The most 80's preamp of all time! ART SGX2000

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

On and off switch? You don’t turn off the 80s!!!!

[@FredBrum]

I came here to say this! Hahaha! :D

[@dan_perry]

If you ever owned one you'd know that most ART MFX have a tendency to lock up...this is why I installed a switch on the front panel.

[@dan_perry]

@Craigits just a front panel switch to turn the power on/off. Like I said above, the unit is prone to locking up...stuck presets, garbled LCD characters, hum, etc.

[@LeftHandedRightHanded]

@@dan_perry how did you go about installing a switch?

[@dan_perry]

@@LeftHandedRightHanded it's a fairly simple process. 1. Remove the top cover 2. Drill a hole thru the front panel 3. Mount switch 4. Interrupt AC line from fuse output with a switch

[@02Tango]

A.R.T! I worked there from '90 to '92. It was created by the owners and a few employees of MXR. I worked on the assembly line, shipping, customer service, demoed at a trade show, etc. I would get called into the engineering dept. to try some new stuff in development. I played an early design of the SGX preamp when it was a pile of wires on an engineers desk (the guy who holds the patent for the phase 90 pedal). Unfortunately the preamp that made it into the production unit did not have as much gain as the earlier versions I tried. The SGX Express came out after the SGX 2000...probably '92 or '93. It was a fun place to work. :-)

[@curtpozzi5527]

Made in Rochester, NY. I got mine used in 94' and ran into the front end of a Fender 65 watt solid state amp. I also got a prototype Zoom 9002 a few years earlier, I still have both.

[@Yupppi]

Incredible what all you can find on youtube.

[@martyaws6474]

Tempee! I remember you. I started out in assembly and worked my way into Tech. I bet my initials are on the inside of this SGX 2000. I am still very much into guitar. We should catch up.

[@georgebarry8640]

I miss ART!!!! I have owned the DST amp (the Rules Breaker) and various other pieces of ART gear..always good stuff. I STILL absolutely LOVE my XTreme pedal..and wish I could get a schematic for it. My hope is to build a version of it ,but this time with a noise gate! And a way to bypass those noisy effects.The EQ on that was FANTASTIC and so usefull. But so much hiss..that I just couldnt use it. A noise gate post effect killed everything...and that just didnt work..I tried.

[@dwojcik1000]

I’ve had my ART DST 80/80 for almost 20years. Still rocks but I wish I could find an owners manual for it.

[@RJRonquillo]

YES! I had an SGE when I was 13, it was the coolest thing ever. The lights, the pink!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

It’s funny. Seriously, I was thinking the whole time...I’ll bet RJ would like this too! Haha

[@AngusClarkGTR]

@@BigHairyGuitars can you make a kemper profile of it that forces the kemper screen to use a pink backlight? #nextlevelidea

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

I had an sge too. So what if it wasn't pro quality. I plugged it into my practice amp as a beginner and had a blast. I got a lot of different sounds with it and learned a lot about effects and what I wanted as a sound.

[@andreaferrero6533]

I also had a SGE mach2, distortion was a bit crappy, but digital FX were cooler. there was a preset doing the train sound, and a 2 second sampler I used to do the drone D 16th notes for run like hell (-: yes, it's really 80s!

[@russellzauner]

@@BigHairyGuitars Neal Schon used a G-505...just sayin, I expected you to bust into "send her my love" like every 5 seconds

[@potatolew4495]

I still have one, I freaking love it. I will never grow out of the 80's!!!

[@tonydonohue2727]

Me too.... straight into mixer...brilliant

[@jd_flick]

when you want the guitar sounds of 80s ninja movies

[@muleblues71]

Those were the best

[@russellzauner]

dont let mcrocklin see it

[@johncecilia4517]

I tried another version of this SGX Nitro and the flanger sounded really chorusy. Has some unique sounds

[@lechatsportif124]

need complete list of said movies

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

This is how they did it.0

[@KipCount]

I LUSTED after this thing in the late 80s. Had to settle for a little Crate combo and then eventually a Marshall Valvestate at one point, but THIS is what I truly wanted. And now I want it all over again. Everything about this thing is magical, including that color and graphic scheme.

