Pedal Bass Preamps driving a power amp..
 

Who's got this kind of setup and what do you think about it? I've got an Aguilar Tone Hammer driving a Crown XTi power amp. It sounds really good, but I'm really saving up for a custom bass pedal preamp from [sfx]Sound. I want something a bit cleaner and more flexible and Max's custom work looks AMAZING! I saw a YouTube clip of the Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe and it sounded pretty strong, clean, & punchy, AND it has an F/X loop. I know there's a ton more good pedal pre's out that can drive a power amp. So, who's got what?

Pedals for bass that drive power amps...
 

Aguilar Tone Hammer is the only Pre I've found that will push my Crown XLS2000 to sufficient levels without having to turn the gain or eq stages up. I've tried a few others, I've tried gain, and/or EQ's and nothing really let me get the clean gain stage and full use of my EQ controls into a Poweramp like the Aguilar TH. I think if you have a lower sensitivity than the 1.4v my Crown is looking for any Bass Preamp/Pedal would work well. If you want an eden, get the WTDI, if you want modern ovrdrv/dist tones try the BDDI or M-80, if you want the SVT sound just get a VT(My current GAS inducing piece =VTDI ) . I also like the modular approach, and that all "My Tones" are contained in my pedalboard (I use a PA cab onstage)

I would love to fill a pedalboard with a PRE/DI/Pedal from 10 diff brands! A nice looper for different sounds at a stomp. Kinda like a "all-analog amp modeler" Thats my dream.

Eden-WTDI
Aguilar-Tone Hammer
EBS-Microbass
MXR-M-80
Sansamp-PDDI
Sansamp-VTDI
EWS-Tri Logic
Sadowsky-BPDI
Mesa Boogie-V Twin
Radial-Bassbone
HAO-Bassliner
3 Leaf-Enabler


That would be awesome :bassist:

Hi pbass6811,

it sounds like you are looking for the BASSWITCH IQ DI. It is exactly what you described. A clean, warm and very flexible preamp-pedal that can easily drive any amplifier.
It has a +/- 15 db preamp and a 4 band semi para-eq that works just beautiful to create amazing sounds. A serial AND parallel FX loop, tuner out, amazing sounding studio quality DI, ... Check it out on http://basswitch.com

For driven sounds, I agree with mowburger:
Hope that helps! Let us know, what it's gonna be... :bassist:
Florian

Meatsmoke Pre period close thread.

You forgot DHA

I sic my trace EQ pedal on BDDI Deluxe and all is good.

Tronographic Rusty Box. It's modeled after the Traynor TS50B and is known for it's classy overdrive.

Hey Flobass,

I checked out the Basswitch unit. Definitely looks like it has all the goods! I'm going to try to get a bit more in-depth info on it. I think it's a pretty penny, but so is the custom sfx pre that I may have Max build for me. I also found the AMT Electronics BC-1. It sounds pretty stellar also. My only issue with the AMT is the DI out is 1/4", not XLR. Not a deal breaker by any means, but just a bit of an oddity, and the price is pretty reasonable.

I need to look up the Meatsmoke Pre & the Tronographic Rusty box...Thanks, guys.

I'm doing that with my VT Bass pedal. VERY happy with the results.

+1 on the Tone Hammer pedal driving a Crown XTi power amp. The TH was the best at this feat of the 3 I tried 1) TH 2) EBS Micro Bass II 3) Tri-Logic preamp version 1. I still have a SansAmp ParaDriver to test out with the Crown.

I want a mute button for live situations and the TH did not have this so I sold it. I still have the other 2 pedals which I may use in the studio.

The best preamp I have found to connect to my Crown XTi 4000 is a Demeter HPB-1 rack unit. It has a mute button, balanced 1/4" out, and XLR out. And this combination kicks major butt soundwise!!

Good luck in your search.

Dave

I've gotten some pretty useable experimental results running VT Bass>Tone Hammer>Effect loop return on my 400RB or Walkabout. The VT I use to provide most of the tone shaping, the TH set to AGS for a bit of warmth and very slight OD.

What do you use to control the Volume when using the Walkabout? The Master Volume on the Walkabout (and most Mesa amps) is pre-FX Loop, so I've never really been able to use it as a power amp for my Rusty Box (which doesn't have a Master Volume when in Preamp mode) as it will just be full-on volume. Most bass amps I've had have the Master Volume located after the FX loop, so it isn't an issue- the Mesas have been the only exception for me...

That chain you can attenuate output with the pedals' volume controls. I cite mainly in direct response to OP: it is totally possible, pretty useable. Not practical for me as too many knobs are in play and after a bit of diddling I go back to a simpler setup.

Okay, I'm in the infant stage if my pedal knowledge. Is it necessary for me to have a DI if I play through a TC Electronics RH750. I would like to have a fatter tone through the amp. I was thinking about the rusty box, but mostly for its OD sound. I guess I could just go with the MXR Blow torch and save some cash. The Sadowsky really has my eye, but I'm worried that it useless since I have a amp head rather than just a power amp.

Unfortunately the Rusty Box used as a pre doesn't have a Volume control (the Volume control it has only functions when used as an effect rather than a preamp). Most power amps have some sort of input controls, so its only really an issue when using one of the rare amps like the Walkabout where the Master Volume cannot be used. Not sure whether most other pedal pres have a useable Master Volume in preamp mode...

The TC head already has a DI.
There are pedals that can fatten your tone, but it has nothing to do with whether they also work as a DI (or have "DI" in the name).
The Sadowsky is a pedal with several functions. Don't be caught up in the word "preamp" attached to it, because that word means so many different things that it is almost meaningless.