Head in a box? Is it worth it?!

[nOrOOtnOtes]

Good morning, afternoon or evening,

For the past 10 years now i've had pretty much the exact same live rig. 5 str P bass into a GK 800 rb head. Its so damn crispy + punchy and DIs super well in the studio. I've never had any problems with it but gigging post-pan venues are wanting fewer and fewer hands on stage moving amps/plugging things in etc.

Do any of you have experience with the GK plex preamp pedal? I know it retails for close to $500 (CAD) but from what I've heard it sounds quite close to the 800 rb. How about just a solid, all around, sounds-huge-and-makes-everything-sound-better preamp DI pedal? Not having the subs from the amp on stage would be sad indeed but I figure Geddy Lee hasn't used an amp onstage in like 30 years so it must be possible.

Would love to hear your thoughts

-nrn

 

[4Mal]

The tone hammer and Subway DI are both very good. I preferred the Subway enough to purchase a D-800+ which I like a lot. No experience with the PLEx. I also have a 700-RB-II which is a great daily driver.

Personally I like move a little air. Not a ton but more than I would get from high passed wedges.

 

[Jack]

I had a few issues with my Plex, the power cycling and the output levels. None at all with the sound though, it sounds GREAT and very much like a real GK head.

 

[4Mal]

You could also take one of the micro GK heads 200, 500, mb fusion. They are all happy with no cab. I've put a bunch of low volume dates on a 200 and hundreds if not more on a 500 and mb-fusion.

 

[DonaldR]

I have not tested it, but there's a GK 800RB model in Line 6 Helix/Stomp/Pod Go.

 

[Jack]

I have not tested it, but there's a GK 800RB model in Line 6 Helix/Stomp/Pod Go.

I have, and that is also brilliant.

 

[jad]

I have not tested it, but there's a GK 800RB model in Line 6 Helix/Stomp/Pod Go.

Most of my HX Stomp presets are based on it! I've not A/Bed it with an actual 800RB to see how close they are.

 

[Danny C]

Arkham Oracle

 

[Zbysek]

Check the preamp megathread-lots of information there

The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

 

[steveksux]

I have the PLEX, and used it for quite a while using IEMs, very good sounding for a solid state pre.

I ended up switching back to my ADA MB-1 lately, which is a monster sounding preamp. But the Plex holds up very well to it. I wanted something I could actually rack mount though, was using magnets to hold the PLEX to the front of my rack. Otherwise might still be using it. I use PLEX as a practice amp at home now, and love the sound.

I'm not an effects/overdrive guy, so I haven't tried it's overdrive/grit settings.

Randy