I keep mine very quick and simple. Now that I am older and play as a weekend worrier/hobbiest/for-hire type of player, a quality plug-and-play system is valuable to me.
With the Formula Pre, overall the clean kicked butt and the overdrives were decent, but I wanted a little more from them. I could get what I wanted with a little boost in front of the signal, but that added a pedal that I did not want. I started playing with different tubes, I got pretty close to the sound I wanted with the drive channels, but I lost that great clean (it was very Twin-like). Then I read about "
the Andrew mod." After doing this and going back to all-Mesa tubes, this preamp really rocks. It's biggest drawback was that it is non-MIDI, and I almost sold it because of that. Then came the first G-Major and the 2 relays changed all of that. I am extremely happy with the two working together.
For the record, I also did the "Fat Mod" on the 20/20 and I did it with push-pull pots on the volume controls, so I can use it at will. Truth be told, especially with the ported Genz Benz cab, I have never really used it.
The back of the rack turned out to be a great idea. Not only is it clean and easy, but much like you I had 13 or so tubes that got knocked around when messing around in back. Since I had a small space back there I did have tube issues from time to time. Now everything is protected.
I replaced the ART X-15 LEDs with super-bright LEDs so that I can see them clearly during outdoors daytime gigs. That was a quick mod that was well worth the effort!
Fast hookups on the back: A single twist-lock Neutrik for the stereo cabinet, a single custom wired MIDI cable provides MIDI in, out, and phantom (more on the phantom mod
here). Standard power cable hookup.
I recently switched from a 4-space Gator rack to this 5-space which includes wheels and a extending handle. Ready to roll at any time!
I have one of the old Formula preamps. I LOVE the Triaxis, but with the G-Major 2 being able to switch the channels for me, I can use all 3 channels and get a solo boost all via MIDI. The G-Major 2 made the Formula a very usable amp for me.
Rock on!
-Trip