I really need help choosing a preamp

brenner182 · #1 10-13-2010, 09:19 AM

I cant decide what i want. I have not played any other than my tech 21 bddi. but i really want a rackmount

Does ampeg make any with a rear input? because i keep leaning towards a ampeg rackmount.

helpz

brenner182 · #2 10-13-2010, 01:31 PM

bumpity

cybersnyder · #3 10-13-2010, 02:00 PM

If you've only played one, you really need to try more before deciding. Personally, I wouldn't use a rear input as a key feature in deciding on which preamp to choose. Tone first!

LaBassGuy · #4 10-13-2010, 02:08 PM

Depends on what you look for in a preamp. If you're a rocker and want to get grindy tones--which looks like you do--then I don't have much advice for you.

But if you want a clean, versatile tone with ton of options, try the SWR Marcus Miller pre. It has a compressor (which can be set for pre or post EQ), a parametric EQ, this bass intensifier function that acts much like the Aphex Big Bottom (bass boost+compression), etc. It gets you a solid, fundamental bass tone without much color. I also like the Aural enhancer which, if used judiciously, really cleans up your tone.

dannoman · #5 10-13-2010, 02:16 PM

Correct me if im wrong, but i thought Ampeg didn't make preamps any more.. If you do go ampeg, you will have to go the used market.

You may want to check out http://www.basstasters.com/preamps/ and see how different preamps sound... It might help you in getting a idea of what your looking for.

Mo'Phat · #6 10-13-2010, 02:18 PM

If you like the SansAmp BDDI, then why don't you try out the RBI...which is essentially just a rackmounted version of the BDDI? Or the RPM...or the programmable PSA?

All of these have rear inputs.

brenner182 · #7 10-13-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannoman

Correct me if im wrong, but i thought Ampeg didn't make preamps any more.. If you do go ampeg, you will have to go the used market.

THat i pretty much figured. I had some serious gas for the rpm for the longest time. i tried the ampeg sound on my bddi and it's pretty much all i ever use. it just sounds so good.

Pretty much i want a good solid tone with a little more high end for some songs and some serious overdrive for the heavy songs.

only conclusion i come to is ampeg. manily the svp-bsp.

doctec · #8 10-13-2010, 05:09 PM

I've owned several preamps over the years. Haven't had a Sansamp RBI myself, but I do have BDDI and a VT Bass pedal. I'd suspect you'd like the RBI.

Another one worth considering is the SWR IOD. I'm using one of these right now and it's can go from creamy smooth to more saturated than you can imagine...

http://www.amptone.com/swrinterstellaroverdrive.htm

I'm not sure if they're still in production, but a great preamp if you can find one.

brenner182 · #9 03-24-2011, 04:26 PM

So after months of owning a Ampeg SVP-BSP, I decided it's not the Preamp me. Too much tube hiss for my liking. So moving on, Many People tell me that the Sansamp Is just like my bsp minus the tube hiss.

Anybody know first hand the diffrence between the RPM and the RBI?

ALso, anybody have any luck with the BBE BMAX?

There really is not a whole lot to choose from on the new market. Ugh

Zooberwerx · #10 03-24-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenner182

So after months of owning a Ampeg SVP-BSP, I decided it's not the Preamp me. Too much tube hiss for my liking. So moving on, Many People tell me that the Sansamp Is just like my bsp minus the tube hiss.

Anybody know first hand the diffrence between the RPM and the RBI?

ALso, anybody have any luck with the BBE BMAX?

There really is not a whole lot to choose from on the new market. Ugh

I've had both the RPM and RBI....I kept the RPM but the preference was not extreme. The RBI has a Presence control which was replaced by a semiparametric EQ on the RPM. They're both rackmount versions of Tech21 pedals although I can't recall which.

Riis

brenner182 · #11 03-24-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I've had both the RPM and RBI....I kept the RPM but the preference was not extreme. The RBI has a Presence control which was replaced by a semiparametric EQ on the RPM. They're both rackmount versions of Tech21 pedals although I can't recall which.

Riis

I had the bddi 3 button they made for a while. Would you say the semiparametric EQ Is more useful than the presance control?

Zooberwerx · #12 03-24-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenner182

I had the bddi 3 button they made for a while. Would you say the semiparametric EQ Is more useful than the presance control?

IMO, yes. I'd rather have at least a single para EQ band any day of the week.

Riis

brenner182 · #13 03-24-2011, 04:51 PM

I see there is one floating on here for 225 shipped and im thinking of grabbing it. I would assume it would be a good match for a EBMM Stingray 5 that also has a 3 band eq.

Zooberwerx · #14 03-24-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenner182

I see there is one floating on here for 225 shipped and im thinking of grabbing it. I would assume it would be a good match for a EBMM Stingray 5 that also has a 3 band eq.

I don't know...what color is the Stingray? Nyuk-nyuk-nyuk!

Serially, I'm sure it will work fine. The question is will you like the resulting tone? Any way you can get a 48 hr. trial / approval? If you do buy it and don't care for the character, you can probably sell it for what you paid or pretty durn near.

Riis

brenner182 · #15 03-24-2011, 05:08 PM

I figured i would be able to flip it and atleast make my money back, if not more. Thats what im really leaning towards. The sound clips i've heard online have not been bad at all. I'm pretty much just looking lots of punch with some clean high-end for the two songs i have to slap/pop on.

bassplayerbob · #16 03-24-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenner182

Does ampeg make any with a rear input? because i keep leaning towards a ampeg rackmount.

helpz

I am assuming you want the rear input because you run a wireless in your rack and want a clean front end? Have you looked into an ADA MB-1? I used one for years. Fully programmable with your choice of tube or ss preamp stage or mixed. Really flexible. I recently sold mine because i downsized my whole system. There is one on CL in my area for 199.00 bucks. Here's a shot with an Ampeg BSP preamp i was messing with.

brenner182 · #17 03-24-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayerbob

I am assuming you want the rear input because you run a wireless in your rack and want a clean front end? Have you looked into an ADA MB-1? I used one for years. Fully programmable with your choice of tube or ss preamp stage or mixed. Really flexible. I recently sold mine because i downsized my whole system. There is one on CL in my area for 199.00 bucks. Here's a shot with an Ampeg BSP preamp i was messing with.

You know me all too well for not ever meeting me lol. I am not firmiliar with the ADA MB-1. I'll have to see if i can find some sound clips.

bassplayerbob · #18 03-24-2011, 06:24 PM

There is a clip on you tube but the guy sounds like he has the low end off....trust me, it gives more tone than that video shows

themacinator · #19 03-24-2011, 06:28 PM

I have an RBI in my practice rack and my gig rack. Brenner I will see about getting you some Youtube sound clips from my gig this Saturday. RBI into a Mesa/Boogie 400+ with a Stingray HH 4 string.

brenner182 · #20 03-24-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themacinator

I have an RBI in my practice rack and my gig rack. Brenner I will see about getting you some Youtube sound clips from my gig this Saturday. RBI into a Mesa/Boogie 400+ with a Stingray HH 4 string.

that would be greatly appriciated.