sense since the ring/sleeve would
    essentially be running into a short. I'm not gonna try it!
    
      FWIW - I use my headphones a LOT with my ACCESS.  
    
    							-B()()M-
1657.34ZYMRGY::samBut Momma, that&#039;s where the fun isMon Apr 13 1992 13:416
Thanks Boom.  Another question:  does the Soho provide different EQ for the
different channels?

Thanks,

-- Sam
1657.35CAVLRY::BUCKBreakneck speed is what I needMon Apr 13 1992 13:4716
    This is the basic SOHO Layout (maybe not exact, but):
    
    
CRUNCH  TREB  MID  BASS  MASTER  CLEAN || PRES BASS MID TREB MASTER GAIN HOT 
VOLUME                   VOLUME  VOLUME                      VOLUME
    
                             O    O      O   O - select buttons
    
                          Clean Crunch Lead Hot
    
    As you can see, it's basically a two channel units, with two sounds per
    channel.  Channel A does Fender clean and Fender crunch (dirty fender).
    Channel B does Marshall Lead and Boodie-ish HOT (super dist. lead!).
    
    All the sounds are good, cept for the Crunch, which only does a cool
    beefy fender thing.
1657.36Geez Boom, I'll be happy with *1*SMURF::BENNETTWhat goes down the stairs alone or in pairs?Tue Apr 14 1992 12:004
	
	I just called. Mine's on it's way. $149.96 + $6.00 UPS shipping

1657.37KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Tue Apr 14 1992 12:403
Thats pretty cheap for sure...

jc
1657.38Hmmm...I noticed note 2.* growingESBTRX::KALINOWSKITue Apr 14 1992 13:586
Coop.......

	Could this be why the Marshall preamp is up for sale ?


BK
1657.39CAVLRY::BUCKWhen the right one comes alongTue Apr 14 1992 14:064
    RE: BK
    
    Good call!
    ;')
1657.40;-)FRETZ::HEISERit won&#039;t be long, soon you will seeTue Apr 14 1992 14:141
    what's funnier is that he had a Quattro and sold it!
1657.41KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Tue Apr 14 1992 15:418
Jeeezzzz... guys - SHADDUP !!

:)

I liked his QT.  Thinks I'll like the SoHo too - and it's in a sturdier
package.  Thats the only think I didn't like about the QT is it looked like
someone put it together with pliers and a vice.
:)
1657.42I support Candidate JCESBTRX::KALINOWSKIThu Apr 16 1992 07:3910
    Common Coopster.....
    
    Ya gatta know I'm the one guy in this conference who'll always take
    your side....ADA tone bro. The Marshall is an OK unit but lets face it,
    for a bill fifty the SOHO kicks ass.
    
    But it's no REXX 8*) (Oh no... I see a whole new trend developing in
    the notes file.)
    
    BK
1657.43FREEBE::REAUMEI&#039;ve got a pocket full of &#039;em!Thu Apr 16 1992 08:488
    
       re: -.1 
    
    
     ..... this is our own version of "The Price is Right!"
    
     
     							-B()()()M-
1657.44KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Apr 16 1992 09:187
    Yo ToneBro,
    
    For a buck anda half, I'm sure it's a rippin' preamp...  Make a fine
    backup for my rig.  Actually, I've got everything but a power amp for
    a backup RACK...  Heh-heh.
    :)
    
1657.45CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 09:303
    >    ..... this is our own version of "The Price is Right!"
    
    Johnny, tell em what they've won!
1657.46...and the check is in your mouth!FREEBE::REAUMEI&#039;ve got a pocket full of &#039;em!Thu Apr 16 1992 14:0410
    
    
     ...sorry Buck, Johnny Olson's dead. or do you mean me? I'm alive!
    
     ...but if my wife know exactly what I paid for the ACCESS I might
    be dead! Actually I just told her I was selling a few small things to
    buy one big thing. I told her it would cut down on the clutter in my
    basement! RIGHT!
    
