Good rackmount preamps on a budget vol. 1

[hrgiger]

Someone asked in another thread about decent preamps for someone on a budget. Rather than clutter up that thread with unread info, lets talk about it here. Please - if you know of a preamp that isn't listed, or you just have some love for some that are, speak up! This thread is for you.

If any of these pictured items are currently for sale anywhere in the world I have no knowledge of them.

(And yes there was at least one other thread that tried something like this but it didn't go far and has been dead for eons : Best preamp for under $200 (used))

Price limit: ~ $200 or less, street. And please don't troll, but contribute in any way you can (especially with pics.)

Here is a short list to start things off (some of these I own or have owned, some I have not but I have read good things about all):

1. Yamaha PB-1 (SS)

2. Peavey Max preamp (Tube/SS hybrid)

3. Peavey T.B. Raxx (Tube)

4. Peavey Bassist (SS)

5. Peavey ProBass 1000 (SS)

6. Peavey Alpha preamp (Tube)

7. Tube Works Real Tube RT-902

8. Tube Works Real Tube II RT-922

9. Tube Works Blue Tube RT-904

10. Tube Works Blue Tube II RT-924

[bongomania]

Ashly BP-41

(Sorry, this was the only semi-decent photo Google found for me):

[bongomania]

ART Tube Channel

[johnk_10]

lately i have run the gauntlet with bass preamps from very expensive to flat out bargains. the Ashly BP41, Yamaha PB-1, Tech 21 RPM and Art Pro Channel, cost me around $250 each.
here's a pic of some of my current ones:

[azflyman]

I own one, bought it new and I think the list price was $499.00. This was in 1995! I STILL use it in my live big rig and everything else I try when I askmyself "Is it that much better?" the answer is always no. The PB-1 is the most under-rated pre-amp ever made. Clean with very very accurate reproduction. For a no tube pre its as good as it gets.

az

[JimmyM]

Tech 21 VT Bass Character pedal. yeah, it's a stompbox. sue me. it's also a very realistic ampeg emulating preamp. add the www.putnamguitars.com di mod and it's $200 new. pedal of the future.

[Foz]

The VT aint always a stomp box



This rack mount mod has a DI w/phantom power, and in/outs on the back side.

[jnewmark]

BBE 383. Compressor, adjustable crossover, BBE Process option, " Punch " , active EQ section. Direct out, XLR out. About $70 used on Ebay. I believe Bob Lee still uses one. Predecessor to the BMax preamps, and, imho, better.

[Jim C]

PB-1 is very good
My honest advice is to wait, save up another $200, and pick up an Ampeg SVP-CL for $400; I have both and prefer the latter

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

BBE 383. Compressor, adjustable crossover, BBE Process option, " Punch " , active EQ section. Direct out, XLR out. About $70 used on Ebay. Predecessor to the BMax preamps, and, imho, better.

+1 You beat me to that one.

[Interceptor]

Ashly SC-40. A true gem, great tone, well thought out interface and eq that works in the real world.

[serein2j]

Tube works are great too

[j-raj]

The AMP SL-1 is a great bargain find if you can come across one:

[Yools]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

BBE 383. Compressor, adjustable crossover, BBE Process option, " Punch " , active EQ section. Direct out, XLR out. About $70 used on Ebay. I believe Bob Lee still uses one. Predecessor to the BMax preamps, and, imho, better.

+2
I used one of these for years, and I loved it. Great clean bass tones with tons of low end, and just a little bit of the BBE process really makes the tone come alive. I lost it in a pawn shop (stupid economy), and I'm thinking about getting another one.

-Y

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by bongomania

ART Tube Channel

+1

I've gotta second this one! Nice pre, though the amount of overdrive can get out of hand, but is manageable. Compressor is good, and the EQ defeat is a nice touch. Tons of features--too bad they discontinued it. Basstasters.com has a good clip.

[pasta4lnch]

FMR has some fairly reasonable 1/2 rack space gear. I used the RNC once and really dug it. I'd love to get a RNLA one day.

Plus mercenaryaudio.com has really cool funklogic face plates to make single rack combo's

[hrgiger]

Originally Posted by Foz

The VT aint always a stomp box



This rack mount mod has a DI w/phantom power, and in/outs on the back side.

Now THAT is sick, very nice, how about some more pics??

Originally Posted by jnewmark

BBE 383. Compressor, adjustable crossover, BBE Process option, " Punch " , active EQ section. Direct out, XLR out. About $70 used on Ebay. I believe Bob Lee still uses one. Predecessor to the BMax preamps, and, imho, better.

Whoops yeah I was going to mention that one! A couple of months ago they were all over the place now I don't see any. Will pick one up soon and check it out...

Originally Posted by serein2j

Tube works are great too

Didn't I mention tube works? Not to mention look all over creation for pics of each one?? [thanks Tom for the RT-904 pic ]

[JoeVictim]

I told you guys I was thinking about going pre/power...

[rpsands]

hahaha, threadsurrection.

BBE 383 is fantastic for the 100 bucks or so they cost.

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by rpsands

hahaha, threadsurrection.

BBE 383 is fantastic for the 100 bucks or so they cost.

Aren't you telling me about it in the bfd forums? Somebody was and I thought it may have been you. Thanks RP
-Joe


***You weren't.