Pushing the preamp tube(s) harder?

[hags2k]

I recently acquired a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0, which I'm really liking. I'm enjoying the tube preamp, and like the color I can get out of it when overdriven a bit. It's a different flavor than the overdrive I get out of my VT Bass pedal, and I really dig it.

When set flat, though, my bass doesn't quite push the tube into overdrive, even with the gain on the amp maxed. Boosting the onboard EQ on my bass does the trick, but I'd like to see how it sounds driven without messing with my EQ. I was thinking that perhaps some kind clean boost pedal (like a guitarist friend of mine uses) might do the trick. I've also been thinking about replacing my rackmount compressor (since I don't have a rack to put it in anymore) and thought I might be able to kill two birds and get a pedal compressor that is capable of giving me higher-than-unity output gain.

Any suggestions from guys who like to overdrive their preamps? Inexpensive solutions are good... but I have also been eying the EBS multi-comp (which I don't consider cheap), and if that could give me higher gain (as well as being useful as a nice compressor), I just might have to pull the trigger on that

[agreatheight]

Clean boost pedal.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

Or even a dirty boost!

[JimmyM]

ya, some basses trigger some drive out of the shuttle 6, some don't. try a clean boost pedal as suggested.

[agedhorse]

Using a clean boost pedal will allow you to retain the clean flavor of your bass while exploring the overdrive characteristics of the Shuttle's tube preamp. It's the ideal way to match up basses with varying or low levels to achieve overdrive from any amp.

[JimmyM]

ya, especially for live work, i think it's better to use pedals anyway. less unwieldy, easier to match volumes, etc.

[hags2k]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ya, some basses trigger some drive out of the shuttle 6, some don't. try a clean boost pedal as suggested.

Originally Posted by agedhorse

Using a clean boost pedal will allow you to retain the clean flavor of your bass while exploring the overdrive characteristics of the Shuttle's tube preamp. It's the ideal way to match up basses with varying or low levels to achieve overdrive from any amp.

Fantastic, thanks for the suggestions. Looks like I'll be picking up a boost pedal this week!

BTW, agedhorse, you guys do some fantastic work. I've been thoroughly impressed with my new GB amp and cabs

Originally Posted by JimmyM

ya, especially for live work, i think it's better to use pedals anyway. less unwieldy, easier to match volumes, etc.

I wholeheartedly agree. One of our guitarists was twiddling knobs on his amp between songs the other night because he had forgotten to bring his pedalboard (and footswitch)... it was not cool.