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Double Bass Another pre-amp question

K

klem.gote

Jan 18, 2009
259
25
New England
Disclosures
Bass Player
#1
Hello. I've been checking out this forum for some time now, and while I've learned a lot here I'm still pretty much an audio tyro. I have a Fishman Pro Plat that I used for a year or so but when I got my AI Clarus I understood that I no longer needed a pre-amp. But now I'm wondering if my sound would benefit from a pre-amp. And if so, my bigger dilemma would be, how would I use two sets of tone controls and two high-pass filters? I'd love to hear what the more knowledgable sound people think. Thanks!!!
 
#2
Here's my opinion. If your amp provides something close to the optimal input impedance, good tone-shaping, and the filters you need/want, then the only substantial benefit of having a separate pre-amp would be to have local control. That is, assuming the pre-amp is closer to you than the amp, then you could tweak the sound easily. Personally, I would lose the pre-amp because, all other things being equal, extra devices in the signal chain have the potential to cause trouble.
 
#3
drurb said:
Here's my opinion. If your amp provides something close to the optimal input impedance, good tone-shaping, and the filters you need/want, then the only substantial benefit of having a separate pre-amp would be to have local control. That is, assuming the pre-amp is closer to you than the amp, then you could tweak the sound easily. Personally, I would lose the pre-amp because, all other things being equal, extra devices in the signal chain have the potential to cause trouble.
Click to expand...

+1
I tried using a Headway EDB-1 in front of the pre amps on both of my Walter Woods Amps. Frankly, I could get a better EQ using the Woods by themselves, or the Headway EDB-1 into the power amp section of the Woods. There are just to many settings to remember when you have two EQ sections.

Ric
 
#4
Hey guys!! Thanks for that, it's kind of what I was hoping to hear. Personally I like keeping things as simple as possible, just started wondering if there might be some benefit to the sound by adding the pre-amp. Been happy enough without it so I guess I'll continue. Thanks again!!!
 
#5
for me, the AI tone controls dont really cut it. you dont need a preamp per se because the AI has a good input impedance for our instrument, but i just cant get a good tone out of the thing, although some people like it alot. i use a preamp with that amp to get the tone where i want it. i leave everything on the AI flat and just use it as a volume control and do my tone shaping with the external device. or, you can just get a walter woods and not worry about it anymore.
 

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