[@demodick]

Soo many paper routes and lawns mowed to but this thing ma.

[@davejohnsonmusic]

It sounds really cool actually. It's like you dug it when it came out, then the whole analog purist phase and then you come full circle and appreciate stuff like this for what it brings to the table and does well.

[@bingefeller]

I love how 80s it looks and the sounds do not disappoint.

[@Deathrape2001]

This is NOT the sound of the 80's. It's CHEESY KRAPPY sound & he is PRETENDING that is what it all was, which is not true. Here's some chorus examples from actual '80's music, not the fantasy of what you think might 'approximate' it. The Art does not do this ~> kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIvGmoGqnbOheqM kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6S8lmeDZa90r5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmK4YoiblJqep5o #BucketBrigadeFans =)

[@LeonTodd]

Forget Marshall V Mesa, Fractal V Kemper and Gibson v PRS - ART v ZOOM is the ultimate tone death match we all want to hear

[@cbeserra]

Sounds awesome! Everyone wanted one of these back in the 80s

[@diekkrid1207]

Dude, I feel like I'm 12yo again at Bill's Music House in Baltimore, trying out their rack tower with all of the solid state goodness of 1987. Good memories

[@jafethuerta]

As soon as I see a Michael Nielsen video notification I immediately have to be “eBay-ready” for anything 🤣😂

[@charlesb7831]

I still have my ART SGE and it's fun to play with, I run it though an original Carvin X50B head in the effects loop with the matching 4x12 cab on the left side of a stereo set up, and the right side is a Marshall jcm800 4010 combo, they all sound great ! I've always wanted one of these bigger bad boys, been searching for years, I'd still add this to my mini rack, I love these old racks. These videos are awesome, take me back to the old days lol

[@scottpeters4401]

The ART Multiverb SGE was my very first FX unit I ever bought back in 86.....they just looked so cool with the Miami Vice pastel logo.....they just had so many versions...Multiverb...Multiverb II....SGE....SGE Mach II....I had the giant pastel midi floor controller too,the one with the big goofy rubber foot switches.....great stuff....Ahh the rack craze...

[@mikestillwagon5675]

At the time, this was the level of greatness to which I aspired. I ended up getting a Rockman XPR instead. Believe it or not, it sounded incredible into the front end of my Marshall.

[@danpfeifer7618]

Yes! I had an ART fx unit back in the day with my MP-1, sounded awesome.

[@jcw5007]

I had the same. Matched up with a crown power base one amp. I hated the ART (wasn't this model) and returned it for an Alesis Quadraverb..

[@donewithmodernlife]

Me too! I ran it all into a MosValve power amp. I thought it was awesome at the time but I’d be willing to bet it was crap.

[@fbomb11967]

@@donewithmodernlife I did the same, MP1- SGE- MOSVALVE, great sounding setup. I love the MosValve, I recently found one at Guitar Center , I snatched it up to use with 11Rack.

[@hrosemd]

Bingo

[@andreslaurito9031]

So awesome. My guitar teacher in the early 90’s had this in his rack and used it in the live shows.. have heard this since then. Thanks Michael!!

[@courtney2018]

So glad the Art SGX2000 got some love. I bought one probably 10 or so years ago and still have it in my rack. Need to plug into it and have some vintage fun.

[@privilegeunderground3429]

Sound so good every preset . Massive !!!!

[@kalebaldwin5398]

Looks like something that would be in a bowling alley or an arcade that hasn't been updated since 1987. A Fender HM Strat would be the perfect guitar to go with this.

[@larslevinberget9558]

Thanks for this man! That was the flagship we couldn't afford back then! The step-up from the DigiTech DSP21 :D

[@JC3D]

I spent years saving for an Art SGX 2000 Express with my paper route money as a kid. Got to relive it all over drooling over the Axe FX for years as an adult. I traded the Art SGX for a Fender Twin Reverb right before the value for the FX unit tanked. Thanks for the video - I really enjoyed it. Used to have a ton of fun routing a bunch of mics into it and with headphones have fake radio shows with my friends. Good times!

