Yamaha PB1 --> GK 1001RBII questions...

wave rider · #1 01-17-2011, 12:39 AM

After hearing all the nice comments on TalkBass about the Yamaha PB1 preamp, I picked one up when it appeared in a local music store's used listings. Thank you, all you enablers (and you know who you are), for talking up the PB1, I'm glad it came my way. Some questions for those with more experience...

1) I've no power amp (yet...) so I'm using the PB1 front output jack into the GK1001RB effects return (also on the front) to play. Is this the advised signal path and am I doing any damage to the GK? It sounds good so far...

2) I'm using the 2-10-2 "Fender tone stack" settings as a starting point for the tone controls; has anyone scoped/analyzed the PB1 to definitively make the call on "flat" settings? Interesting that the tone knob order is Treble/Mid/Bass similar to the GK order and the reverse of most other amps. The PB1's parametric is sweet; I'm having a hard time getting a really bad sound out of it.

3) Does the volume knob add any nice distortion at the higher levels? Like the gain in front of a preamp on an integrated amp? I haven't had it past noon yet. So far, I'm impressed with the smooth clarity coming out of the preamp.

4) Thank you James Hart for the scanned PB1 manual! Is there any other documentation around for the PB1? I'll admit to reading/pondering spec sheets...

5) Any of the PB1's outputs suitable for a tuner?

6) Any other caveats for the PB1? I've got a foggy memory of reading a warning somewhere...

Thanks in advance for the collective TalkBass wisdom!
=wr=

P.S. I know, pic coming... Now I'm on the lookout for a rack...

Passinwind · #2 01-17-2011, 12:42 AM

Did James hook you up with the service manual or the owner's one?

wave rider · #3 01-17-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Did James hook you up with the service manual or the owner's one?

I believe it is the owner's one, found the link on an old TB thread. Service manual sounds interesting...

=wr=

Passinwind · #4 01-17-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wave rider

I believe it is the owner's one, found the link on an old TB thread. Service manual sounds interesting...

=wr=

PM incoming...

wave rider · #5 01-17-2011, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

PM incoming...

Thank you kind sir, I am in your debt!

=wr=

ErnieD · #6 01-17-2011, 02:55 AM

There's one of these for a very good price locally. I just bought a Alembic F-1X and BBE BMax (non-T) that I've been using with my new Crown Coredrive XLS1500 power amp. I don't know that I need the PB-1, esp if it is similar in tone to the BBE I now own. Guess I need to go check it out to know.

Oh, wave rider, if you're still amp shopping, many of us are liking the very lightweight, class D Crown Coredrive XLS's. Do a search and you'll find alota good words on it. And I can use the effects send from my F-1X for my rack tuner. The BBE makes all kinda wierd noises if I use the effects send in the same way, so I don't.

wave rider · #7 01-17-2011, 09:32 AM

Thanks Ernie, the Drivecore has been on my list to check out. Also Peavey and QSC too.

I'm very pleased with the PB1, definitely check out the one in your area!

=wr=

Guilda · #8 01-17-2011, 11:25 AM

I have one of these also - clean -
Could one of you please forward me the owners and service manuals also --
Grately appreciated!!!

wave rider · #9 01-17-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guilda

I have one of these also - clean -
Could one of you please forward me the owners and service manuals also --
Grately appreciated!!!

PM sent!

RE: Power amps; I also remember folks being happy with their lightweight Carvin models too.

=wr=

hrgiger · #10 01-17-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wave rider

2) I'm using the 2-10-2 "Fender tone stack" settings as a starting point for the tone controls; has anyone scoped/analyzed the PB1 to definitively make the call on "flat" settings? Interesting that the tone knob order is Treble/Mid/Bass similar to the GK order and the reverse of most other amps. The PB1's parametric is sweet; I'm having a hard time getting a really bad sound out of it.

a while back I used a spectrum analysis eq to measure a white noise signal through my pb-1, looking for a good "flat" setting. I had some videos of the settings but they are gone now. this is what I found.

1. (0) - (10) - (1.25) is very good with parametric off or at 0.

