Best preamp to use with a Leslie 122

[scottjoyce]

I will be getting a preamp so I can run my Electro 4D into a Leslie 122. I've seen a Trek II and a Speakeasy. Any recommendations?

[corvair60]

I bought a "Dr. Fishsticks" unit - you can find it on ebay. I use mine with a Leslie 145, so not sure if the vendor makes one for Leslie 122 - I think he does. You'll need a preamp like Art Tube or can used with a mixer with gain, etc. I use the Art (cost me $35 and it works really well. Depending on the preamp your volume may be a bit lower than with a Leslie Combo or Trek II, but it still shakes the house. Overall price can be much lower - approx $100 for the Dr. Fishsticks, and again you'll want a latching pedal and a preamp. The sound is excellent, and there's several advantages to using this unit, including can use a latching foot switch for Leslie speed control, and can be safer with regards to high voltages near the player. The Leslie Combo usually run $250 or more (used, of course) and Trek II are a lot more.

[OBDave]

I would go with the Speakeasy if you can find one. They're out of production and the owner of the company passed away a few years ago, but they turn up on ebay from time to time. Very, very sweet sounding preamp. Punchy and clean, and percussion is fantastic through these. I've also owned Trek II and CBS/Electro-music Combo pedal and the Speakeasy beats them all, hands down.