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Amps in a stompbox worth checking out?

cosmicevan

cosmicevan

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Inactive
Feb 1, 2003
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The edge of oscillation, New York
www.asteriskband.com
#1
I love the idea of having a collection of amps to play through to get different tones to loop/record together as well as just deciding today I'm going to play through amp x. Amps are massive and heavy though so I've turned to the stompbox recreations to get my fix. I've become enamored with the stompbox recreations of classic amps that Josh Broughton (@Azure Skies ) has been making/releasing and was curious what else is worth checking out? I'm not necessarily just looking for a pre-amp, but something more reminiscent of an actual specific amp...they don't need to be DI boxes, either...just looking to be able to have the voice of a classic amp in a stomp box.
 
#2
The [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (actually a preamp rather than just an EQ) is a B-15N in pedal form with some extra tone features that really add a lot to it’s versatility. Has more than enough oomph to drive the return of an effects loop so you can use it in place of your amp’s own preamp stage if your amp has a serial effects loop. 300W Ampeg B-15 anyone?

3A5CA4FD-E069-424E-AC07-8589F77C5DB8.jpeg


Gets a lot of love around here. And an absolute steal at $100 currently.

Highly recommended. :thumbsup:
 
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#5
Another interesting but very different one is Southampton’s Ictineo which is their take on the Zeibeck Submarine Designer preamp.

This is one of those chameleon-like preamps that has a lot going on under the hood. It can be a little tricky at times to get your head completely around it because it has a number of highly interactive controls to fiddle with. I’ve never found a bad sound in it. It’s not really something you can just sit down with and dial in precisely what you’re looking for until you spend some time with it. But that said, it’s time well spent since the tones it can provide are quite varied.

CA7E79DB-FCBA-4A7E-B795-5874BCEFB64A.jpeg



If you want “different” or you’re into variety, this is a pretty cool preamp to own. About $215 new direct.
 
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#6
40Hz said:
Another interesting but very different one is Southampton’s Ictineo which is their take on the Zeibeck Submarine Designer preamp.

This is one of those chameleon-like preamps that has a lot going on under the hood. It can be a little tricky at times to get your head completely around it because it has a number of highly interactive controls to fiddle with. I’ve never found a bad sound in it. It’s not really something you can just sit down with and dial in precisely what you’re looking for until you spend some time with it. But that said, it’s time well spent since the tones it can provide are quite varied.

View attachment 3459515


If you want “different” or you’re into variety, this is a pretty cool preamp to own. About $215 new direct.
Click to expand...

This one is actually my usual on one. So much love for this box.
 
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#10
TC SpectraDrive gives you a nice direct sound of BH bass heads. when plugged into amp, your amp starts to sound like a TC amp (at least, if your amp is transparent enough).
not sure if it's your cup of tea, that's personal anyway.
 
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#12
Disclosure: I have one in the classifieds right now, but I do think the AMT R2 does a very good job of almost nailing Mesa Dual Rec when setup correctly. Very slight differences, not better or worse, just different
 
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#13
For live shows I use an SVT head and either 810 or 410 depending on the venue. My D.I. is a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe. I've seen several well known bands play large venues without amps. All they use are pedals and have monitors on stage so they can hear each other. Sounds great because the audience is not getting the stage volume in the mix. It's something I've actually considered doing. I do a lot of music for television shows and never use an amp when I record. I use a Boss ME50B for bass and a Vox Valvetronix Tonelab ST for guitar. I run direct and always get a great sound. Both pedals are very versatile and allow me get a different sound just by pushing the foot switch.
 
#14
Hao s take on the tweed 59 bassman with no bass loss or fragile open back 4x10s to deal with it’s my go-to for mild old school overdrive, discontinued but with a quick net search you can find them. Bought mine on a whim having never heard one, no regrets.

8B35F15D-6ABA-4DE6-9920-347175F3D38C.jpeg
 
#17
How many of you own the real thing that these things model, OR, how do you know they sound authentic? I've been following digital guitar amps since the Johnson Millenium, and so far, none of them sounds like the real thing- some of which I do own, or have a/b'ed.
 
#18
Paulabass said:
How many of you own the real thing that these things model, OR, how do you know they sound authentic? I've been following digital guitar amps since the Johnson Millenium, and so far, none of them sounds like the real thing- some of which I do own, or have a/b'ed.
Click to expand...
Josh Broughton’s SV-Pre sounds just like BOTH my Ampeg V4B + SVT, and his Silver Deluxe nails the tone of my Silverface Super Bassman :)

Recently picked up a JohnK HD-130 preamp that also sounds super authentic, but I’ve never actually owned one of those amps yet
 
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#19
i've found that if the original amp is solid state that it's not too difficult to create an amp's preamp in pedal form. (i.e SS Traynors, SS Sunns, SS Peaveys, Musicman & vintage Acoustic amps). the tube amps are more difficult, and usually use Jfets to emulate the tubes.
 
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