    							B()()()M
1657.47Johnny? Whos Johnny? Are you Johnny??CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 14:2510
    B()()()M,
    
    You can cut down on the clutter in your basement by giving me your...
    
    - REXX 1602 rack
    - REXX 610S rack
    - M1 full stack
    - ACE Newsletter/Magazine back issues!
    
    8^)
1657.48FREEBE::REAUMEI&#039;ve got a pocket full of &#039;em!Thu Apr 16 1992 14:4617
    
    
      No deal Buckmeister!!!!!!!
    
    
      Tell you what. This note right here is living proof that I reached my 
    saturation point in GTS. The ACCESS came not that long after the
    REXXtras. That's it!!! So no Ho fo me (no SoHo for B()()Mley)!
    
      Tops in "play time" as of late : the Les Paul through the ACCESS rig
    or the KH M5 combo for the simpler approach. I can appreciate either
    means to the end. My next contrib to a noters tape will use these
    pieces!
    
    							-B()()()M-
    
    							
1657.49CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 14:561
    Those SOHO's are temptin...hmmm...ah, no...well, maybe...
1657.50FREEBE::REAUMEI&#039;ve got a pocket full of &#039;em!Thu Apr 16 1992 15:077
      RE: -.1
      
      NAWWW - that man don't do the rack thing!
    
      ...saves ya $ on screws and washers!
    
    							-Rack-O-BooM-Z
1657.51How about for use with a bass?SSDEVO::LAMBERTGonna boogie my scruples awayThu Apr 16 1992 15:087
   Does anyone an opinion on using one of these beasts as a preamp for a bass?
   I'd be using the clean channel only (of course) but am just wondering if a
   true bass preamp would have different EQ biasing or whatnot.  Looking thru
   the "Generic Bass Preamp" note it looks like some of those units are dual
   purpose.  How 'bout the SOHO?

   -- Sam (thinking about building one rack-rig that can do it all)
1657.52KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Apr 16 1992 16:095
Well Sam, there is plenty of experience available in here for folks 
who want to do the "Rack to do it all" thang !!

Personally, I think you ought to go for an MP1/MB1 combo !
:)
1657.53:-)SSDEVO::LAMBERTGonna boogie my scruples awayThu Apr 16 1992 16:125
  (In his best "down Maine" accent:)

  Aww-yu, that be why I ask'd.

  -- Sam
1657.54ESBTRX::KALINOWSKIThu Apr 16 1992 16:168
 Geeze......If I wasn't spending $1100 on a bike, and didn't just buy the 
REXX and could afford a new poweramp.....I'd definitely buy one of these.
For 150 clams even if you hated it you could probably make most of your 
money back.

BK
	
1657.55CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 16:173
    -1
    
    What kind of bike are you getting??
1657.56KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Apr 16 1992 16:253
Tell me it's Rice, BK !!

:)
1657.57just say no!FRETZ::HEISERhaveno shalom alechemThu Apr 16 1992 16:261
    
1657.58Yup a ricer...hey if Harley made dual purpose............ ESBTRX::KALINOWSKIThu Apr 16 1992 16:326
Welll for those wondering........

It's an 89 Yamaha XT350. Dual purpose...just like Bulldawg Steve D. 


BK....also avid DECTRAIL noter thanks to Coop.
1657.59CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 16:397
Rice?  _    /|   
       \'o.O'    
       =(___)=   Aack!!!
          U      
    
    Well, dual purpose *is* kind of cool...i like off-road, mud slinging
    dirt biking!  Wish I had my buddy's old Bultaco...that thing was MENTAL!  
1657.60Best of both worlds...well not reallyESBTRX::KALINOWSKIThu Apr 16 1992 16:4412
Believe me..I love to have a Sportster and a KDX250 And a SoHo/SE50/Mosvalve rig. 

My wife would love to have some money in the bank, buy a house and have babies.


We compromise.....I get a dual purpose bike and we keep saving for a house.