[@1980glamfan]

Love that art chorus sound! There’s something about it that I can’t recreate. Ada mp1 chorus is probably my favorite.

[@johncecilia4517]

Yes the chorus is great. The Flangers on ART racks have a different sound also.

[@12opsynths]

Someone FedEx one of this to the composers of Cobra Kai immediately. Great playing and demoing this unit. Way less hissy than I remember ART to be back then.

[@svarthelikoptern]

I fell of my chair when you played Cabo Wabo! Liked Rainmaker and Pretty Clean presets.

[@patrickfouhy9102]

Dude, I'm on the same kick. After your SPX90 video the other day, I'm hooked. Found one the next day, been loving it. Going to pick up a MIDI Verb, looking for a Sony MU-R201...you've sent me down a deep wonderful rabbit hole! thanks!!!

[@JeffHesterDesigns]

I had the SGE Mach II and loved it. What about the Zoom 9150? Ever have one of those?

[@marviosantos]

Dude! I've had one since 1989! Even after buying better rack gear, still old like the Digitech GSP2101 (which you should totally cover), buying real good tube amps, and now having a Kemper, Axe FX3, and a Helix. For some reason I can't let go of this thing! It just brings back so many good memories. I composed a whole movie sound track on it once! Keep on rocki'n man

[@JavyonVISION]

Yep, I still have mine too.

[@rayrobinson2074]

Had one since the mid 90's, might be time to dig it back out and try it into some cab sims. I think I still have the patch building software backed up somewhere. Building patches on LCD screens are a nightmare.

[@Deathrape2001]

Every sound this thing does is so harsh & cheesy cheap primitive & coarse U can easily exceed it even on any free old cheap slow computer with free software = so pointless some of these rack things. S tick with tube stuff =) & I don't mean fake tube where it comes after the distortion like the Mesa Boogie 'Triaxis' or Rocktron 'Voodoo Valve' $kam =)) Some clown online I recall talking how 'intricate & detailed' the distortion on the Voodoo was, & compared 2 the Peavey Rockmaster it's a ridiculous joke.

[@johanneschristopherstahle3395]

@@rayrobinson2074 I've got the Nightbass (wich works quite well for guitar as well). Was a bit disappointed when I ran it into a cab sim. Maybe I should try using the cab sim before the digital effects next time. If you know what you are going for the editing on the unit ain't that bad. The software helps, but since I don't have my unit contantly hook up to my midi interface I do most patch editing without the software.

[@jamesmoore4320]

That ''Pretty Clean'' preset gives me definite Jason Becker vibes, I love it

[@gtrdaveg]

Dangerous distortion, serious sustain! It'll phase, it'll flange, it'll fuzz, it's got a simulated comb filter for steroizing a mono source. Balls deluxe!

[@serpentsbane9166]

Cool video! I'll have to look in to one of these in the future...

[@nebuladus7850]

Wwoww this effects processor sounds fantastic and really cool with the pedal✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@47279J]

Incredible sounds! So much Miami VIce sounds in there. And I still think the Miami Vice sounds are the best. This machine definitely seems something I need, since I can't really afford the really expensive stuff.

[@ribbonsofeuphoria5744]

I remember the ad’ from all the USA magazines that I was buying. Great tones and playing, I especially loved OU812 riffs. Keep on retroing Michael

[@PereRevert]

I'm sold ! love it !!

[@coyotecirclestudio9611]

The thing you are missing is the presets are very 1980’s, but the unit is one of the most programmable effects units I have ever seen. Every factor of every effect used is adjustable/programmable. The presets may be 80’s, but the basic components are universal. Drive, chorus, delay, etc. you just have to dive in and learn how to program the unit, and it will make just about any sound you can imagine, and then some, vintage or modern. That’s what is so criminally overlooked about these units. Presets are all very “of a time”, but the unit itself is still very usable.

[@blcouch]

Thanks for the nod to Luke. I had one of these and sold it several years ago. Looking to get another one soon😂.

[@AScirea]

And the foot controller is just amazing too :)

[@MrNihilist74]

When I was a teenager in the late 80s and early 90's, seemed like most local bands I went to see, the guitarists always had the Art multi-effect processors similar to this model.

