Heather Brown

Heather Brown Electronicals Volga Preamp

$249.00

Pickup available at 165 Massachusetts Avenue

Usually ready in 1 hour

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If you’ve ever chased the magic of a MIG 50 amp, or you just want a truly amp-like preamp that feels alive under your hands, the Volga might be exactly what your board’s been missing.

The Volga Preamp is a loving tribute to the Sovtek MIG 50, specifically, one particularly magic-sounding specimen (serial #000931, if you're keeping score). Designed entirely with carefully voiced and matched JFETs, it nails the crystalline cleans and sweet, touch-sensitive saturation that made those Russian-built amps cult classics.

There’s plenty of chime, a touch of natural compression, and a wonderfully amp-like breakup when you lean into it. You'll find a generous low-end warmth, harmonic richness, and just the right amount of punch in the mids when you want it.

The controls are intuitive if you think like an amp player (which, let’s face it, most of us do):

A three-way channel switch lets you toggle between the smoother voicing of Channel I (warm), the brighter edge of Channel II, or run them together for the best of both.

A three-band EQ (treble, mid, bass) plus presence work just like the amp, and interact with each other in that sweet, dynamic way we all know and love.

And of course, Master Volume to control your overall output.

Use Case

As An ‘always on’
Sculpt your amp’s inherent sound by using the EQ to tighten up low end or add sparkle and rich harmonics to a dark amp. The FET stages make for a responsive/tube-like feel and dynamic compression that reacts to how you play. Use channel knobs - l and ll - to dial in where you want the breakup point (if any at all).

Use Case

As An ‘Underdrive’
(After your overdrive or distortion pedals) Stacking Gain: The Volga will push and shape that distorted signal even further adding its own depth for an even bigger / more complex overdrive. Bringing more body/warmth/or definition to an already overdriven sound. The Volga’s unique voicing can really fine-tune and beef up your overall gain structure giving your drive or distortion more punch and clarity. Use her tastefully though (Heather suggests not going past noon on the channels in this application).

Uses Case

As a ‘Boost’
Keep the channels low and dial in your output using the master volume. Keep the EQ flat add subtle warmth or use the treble or presence knob to cut through while keeping that natural/amp-like feel.

Uses Case

As a ‘Lava Lamp’
Heat things up …Max out the channels for a rough breakup sound with hardly any sustain. It sort of reminds us of older Led Zeppelin tracks – like an ‘all amp no drive’ sound.