Using a Sansamp Bass Driver as URB Preamp?

[Rinso365]

Hello - I'm pretty new to upright bass. I'm looking at buying a used Fishman BP-100 pickup and I understand a preamp is recommended for use with the Fishman. I have a Sansamp Bass Driver DI stompbox that I use with my electric bass rig. I'm considering plugging the Fishman BP-100 into the Sansamp and using it as the preamp. Does anyone think that would deliver good results?

Thanks...

Mike

[shwashwa]

Originally Posted by Rinso365

Hello - I'm pretty new to upright bass. I'm looking at buying a used Fishman BP-100 pickup and I understand a preamp is recommended for use with the Fishman. I have a Sansamp Bass Driver DI stompbox that I use with my electric bass rig. I'm considering plugging the Fishman BP-100 into the Sansamp and using it as the preamp. Does anyone think that would deliver good results?

Thanks...

Mike

no, you need a high input impedance. do a search, it's been covered here alot. the short answer, try the sansamp para driver or other high input impedance preamp(fishman platinum pro, etc)

[bolo]

You might get better results w/ a different pickup too. Please realize that's just a very broad generalization.

Here is a spot where you can listen to some different p/u's and compare them (in one context). And recognize too that the sound you end up getting can vary a great deal depending to a large extent on your bass, your technique, and your amp.

If you spend more time looking around this forum, you'll probably see pretty quickly that the Fishman Full Circle seems to deliver much better results for most folks than the older BP-100 model.

Good luck, and happy plucking.

[GutOil]

Originally Posted by shwashwa

no, you need a high input impedance. do a search, it's been covered here alot. the short answer, try the sansamp para driver or other high input impedance preamp(fishman platinum pro, etc)

The poster's Sansamp Bass Driver DI has a high impedance input (1M Ohm) and will work with the Fishman.

[mchildree]

I used a Sansamp Bass Driver DI on several gigs while I was looking for a Sansamp Acoustic DI, and it worked just fine...you just need to keep the distorto-tone dialed out (unless you like it).

[rick123]

When I played bass guitar I used SanAmp stuff exclusively. Used the stomp box and eventually got the rackmount model and was lost without them. I was never quite happy using them with upright bass and found the Fishman Platinum Pro superior for my taste and tone, using it with a K&K Bassmax and into the P.A. Every month or so I drag all that stuff out and try using it but still come back to the Fishman. I've read that the SansAmp Para Driver works well but can't afford the usual "field test".

[Rinso365]

Originally Posted by GutOil

The poster's Sansamp Bass Driver DI has a high impedance input (1M Ohm) and will work with the Fishman.

I was hoping someone would come out in favor of using the Sansamp Bass DI with the Fishman BP-100. I just recently got an URB and got a half-way decent deal on a used BP-100 (arrived in the mail yesterday!). I'm just trying to leverage some of the gear I already have for electric bass with my URB, at least in the short term. If I find myself getting some URB gigs (and I'm already getting harassed by 2 guys to come and jam with them....I'm not ready for that!) I'll invest in a more appropriate URB preamp. I'll run the BP-100 to the Sansamp into a 80 watt Ampeg combo amp I picked up on the cheap. If I can hear it and it sounds decent I'll be pleased. I'll use my hands to get a good sound.

Thanks again...I'll report back results once I get the pickup installed!!

Mike

[Marc Piane]

I used a Sansamp for years and still do when I need to send a direct line to the pa. I love it. Great little box.

The BP100 on the other hand might be the worst piece of DB gear I ever owned.

[Rinso365]

Originally Posted by fingers

I used a Sansamp for years and still do when I need to send a direct line to the pa. I love it. Great little box.

Hooray!

Originally Posted by fingers

The BP100 on the other hand might be the worst piece of DB gear I ever owned.

Oy vey!

[Marc Piane]

I should say that there are people that manage to get a usable tone from the BP100. I always found the tone to be thin, electric-y, and not very representative of the natural sound of my bass. There are tricks that guys use such as special eq-ing, attaching the contacts to the bridge with glue instead of the clips, attaching the contacts to a different spot than suggested by Fishman, etc. The Fishman pre might be better matched with that pickup too. I found it hard to use. It often gets sold to beginners because every store sells them. I think they are not a good first pickup. If your acoustic sound is in the infant stages of development then having a pickup that is hard to get a good tone out of is a tricky choice.