Zoom B2 as a Preamp...

[Sundogue]

Well, I found out that the Zoom B2 does in fact work as a preamp on it's own.

I found out the hard way. My backup amp (which was in service because my main amp crapped out on me) also died. Both were old ampheads. One of our spare PA power amps was pressed into service.

I usually run my bass into my Zoom B2 and then the Zoom B2 into the input jack of my amphead (instead of running it through the effects send/return).

Well, I ran my Zoom B2 in to the spare power amp, and voila! I got some serviceable tone and volume out of it. Enough to play the gig anyway.

So to anyone wondering, yes a Zoom B2 will act as a preamp, though it still does not really carry that strong of a signal to a power amp to really do it justice. The signal was still weak, and though the power amp (powerful as it is) gave me some usable volume, it was not as much as I needed or wanted, but it did the trick in at least giving me some tonal control and getting me through the gig.

I would not recommend using the Zoom B2 as your only preamp as it will not be a strong enough signal to rely on, on a regular gigging basis, but in a pinch it's better than sending your bass directly through the board.