[@guitardave]

This is just brilliant - did every single guitar tone have lashings of chorus all over it back in the 80’s?! Sounds kind of like Joe Satriani’s Surfing With The Alien album. The Van Halen stuff sounded spot on. The price of old rack gear must be going up on eBay thanks to this channel...

[@BigHairyGuitars]

YES! Totally Surfing with the Alien tones

[@dmytrotarasov9477]

I'd say it is more of a "Not of this Earth" album from 1986. This one captured the 80's on a whole different level as "Surfing with the Alien" sounds a tad bit more modern IMO. But yeah, that's early Satch tone in a rackmount unit:)

[@dmytrotarasov9477]

Check out "Driving at Night", that's the one that played in my head instantly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4SkZIqjqMtopZY

[@Deathrape2001]

OMG U should stop pretending U R deaf. All of the sounds were very cheesy & hollow boring sounding & nothing like Van Halen or any other real music, except some of the 'synthy' stuff here & there. The chorus is really bad = so much worse than the bucket brigade stuff that is the real '80's tone =)

[@shaft9000]

Hey, if nasal/ phase-compromised / badly biased "Satch timbre" is all you're after, it can serve! I had an SGX2000 from 92-94, I even recorded quite a few Satriani covers on my 4-track with it.....and then I joined a band with the lead player run through a 5150 full stack (Tim Burke, friend of my drummer brother)... sold the ART crap asap, got a Boogie and never looked back.

[@retrodad1973]

great trip down memory lane

[@ibanezleftyclub]

I hope you get a digitech GSP2101 artist next, that was my first piece of rack gear ever, loved it, wish I still had it.

[@dan_perry]

Another 2101 LE user chiming in! The AxeFX of the 90's.

[@TeleCarlitos]

I had the gsp 21 legend! When I switched presets there was this anyone mini mute that threw me off while playing!

[@KauffeyBean]

I have the GSP 2101 - its KICK ASS!

[@jamesprice6381]

great sound, blew me away, just as good as a jmp1 imho

[@schizopathicajones430]

@@TeleCarlitos Still have my GSP21 Pro. Still very fun but yeah, that lag made me feel like I tripped while walking, especially in live situations.

[@questlive2338]

This will be perfect for when I cover The Transformers animated movie soundtrack

[@Polentaccio]

Love it! Makes everything sound like Ram it Down. ( Straight through the heart of this town!!)

[@JockeLundgrenTV]

Another great video. Thank you Michael! 💜

[@TeleCustom72]

OMG!!! I remember this one, it was a great preamp.

[@TheVengeanceofdefile]

Really dope brother awesome stuff!!!

[@Andyanddiana467]

OH MAN! When I was a kid, starting out on guitar, I had this ad on my wall. God, I was such a schmuck.

[@OfficialJMRMusic]

The ART Power Plant was a decent preamp. Since ART is based out of Rochester, my hometown, everyone had something from them during the 80's and 90's.

[@zeusapollo8688]

I rank mine above decent. Quite good

[@kenrockstheworld]

I didn't know ART was based in Rochester!! Im from Rochester too. I used to have one of these bad boys and I stupidly sold it for money to get an amp. I wish every day I still had mine 😩

[@Sportfuck]

your hometown is full of shit

[@funkmachine6420]

Omg this sounds insane! I'm gonna need to try and get one

[@Burkhimself]

Love these vids about this stuff....

[@mkii1964]

ART stuff was everywhere back in the day.....

[@kempman9811]

Played a digitech gsp 21 with a rocktron preamp through 2 marshall jcm 800 in the 80 th. Awesome old stuff😀😀😀

[@samright4661]

That Sounds Awesome I want one ...

[@jasonjohnson4170]

Still got mine! Bought it in 1992. I have the ultra foot that controls it as well. The ultra foot has a few dings in it but the unit itself is in really good shape. From time to time I plug into it and I play around

[@lpgoog]

I’m jealous u kept yours lol 😂

[@JNMorgen11]

I have an SGX T2 and the X-15 ultrafoot that I bought in 1992. I used to play it through my stereo connected via a cheap Behringer mixer. I haven't turned it on in some time and the entire set-up is covered with a thick layer of dust.