2. Best results (nearly perfectly flat) were achieved with: (0) - (10) - (a hair past 1) with parametric set at level 3, Q on second dot from right, and Freq at 80hz.

obviously setting 1 is easier to remember. the (2) - (10) - (2) setting which some say is the same thing was clearly way off and not flat at all.

derridiandrift · #11 01-17-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wave rider

3) Does the volume knob add any nice distortion at the higher levels? Like the gain in front of a preamp on an integrated amp? I haven't had it past noon yet. So far, I'm impressed with the smooth clarity coming out of the preamp.

I remember my PB1 being squeaky clean, no distortion possible.

ErnieD · #12 01-17-2011, 03:25 PM

[quote=wave rider;10292428]Thanks Ernie, the Drivecore has been on my list to check out. Also Peavey and QSC too.

I'm very pleased with the PB1, definitely check out the one in your area!

So if you PM'd TBer Guilda the manual, you mind doing the same for me? Maybe if I read up on the PB-1 first, I'll get more motivated to go see this one for sale. I'm just real pleased with the F-1X and BBE pre's so far.

But I like trying out new pre's as I can.
I'd really like to try out the Kern pre but its pretty pricey and I've still got 6 other amp heads I use to gig/rehearse besides my newest pre/power amp rig. I can only put to use so much gear in my gear rotation. But that's fun for me cause they all offer different tones, features, etc. So if you have the manual to send, I'd appreciate it whenever you have some spare time. Peace, ernie

wave rider · #13 01-17-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrgiger

a while back I used a spectrum analysis eq to measure a white noise signal through my pb-1, looking for a good "flat" setting. I had some videos of the settings but they are gone now. this is what I found.

1. (0) - (10) - (1.25) is very good with parametric off or at 0.

2. Best results (nearly perfectly flat) were achieved with: (0) - (10) - (a hair past 1) with parametric set at level 3, Q on second dot from right, and Freq at 80hz.

obviously setting 1 is easier to remember. the (2) - (10) - (2) setting which some say is the same thing was clearly way off and not flat at all.

Thank you so much, lovely info!

Just to make sure I've got it right, that is Treble/Middle/Bass for the tone controls? And for the parametric - Level/Q/Frequency set to 3 - 3 - 8ish o'clocks?

It does sound pretty flat there, good starting point!

=wr=

wave rider · #14 01-17-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I remember my PB1 being squeaky clean, no distortion possible.

Thanks! Must be getting some growl from my fretless then.

And the VT pedal will still be useful...

=wr=

4Mal · #15 01-17-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

I remember my PB1 being squeaky clean, no distortion possible.

you say that like it's a bad thing...

ric3xrt · #16 06-24-2011, 10:45 PM

Ah the mighty PB1

#1 "Is this the advised signal path" I've ran mine this way on many Differnet amps, never an Issue. I've found that when running the PB1 into the FX return of any amp you can use more of the volume of the PB1 When I run the output in to the front of most amps I try not to go past 1 on the PB1 Volume espeacially in a gig situation .....most sound guys tell me my DI output is too hot(from the amp)
Runing into the Passive jack on the HA3500 with the Tube pre set at 8 (SS set to 2 or less)and heavy on the HA's lower EQ setting's yeilds a very nice 70s SVT sound(PB1 set to T=7 M=3 B=7/8ish..parametric set at level +1, Q set about 10 o clockish , and Freq at a needle above 100hz...can get boomey with 15s but nice and warm with 4x10s
Some times when home recording I"ll use the headphone jack to split the signal path into a pair of HA 3500s one gets the Low boosted EQ setings the other will get a strong Mid boost setting.and send the front output to a Trace Elliot GP7 / 200 set flat,

I've Never got any "good distortion" sound out of the PB1 the only thing I've ever found with max volume is a crappy blown amp sound.

as for the Question #5 tuner output, you can use the rear output, I've also have used the Head phones output....but then again thats one of the beauties of this preamp is the different ways you can pass a signal through it. IE both outputs the LPF And HPF, XLR ,Head phones, I've had sooo maney cords coming out of one of these it look liked an octopuss
one cool trick with the PB1 I use is when recording I'll use the front output into the board and the Rear HPF into rocktron gainantic( set the HPF crossover @ 250ish K)then in to a 2nd channel on the board.
There is SOOOOOOOOOO many ways to use this thing