Sansamp pedal as a pre?

fish slapper · #1 07-19-2010, 11:10 PM

I've been itching to try a Sansamp pre and looking online it looks like my ParaDriver is basically a RPM in a pedal. Anyone out there have experience using one as a pre straight into the power amp. I want to get some feedback before I try it on a gig this weekend.

Power amp is a QSC 1804 if that makes any difference.

Gearhead43 · #2 07-20-2010, 12:29 AM

I used my Para Driver (output set to line level) into a EP2500 power amp and it drove it just fine, was loud as hell as a matter of fact.

Jim Carr · #3 07-20-2010, 12:41 AM

The Para DI is an awesome preamp--very clean if you need it to be, dirty as can be if needed, and great with passive basses like a Fender Jazz, a P-bass, an upright piezo (Gage Realist) pickup, or even with a violin contact mic. It also provides a small but noticeable amount of compression. I love mine.

It is also a DI as well as a line level pre. Try it at home first--and always take a spare, LOL!

Sten · #4 07-20-2010, 12:52 AM

Yes, it works. Just engage the line boost button to set the output level suitable for running directly into a poweramp or into effects return of a bass head (if you play into the input of a bass head, de-press this button).

Regarding a spare...never a bad idea, but I've done every rehearsal and live with my Tech21 and it has never missed a beat.

phatbass · #5 07-20-2010, 01:09 AM

There are guys that use the para driver in preference to the bass driver.

Munjibunga · #6 07-20-2010, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish slapper

I've been itching to try a Sansamp pre and looking online it looks like my ParaDriver is basically a RPM in a pedal. Anyone out there have experience using one as a pre straight into the power amp. I want to get some feedback before I try it on a gig this weekend.

Power amp is a QSC 1804 if that makes any difference.

Yep. I've tried it in front of my Fender MB-1200 power amp into a D-210XLT and D-210XST. Sounds bitchen. It should sound bitchen through that 1804, too, depending on your cabs.

::::BASSIST:::: · #7 07-20-2010, 01:44 AM

The Sansamp works well, but is very coloured. I prefer the VT Bass. Its in the same tonal family but not nearly as coloured. I often use my VT Bass as pre for a peavey dpc 1000 poweramp and it works very well. It is best to have some sort of eq pedal in the chain though...

JimmyM · #8 07-20-2010, 01:57 AM

i also use a vt or british pedal as a pre to a power amp on some of my smaller gigs, though my power amp is a crate power block with the guitar pre bypassed

Eublet · #9 07-20-2010, 03:27 AM

I've used both the VT Bass and BDDI as a preamp into various powered cabs or amps. They both work great.

Honestly, if you aren't after a heavier overdrive, the BDDI or Paradriver work better than the VT Bass since you get way more control over your tone. The Treble knob is much more controllable, and the Blend knob lets you mix your dry and wet signal as necessary.

If you are after a heavy overdrive, it's tough to say which you would like better since all overdrives are so different. The VT Bass does the Ampeg thing very well. The BDDI/PARA pedals are different but many like them also.

Even though you didn't mention it, the Aguilar Tone Hammer is a KILLER preamp pedal. Clean/Dirty capable with an extremely powerful EQ. It's not necessarily great for switching back and forth between clean/dirty on the gig, but if you are a one-tone-per-gig kind of player, it's very hard to beat.