Battle of the Preamps?

bassplayer7770 · #1 06-14-2010, 08:24 AM

I'm going with a power/pre setup for my bass rig. I already have a BBE BMAX preamp, and I find the tone to be naturally mid-scooped, and I might even say it does a fairly good job of emulating a tube amp in the sense that it doesn't have the quickest response. Overall, it's a good pre.

The power amp will be a Crown XLS 1500, and the speaker cab is an LDS 15/6.5 cab.

For a pre with smoother and perhaps more mid-pronounced tone, what do you think of these preamps, and can they all be used directly through a power amp?

Aguilar Tonehammer
EBS Microbass II
GK 2001RB Preamp
Demeter HBP-1
Phil Jones Bass Buddy
SansAmp RBI

This is for future reference since my next purchase will be the power amp, but I greatly appreciate sharing your personal experiences with these preamps and any that I may have missed.

uglyrumor · #2 06-14-2010, 08:26 AM

Alembic F-2B. Also, you might like a Meyers Parametric EQ in your rack.

Bob C · #3 06-14-2010, 08:43 AM

The only one on your list that I have experience with is the Demeter. It definitely has a mid-based tone. It's not honk-y though. Pretty clean and punchy, with a little warmth.

I'm almost positive the EBS and SansAmp are both designed to go right into a power amp. Every piece of gear will have different sensitivity ratings though.

bassplayer7770 · #4 06-14-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

The only one on your list that I have experience with is the Demeter. It definitely has a mid-based tone. It's not honk-y though. Pretty clean and punchy, with a little warmth.

I'm almost positive the EBS and SansAmp are both designed to go right into a power amp. Every piece of gear will have different sensitivity ratings though.

Eventually, I'd like to have a nice collection of preamps (cheaper than buying numerous heads), and the Demeter is definitely on my list. What you described is pretty much exactly what I would expect from the Demeter.

johnk_10 · #5 06-14-2010, 08:57 AM

here's a few that i've tried:

bassplayer7770 · #6 06-14-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

here's a few that i've tried:

Any chance you could give a synopsis of some of those? Do you still own them all?

tombowlus · #7 06-14-2010, 09:30 AM

Of the preamps you listed, I would think that the HBP-1 would be the best at hitting your tone goal. I think that the Alembic suggestion is also a good one, or a Kern, if you can find one.

Head over to basstasters.com and you can listen to a huge selection of preamps, with multiple tracks from multiple basses. That is a very helpful site.

Tom.

tombowlus · #8 06-14-2010, 09:34 AM

And for those of you into preamp porn, here you go!

brotherbassj · #9 06-14-2010, 09:36 AM

I personally have tried all "big box preamps" (aggie, sans amp, bbe, ampeg, gk, etc.......) and settled on an avalon U5.......plain simple and to the point. To me it translates your bass and you into your tone.........just my 2 cents

bassplayer7770 · #10 06-14-2010, 09:39 AM

Guys, the pictures are killing me.

Tom, I have visited basstasters numerous times, but I'm normally only listening through basic desktop or laptop speakers. I'm sure I'll visit again.

metalinthenight · #11 06-14-2010, 10:08 AM

The tone hammer can definitely drive a power amp. I'd really like to try the Demeter on your list, but I haven't really tried the others....just the sans amp.

johnk_10 · #12 06-14-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer7770

Any chance you could give a synopsis of some of those? Do you still own them all?

http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Preamps.html
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead...el-Strips.html

bassplayer7770 · #13 06-14-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/Preamps.html
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead...el-Strips.html

Very cool! Thank you!

Catdaddy · #14 06-14-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer7770

I'm going with a power/pre setup for my bass rig. I already have a BBE BMAX preamp, and I find the tone to be naturally mid-scooped, and I might even say it does a fairly good job of emulating a tube amp in the sense that it doesn't have the quickest response. Overall, it's a good pre.

The power amp will be a Crown XLS 1500, and the speaker cab is an LDS 15/6.5 cab.

For a pre with smoother and perhaps more mid-pronounced tone, what do you think of these preamps, and can they all be used directly through a power amp?

Aguilar Tonehammer
EBS Microbass II
GK 2001RB Preamp
Demeter HBP-1
Phil Jones Bass Buddy
SansAmp RBI

This is for future reference since my next purchase will be the power amp, but I greatly appreciate sharing your personal experiences with these preamps and any that I may have missed.

Please don't be insulted if you have already done this, I myself did not realize this for the longest time. (I'm a guy--who reads directions?) With the Bmax you need to set the EQ at "0-10-0" and just leave the "sonic maximizer" in the "off" position. This results in about as flat a sound as you will get out of this unit. This is the only unit I have experience with as well, although I have heard good things about the Demeter and the Avalon U5.

bassplayer7770 · #15 06-14-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catdaddy

Please don't be insulted if you have already done this, I myself did not realize this for the longest time. (I'm a guy--who reads directions?) With the Bmax you need to set the EQ at "0-10-0" and just leave the "sonic maximizer" in the "off" position. This results in about as flat a sound as you will get out of this unit. This is the only unit I have experience with as well, although I have heard good things about the Demeter and the Avalon U5.

Actually, according to the manual, the "flat" settings are 2-10-2, and that is exactly where I started with the BMAX. I also had the Sonic Maximizer turned off, and it still sounds a bit mid-scooped to me without boosting some Mids using the Para Mid section.

The manual also states, "The circuit can be described as interacting, such that when all 3 tone controls are turned to 0 then no signal is passed at all."

rpsands · #16 06-14-2010, 11:37 AM

If you find the Bmax midscooped you should try a more transparent head with a less fendery tonestack I think.

The HBP-1 is just what the doctor ordered IMHO.

bassplayer7770 · #17 06-14-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

If you find the Bmax midscooped you should try a more transparent head with a less fendery tonestack I think.

The HBP-1 is just what the doctor ordered IMHO.

I'd definitely like to get an HBP-1 someday.

On a side note, I just did a search for the Yamaha PB-1 on eBay today, and I couldn't find one. I'll try to keep my eyes open.

Edit: I also meant to say I should withhold from judging the BMAX too much until I get new strings on my 5-string.

rpsands · #18 06-14-2010, 11:44 AM

The 2001 RBP has ridiculously low output btw. I don't know if I'd recommend it. It's really designed to run 2001 RBs, not power amps.

It'd probably work ok with the XLS 1500's lower required input voltage but I had issues getting sufficient volume out of my Yamaha with it sometimes. Felt a little...weak?

kurotenshi · #19 06-14-2010, 12:41 PM

@ johnk_10 - You say that you prefer the sansamp RPM over the RBI because of the sweepable mids (and I think you are absolutely right in wanting that in a preamp) but does it behave in a "bass appropriate" manner as the RBI? I ask this because I've read lots of people saying that the PSA is an awsome preamp but the RBI works better on bass.

Jim Carr · #20 06-14-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer7770

...I have visited basstasters numerous times, but I'm normally only listening through basic desktop or laptop speakers...

Headphones?