[@jasonjohnson4170]

@@lpgoog hahahaha.... I gave some things away but I never sold anything. I kept it all. Except for that Peavey T15 with the rubber neck. I pawned that for a bag of weed.

[@MikeWeida]

Wat a flashback, had a sgx t2 in the loop of my laney aor100 back in the day.

[@sicmonic]

Wow! I think it sounded great!

[@EasyHeat]

My ex guitarist had one of these waaaay back in the day. Oh man this gave me nostalgia feels! LOL!

[@chordfinger1]

I don't know what you guys are complaining about? The add clearly states "Software updatable-never becomes obsolete". 👍

[@SBfor]

I had one. Everything sounded the same, it drove me crazy!

[@Hoagiemon]

Bought one when they came out. The whole package with the X-15 Midi controller. Used it for years into a Mesa 50/50 stereo Tube power amp. Ultimate 80's.

[@michaelwade9455]

Never owned one and had forgotten all about it. Love when you did this stuff up, it's fun to jump into the wayback machine

[@torarinvik4920]

I have this unit and it is truely amazing, it is basically a Marshall-style tube preamp with an effect processor on top of it. You have to turn down the effects to taste and then into a Marshall or another suited amp. I have my own presets, andI do not use any of the built in ones because of the reasons you showed. The overdrive is what it is all about, but I personally like the effects as well.

[@kentlangham5811]

I still have a rack case with an ART SGX Nitro, 1st Gen Lexicon JamMan, an ADA microcab and a single space Peavey power amp that I breakout from time to time. I was never really happy with the presets, but making your own patch created some crazy sounds.

[@revvluvv]

Currently have a SGX nightbass in my touring rig ( own 3) It is an intragral part of my sound. Where it shines is it's ability to split the signal up. I had the analog effects dumped to the 15 and the digital effects to the 410. crisp and tight! Luv ART

[@deadpope1]

Great video! If you really want to open that puppy up get an ART X15 midi controller . A lot of the harmony stuff, swells and effects comes when engaging the expression pedals. I have an original SGX2000 and an express with X15. Just using them as effects units is a ton of fun with my current gear. It's great seeing someone with an open mind that doesn't mind slumming to get great tone! You might be a new hero! lol

[@markinthemix6055]

This cracks me up 🤩 l remember the Musicians Friend catalog really promoting these preamps. Talk about drooling over all the colors and lights 😂🤣 l never bought one but honestly it seems like the price has held up. You may can help with an idea. I have wondered lately how some of these righteous preamps and a good tube amp mixed would sound🤔 a stereo rig ???

[@vancedean9699]

I’ve got one somewhere in my parents play room. It was cool back in the day.

[@rabbleinarms5742]

I ALWAYS wanted one of these!!! I think this is the first time I've actually heard what they sound like.....

[@charlesg.1207]

Had the pre amp and the Multiverb when I was a kid, Good times!

[@The0ldboy]

I remember the ad on the Guitar Player magazine. Looks son cool.

[@johnmaloney1681]

I had one of those with the foot controller. Band used to play The Wall straight thru. Had fun with that thing & always wondered what happened to ART.

[@knowitall1694]

Sounds like my guitar through my dad's stereo... back in the 80's.

[@asgerms]

Now you made me homesick for the 80s. Thank you soooo much... pff! :) (...surfing for a Digitech gsp 2100 pro)

[@timwhite5562]

Speaking of Boston: I was amazed to find out that every guitar track on "Hysteria" were recorded through a Rockman headphone amp, only.

[@DanielHuman1996]

It's on a Highway to the Danger Zone!

[@1970borntorun]

HAHA :) All kidding aside, I remember Charvel released quite a few great guitars made in Japan in the late-80s that would blow away the Inonesian JUNK Jackson is putting out today !!

[@jcalzada74]

@@1970borntorun try the yamahas rgz series if you ever found one

[@1970borntorun]

@@jcalzada74 Yes!! Those are EXCELLENT guitars for the money and a great value on the used market! Happy Holidays man :)

[@MarshallGTV]

Shoot, I still have my SGE Mach II from almost 30 years ago. Don’t even know if it works. I was just waiting for preset 31. Pigs In Space!!!! By the way, I think you can type the presets in the number pad.

