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Micro Amp Head Suggestion / Solution Idea

#21
burgerdj said:
GR makes “pure” poweramps
Seymour Duncan makes the PowerStage
Baby Sumo
Jay Ganz Straight Ahead
Ashdown Ant

I know there are others, but these are top of mind. I am revamping my set up in the next few months and will likely go with the Straight Ahead and a preamp/DI on my pedalboard.
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I tried going this route with limited success. First up was the Sumo, standard bass preamps ( Mesa Subway + in my case) was not enough to drive it - turns out the Sumo only has an unbalanced input. I went through lots of back and forth with Sumo and @agedhorse before determining that it was not a good match. I also tried the Straight Ahead, I felt that the amp was a bit too flimsy for regular gig handling. I would think that the GRs would be good, or the Demeter, both are fairly pricey though. So these days I'm happy with my good pold bass amp with built in pre.
 
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#22
bherman said:
I tried going this route with limited success. First up was the Sumo, standard bass preamps ( Mesa Subway + in my case) was not enough to drive it - turns out the Sumo only has an unbalanced input. I went through lots of back and forth with Sumo and @agedhorse before determining that it was not a good match. I also tried the Straight Ahead, I felt that the amp was a bit too flimsy for regular gig handling. I would think that the GRs would be good, or the Demeter, both are fairly pricey though. So these days I'm happy with my good pold bass amp with built in pre.
Click to expand...
By “flimsy” do you mean construction of the unit or its power delivery?
 
#24
burgerdj said:
GR makes “pure” poweramps
Seymour Duncan makes the PowerStage
Baby Sumo
Jay Ganz Straight Ahead
Ashdown Ant

I know there are others, but these are top of mind. I am revamping my set up in the next few months and will likely go with the Straight Ahead and a preamp/DI on my pedalboard.
Click to expand...

Yep - was going to mention all of these but you beat me to it. :)
 
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#25
I just came across a picture of an old SWR Spellbinder Blue combo amp that has an EQ bypass switch. So it has been done before, just not common. SWR seemed to have a greater variety of features in their bass amps than other makes from what I've seen. I don't know if any of their other amps have that bypass capability. Interesting though.
 
#26
SOUTH PAW said:
I just came across a picture of an old SWR Spellbinder Blue combo amp that has an EQ bypass switch. So it has been done before, just not common. SWR seemed to have a greater variety of features in their bass amps than other makes from what I've seen. I don't know if any of their other amps have that bypass capability. Interesting though.
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The eq bypass doesn’t bypass the other voicing circuits.

The WD-800 has an eq bypass (foot)switch but it too doesn’t bypass the Walkabout voicing circuits. Either the aux input or effects return will bypass all voicing circuits including eq.
 
#29
Put me down as another who plugs their preamp pedal into the amp input (currently an Ampeg PF500, but previously a Warwick Gnome, which, I think, fits the micro amp description). To me, it’s a whole hell of a lot easier to adjust volume or tweak EQ on my amp, rather than the board. Plus it allows me to run my preamp at (or around) unity, so I have the option to bypass it.

The Gnome’s preamp was pretty transparent, so I didn’t feel like it was adulterating my tone too badly. The Ampeg’s more opinionated voice probably affects my pedal board’s tone some, but I have no complaints.

Unless it’s some kind of wonky amp whose voice is just too hard to iron out, I would probably not worry about it having a way to bypass the preamp.
 
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#30
Stingray5 said:
The 'Pure' button on GR One heads do just this:

ONE – GRBass

www.grbass.com www.grbass.com

"Through the “PURE” switch you can exclude filters and equalizer and have a completely flat sound to be combined if necessary with an external equalizer"

IIRC Ashdown had or has an amp with a similar bypass feature.

Why it's not popular I'm not sure, but between the ability to use the effects loop / aux in, or simply setting EQ flat (which I do understand is not always 'flat' depending on the amp), perhaps it's just not a priority and/or the demand just isn't there.
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I think the signal still runs through the GR's preamp, it just takes all filters out of the circuit; I don't think it turns it into a power amp.

Some hi-fi audio integrated amps have a feature like this.
 
