Need a Pre-amp pedal to replace the E.Q. on my amp

bassthunder100 · #1 09-23-2010, 03:14 AM

I have an Ashdown 300 Evo II and I don't like the E.q. turned on that much because when I dig hard with my Jag it clips, plus I'd like a pedal to give more definition to my basses too.
Basically is want an always on pre-amp type pedal so I don't have to use the E.q. on my amp and just do it all from the pedal, same goes for any amp that I'm using but don't like it for the same function.
Anyone have any suggestions?

vin*tone · #2 09-23-2010, 03:19 AM

Gee that's a pretty broad question but you could do worse than checking out an Aggy Tonehammer.

lowfreq33 · #3 09-23-2010, 03:24 AM

I like the MXR M-80, the eq is good, it has a "contour" switch that gives some nice oomph, plus a blendable distortion channel and a pretty decent D.I.

DrSmaggs · #4 09-23-2010, 03:28 AM

Sansamp Bass Preamp pedal. Amp in a box!

sonic assassin · #5 09-23-2010, 03:46 AM

so wait. it clips when you use your EQ? sounds odd.

IME, those preamp pedals seem to take over your tone, not compliment it. and a different preamp isnt going to give you definition. the bassist in my band has an evo and hes got his mids cranked to the ceiling. grindy, mean, and definitely well defined.

some people find that sonic expanders like a SABD or sonic maximizer help clear things up. i know my buddies sansamp made his old muddy practice amp into a nasty war machine.

wouldnt want you spending money if you dont need to.

Crystalman85 · #6 09-23-2010, 03:32 PM

If you want a preamp pedal that has a good eq boost and tube-emulation sounds(which would be optional), the hartke vxl bass attack pedal would be a good choice for that.

fitz420 · #7 09-23-2010, 06:14 PM

Empress ParaEQ

My name is Mudd · #8 09-23-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrSmaggs

Sansamp Bass Preamp pedal. Amp in a box!

This, or a VT Bass.

bassman1185 · #9 09-24-2010, 05:16 AM

Sounds like you just need to turn your gain down a little bit or get a compressor. Also, learning to control your technique will help a lot too.

I'm not saying don't get an EQ, but an EQ won't solve the clippiong iaaue.

ga_edwards · #10 09-24-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Sounds like you just need to turn your gain down a little bit or get a compressor. Also, learning to control your technique will help a lot too.

I'm not saying don't get an EQ, but an EQ won't solve the clippiong iaaue.

+1. Boosting any eq frequencies will increase the gain and make it clip. Reduce the input gain knob and turn up the master volume to compensate, that's what they're there for.

Personally I would avoid unnecessarily adding components to the signal path. It just creates more things to setup and tweak every time you play.

However, if it's the 'voice' of the amp's eq I can understand looking for something else. If your head is rack-mountable, a rack pre like the BBE or rack Sansamp might do the job.

**TheMutt** · #11 09-24-2010, 06:42 AM

Normally, I'm all for throwing pedals at a tone problem... but in this case I'd look to the amp first.

It makes a difference on where you are getting clipping from. If you're clipping the preamp, then you should just turn down the amp's gain a bit and boost the master volume. Then you can play with the EQ to your heart's content.

If you're getting clipping on the power amp side, then you're running your head at or near meltdown territory and should consider a higher power amp for more headroom or more efficient cabs for higher dB output. If your amp is a combo, it may be time to move on up to either a better combo, or head/cab land.

Sticking an EQ pedal in front of your amp, which will increase the gain before the preamp (which will increase the gain again) and is only going to get you more clipping unless you're going to bypass the preamp and use the pedal:
bass -> (other effects, if any) -> preamp/EQ pedal -> effects loop in/power amp in jack on amp

However, if you don't like the sound of the preamp on your amp at all, I'd suggest just looking for a new amp that you like the sound of more. Be sure to test one out in the store, or through friends or something with your bass to make sure that it's going to work before you buy. That or just abuse the return policy of your local store to try out different amps until you find the right one.

bassthunder100 · #12 09-24-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Normally, I'm all for throwing pedals at a tone problem... but in this case I'd look to the amp first.

It makes a difference on where you are getting clipping from. If you're clipping the preamp, then you should just turn down the amp's gain a bit and boost the master volume. Then you can play with the EQ to your heart's content.

If you're getting clipping on the power amp side, then you're running your head at or near meltdown territory and should consider a higher power amp for more headroom or more efficient cabs for higher dB output. If your amp is a combo, it may be time to move on up to either a better combo, or head/cab land.

Sticking an EQ pedal in front of your amp, which will increase the gain before the preamp (which will increase the gain again) and is only going to get you more clipping unless you're going to bypass the preamp and use the pedal:
bass -> (other effects, if any) -> preamp/EQ pedal -> effects loop in/power amp in jack on amp

However, if you don't like the sound of the preamp on your amp at all, I'd suggest just looking for a new amp that you like the sound of more. Be sure to test one out in the store, or through friends or something with your bass to make sure that it's going to work before you buy. That or just abuse the return policy of your local store to try out different amps until you find the right one.

I can switch the e.q. of on my amp and there is no clipping problem at all, the amp just sounds completely flat when i do this (obviously) so i just want a pedal i can put at the end of my chain that il always leave on to supply the "sound" and then my amp can just amplify it. I hope that helps explain things? I was thinking something like a VT bass because i know it's ampeg in a box.

bassthunder100 · #13 09-24-2010, 08:50 AM

also i'm not a fan of how my jaguar sounds with the amps e.q. so i do wish for something to replace that sound. That's why i mentioned the VT.

bassthunder100 · #14 09-24-2010, 09:11 AM

also when i'm playing live at a venue where i don't know what amp il be using i can rely on said pedal to supply me with the sound i need and just leave the amps e.q. flat or off if i can bypass it like on mine. I thought about a rack-mounted job but i realised i won't have the money for something like that plus it isn't very convenient at the moment. If it was a pedal on the other hand it can just remain velcro'd on my board.

stratixx · #15 09-24-2010, 09:12 AM

whats about ebs Microbass II? it has really very variable and good EQ, imo

bassman1185 · #16 09-24-2010, 09:18 AM

Describe the clipping that you are experiencing, and how you have your EQ set.

My name is Mudd · #17 09-24-2010, 11:50 AM

Having read...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassthunder100

also i'm not a fan of how my jaguar sounds with the amps e.q. so i do wish for something to replace that sound.

...I'm starting to agree w/Mutt here...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

Normally, I'm all for throwing pedals at a tone problem... but in this case I'd look to the amp first...

... and I could be totally off-base with this bit, but given all the tone options on a Jag, I'm wondering if you may have the bass set in such a way that your amp just doesn't like. Hove you tried a different arrangement of all those knobs and switches?

millsbass5 · #18 09-24-2010, 11:59 AM

I'll NEVER,E-V-E-R trade in,or switch my ol' standby. My "old school" Sadowsky clip-on pre-amp. Man,I've had that thing for y-e-a-r-s! Still going strong.....

sonic assassin · #19 09-24-2010, 02:29 PM

it sounds like you need a new amp. you dont care for the sound of your preamp, and if you get a new one and plug it into the effects loop, you are wasting half of an amp. if you find one of those preamp pedals that you like, you can get a power amp to run it flat.

Eric! · #20 09-24-2010, 02:37 PM

Another often-overlooked option: Tronographic Rusty Box. I have one on the way for myself