[@GearZenChannel]

There are always a couple gems to be found amongst the cheese.

[@Proganaut1989]

I had one of these! I had an Ada mp1 for all preamp tones into the ART SGX for effects to a dual 30 band graphic peavey eqs to a 60/60 all tube peavey power amp to a custom 4x12

[@irmasil3]

Just so you know..as a guy from the 80s myself, I hold you totally responsible for giving me the ultimate GAS with this preamp series thing....I HAD 2 triaxis, a JMP-1 and an ADA MP-1 3TM....Now, (because of you) I ALSO have a Tube-works Real-tube2, I am waiting for a Rectifier recording preamp in the next few days AND I am looking to buy a rocktron piranha......At the moment, I am telling Mrs's that its your fault and I just point at your videos like: " Look at him!!! He has another one!!!"

[@happyfeelmore4999]

Do the Alesis Quadraverb. My first experience with rack mounted effects. There was so much better, but this was pretty awesome at the time.

[@jdzialak]

“That’s not terrible” hahaha. Great video! Sounds like it should!

[@domcifarelli4898]

Getting one on friday LOL. there are definitely some cool quirky tones that can be used here and there. So much more fun than trying to get weird sounds from plugins all the time.

[@dezane07]

Omg I had one , got the craziest sounds out of it.

[@KOLDBLU3ST33L]

Still own mine.... IT'S FREAKING AWESOME!

[@DVTOM]

I used to have that!!! No slouch at all! I also had the Art SGE Mach II and ADA Mp1! 80's tech was awesome....lol

[@MrChiprocks1]

What a blast from the past. I still have mine (in storage somewhere). Mine came with floorboard switcher with built-in Wah Pedal which just added to its awesomeness for me. It was like Xmas for me every day when playing through it.

[@davidwoodhead7109]

I had one of those!!! Wow do i feel old. Great to know that after 30 years it's still worth 150 bucks.

[@HANGINWITHTHEDREAMER]

Balance era tones are bang on

[@jondeth298]

Probably the most popular preamp of the 90s. I had one of Zoom's competing models that I think was better, but then all of these digital brain preamps back then had one sound no matter what pedal, amp and speaker you chose. After about a month, I returned it. I bought a Zoom 505 and a 1204. This pair had more effects variety and gave the same sound quality even without the tube.

[@EVEROSFP1]

In fact has some pretty cool sounds.

[@jessiebeveridge742]

Yes! Awesomeness!! PARTY!!!

[@brownsfan7753]

Sounds great with the Cali!!

[@klascojoe]

I went through the rack mounted preamp phase. Had one of these, then an ADA. A carvin. The best I remember was a Rocktron Voodoo valve. I wish I could have it again.

[@rainbowmade1880]

I’m officially going on an 80’s retreat from today’s reality…feeling good😎😎

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

Where's the hair spray Michael? This actually sounds pretty good. Nothing beats the 80's tone.

[@kennyh5083]

The perfect Gigging machine for that 80's tribute band vibes IMO!

[@kennethdileo6578]

So many effects it's beautiful lol. I hear some Van Halen there. 👍 Toto too!!

[@sthom114]

First off, The Pink graphics are commonly referred as the "Clown Puke" graphics Secondly, after hearing this, I swear to god it is what Eddie used for "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge", and Satch's "Surfing With the Alien" I think Michael needs to do a deeper dive.

[@revjeffg]

Wow, blast from the past. I got one of these really early (‘91 maybe? It was the first one to hit my local music store, it came in an unmarked box and my manual is actually typewritten and corner-stapled) and it was my main unit for pretty much a decade. The presets were indeed gross, lol. Always made my own; I was in a “sound-alike” cover band and this thing was great for that. Eventually I discovered if you change the “tube type” in the distortion menu to “tube clean” and cranked the drive to 100% (there was probably a compressor in front too) it was a pretty great lead tone. I might feel differently about it now 😀. PS, thanks for “Born to Be My Baby” and “I’ll Be Over You”; I loved both of those tunes 😆