By the way......how come babies rhymes with rabies. Brrrrrr not for me


BK
1657.61ZYMRGY::samGonna boogie my scruples awayThu Apr 16 1992 16:484
So (ho), what about those SOHO "bass" amps?  (He says, trying to the the topic
back on track...  :-))

-- Sam (Lowrider owner, and one who has never been accused of sublety...  :-))
1657.62KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Apr 16 1992 16:558
I don't think the SOHO would be any good for a bass...  BBE has a bass preamp
for about $100 (at rice ?), that SCREAMS !

RE: BK

A sporty ?  Tsk.Tsk.  How about a Hurricane ?  180 outta the box !!
Good taste on the KDX though - note my nodename.
:)
1657.63CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 17:0310
    >I don't think the SOHO would be any good for a bass...  BBE has a bass
    >preamp for about $100 (at rice ?), that SCREAMS !
    
    I agree...the SOHO would probably sound farty with a bass into it!
    Better off going another route.
    
    
    RE: Hurricane
    
    Just say NO!
1657.64KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu Apr 16 1992 19:073
    Yeah, yeah  -  "Friends Don't Let Friends Ride Rice"  Right Buck ??
    
    jc (A ricer)
1657.65Hate walking away from a good deal!EZ2GET::STEWARTthe leper with the most fingersThu Apr 16 1992 20:3712
    
>	A sporty ?  Tsk.Tsk.  How about a Hurricane ?  180 outta the box !!
    
    Yes!  I've got 22k miles on my 1 liter rice eater...and I'm one ticket
    away from involuntary committment to the clinic for the
    velocity-addicted...
    
    But back to the topic at hand...is there any reason I should jump on
    this SOHO deal since I already have the Quattro?  Reasons like stand
    by, hot backup, and/or general GTS don't count.
    
    
1657.66CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterThu Apr 16 1992 21:163
    >Yeah, yeah  -  "Friends Don't Let Friends Ride Rice"  Right Buck ??
    
    Couldn't have said it any bettah!
1657.67Preamps, Guitar vs. bassRICKS::ROSTThe Creator has a master planFri Apr 17 1992 07:5628
    Re: .51
    
    Man, too many replies flying about...
    
    Sam, in general, bass and guitar preamps have evolved along separate
    paths since the days of the Fender Bassman.  In addition to having EQ
    tuned "lower", most bass preamps these days go for having lots of
    headroom, so you can feed in huge amounts of signal and still be
    squeaky clean.  Most guitar preamps look at headroom as a minus, the
    idea is to provide plenty of gain to get distortion.  If there was
    sufficient headroom to have all that gain *clean* it wouldn't be of as
    much interest, eh?
    
    There are some exceptions, such as the Peavey Raxx preamps, where the
    T.G. guitar version and T.B. bass version seem just about identical,
    except for the EQ frequencies.
    
    Other things bass preamps tend to have that guitar units don't is more
    *bands* of EQ, compressors or limiters, crossovers for biamping
    (probably a non-issue for you), XLR direct outs.
    
    Actually, a better approach is to get a bass amp and use a guitar
    preamp with it.  That's because the trend in bass heads is lots of
    clean power.  For bass, just use the bass head, for guitar, patch
    the preamp into the bass head's power amp input...something to think
    about.
    
    						     Brian
1657.68Brian, you're such a wealth of knowledge... :-)SSDEVO::LAMBERTGonna boogie my scruples awayFri Apr 17 1992 10:483
Oooh...  That's a good idea!  Thanks!

-- Sam
1657.69Do I smell sushi?STAR::SALKEWICZIt missed... therefore, I am Fri Apr 17 1992 13:0314
re .66 CAVLRY::BUCK "Coaster Master"

>    >Yeah, yeah  -  "Friends Don't Let Friends Ride Rice"  Right Buck ??
>    
>    Couldn't have said it any bettah!
>

	So Buck,,, what kind of guitar ado you play again? All this talk
	about Rice,.. for shame!!!!

	:-) 

							/Cat_chyalater

1657.70CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterFri Apr 17 1992 13:055
    Dear Cat-titude...
    
