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Abominable Beta Bass Preamp?!?

#24
socialleper said:
Here's one on Reverb that LWA has for sale. Goes for $280 new. I was a little low there.
Lone Wolf Audio LWA 120 | Reverb

I guess you have me on the DA 120 pedal. They aren't very common and I don't recall seeing a price on the website. (It's blocked on the machine I'm using right now.)
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Yeah they are usually a bit on the higher side. But I get it. They're hand built, usually buy one or two people. Somewhat in high demand especially amongst the forums communities. Plus, they're really nice pedals. I'm not usually patient enough though and I suck at saving haha so I usually get what I want when I have the money to do so. It's nearly impossible for to wait for say a dunwich volt thrower or something like that. But that's my fault and no one else's.

I can also see how some of those guys could fume a little on social media. If I got continuous email after email of the same questions being asked about something that is most likely already on their website. yeah, that could get seriously frustrating. I usually don't go out of my way to "ban" a brand either unless I have a really good reason to or something they did affected me or a friend personally. And that almost never happens.
 
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#25
friendlybass said:
What's a beta preamp? I've been in the market for a di/preamp as a step up from my sansamp
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If I understand what Abominable is up to, they are attempting to reconstruct the EQ and gain stage of the classic Sunn Beta amp and put it in a pedal without a power amp. Sort of like the concept behind an Aguilar Tonehammer pedal or the innumerable SVT pedals out there. I don't think we have the details yet as to whether it will have a DI or if you will just run it like a pedal.
It seems like the stoner\doom crowd as a real thing for these older amps that distort pretty well. I guess that is what they are after. I asked the question "what is so special about the Sunn Beta" but haven't received a response. I guess you have to be one of those people that "know."
 
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#26
gregmon79 said:
It's nearly impossible for to wait for say a dunwich volt thrower or something like that. But that's my fault and no one else's.
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Not to derail the thread, but you are preaching to the choir on that one. It took me the better part of a year to nab a Volt Thrower. I've been waiting since November for a sale of the ODB pedals. They say they are "printed" (I don't know if that means the PCBs or the cases) but Dunwich's mass production builder has been on the fritz for a month. Dunwich has been pumping out some awesome looking custom work in the meantime.
The upside of Abominable is that you can order something and get it. If his is busy, it could take up to 2 months, but you will get it. Dunwich is totally reliable and won't screw you around, but you better have Zen like patience. If DA can't do something, he will be straight with you.
 
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#27
As a very happy owner of the correct sound custom beta hybrid I hope this is a good beta preamp

The correct sound is 2 preamps in one. A beta and a tube pre. They can run independent or stacked, which is awesome . But it's 12vac which can be an issue for some. But the cioks can handle it

I love the Beta Preamp. And I'm sure this will be a good one The $300 might be fair but could be an obstacle since the cssb is $389.

Having said that I am eager to hear a demo. I love preamps!!!
 
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#28
I used the original Sunn Beta Bass schematic to make my own and, IMO, it's frickin' awesome:

betabass-01.jpg


betabass-02.jpg



 
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#30
socialleper said:
It seems like the stoner\doom crowd as a real thing for these older amps that distort pretty well. I guess that is what they are after. I asked the question "what is so special about the Sunn Beta" but haven't received a response. I guess you have to be one of those people that "know."
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Yeah it is definitely a stoner/doom thing and Abominable really caters to that crowd. I guess it is hard to quantify what is special about any sound but with the Beta you can get really huge tones that aren't too scooped or too modern sounding. They're also known to take fuzz pedals really well.
 
#33
jumbodbassman said:
has anyone tried the sunnbather yet. ity does look interesting
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At $333 I bet it will be a while before we get a review. That guy from Abominable just rubs me the wrong way which is why I have never bought a pedal off him. Seems to be constantly pissed off at his customers for daring to email him about ETA on pedals. It's one thing to feel a certain way, but it's a mistake to publicize it. I am always miffed at customers in my own business, but the last thing I'd do is post Facebook and Instagram postings about it. Must be a generational thing.
 

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