boost for passive bass ?

easternbull · #1 01-16-2011, 09:44 AM

I'm in love with the tone I'm getting from my alltube ashdown LB30 with my active Ibanez ATK. I recently purchased a squier jaguar bass which sounds great and is a dream to play but it does not growl/overdrive like the active ATK.

I love the tone of my jaguar, so I just need a pedal that will push/drive the preamp like an active bass would. Don't want to colour change the tone of my bass, just boost/amplify the signal if that makes any sence..

Bajo Mos has been recommended to me before, any other options I should consider?

Cheers

Diddii · #2 01-16-2011, 09:49 AM

MXR micro amp ?

I have a promblem but the other way around, my active spector has to high output that will distort the signal when entering my effect chain? Could i use some effect like PAD (-15db on my ampeg) in front of the chain ?

Ric5 · #3 01-16-2011, 09:51 AM

Bromosapian · #4 01-16-2011, 09:51 AM

I use a goudiefx (my cousin pedal, lol nepotism) clear boost. Works like a charm.

fu22ba55 · #5 01-16-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diddii

MXR micro amp

+1 this would be my choice as well.

Ric5 · #6 01-16-2011, 09:51 AM

Ric5 · #7 01-16-2011, 09:53 AM

scotch · #8 01-16-2011, 09:55 AM

Honestly, and as much as a fan of boutique that I am, I'd recommend the spartan LPB-1! I actually did some tests with it a couple years back & it tested flat! No eq coloration. It just simply boosts your signal. And, it's only $39 brand new!

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...FYXD7QodeyBsHw

Sure, there are more expensive boosters out there (the Creation Audio Labs Mk 4.23 comes to mind), and many with extra features- but the lowly EH Linear Power Booster really is a true simple clean boost!

scotch · #9 01-16-2011, 09:56 AM

How is a VT-Bass going to "...just need a pedal that will push/drive the preamp like an active bass would..."?

bigchiefbc · #10 01-16-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

scotch · #11 01-16-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

Agreed. Talk about not reading the op!

giacomini · #12 01-16-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

How is a VT-Bass going to "...just need a pedal that will push/drive the preamp like an active bass would..."?

I'm a VT fan, but hell yeah, I'm tired of that answer: "the VT is the answer to everything"...

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Honestly, and as much as a fan of boutique that I am, I'd recommend the spartan LPB-1! I actually did some tests with it a couple years back & it tested flat! No eq coloration. It just simply boosts your signal. And, it's only $39 brand new!

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...FYXD7QodeyBsHw

Sure, there are more expensive boosters out there (the Creation Audio Labs Mk 4.23 comes to mind), and many with extra features- but the lowly EH Linear Power Booster really is a true simple clean boost!

+1 all the way. I've got a LPB-1 and it works like a charm!

Swimming Bird · #13 01-16-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Honestly, and as much as a fan of boutique that I am, I'd recommend the spartan LPB-1! I actually did some tests with it a couple years back & it tested flat! No eq coloration. It just simply boosts your signal. And, it's only $39 brand new!

Good info. Did you do this test with any other gear?

scotch · #14 01-16-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

Good info. Did you do this test with any other gear?

Well, not sure what you mean?

I've used as a booster with my guitar setup to push the amp into overdrive. Strat - LPB-1 - Blues Jr.

I've used it push my bass amps as well. Bass - LPB-1 - Fender 300 pro or Mesa Buster.

I've used it bump up volume after filter pedals. Bass- Mu-Tron - LPB-1 - Amp.

After using it for all of these uses (and others), I was impressed with how transparent it sounded. So, I rigged it up with a pink noise signal through my pro tools rig & graphed the results. The LPb-1'ed signal was practically identical to the control signal up to about the last 85% of the boost dials range. at which point there was alittle bit of treble attenuation (not likely audible, but could see some roll off above 10k on the graph).

It's an amazingly clean boost! Keep in mind, of course, that devices downstream will distort more- which is the point. I read so many vague reviews of the LPB-1 being "colored" or adding it's own grit. I think those folks are crazy, or at least haven't really thought about what they're hearing.

easternbull · #15 01-16-2011, 02:15 PM

thanks for the feedaback guys!

the lpb-1 is dirt cheap! only 33€! a price like that would leave some cash over for a good compressor..

Swimming Bird · #16 01-16-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

After using it for all of these uses (and others), I was impressed with how transparent it sounded. So, I rigged it up with a pink noise signal through my pro tools rig & graphed the results. The LPb-1'ed signal was practically identical to the control signal up to about the last 85% of the boost dials range. at which point there was alittle bit of treble attenuation (not likely audible, but could see some roll off above 10k on the graph).

It's an amazingly clean boost! Keep in mind, of course, that devices downstream will distort more- which is the point. I read so many vague reviews of the LPB-1 being "colored" or adding it's own grit. I think those folks are crazy, or at least haven't really thought about what they're hearing.

This. I would love to hear about and/or see actual readings taken for other pedals to see what actually has tone suck or what pedals do kill lows or mids. Most of the time reviews are entirely subjective when it wouldn't be too hard to quantify things. Just curious if you've done the pink noise test with other gear.

Chrisk-K · #17 01-16-2011, 02:44 PM

EHX booster. You can get a brand new one for < $40. I used to have one. Absolutely silent.

warwick.hoy · #18 01-16-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigchiefbc

Where'd you get this from.

I don't know much about the SX, I mean Squier Jaguar, but hotter pickups could be another solution.

scotch · #19 01-16-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

This. I would love to hear about and/or see actual readings taken for other pedals to see what actually has tone suck or what pedals do kill lows or mids. Most of the time reviews are entirely subjective when it wouldn't be too hard to quantify things. Just curious if you've done the pink noise test with other gear.

I did! Around the same time I did the pink noise test on a Tech 21 BDDI. Sure enough, with the eq set 'flat' (or at least as humanly close as possible), there was a significant mid-frequency attenuation centered around 800hz.

Here's the thread, unfortunately the pic host has since gone south - so the pics are gone. Rats!

Semi-Scientific SansAmp BDDI Analysis

page 2, with a similar tb'er's graph that was virtually identical to mine, confirming my results:
Semi-Scientific SansAmp BDDI Analysis

I'm having trouble finding the thread with the LPB-1 results... But I clearly remember how surprisingly identical the curves were!

walker rosewood · #20 01-16-2011, 04:21 PM

+1 to the LPB-1. The simple designs are often the best, and this circuit has been around for 40years. It's designed to do exactly what your asking. The original design truly was linear, you put it right into your amp input. Check it out:

and check out the blurb from EHX.com

Quote:

An exact recreation of the original LPB-1 circuit that ushered in the age of overdrive in 1968. Put the LPB-1 in line with any effect to provide boost and definition. Improve the gain and saturation of your amp.

Also, it's really easy and fun to build one yourself. You can do it for under $20. The schematics are all over the internet. It was the first circuit I ever built. I did it on zero experience.