    If there was a USA made guitar that was worth a $#!t imvho, I'd be
    playing it.  From the looks of it, it may be an Odessey by Hartley
    Peavey!!
1657.71Who Needs A Hockey Stick Anyway?RICKS::ROSTThe Creator has a master planFri Apr 17 1992 13:123
    Nah, Buck you need a TransTrem Steinberger...a real man's guitar!
    
    							Brian
1657.72CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterFri Apr 17 1992 13:148
    >    Nah, Buck you need a TransTrem Steinberger...a real man's guitar!
    
    
      _    /|   
      \'o.O'    
      =(___)=   Aack!!!
         U      
    
1657.73CSC32::THOMASTraveling is better than arriving.Fri Apr 17 1992 13:164
    Re .70
    	How about a Paul Reed Smith. They're made in Maryland...
    Lowell
    
1657.74CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterFri Apr 17 1992 13:318
    >       How about a Paul Reed Smith. They're made in Maryland...
    
      _    /|   
      \'o.O'    
      =(___)=   Aack!!!
         U      
    
    I'd rather play a Charvel (which is also wicked gross!)
1657.75Bush and the BuckmeisterRICKS::CALCAGNIGive dog a solo!Fri Apr 17 1992 13:355
    re .70
    
    You'd be in good company Buck.  The new Monitor's got a picture of the
    Prez visiting the PV factory and he's wailing away on an Odyssey. 
    Looks like he's plunking out the chords to Freebird :-0
1657.76CSC32::THOMASTraveling is better than arriving.Fri Apr 17 1992 13:426
    Buck,
    	And all of this time I thought that I respected your opinion.
    Perhaps you SHOULD be playing a Charvel.
    
    Lowell
    
1657.77Buckley goes to jail...film at 11!CAVLRY::BUCKCoaster MasterFri Apr 17 1992 13:4312
    >                         -< Bush and the Buckmeister >-
    
    ...and the next issue of MONITOR would feature a cover pic of Buck
    whacking Bush-brains over the noggin with an Odyssey, followed by
    a 5150 stack being pushed over on top of him!!!
    
    
    >    Prez visiting the PV factory and he's wailing away on an Odyssey.
    
    Rick, could you save me this copy??  Rumor has it there is an Al
    Pitrelli interview in there, and I want to read it!!!  Al is my
    Berk bud, and I wanna keep tabs on him.
1657.78Mini ReviewSMURF::BENNETTWhat goes down the stairs alone or in pairs?Tue Apr 21 1992 13:2343
	Well the UPS dude dropped the SOHO QTR-1 at my place yesterday.

	First thing I noticed it that it's Made In Hong Kong! Anyway, I
	also noticed right away that it's very light. So I went thru
	the manual and wired it up and took it for a test drive. Here's
	the preliminaries:

	o the level control on the output jack make it easy to mate to
	  the FX return on an amp, the input side of an amp, a board for
	  recording, or a power amp.

	o I hooked it up to the FX return on the Super 60 and walked thru
	  the channels. My initial readings are that the high gain channels
	  sound great, there's lots of good harmonic content w/controllable
	  feedback and the like.

	o The clean sound is not "Fender" clean. It's very clean but lacks
	  the low-midrange warmth that I'm used to from the preamp on the
	  Super 60.

	o The crunch sounds pretty nice but I need to play the EQ a bit to
	  get enough bottom under it for my taste.

	o The best one I got out of it all night was by turning down the
	  output level control and running the QTR straight into the Bass
	  channel of my 50wt Bassman. This gave the desired warmth to the
	  clean channels and gave the high gain channels something I can
	  only call "authority" - this thing was rippin.

	o It sounds like a chainsaw when attached to a tape recorder. I'll
	  need a 15-band or a speaker emulator to clean it up for recording.

