Kem Smith PAPA?

Dr. Cheese · #1 01-28-2012, 10:31 AM

Who owns one or has seriously tried one? I see that both Sadowsky and Fodera no longer have preamp stmpboxes on their websites, I guess Ken Smith and Aguilar are the only games in town. The Smith looks interesting because it can double as a headphone amp and it had a series internal DIP switches.

Dr. Cheese · #2 01-29-2012, 08:26 AM

Anybody?

pickles · #3 01-29-2012, 09:00 AM

Is the sadowsky just out of stock? Or discontinued?

Tone hammer is a great sounding box, but the sadowsky is still king IMHO.

KJung · #4 01-29-2012, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Who owns one or has seriously tried one? I see that both Sadowsky and Fodera no longer have preamp stmpboxes on their websites, I guess Ken Smith and Aguilar are the only games in town. The Smith looks interesting because it can double as a headphone amp and it had a series internal DIP switches.

Haven't tried the Smith. The Sadowsky is GREAT. Great pre, decent DI, mute, etc. Not sure why it isn't on the site. Roger is probably getting ready to introduce an updated version, or it is just out of stock.

You might also consider the FBass pre. That is a WONDERFUL preamp with one of the few midrange controls on a bass battery preamp that sounded good to me.

Most of these pedal are simply the on-board preamps made by these bass companies, with a few more bells and whistles in a 'box format'. So, if you have played a Sadowsky, FBass or Smith, you pretty much know what they sound like.

Dr. Cheese · #5 01-29-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Haven't tried the Smith. The Sadowsky is GREAT. Great pre, decent DI, mute, etc. Not sure why it isn't on the site. Roger is probably getting ready to introduce an updated version, or it is just out of stock.

You might also consider the FBass pre. That is a WONDERFUL preamp with one of the few midrange controls on a bass battery preamp that sounded good to me.

Most of these pedal are simply the on-board preamps made by these bass companies, with a few more bells and whistles in a 'box format'. So, if you have played a Sadowsky, FBass or Smith, you pretty much know what they sound like.

I've owned a Sadowsky preamp before and would like to get one again, but I do like the fact the Jen Smith doubles as a headphone amp too.

MikeBass · #6 01-29-2012, 09:50 AM

The Demeter pre is flat out awesome.
Just a straight pre- no DI or anything.

MikeBass · #7 01-29-2012, 09:52 AM

And hell...as small as amps are getting these days, I'm waiting for a stomp box sized amp with 500 watts!

BurningSkies · #8 01-29-2012, 10:55 AM

So which is it... Kem Smith or Jen Smith? You're confusing me.

bongomania · #9 01-29-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I guess Ken Smith and Aguilar are the only games in town.

No way!!! There are MANY other preamp pedals on the market. Maybe two dozen I could name off the top of my head. And most of them are just as good-quality as the ones you named; a few might even be better. E.g. look into the Lehle Basswitch or the various pre/boost pedals by [sfx]; there are threads about them in the FX forum.

Dr. Cheese · #10 01-29-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

So which is it... Kem Smith or Jen Smith? You're confusing me.

Ken Smith, I am typing on my iPhone.

tombowlus · #11 01-29-2012, 12:40 PM

Carey Nordstrand just came out with one, as well. It's quite nice.

gillento · #12 01-30-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania;12114484... And most of them are just as good-quality as the ones you named; a few might even be [i

better.[/i] E.g. look into the Lehle Basswitch or the various pre/boost pedals by [sfx]; there are threads about them in the FX forum.

+ 1 on the Basswitch!!!
Check out the latest Ed Friedland video review: Basswitch IQ DI Bass Preamp - YouTube