Need help in choosing preamp

[P-punk]

Hi.

I'm looking for an outboard preamp to give my basses ('71 J & '79 P) a little more oomph/boost. It should be pretty neutral, and not color the sound too much. I already have a VT Bass Deluxe, and as much as I love it does color the sound. The preamp I'm looking for now should just amplify the natural sound of my basses, but with the possibility to EQ a bit. Not to many knobs, two or three should do it.

I've read a lot here on TB about the different preamps, and in a way I like the simplicity of the Sadowsky pre, but I'm afraid it will color the sound too much. In a lot of the reviews Marcus Miller is mentioned, and I don't want MM's sound. I'm really not a fan of his sound, especially his highs.

In one of the reviews of the Sadowsky someone mentions the Linden EQ as a more vintage sounding alternative to the Sadowsky. Is the Linden to like my VT Deluxe? Is it any point in having both the VT Deluxe and the Linden?

To sum it up - I'm looking for a simple preamp to boost the signal and natural sound from my bass, without coloring it too much. If it colors it all, it should color in in a "vintage-y way".

Anyone got any recommendations?

[scottfeldstein]

Aguilar Tone Hammer?

It's the one I'd trade my SansAmp for. And for precisely the reason you mention: I want to be able to get a neutral EQ and the SansAmp is built with another purpose in mind.

[refuge4]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Aguilar Tone Hammer?

It's the one I'd trade my SansAmp for. And for precisely the reason you mention: I want to be able to get a neutral EQ and the SansAmp is built with another purpose in mind.

+1

[P-punk]

Hi, and thanks for the answers.

I've been thinking of the Aguilar, but I'm a bit skeptical because of all the knobs. With 5 knobs, I fear it's too many variables, and that I will have a hard time finding the "right" tone. Should I be worried, or is it easy to use?

Edit: I just realized that it's actually 6 knobs.

[scottfeldstein]

Don't let it intimidate you. Looks to me like it just has

EQ: bass, mid, treble
grit
output volume

It's true that the mid is a two knob affair, one to select the frequency and one to boost/cut that frequency. But it's still pretty simple.

[keiththebassist]

Even with many knobs and no detents in the pots, you can always throw a small strip of tape above or below the knobs and mark where you like the settings. Many bands that move their gear a lot do this so that there is no question and the don't have to re-dial their tone each time they set up.

[zon6c-f]

...I have no experience with newer, dedicated preamps; exceptions being; Line 6 and Pandora PX4-B which are effects boxes with preamp capabilities, as opposed to being pre-amps alone.

Although no longer manufactured; you can find them used on internet auction sites. I have a reissue [ black-faced] Furman PQE-3, which is either a pre-amp only; no tone variation..just pre amp..or 3 channels of discrete parametric equalization; 15 db cut/boost.

It's fairly light; solid state. You can either boost your signal or create your own tone to suit.

I highly recommend it. It even makes my old Kustom 200-B head sound great...lol..

[dustinfennessey]

Darkglass B7K

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by dustinfennessey

Darkglass B7K

A good choice if you really like to get your fuzz on. At lower levels of distortion it's basically a Tone Hammer as far as I can tell from the youtube demos I've seen.

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

Aguilar Tone Hammer?

It's the one I'd trade my SansAmp for. And for precisely the reason you mention: I want to be able to get a neutral EQ and the SansAmp is built with another purpose in mind.

I guess Tone Hammer is indeed one of ht best options for natural sound.

[ergbass]

I believe that the rc booster from xotic is what you need.

[Duke21]

Sansamp paradriver is also a good option

[bclark812008]

I also recommend the Tone Hammer Stompbox! ...bought it for the same reasons you listed! ...now I have OBP's in all those basses.

*shameless plug* I happen to be selling mine if you are interested...used it in a few recording/live scenarios and it is awesome! It should be posted tonight!

[scottfeldstein]

Originally Posted by bclark812008

I also recommend the Tone Hammer Stompbox! ...bought it for the same reasons you listed! ...now I have OBP's in all those basses.

*shameless plug* I happen to be selling mine if you are interested...used it in a few recording/live scenarios and it is awesome! It should be posted tonight!

Sure! Trade me even up for my SansAmp BDDI!

[GrooveRonin]

Originally Posted by dustinfennessey

Darkglass B7K

+1

[lowfreq33]

Check out Low End's Booty in a Box here if you want something simple.

http://www.thelowend.net/thelowend/used-gear.html

[Bermel]

Originally Posted by ergbass

I believe that the rc booster from xotic is what you need.

+1. Although I use the BB preamp with very low gain, which should be similar.

[Bermel]

Originally Posted by GrooveRonin

+1

+1. Maybe too many knobs for you, but it seems great. I just ordered the b3k.

[gillento]

I'd suggest the RMI BassWitch. (Basswitch Bass preamp foot pedal & DI with EQ | Ruppert Musical Instruments)

I know, it has far more knobs than you want, but it is very neutral sounding. In fact that is why Paul Turner has chosen the BassWitch. He hates how other preamp pedals made his low end sound "active" and with the Basswitch's "bell curve" on the lowest band (as opposed to th usual "shelving" type) apparently his '66 J keeps the vintage flair.

[P-punk]

Hi.

Thanks for all the replies. I have to check out all of them, but so far I've read reviews and watched YouTube clips of the Darkglass B7K and the RC Booster. Both of them seems real nice, but the Darkglass is maybe a little too expensive for me right now.

Will use the afternoon to check out the rest of your suggestions.