Need preamp advice

callingltu · #1 06-13-2011, 04:44 PM

Hi guys,

So today i got power amp and i'm connecting it to my bass cab, so now i need preamp. But there are quite a lot of em. I dont have a lot of money, about 300$.

I love muse, placebo bass sound, but i also use synth pedals, and i dont need drive in my pre (but if it has it its not bad).

I'm used to ampeg and ashdown sound

Anyone could suggest smth?

Btw how about behringer bddi? any good for that job?

MuthaFunk · #2 06-13-2011, 06:12 PM

If you like Ampeg and don't have a lot of money I'd run a VT Bass pedal as a Pre. I've done it before with a 1600 W power amp and it was awesome.

Plus you can use it down the road for recording as many of us here on TB have.

millsbass5 · #3 06-13-2011, 06:24 PM

What's the power amp (brand) that you have?? IMHO,"quality watts make a good tone much,much easier to achieve. QSC,Crown,Carvin,Peavey are most excellent choices for power.
For me,I have one of the old,o-riginal Sadowsky clip-on preamps. I use it with my '75 Jazz.... Ta-Daaaaa!!! Instant Marcus-like tone!! Friggin' awesome!! Good luck finding one,though!!

kb9wyz · #4 06-13-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuthaFunk

If you like Ampeg and don't have a lot of money I'd run a VT Bass pedal as a Pre. I've done it before with a 1600 W power amp and it was awesome.

Plus you can use it down the road for recording as many of us here on TB have.

I love my SansAmp to death, but I admit that I have been wanting to throw the VT pedal in the loop so I can add some flexibility to my pedal board. Would you recommend getting the VT Bass pedal and adding it to my board, or do you think I would be better off getting the Deluxe version and taking advantage of the multiple channels?

Also, I recommend the SansAmp as well. It has never done me wrong. (Except for the time I turned the gain all the way up. I had to throw those pants away. Word to the wise, if the gain goes way up, the output level should come down

)

hrgiger · #5 06-13-2011, 10:23 PM

yamaha pb-1, spend the other $150 however you want...

wardak · #6 06-13-2011, 10:36 PM

I am using the VT non-deluxe and really enjoy it as a pedal in my amp's effects loop. I tend to adjust it a lot when I'm practicing and experimenting, but set I and leave it in the few live practices and shows I used it for so far. I figure that if I determine I have 3 steady presets I can upgrade to deluxe in the future. If you prefer an Ampeg sound this might work out well for you. At worst it would be relatively inexpensive.

Slapping Basset · #7 06-13-2011, 10:44 PM

I second kb9wyz on the sansamp. I got the RBI which I love. It has so many good tones that cut thru so well. And for some reason I don't need a compressor as long as my RBI is on. This thing left me with no regrets

bluesdogblues · #8 06-13-2011, 10:48 PM

Hey guys, Is VT pedal within OP's $300 budget?

callingltu · #9 06-14-2011, 04:58 AM

What about Vt bass output? Would it be enough? Because i tried connecting mine ashdown mag DI to that amp and its level was really low, i needed one more preamp

http://www.directproaudio.com/images...ac2-manual.pdf thats the amp

And what about behringer bddi?

callingltu · #10 06-14-2011, 07:03 AM

MuzikMan · #11 06-14-2011, 07:14 AM

The DI on your amp is mic level. The line out on the VT Bass is line level. It will drive a power amp better than your DI did. You generally don't use a DI directly into a power amp.

Zooberwerx · #12 06-14-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrgiger

yamaha pb-1, spend the other $150 however you want...

...which goes to prove you don't have to spend a lot of money for a stellar preamp. Some of the "safer" rackmount options (used) are the Yamaha, Sansamp RBI & RPM, Ashly, BBE, and Peavey offerings. Most can be had for well under the $225. There's more than a fair share available in the FS forum at the moment (hint, hint). I cannot speak with any authority on the pedal preamp platforms but the VT and Aguilar ToneHammer are the first to come to mind.

Riis

DeltaPhoenix · #13 06-14-2011, 07:26 AM

I just went amp,preamp,cab section in to the classifieds and searched "preamp $300" and some great stuff came up like a Demeter! Be sure to look carefully because some more expensive stuff came up as well...A BBE was real cheap. Man, just look. For $300 used is where to get the bang for your buck.

callingltu · #14 06-14-2011, 07:35 AM

Thank you a lot guys

And what do you think about alembic f2b? My dad said that it's really easy to be made DIY

callingltu · #15 06-14-2011, 10:26 AM

callingltu · #16 06-17-2011, 06:27 AM

jonesn4bass · #17 06-17-2011, 06:33 AM

I throw my hat in for a used Sansamp RBI in the classifieds. They pop up all the time within your budget and are virtually indestructible so you need not worry about buying used. I snagged one for $150 a little while back. The sansamp IS my tone. Phenomenal range, rack mounted, simple. Can't go wrong!