	o I opened it up. The design and implementation is beautiful. All
	  of the wiring was done cleanly. All of the front panel controls
	  are mounted on 3 separate PCBs - 1 for clean controls, one for
	  dirty controls and one for the buttons. The tubes (Phillips!! ECC83)
	  are mounted across the chassis, rotated about 10 degrees off
	  normal to the floor of the case. It appears that this was done to
	  create a "chimney" effect that draws cool air into the front, over
	  the tubes, and out the vents in the top.

	o this price can't be beat.
1657.79SOHOw do you work this thing?ZYMRGY::samGonna boogie my scruples awayTue May 12 1992 12:5028
    Include me among the ranks (rank?) of those who've succumbed to SOHO
    blowout induced GTS.  Mine was delivered last night after almost 3 weeks
    of waiting (ordered on 4/28, delivered 5/11).  I've only had a short time
    to play with it so far, but am pretty impressed at this point.  There
    were a couple of things I couldn't figure out however, so figured I'd run
    it past all you experts.  :-)

    A separate sheet included with the manual indicates a change made to the
    control layout/function, and states that the Crunch Master volume now
    controls only the Crunch channel, and that the Clean Volume is used to
    control the overall volume of the clean channel.  It would be nice if it
    really worked this way.  :-)  In reality, the clean channel seems to be
    under the control of the Crunch Master as well as the crunch channel.
    This means that if you set up the crunch channel as indicated (channel
    volume up around 8 and master around 2) you get a good crunch sound, but
    when you go to clean mode things get very quiet.  And if I turn the clean
    volume and the crunch master all the way up I still don't seem to be
    getting the full performance out of the amp - I'm running this into a
    200w power amp, and the clean channel just ain't that loud by itself!  In
    general I'm having a hard time getting VOLUME out of the clean/crunch
    side.

    Any suggestions?  Other than the above, and the lack of an overall master
    volume for all 4 channels :-( I'm pretty happy with my new purchase.

    -- Sam

    P.S.  It sounds pretty good with the bass, too!  :-)
1657.80Let me just interject...SSDEVO::LAMBERTGonna boogie my scruples awayWed May 13 1992 11:1231
Well, pardon me for interrupting the plethora of replies, but...  :-)

Some answers to my own questions after spending more time with this puppy:
I found that the "clean/crunch master" problem is not as bad as I thought.
The crunch master does indeed have some effect over the overall clean
side, but it's not operating as a master volume (exactly) for that
channel.  If you turn the master up from 7 to 10 you do get a slight
increase in clean volume, but turning the master down never completely
dampens it.  The master does have much more control over the crunch
channel. 

Still, however, I'm not able to get a whole lot of volume out of the clean
channel.  All the other channels will rattle the windows in my music room,
but even when cranked thru the 200w amp the clean is barely loud enough to
play along with a drummer.  I checked the tubes and they're all lit
equally, though dimly. 

I think I have found the "ultimate" (this week) way of using the beast
in my setup, though:  Putting it in the *effects loop*, along with a
DSP128+, gets me the overdrive and EQ the Soho provides, while also using
all the front end features of the amp I'm using (Peavey MK3 bass head - EQ,
compression, channel switching, etc), not to mention the features of the 
DSP.  I've still got to tweak the EQ ("I've got so much!  What to do with
it all?") but it looks like a weiner to me.  All the outboard gear has 
both input and output level control, so that helps.  This of course all 
may change as I play with the unit(s).

(Hey, if Boom can do weird things with his programmable effects loops,
I can put a preamp in mine...  :-))

-- Sam (having fun with knobs despite himself...)
1657.81RAVEN1::BLAIRWhat *is* it, Man?Wed May 13 1992 14:592
    
    Call their asses up and complain about the clean channel volume!  
1657.82FREEBE::REAUMEH&amp;K/K&amp;H/R&amp;RWed May 13 1992 15:0512
    
    Yeah - give them a flashback from the KH warehouse sale days.
    
      Then again, maybe it is just a weak tube, they are easily interchanged
    between sockets for troubleshooting! I remember them sending me three
    free 12AX7's for my KH gear and all I had said to them was I thought one
    was noisy.  
    
      Did you get the footswitch with the preamp included in the sale
    price?
    