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#31
This thread inspired me to take my Eden WT390 to my gig last night. I basically keep the eq on the head pretty flat anyway, but I experimented with taking the eq in and out via the little button on the front of the amp with my Sansamp in the loop. I gotta say, it’s a really great feature. I brought the eq in when I needed more bass and treble cut for a few reggae songs, then took it right back out for my utility tone.
 
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#32
Well, ideas need to be properly vetted, and I think this one got a good dose of that, so thanks to everyone that helped to accomplish that goal. So in my understanding (limited for sure) the conclusions are;

1. Most everyone is satisfied with a micro bass amp large enough to provide the features - effects loop, aux in, and ability to adjust the preamp to a flat enough setting, to not really benefit or feel the need for a switch to completely bypass the preamp. They could easily accomplish the bypass by using any one of those options.

2. There's not enough interest in the small group of users with micro amps too small to have most of the above mentioned features, and, even though they usually have the aux in feature, its limited by the somewhat fragile 1/8" jack.

3. Those most interested in bypassing the preamp in a very small micro amp, already have the mini power amp choices mentioned by a few responses listing them. With this choice, especially the Demeter, I personally would rather have their preamp and a switch to bypass it, than a power amp only. IMHO, it would be much more versatile, and also still gain the interest of those who would never use it as a power amp.


SP
 
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#33
burgerdj said:
GR makes “pure” poweramps
Seymour Duncan makes the PowerStage
Baby Sumo
Jay Ganz Straight Ahead
Ashdown Ant

I know there are others, but these are top of mind. I am revamping my set up in the next few months and will likely go with the Straight Ahead and a preamp/DI on my pedalboard.
Click to expand...
That's what I did.

IMG_9716.jpg
 
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#36
burgerdj said:
I love this setup! I keep my pedals off the deck, too - and really like the idea of fewer cases to carry for gigs. Trust you’re happy with the output of the SAPA?
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Thanks! Been using this setup ever since I purchased the SAPA. Very happy w/ the results. It brings everything I need w/ plenty of power and the preamp of your choice.
SOUTH PAW said:
Sweet. Are the angled supports for the power amp and preamp, something you made, or purchased?
Click to expand...
Thanks! I tried a few different tablet stands until I found this foldable expandable aluminum laptop/ tablet/ phone stand by Whardeeg for only $15.00 on Amazon. Originally I was just looking for a way to perch the preamp above the board. Then realized the usable space behind it and thought the SAPA would fit perfectly. A large document clip is used a backstop of the SAPA. A really handy little gadget.

IMG_9718.jpg


IMG_9713.jpg


IMG_9910.jpg


IMG_9911.jpg
 
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#37
2saddleslab said:
Thanks! Been using this setup ever since I purchased the SAPA. Very happy w/ the results. It brings everything I need w/ plenty of power and the preamp of your choice.

Thanks! I tried a few different tablet stands until I found this foldable expandable aluminum laptop/ tablet/ phone stand by Whardeeg for only $15.00 on Amazon. Originally I was just looking for a way to perch the preamp above the board. Then realized the usable space behind it and thought the SAPA would fit perfectly. A large document clip is used a backstop of the SAPA. A really handy little gadget.

View attachment 7029669

View attachment 7029677

View attachment 7029679

View attachment 7029680
Click to expand...

Pretty clever design. Simple, affordable, and I like how it looks custom. Also has the perfect angle for tweaking adjustments and still provides easy connection access to the preamp.
 
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#38
Not really what this thread is after, but I recently noticed this little 50 watt power amp:

Micro amplifier 50 Watts

SviSound - handmade electronic devices for musicians. Guitar, synthesizer, violin. Effects, amplifiers, cabinets
www.svisound.com www.svisound.com
Also the 30 watt amp that's 1"x1"x4":

Nano amplifier 30 Watts

SviSound - handmade electronic devices for musicians. Guitar, synthesizer, violin. Effects, amplifiers, cabinets
www.svisound.com www.svisound.com

They might be ok for a home setup with pre-amp pedals.
 
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#40
SOUTH PAW said:
Following up on my conclusions;

4. It’s more useful to have a bypass switch for just the eq section of an amp.
Click to expand...
Which is an odd conclusion given the answers you have received and your post #32.

If it’s important to YOU, that’s fine but it’s a giant stretch to conclude that it’s important to most other players IMO.
 

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