Advantages of preamp pedals

[NickyBass]

I've been considering a nice preamp pedal. It got me thinking though...should I be looking at other amps instead? I like my TH500, but I want to get a more 'wooly' tone out of it. I could be looking at a used DB750 instead. So, if anyone knows, it would be this forum...what are the advantages of having a preamp pedal, and why did you chose that format over a different head?

There are some obvious advantages...having multiple tones with less space, going ampless/in ears, or having something for recording. But, assuming none of those apply, would you still go the preamp pedal route?

 

[Parzival]

I play passive basses and even though the amp has a preamp, a pedal preamp in addition just gives me more. And it can give you something different. Everyone is different. Even with a great amp, I would still consider one, just because options. I am considering picking up an active bass next year. If I do, I will probably just run tuner and compressor into amp. That is the way I did it when I used to have an active bass and it was great. The problem in getting a preamp pedal is finding the one that is right for you.

 

[NickyBass]

That makes sense.
And I should say, this is a genuine question. I'm really curious because it will help me make the right decision.
One other advantage that I just thought of was having a DI to send to FOH. I could give the sound guy a direct tone and then use my amp to dial in for the stage mix.

 

[knumbskull]

You pretty much listed the main reasons for having a preamp pedal!

So if you genuinely feel that none of those apply to you, i’d be looking for a new amp, if your current one isn’t quite doing the business.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I've been considering a nice preamp pedal. It got me thinking though...should I be looking at other amps instead? I like my TH500, but I want to get a more 'wooly' tone out of it. I could be looking at a used DB750 instead. So, if anyone knows, it would be this forum...what are the advantages of having a preamp pedal, and why did you chose that format over a different head?

There are some obvious advantages...having multiple tones with less space, going ampless/in ears, or having something for recording. But, assuming none of those apply, would you still go the preamp pedal route?

I like having a preamp with me for the sake of having to play through other backline amps by plugging into the effects return, essentially I know I can get my sound anywhere. Preamp pedals typically, too; give some EQ flexibility that amps may not, and also can provide some amp-like grit. Having multiple preamps on a board that you can turn off and on gives you the option to switch for the song you're playing as well. If you're looking for more of a tube pre amp sound before the Tonehammer, or even as an alternative I couldn't recommend Sushi Box pre's enough!

 

[NickyBass]

I like having a preamp with me for the sake of having to play through other backline amps by plugging into the effects return, essentially I know I can get my sound anywhere. Preamp pedals typically, too; give some EQ flexibility that amps may not, and also can provide some amp-like grit. Having multiple preamps on a board that you can turn off and on gives you the option to switch for the song you're playing as well. If you're looking for more of a tube pre amp sound before the Tonehammer, or even as an alternative I couldn't recommend Sushi Box pre's enough!

Great point, and one I should have thought of. I played in a few original bands. I would say it was half and half-- my rig or backline provided. I brought a Sansamp with me because I was familiar with it and sometimes it was easier to dial in the tone on the Sansamp and leave the backline flat.

 

[Zbysek]

I own multiple amps and multiple preamps. Second/third/fourth amp serve different function than preamp pedals...

Some advantages of preamp pedals (other than those you have already mentioned):

• they can be powered by 9/18 volts
• some of them can be powered via phantom power from the mixer
• they can be operated via foot
• most of them are smaller and lighter than amps
• they are cheaper than their amp-equivalent (for example: Aguilar TH preamp pedal is cheaper than your TH 500)
• some preamps offer better/different features compared to the amp-equivalent

 

[NickyBass]

You pretty much listed the main reasons for having a preamp pedal!

So if you genuinely feel that none of those apply to you, i’d be looking for a new amp, if your current one isn’t quite doing the business.

That was my thought process. But I know that preamp pedals are popular, so I thought I should get some opinions from the effects board.

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I own multiple amps and multiple preamps. Second/third/fourth amp serve different function than preamp pedals...

Some advantages of preamp pedals (other than those you have already mentioned):

• they can be powered by 9/18 volts
• some of them can be powered via phantom power from the mixer
• they can be operated via foot
• most of them are smaller and lighter than amps
• they are cheaper than their amp-equivalent (for example: Aguilar TH preamp pedal is cheaper than your TH 500)
• some preamps offer better features than the amp-equivalent

well put! The Tonehammer 500 has the option to run into the effects return as well, if you really wanted a different sound from your current rig it could be achieved

 

[Zbysek]

The Tonehammer 500 has the option to run into the effects return as well, if you really wanted a different sound from your current rig it could be achieved

Exactly.

Some players own just one amp and use different preamps to achieve variety of sounds...

 

[john_g]

I recently got a preamp pedal. I got it mostly so that I can go ampless in some of the tight places we occasionally play. I play through a PA 100% of the time and all but the singer are on IEM's. Plus it gives me a consistent level and tone out to the mixer. Using DI from my amps, a place might be larger and I can turn up my amp a bit, so then I need to mess with the gain and master to get the level out. Its not a big deal but lets me more consistent.

