Power Amp & Pre -vs- All in One

TylerDurdenPSSC · #1 08-05-2010, 04:14 PM

I've always used the standard "all-in-one" amps in my now seven years of playing, however, I'm now looking outside the box... Or maybe, inside the rack case, you could say.

I've been looking into Crown, QSC, and now Samson poweramps to push either a Tech21 (rpm, rbi, & psa) or Ampeg (svp-pro) (I really don't know of much else.) Preamps through.

I'm hoping by going this route I can gain more tonal control, and possibly end happier with my tone in the long run.

I guess why I'm posting is to ask advice from you guys who have been here, or are where im trying to go.

Are there any power amps any of you would recommend I check out? What about preamps? As stated, ive only just recently began researching this new found fondness. Heck, I'm even open to rack case suggestions!

My main drive to go this route is cost. It almost seems to me that there's more "bang for the buck" this way than any other. Besides, if I don't like the particular pre, I can just unbolt and sell the thing in favor of another!

As always, any and all input is appreciated! =]

RickenBoogie · #2 08-05-2010, 04:57 PM

Sure, but to have more control of your tone, you could just use a bass head that sounds like you want it to. The main plus for going seperates, is to easily change the preamps, for different reasons. So, in the long run, you'd have a big heavy (maybe) poweramp, and 2 or more different preamps. I've always found that I can get "my tone" from certain bass amps, and not bothered with all the fuss associated with seperates. In the long run, it's totally up to you as to what makes you happy.

isher1992 · #3 08-05-2010, 05:13 PM

I liked the idea of a power amp, with a separate pre-amp from the get-go. My teacher had a Tech 21 RBI with a Sampson 500 Watt power amp, and I bought a Tech 21 PBDDI, and I liked the idea that I could completely change my EQ settings whenever I wanted, and I had the 3-channels to choose from. It just really depends on what you want. If you like less hassle to hook up and carry around, an all-in-one is probably better.

TylerDurdenPSSC · #4 08-05-2010, 05:33 PM

The idea of two (or more) switchable preamps does tickle my fancy, certain songs from my band could use a different sound, and when opening for national acts, we hardly have time for the bass player to be spinning knobs all willy nilly. Kicking on/off a switch, enabling a second preamp would be killer. I like the tubey-gooey-goodness the Ampeg has to offer, but being able to kick over to the Tech21 would solve a few needs too. (But then again, I'm also lusting for a ValveDrive from EBS, so I could probably forgo the Ampeg all together.)

rpsands · #5 08-05-2010, 05:42 PM

I like having both; if I had to do it over again I'd probably keep the same conceptual setup -- a micro amp for gigging and a big monster amp for the practice studio and large large gigs.

I use a MB500 from GK for my primary gigging amp, and a Carvin DCM1540L + BBE 383 for backup/practice.

Right now, I'd buy the same micro amp for gigging, and probably go with a pedal based setup for the power. Something like a Presonus Parametric eq -> Markbass Super Booster DI -> Crown XLS 2000.

bassplayer8953 · #6 08-05-2010, 05:53 PM

I used separates for awhile. The rack case was a bear to move, due to the weight of the power amp. I had the tone I wanted, thanks to a couple of different pre-amps.

I have since returned to using (Carvin) bass heads. I have the tone I need, without having to carry that moose of a rack case, containing that mega-# power amp. The power amp is now powering our band's pa. I sold my ADA preamp, one of these days I'll put my Peavey Max on the block.

No more separates for me: too much overkill when something much more simple will do the job.

TylerDurdenPSSC · #7 08-05-2010, 06:07 PM

Poweramps of yesteryear were quite heavy, not these days though. Peavey is churning one out that is palmable. That's being able to grab it from behind, and hold it straight out. We're talking 7-12lbs. here.