    							-B()()M-
1657.83KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Wed May 13 1992 15:447
Yeah - Hey Sam - My Kitty Qtr clean channel would blast you thru the 
wall on 5 !!  (Umm, just don't tell anyone I used a clean channel
once...It was an accident. :).

Swap a tube - if you need a 12AX7 I gotta a whole drawer full of 'em.

jc
1657.84CAVLRY::BUCKHearts of the Wild!Wed May 13 1992 15:461
    Yeah, sounds like a tube to moi.  My clean channel was LOUD!
1657.85ZYMRGY::samGonna boogie my scruples awayThu May 14 1992 10:398
Yeah, I'll try the tube swap tonight.  I had thought of it, but got sidetracked
on other things (like just playing through the amp...  :-)).

Re: Boom, yeah, it came with the footswitch for that price.

Thanks for the replies!

-- Sam
1657.86KDX200::COOPERStep UP to the RACK !Thu May 14 1992 10:403
How'd it go Sam ??

jc
1657.87ZYMRGY::samGonna boogie my scruples awayThu May 14 1992 10:563
Easy, Coop.  I just entered that note this morning...  :-)

-- Sam
1657.88ZYMRGY::samGonna boogie my scruples awayThu Jun 04 1992 15:5611
During lunch I went to a few local music stores, and one of them had a used
Soho in the rack marked $175!  I didn't tell him you can still get them new
for $150...  :-)

I'm slowly learning to use/love mine.  Sounds completely different in a "band"
or jamming situation than it does when practicing.  It's very bright sounding,
and sounds somewhat harsh to me by itself, but when others are playing it cuts
right through.  Tonight I'll be trying it through my new 2x10 cab for the first
time, so it should be interesting.

-- Sam
1657.89Schematic?LEDS::ORSIStimpy&#039;s Magic Nose GoblinsTue Sep 15 1992 07:006
     Anyone have a schematic, or know where I can get one, for
     the Soho unit?

     Neal

1657.90BUSY::VMESITETue Sep 22 1992 06:5712
    Yes...me one too?   My Address is:
    
    
    Jay Tashjian
    P.O. BOX #189
    Worcester, Ma.  01602-0189
    
    I'll pay costs, and be forever gratefull.
    
    
    Thanx
    
1657.91Not part of the packageSSDEVO::LAMBERTUp on Cripple CreekTue Sep 22 1992 08:324
   I checked my Soho owner's manual and there are no schematics included,
   unfortunately...

   -- Sam
1657.92FDCV09::GOODWINTue Sep 22 1992 11:184
    from what I can gather, the SOHO is an exact clone of the KH quattro,
    so possibly the quattro schematic will suffice?
    
    /Steve
1657.93LEDS::ORSIStimpy&#039;s Magic Nose GoblinsTue Sep 22 1992 11:397
    >from what I can gather, the SOHO is an exact clone of the KH quattro,
    >so possibly the quattro schematic will suffice?
    
     OK, anyone have a Quattro schematic?

     Neal
1657.94BUSY::VMESITEWed Sep 23 1992 07:019
    Yup, that's easy.
    
    Send a SASE with a note of what ya need to:
    
    Jay Tashjian
    
    P.O. Box #189
    Worcester, Ma.  01602-0189
    
1657.95"Soho, So Hot"COMET::LAURICHMon Dec 06 1993 16:558
    
    
    
                  Just picked one of these up. Nice unit(and light too).
      This thing does'nt get hot either. Then again, it hasn't been to
      10*yet*.
    
                               Jeffy
1657.97LEDS::ORSICuz I *FELT* like it...OK?Tue Aug 09 1994 11:5711
     Steve,

     It sounds like a power supply problem, probably the ~15vdc supplying
     the relay operating voltage. Also, there should 6.3VAC between pins
     4/5 & 9 (pins 4+5 are connected together) and roughly 200VDC between
     pins 1 & gnd, and 6 & gnd of all the tubes.

     If you can't locate the problem, I could take a look at it for you.

     Neal