Bass preamp. What should I buy?

[Systolic]

I've been a pre+power amp guy for years and I've been through tons of pres. Just picked up a Palmer Pocket Amp. Ummm search looks to be over.

 

[ebozzz]

I've been a pre+power amp guy for years and I've been through tons of pres. Just picked up a Palmer Pocket Amp. Ummm search looks to be over.

You beat me to that one!

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[Bassheart365]

If I were putting together a rack rig, this pre would be the one. I always liked the Joe Meek VC6, but the U5 is just IT. Made a believer out of me.

The Avalon U5 is literally a masterpiece of engineering and art.

 

[mattattack187]

The Avalon U5 is literally a masterpiece of engineering and art.

That thing is pricey but if I had the need for one, that would be my choice. Sounds so good with just the Bass and no EQ going into it.

 

[dave_bass5]

Ive not used many pre amps, but i keep going back to the BDDI. The latest version has a mid control, so not only is there no lack of mids, you can boost them at one of two freqs. Keeping the blend knob in check means you can add just a little bit of magic to the tone, without changing the basic tone too much.
Ive also got the Q/strip, and while this is amazingly versatile, its an EQ pedal more than anything else.

In the first post the OP mentions about his DI tone being quite dry. Id say a clean per amp isnt going to do much about this, whereas boxes like the BDDI will add character as well.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

I just picked up a TC electronics Spectra Drive. It has built in Spectra Comp and Drive. Lots of versatility tone shaping wise and tons of gain on tap ( IMHO way more gain than the Boss M-81) And with the Spectra comp engaged nice punchy tone with not too much tone squish at low levels. It kicked my M-81 off my Board and is now always on where the M-81 was just used when needed.

 

[dave_bass5]

I had the Spectradrive when it first came out (portably the first one in the UK). I loved it at first but then started thinking It wasnt really doing as much as my BDDI had been doing, and I could only have one or the other on my board. The BDDI won, and my Spectracomp came back as well.