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Poll: Best Metal/Hard Rock TUBE preamp

Best Metal/Hard Rock Tube Preamp

  • Eden WP-100 Navigator

    Votes: 5 33.3%

  • Fender TBP-1

    Votes: 1 6.7%

  • BBE BMax-T

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Demeter VTP 201S

    Votes: 1 6.7%

  • Alembic F 1X

    Votes: 1 6.7%

  • Other

    Votes: 7 46.7%
  • Total voters
    15
  • Poll closed .
Fawkes007

Fawkes007

Sep 13, 2005
869
18
SF Bay Area
#1
Pre-amp ONLY. Not an integrated pre/power amp. Currently available, no discontinued models if you fill in the "0ther" choice. Tube only. Remember, the application is hard rock/metal. ^m^!:bassist:

Oh, and by metal/hard rock, I mean Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, Led Zep
 
#5
depends, do you want clean or do you want a bit of grit?

I have experience with the eden and fender only... the eden is very versatile but has that eden color to it and can get a bit gritty if you want. the fender has a separate distortion channel but is more vintage sounding than the eden which can be more modern and swr type clean

I play heavy rock and my preference of pre comes down to what bass I am using. recently I have been using an EBS microbass II with a squier 5ver, but if I use my warwicks I prefer the fender and eden with their tubes. the EBS is very very clean but then again it is also SS
 
#7
The two best preamps I have used which can give me an awesome rock tone right off the bat are the Trace Elliot V-Type and the Aguilar DB 659. Sadly, both are discontinued, but they do come up used from time to time.

That said, I have happily gigged out in a hard rock/heavy metal setting with a dozen or more other preamps. It's just that the V-Type and the 659 do rock/metal so darned well. :bassist: :bassist: :bassist:

Tom.
 
#8
Son of Bovril said:
depends, do you want clean or do you want a bit of grit?
Click to expand...

A bit of grit. I'm primarily using a passive Lull PJ4 or my StingRay for the metal/rock gigs I currently play. I've got clean/modern covered already with my Roscoe and the Thunderfunk. So, yeah, that tube grind thing is what I'm after. Not having any roadies, an SVT is out of the question!

Thanks for all the responses, gang! Keep them coming!
 
#11
Oreomeister365 said:
Sansamp RBI

It's not tube, but I can't think of a better preamp for rock/metal, really.
Click to expand...

I've gotta agree. The RBI does an excellent job of tube emulation... power tube emulation, in particular... and I'm a guy who grew up playing vintage SVT's, and has owned a bunch of tube preamps, including but not limited to:
Ampeg SVP-Pro
Alembic F2B
SWR Interstellar Overdrive
Read Purity

They're all great preamps, but the RBI is my choice for aggressive rock tone.
 
#13
+2 for the RBI, the best tubeless tube preamp out there.

I know you said currently in production, but I'll also throw in a vote for the Peavey TB Raxx preamp, it's long discontinued but can be found easily for under $150.
 
#15
also love my RBI...but I have been playing my GK 2001 rbp more often..great rock tone..but probably not a tuby rock tone...It is nice to not have the weight and concerns associated with tubes, though it is not the same thing soundwise

Not sure if Steve Harris uses tube pre amps or not..I know they are custom made and go into Marshall/412 EV cabs
 
#20
Fuzzbass said:
If I had to choose just one I'd go with the RBI because I like the sparkle I get from the Presence control (through my tweeterless cabinet)... but I currently use both the RBI and RPM together. Best of both worlds!
:bassist:
Click to expand...

Wich one would you recommend for a clean tone?

I'm also looking for a new amp. (Right now I go Line6 POD into poweramp into Hartke 4x10 alu-cones.)
I consider ditching the POD for a preamp.

I have a BDDI (pedal) on loan and go directly into the poweramp. I like it, especially the presence control. Sparkle sparkle. :)
But I don't need the grit, drive is set very low.

I don't know if a Sansamp rack pre would be good for me, I don't have the chance to try them out.

Any thoughts? I also play metal... but prefer a clean sound. :)
 

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