Inspired by the amptop treble boosters as well as the front end of a Filmosound 385, this preamp features the same power supply as my larger PRE-Q v2 preamps, with a more streamlined single tube (5879 Pentode), volume & tone controls.

The toggle on the top right is run/true bypass, and on the left is a treble (up) and mid (down) voicing switch.

The PRE85 is a tube preamp that features a NOS 5879 preamp tube, running at high voltage courtesy of 12vdc step up power supply. Switchcraft jacks, Alpha pots, and Gorva switches. The white LED on the rear of the unit indicates that the preamp is on.

I came up with the idea for the PRE85 after building a number of Filmosound 385s for people. It was evident that there was something magical about the pentode preamp tube that the guitar signal encounters first upon entering the amp. So, I designed my own preamp based on that particular circuit which I now feature in all of my Model 2 amps.

All the clarity and detailed information from when your fingers or pick touches the strings of your instrument are captured by a pentode tube. Slightly microphonic, slightly resonant - the 5879 pentode can be leveraged for unique character and additional expressiveness you don’t get from typical 12AX7 gain stages.

The PRE85 is made to order. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.