 

[57pbass]

I only use pre amps with my powered cabinet…never with my traditional bass amp.
With my traditional amp..Between my active bass and the controls of the bass head that I usually leave flat ..there’s more than enough EQ power available…adding a third option is not necessary for me.

 

[BioDriver]

It gives additional tone-shaping you otherwise wouldn't get in passive basses. Plus, since my preamp has a DI it allows me to go ampless when I play gigs (which is great since I can't fit an amp in my Alfa)

 

[Zbysek]

I've just realised there is one more reason for me to use preamp pedal with an amp: separate tone-shaping. The way I want to shape my sound for FOH is not always what I need for my on-stage monitoring.

I shape my sound for FOH at the preamp. I use the EQ on my amp to give me the frequencies which I need for my monitoring without affecting FOH.

 

[raventepes]

I'm in a rebuilding phase of life, but coming from a bass guitar background that spans back to 1994, by technical accounts, but it wasn't till 1996 that I bought my first bass of my own. I'm literally starting from square one, with my accumulated knowledge, past to present, and I did a ton of critical thinking.

In the end, it occurred to me that every time I turn around, I'm telling people to plug into the PA. And it struck me. With modern electronics, I can sort of cut out part of the middle man and expense by creating modular system based around the concept of a personal Micro PA consisting of a Sub, and Speaker, for stage volume, single speaker for rehearsal volume, and whatever I decide to plug into (headphones included) for quiet practice, and I've been thinking about adding my own Floor Monitor for good measure, when needed, that can, of course be sent to Front of House, while my personal speakers simply blend into the rest of the PA, bumping the signal, for myself. I'm using a 75 Watt PA speaker I found at Walmart for quiet, amplified practice, with the added versatility of it having a rechargeable battery, giving it unlimited portability.

This gives me a level of flexibility where I can add, subtract, and build on existing gear for any situation, while the core of it remains in travel-friendly case. It also lends itself to more available money to try wild ideas, like the EBS MicroBass 3/ Mesa Boogie Subway Plus "Brain Core" hybrid I cooked up. I'm just waiting on the Subway to show up, on Monday, and I'll be linking it up to my MicroBass, and 10-Band MXR EQ for final signal tweaks.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm an overdrive/distortion guy for rock, but many of my dirt pedals also function as preamps. To explain: these dirt pedals have versatile EQ, as opposed to just a single tone control or even treble/bass. They also (often) have an XLR DI output, which is common for non-effect preamp pedals. In short, they are essentially preamps that happen to have overdrive/distortion.

I play plenty of non-rock gigs where I dial the OD way down or even off, and it's nice to have additional tone shaping capability in my signal path even when I'm really happy with the amp I'm using.

I'm not recommending dirt-pedal-as-preamp, just explaining a use case. If you have no need for overdrive/distortion, then there's no reason to include these OD preamps in your search. There are complications: with some you might not be able to remove the OD entirely. Also, some have built-in tone coloration even with overdrive off.

However it's important to note that some clean preamp pedals are also "colorful". If you like the coloration then it's a good thing, and in fact some choose certain preamps because they want the inherent color ("warmth", "crispness", etc) in addition to EQ and DI.

 

[NickyBass]

A lot of good reasons here. I have a better understanding of how they are being utilized. Thanks for the replies. I think, for my needs, I will continue to keep an eye on the pedal preamps, but I am going to switch my search over to amps/cabs. Who knows, maybe I'll end up with a pedal, but it seems like what I'm really looking for is a new rig.

 

[deepestend]

It's all in how you want to use it. I have my broughton preamp pedal at the end of my chain and plug into the amp effects return. I just use the preamp pedal to tune to the room and since it's on my board, it's always the same no matter what amp I play through.

 

[bassbrad]

I use amp style preamps from various types, styles and eras to cop the tones and feels that otherwise might not be readily available or even affordable. After playing through so many amps over 50 years I have a lot of experiences and like to be able to access them again for my hands and ears.
For live playing it offers a consistency of tone to fit the style no matter if I'm playing through my amp, monitor or IEM.
For recording it allows me to add color and sound of different amps from crystal clean to grungy to vintage vibe.
I rely on my @Sushi Box FX preamps but have several others that get regular play as well as occasionally using a Zoom or DAW model. Primarily I use an Underground Accelerator as an excellent all around, clean but can get spanky if pushed.

 

[Wfrance3]

Don't laugh at my home musician grade Zoom Pedal, but I like the Ross Compressor model in my Zoom B1 Four. I Have a home setup that includes an MXR M81. My "real" pedalboard has a Genzler Magellan Preamp. I use the Zoom on both. I use the M76 compressor model as well still. Both the Ross model and the M76 are helpful for coaxing the rasp (wooliness)out of my P bass. Sorry to derail this thread to compression, but it speaks to the OP request for more "wooly". The MXR M81 with the input and output both at about 3 o'clock, bass at 1 mid sweep around 7, mid at 2, and treble at 2:30, plus either of the compressor models mentioned (zoom's stock settings) make me happy...