Help ref: Sansamp RBI

jerylg · #1 07-09-2011, 01:12 PM

I'm trying to help my son upgrade his bass rig. He is playing at a camp this summer and is generally incommunicado. He play's a Geddy Lee through an SWR400 into a 210 cab. Not happy with the dry, solid state, sound. Neither of us can afford to buy a tube amp. I'm wondering if the Sansamp RBI into just a regular power amp(crown, qsc) would work. The Sansamp would give the fat tone right? This would seem to give lots of headroom and tonal versatility for a reasonable price. Tell me what I'm missing. Be gentle though, I'm ignorant in the ways of the force.

Jeryl

Floyd Eye · #2 07-09-2011, 01:15 PM

Yes. Most people use them that way. I use an RBI as a preamp and it sounds about as close to an SVT as you can get without an SVT. To my ears anyway.

lowendgenerator · #3 07-09-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Yes. Most people use them that way. I use an RBI as a preamp and it sounds about as close to an SVT as you can get without an SVT. To my ears anyway.

We must have similar ears, because I hear the same thing.

sweetwillyp · #4 07-09-2011, 03:34 PM

You can also Buy a RBI and put it into the Poweramp in on the SWR and save yourself some money on a power amp.. I run a RBI and have never been happier with my tone.. Take into consideration that you really want to tweak the tone a lot

refbassist · #5 07-09-2011, 03:40 PM

or you can get VT bass pedal and it would give the sound you want!!

klokker · #6 07-09-2011, 03:41 PM

If your after SVT tone, you could use their VT bass deluxe as well, it is their SVT simulator after all. Plenty of tube tone there!

tech21nyc · #7 07-12-2011, 09:37 AM

Geddy has been using our RPM pre-amp for the last few years. You could still get in the ballpark with the RBI as that is what he used to use. There is a thread with a picture of his rack and the RPM and the settings are marked if you click on the picture. Geddy Lee Tone Interview from Time Machine Tour

As suggested you can use the SWR as a power amp but the effects loop as I understand is not a series loop. In that case you may be best off using the input pad on the amp and setting the controls in a neutral manner and then using the RBI or RPM in front. One of our pedals like the Para Driver DI, Bass Driver DI or VT Bass would also work well and be a less expensive option.

parsons · #8 07-12-2011, 09:46 AM

You can run the RBI through the effects loop of an SM400. Ive been doing this for years with mine and it sounds amazing.

I would also suggest searching for the "SWR Aural Enhancer Bypass" thread on this forum and perform that mod. That will open that amp up a ton and make the Sansamp even better.

My typical tone chain on this rig is:

Bass -> SWR SM400 -> SWR Effect send to Sansamp RBI -> Sansamp RPM -> Effect return to SWR. The tone also splits off of the RBI's Unaffected jack to my Korg DTR1.

I use a footswitch to switch between the Sansamps for clean and dirty channels. The RBI is clean, RPM dirty since it has much more gain available.

pasta4lnch · #9 07-12-2011, 09:52 AM

yeah - try a BDDI or VT pedal through the amp first. cheaper route.

Chopshonky · #10 07-12-2011, 09:57 AM

Yes You will do well with the RBI or Sansamp BDDI which I use simulates the SVT beautifully.

Remember to go in that effects return to bypass any coloration the poweramp may try to give it. man oh man you will be impressed I was always satisfied with my dry tone until I tried the simplicity of the Sansamp. Amazing!