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Tonebone Bassbone 2 preamp
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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2
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512
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Sat October 18, 2008
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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50% of reviewers
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$212.50
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6.5
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supersize
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Description:
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The Bassbone features two ultra-clean signal channels with individual level controls to adjust each instrument as needed. Channel-1 can be used flat or can be enhanced with a choice of two contour curves. Normally, the primary bass is connected to input-1. EQ and primary tone shaping is set at the amplifier for this particular instrument. Input-2 is designed for the 2nd bass and features a very powerful EQ that allows the player to 'shape' the sound of the 2nd bass so that it sounds right with the same EQ settings. Channel-2 controls include instrument level and low, mid and high EQ settings. A toggle footswitch allows the musician to select between inputs 1 & 2. To add versatility, if a player only uses one bass, the toggle selector switch routes input-1 to either channel-1 or channel-2 thus adding a greater degree of performance flexibility with true 'dual-mode' control. But wait there's more! The Bassbone also has a boost circuit, Class-A of course, for soloing that applies on both channels. This is outfitted with a selector switch that can assign the foot switch to insert an effect-loop or insert both the effect loop and the boost circuit. This way, the player could add a bit of boost to his signal with a flanger plus echo at the same time without having to 'tap-dance' his way through a bunch of pedals.
The Bassbone also incorporates a tuner output and a direct XLR balanced out for the PA system. This allows the musician to use the Bassbone without an amp for small, club gigs. Like all Radial Tonebone products, the Bassbone features robust steel construction, baked enamel finish and heavy-duty foot switches. LED indicators for input / channel toggle select and boost on-off provide clear signal routing status.
Like all Radial Tonebone products, the Bassbone features robust 14 gauge steel construction, baked enamel finish and heavy-duty foot switches. LED indicators for input / channel toggle select and boost on-off provide clear signal routing status.
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Author
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runmikeyrun
Registered User
Registered: January 2001
Location: northeast Ohio
Posts: 59
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Review Date: Tue September 9, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: $259.99
| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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flexibility
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Cons:
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seems too expensive for all the features you can't use!
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I tried this out today as a bass preamp. I ran Ibanez 5 string into the tonebone, then into the power amp in of a fender combo.
It has two channels- ch 1 and ch 2, selectable by one of the two footswitches. The second footswitch switches in either a boost, effects loop, or both, which you can choose by a sliding switch above it.
Channel 1 is weak- the output is barely audible. Even engaging the boost at max the volume is only mild. It got the bass amp up to about bedroom practice volume. Channel 1 allows you to use 3 pre-set eq settings you choose from a sliding switch: flat, shape 1 and shape 2. There is a subtle difference between 1 and 2 and only a mild difference between either of those and flat. In ch 1 you can't use any of the eq knobs in the signal path!! You are supposed to use your amp's tone shaping. Well if you are going straight into a power amp, you will have no volume and almost no tone control, making ch 1 pretty useless. If you're using this before an amp, it might be better suited.
Channel 2 is better- you can use the tone controls (low, mid, high) and the boost to get a good loud volume into your power amp. But you can't use the contour switch! It's like one or the other, but not both.
The other features (fx loop, XLR, tuner out) were not tested.
To it's credit, the sounds i got out of channel 2 were pretty decent. The EQ seems to work fairly effectively. The unit is pretty quiet. The box seems very sturdily built, but the plastic press on knobs seems somewhat wimpy and are very reminiscent of the older DOD style. After a while the rubber on them gets chewed up and then they fall off.
For $150 this might be a better deal, but for $259 i would expect better tone shaping on both channels and more volume from channel one. There is no distortion control, which is present on many units of equal or lesser value.
Try before you buy- you might like it, or you might not. I didn't. In 15 years of playing i've tried a lot of gear and a lot of it never made it past the in-the-music-store test phase. I add the Tonebone to that list.
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no whining, no solos, no girls jeans, just pure math/stoner metal- www.myspace.com/dissolute
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rustynuts
Lost in NeverNeverLand
Registered: January 2008
Location: My Old Kentucky Home....
Posts: 2235
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Review Date: Sat October 18, 2008
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $165.00
| Rating: 9
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In all fairness, you "tried" it in an application that Radial specifically says not to use it in. It is not a preamp, and is not supposed to be used to drive a power amp....The manual mentions this a few times, i.e. in the FAQ:
Can I use the Bassbone straight into a power amplifier?
You can try, but you will most likely find that there is not enough level to drive a power amp to its maximum output. The reason for this is that the Bassbone is a unity gain device and is designed to drive a pre-amp such as found in bass and guitar amplifiers or the XLR mic input on a mixer.
Sort of like using a Bass Big Muff as a plectrum....It will probably work, but not as well as a 5 for a dollar pick would that is intended for that application.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bongomania
Knobs and switches don't scare the denizens of the fx forum.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ashtray
There's not too much difference between a bass made in Mexico by Mexicans, and one made in California... by Mexicans.  |
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