All Tube Pre-Amp?

[ben12390]

I want something that will go Bass->Pedal Board->Tube preamp->SS amp.

I want to get a really warm warm tube sound. but i dont want to have to buy a new head.

unless its going to be about 300 bucks. then i might as well just get a new head.

but do you know what im talking about? like a glorified pedal. something decently cheap, just to model the sound.

[msquared]

The easy answer to this is the Sansamp Bass Driver DI.

[ben12390]

Originally Posted by msquared

The easy answer to this is the Sansamp Bass Driver DI.

I have one of those. i want Real tube, or either a really really good re-creation

[BuzzKing]

I have two tube preamps and love them both:

Fender TBP-1

Aguilar DB659

BK

[SactoBass]

IMHO, the all time king of tube pre's is the mighty Kern IP-777. If you ever find one for sale, GRAB IT! They are not made anymore, so the used market is the only place you will find one.

Another FANTASTIC tube pre is the BBE BMax-T.

And of course, the Alembic F-1X is also highly acclaimed.

The reason why those tube pre's sound so good is because they are high voltage circuits. That is the key to good bass tone. Some companies shove a 12AX7 tube in their pre in a low voltage design, and tout it as a "tube preamp." Don't be fooled by such marketing excrement. If you want good bass tube tone, make sure you select a pre that has high voltage (eg 300v) feeding the tube(s). The Avalon U5 is another high voltage tube pre.

[M0ses]

DHA VT1 EQ

Problem solved. It doesn't get any tubier than this. Get it used. I saw one recently on here, they turn up.

[cripula]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

The Avalon U5 is another high voltage tube pre.

No tubes in a U5.
The Demeter VTBP-201 is another nice tube pre. Great DI too.

[Son of Bovril]

Originally Posted by BuzzKing

I have two tube preamps and love them both:

Fender TBP-1

Aguilar DB659

BK

+1 to the Fender TBP-1

Very tubey sounding, passive tone stack, overdrive channel, Jensen DI. Quite heavy for a standalone pre but well worth it for the tone if that is your thing

[disssa]

very nice sounding Preamps:

Warwick Quadruplet


Hughes & Kettner BATT (BassMaster)


SWR Interstellar Overdrive


SWR Grand Prix


Trace Elliot V-Type Preamp

[nukes_da_bass]

http://cgi.ebay.com/HUGHES-AND-KETTN...item45f7806d84

current bids are low- get in with a realistic bid and you might steal it!

[matrok]

I love my Trace Elliot V Type

also the TubeWorks Blue Tube rack mount

[GreggBummer]

@OP:

I know tubes are important to you, but it is worth your time to go an try a Sansamp VT Bass at the shop. It is very highly regarded here on TB. I run one in my signal chain, and I love it. It will set you back about $150.

I don't put it on my pedalboard.... I keep it on top of the amp. Its always on, and I use it like a preamp.

[zombywoof5050]

The Alembic F-1X is not actually all tube, as there are solid state components in the output stage. The F-2B on the other hand is all tube. But the solid state components in the output of the F-1X make it more compatible with a wider range of power amps on the market today.

[Mr. Foxen]

+1 on the Vtype, pretty minimalist, but you can coax plenty out of it.

[matrok]

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

@OP:

I know tubes are important to you, but it is worth your time to go an try a Sansamp VT Bass at the shop. It is very highly regarded here on TB. I run one in my signal chain, and I love it. It will set you back about $150.

I don't put it on my pedalboard.... I keep it on top of the amp. Its always on, and I use it like a preamp.

I have a VT Deluxe that I use at church where I don't bring an amp. I love it

[kosmicwizard]

I do exactly the same thing with my G-K 1001RB and used to do this with my Ampeg B4r. Sold the B4r to get a MESA/Boogie BASS 400, I don't use the VT pedal with that head unless I am playing quietly, but usually I play the G-K if I want quiet, so as to save on the tube life. Cheers.

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

@OP:

I know tubes are important to you, but it is worth your time to go an try a Sansamp VT Bass at the shop. It is very highly regarded here on TB. I run one in my signal chain, and I love it. It will set you back about $150.

I don't put it on my pedalboard.... I keep it on top of the amp. Its always on, and I use it like a preamp.

[Ukiah Bass]

I recently acquired a used SIB Fatdrive and like the clean tube tone it adds to a Euphonics Audio iAMP Pro. Especially nice with my acoustic bass guitar as it removes the brittleness sometimes perceived with the piezo pickup. The Fatdrive uses a 12AX7 tube in its circuitry.

Edit: Background info is in TalkBass posts and here:

[BiigM]

I'm running a Demeter VTBP-201S into a Crest CA9. Best sound I ever had! My aguilar DB750 is now a (pretty expensive) backup.

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by cripula

No tubes in a U5.
The Demeter VTBP-201 is another nice tube pre. Great DI too.

Oops. Cripula is correct. No tubes in the U5.

Thanks for that correction!!

It is, however, high voltage.

[parsons]

Originally Posted by ben12390

I have one of those. i want Real tube, or either a really really good re-creation

I find the sansamp pedals to be almost junk at times... The rackmount RBI and RPM however, are the real deal.