I'm stumped.

HoJ · #1 04-15-2009, 08:34 AM

Greetings from London. I'm looking for a DI box, and I've been reading a lot of threads here on that subject. As my price range is around $200, my available options seem to be Sansamp Para Driver DI (I guess I'd prefer this over the BDDI because of the mid control), the LR Baggs Para-Acoustic DI, the BBE DI-100X, and the Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass.

Since I have a cheapo rig, I'd prefer a pedal that had some tone-shaping, or EQ, or something. Maybe even something that would make my rig sound better. That's precisely why I didn't consider the Radial boxes. I play a G&L Tribute L2500; primarily in church. With the DI box, I'd go straight to PA, and use my rig as a personal monitor.

Well, do any of you have any experience with any of these units? Any help/recommendations/suggestions you can give is welcome.
Thanks!

dannybuoy · #2 04-15-2009, 08:47 AM

Add to the list the Aguilar Tone Hammer, MXR M-80, and Sadowsky preamp/DI. And if you want tubes, the DHA-VT1-EQ-Drive. Also, most of the new Markbass pedals have a DI built in too.

Do you want just a pure clean tone with EQ or do you need a bit of dirt/drive thrown in?

Knifedge · #3 04-15-2009, 09:35 AM

What kind of bass rig are you using? Many of them have a line out of their own, some of them are switchable pre/post equalizer if your system has equalization.

HoJ · #4 04-15-2009, 09:43 AM

It's a cheap local brand, really trashy. It does have a 1/4" out, but it's very noisy. No way I can use that.

@danny: I'd prefer a clean EQ'd tone, maybe a little overdriven…no way I'd use distortion though.

dpbass613 · #5 04-15-2009, 09:47 AM

aguilar tone hammer is a great di/preamp

seacouch · #6 04-15-2009, 10:09 AM

The Radial Bassbone will actually give you more options than the ToneHammer. The one unique thing that the TH gives you is the AGS (which really isn't very practical/useful), and from your description it sounds like you wouldn't be using that anyway. I have both units, and my TH sits home collecting dust.

HoJ · #7 04-15-2009, 10:18 AM

I'm afraid the Bassbone's out of my reach. There really isn't any way I can go above $200.

RickenBoogie · #8 04-15-2009, 11:57 AM

The MXR is a really nice DI with a few extra features, great for the money, too. 3 band eq, distortion with a noise gate, and built like an MXR box, rugged. Try and find one to check out, you may be surprised.

HoJ · #9 04-15-2009, 07:20 PM

Like I said, I don't have a use for the distortion…that leaves the MXR out, I guess.

Gashaponcito · #10 04-15-2009, 08:09 PM

what kind of music are you playing?

azarias · #11 04-15-2009, 08:17 PM

The Hartke VXL Bass Attack fits your price range.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...fm?prodID=1734
It has some pros and cons so check one out. Hard to beat for the price though.

Chronicle · #12 04-15-2009, 08:17 PM

RED DI!

scowboy · #13 04-15-2009, 08:19 PM

how about a good ol' Countrymen. Good for other things besides bass too!

HoJ · #14 04-16-2009, 06:06 AM

I think I should rephrase my question. I'd just like to know, out of these choices, which DI box would you buy if you were in my shoes?

1) Sansamp Para Driver DI
2) Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass
3) LR Baggs Para-Acoustic DI
4) BBE DI-100X
5) Countryman Type 85
6) Aguilar Tone Hammer

Thank you!

(I play Praise & Worship music, and jazz)

**TheMutt** · #15 04-16-2009, 08:10 AM

Personally, I'd go with the Sansamp Para Driver DI when looking for a preamp/DI. It's got a mids control unlike the Bass Driver DI (IIRC #1 complaint about that unit), and works for a number of instruments other than bass (It's a Sansamp RPM rackmount pre in stompbox format). However, were I going for a simplistic DI that's just plug-n-play, the Countryman is definitely top of the list and has been an industry standard for a very very long time. Really it depends on if you need tone shaping capabilities or not.

EskimoBassist · #16 04-17-2009, 03:17 AM

*EDIT* Should have read first, you don't want the distortion! But having said that, the EQ and the DI are very, very good anyway. *EDIT*

MXR M-80? I think it would do everything that you have described above, and a lot more. With mine I send two different signals, I use it to shape my direct signal and my effected, plus it also has a fairly nice distortion (on lower gains) which is independently switchable.

It's also well within your price range.

Pitbull Growl · #17 04-17-2009, 08:32 AM

Countryman IS a nice DI... but you said you want "some tone-shaping, EQ, or... something" so that crosses the Type 85 the list.

If it were me, I'd prolly go w/the Tone Hammer based on that list.

I have a Carl Martin, and while I do LOVE the tone(s) I can get out of it, and it is dead quiet, I really do wish it could run on batteries or phantom power like the Tone Hammer does.

HTH