Does Anyone Fell Preamps Are Useless?

plangentmusic · #1 07-09-2010, 08:47 AM

Tried plenty -- I just never saw the appeal.

If you want more power, get a more powerful amp. If you need to tweak frequencies, get a graphic EQ. Simple.

Personally, I don't like anything to color my sound. I let my hands do that. I want to reproduce the sound of my instrument with the cleanest power possible.

I guess I've been though too many options and extravagances. I've come down to the bassics -- not to say I don't use a lot of sounds -- I do -- finger, slap, pick -- bassy, trebly, rear pu growl, etc. But that's even more reason to keep it simple in terms of gear.

And it's one less thing to carry.

That's become my philosophy. Anyone else?

somegeezer · #2 07-09-2010, 08:49 AM

Your preamp isn't just an EQ controller. >.<

Step · #3 07-09-2010, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

Personally, I don't like anything to color my sound. I let my hands do that. I want to reproduce the sound of my instrument with the cleanest power possible.

can I get a DUH in here? if you don't like anything to color your tone you won't like pre-amps, coloring tone is their business.

this is akin to saying you don't like pepper specifically because you don't like any spices in your food, and making a thread on a food forum about it.

pasta4lnch · #4 07-09-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

Personally, I don't like anything to color my sound.

Personally I like things that color my sound. It's not about hands, mine do a good job - it's about tone. Not trying to debate one has nothing to do w/ the other, but I like the way I play my instrument and I like the way my amp sounds and I REALLY like the way my amp sounds w/ a preamp in front.

fwiw I get my tone from the pre-amp and use the amp's eq to compensate for the room. right or wrong, after quite a bit of experimenting it's what works for me . . .

Passinwind · #5 07-09-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

Tried plenty -- I just never saw the appeal.

If you want more power, get a more powerful amp. If you need to tweak frequencies, get a graphic EQ. Simple.

And just what do you use to match your instrument's output signal level to your power amp then?

somegeezer · #6 07-09-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

And just what do you use to match your instrument's output signal level to your power amp then?

+1

brotherbassj · #7 07-09-2010, 08:54 AM

Interesting........I find myself playing "active basses" (having ONBOARD PREAMPS). I prefer them and have 5 different "brands" of preamps on different basses I own.......I usually run them "mid-detent" (no boost or cut). Ocassionally I boost a wee bit of bass, but never really use them...........useless......NO..............do i tweak mine much............NOPE

I took this an an onboard pre twist......not sure if it mattered.........

Another twist..........if one has an active on board pre............how much more does one need on their "head"............

And..........begin........LOL

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 07-09-2010, 08:54 AM

You need a preamp to increase the signal so you can power a power amp properly.

So, me thinks you have your terminologies wrong. Sure, they often have added extras or are designed to also colour the tone, but not all of them are.

If you want to stay ultra clean, I find mic preamp units can be wonderful for that application

silky smoove · #9 07-09-2010, 08:55 AM

You referenced heads. Heads have preamps.

You references graphic EQ's. Graphic EQ's can work as a preamp.

Do you play through a power amp with a low enough input sensitivity that you can plug your bass straight in? If not, what kind of useless preamp are you running through? Is your bass active? If so, what kind of onboard pre is in it?

bassteban · #10 07-09-2010, 08:57 AM

Quit messin w/the OP & tell the truth- we all just like the pretty knobs & lights.

Pepper is also nice.

rpsands · #11 07-09-2010, 08:59 AM

You're gonna need a preamp with that.

bongomania · #12 07-09-2010, 09:02 AM

Most graphic EQ's color the signal just as much as an undistorted bass preamp. That's because it's essentially the exact same thing under the hood.

There's a lot to like about the "wire with gain" approach, i.e. zero controls, zero audible effect on the tone from the pickups---but even a device like that is a preamp.

knigel · #13 07-09-2010, 09:05 AM

So you took the preamp out of your LMIII? How does that work?

giacomini · #14 07-09-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

Personally I like things that color my sound. It's not about hands, mine do a good job - it's about tone. Not trying to debate one has nothing to do w/ the other, but I like the way I play my instrument and I like the way my amp sounds and I REALLY like the way my amp sounds w/ a preamp in front.

fwiw I get my tone from the pre-amp and use the amp's eq to compensate for the room. right or wrong, after quite a bit of experimenting it's what works for me . . .

+1

All electric instruments' pickups, amps and recording gear "color" the sound. Even if you mike you playing the electric unplugged (the way to not "color" the tone) you get it "colored" by the mike, the soundcard, etc...

Back to the question: Preamps will change the tone, some in a good way and some in a bad way. If it changes or not, I use it if it sounds good.

peterpalmieri · #15 07-09-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

And just what do you use to match your instrument's output signal level to your power amp then?

This is the million dollar question. You need some sort of line driver type of device between your bass and EQ/poweramp. A preamplifier simply provides this along with EQ and to answer your question there are plenty of bass players who want to accomplish this without coloring their sound.

The way you are asking your question or approaching this is that a preamp is an option not a neccesity when in fact you need to convert your instrument signal to line level and a preamplifier in it's most basic form does this for you.

You could potentially use a line driver or DI box to accomplish this but it would be acting as a preamplifier..

JimmyM · #16 07-09-2010, 09:16 AM

am i going to have to pull out the bikini girl and devo pics again?

here's the deal..."uncolored" tone exists only in your mind. once you amplify something, it's colored.

lomo · #17 07-09-2010, 09:17 AM

I don't fell they are useless. I fly they are useful.

plangentmusic · #18 07-09-2010, 09:33 AM

Oooch. I should have realized this would be the response in a forum that attracts tech heads.

Lots of technicalities and debate over what is essentially semantics.

I'm not telling anyone not to use them. But I've found with many guys who've done a ton of gigging, it's just another "add-on." I like my combo head/speakers/bass. Nothing against anyone who wants more.

plangentmusic · #19 07-09-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

I don't fell they are useless. I fly they are useful.

Hey you caught a typo! Cool dude. Nice job. Thanks.

mulchor · #20 07-09-2010, 09:36 AM

I never have tried plugging straight into my PA amp.

I suspect it would be nice n quiet.