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Bass Preamp

B

bearjew

Guest
Apr 22, 2013
7
0
#1
Alright, so I have a 5-string Spector Rebop bass, a Carvin 1x15 cab, and an Ampeg 4x10 cab. I'm running a GK goldline 500 head, which I hate with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns. A buddy of mine offered me a QSC power amp that can power the cabs better, but now I need a preamp. I'm looking into buying the BBE BMAX-T tube pre. Any ideas on if it's any good? Is there anything comparable that I should investigate? I'm playing in a technical death metal band, so I need a very clean sound, but I want some balls and bite to it, too. I like the idea of the tube pre, but I'm willing to part with that idea if something better exists. I realize that asking for the "best bass pre" is a stupid question, but obviously that's what I'm looking for. Anyway... suggestions?
 
#3
What kind of power amp do you have? is it rack mounted?
If so, I would look into buying a tech 21 sansamp RBI preamp.
They have it as a rack mount and/or a pedal. Has bite and some OD. I love mine.

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Check out the site. You can see BASS PLAYER 2009 next to the ones i'm talking about. They use to have sound clips, but i'm not sure now. You can probably find some on youtube.
 
#4
The power amp is a QSC 2450. I don't know much about it, but I know QSC makes decent power amps, and it's only temporary until I can save up for a better one. It is going to be rackmounted.
 
#9
The BMax-T is a very SMOOOOTH sounding preamp -- Balls & Bite are not how I would describe it.

If you can find a 2nd hand Yamaha PB-1, that might give you a punchier tone, but still very clean & warm.

Trace Elliot V-Type, or Aguilar DB659, or a Tech 21 RPM might be more what you're looking for as well.

P.S. the PB-1 has a crossover as well.
 
#10
I found the BBE unit not to my tastes. YMMV. The PB-1 by Yamaha however is a sure bet. I'd pass on the Carvin as well, you can find one space pre's that will slay. There's a Demeter Pre in the classifieds right now. (That I want to buy but I'm not letting myself) Thats a bad $$ pre-amp.
 
#12
bearjew said:
and I just read that the Carvin Redlines have tons of issues, so I'm going to stay away from that.
Click to expand...

The issues I was able to find quickly on the net all seemed to be related to the power amp section and the cabs.

I used the preamp for about 3 years with no issues whatsoever. Very flexible tone shaping, great compression, and the two outputs to the amp can be used as biamped with the crossover, or as two full range to balance the levels between different cabs.

The only other preamp, (besides Alembic) I can recommend from experience is the Ashly BP41. It has some great features, and is well regarded on the interwebs.
 
#13
I have the BBE-BMax (not the tube version) and have used it in metal bands for several years. I love it for a clean, hi-fi tone with plenty of headroom when paired with a high-wattage power amp, which I find to be the best way to fit in a metal mix while remaining clearly audible. When I want "balls and bite" I get it from my playing technique and/or pedals.
 
#15
yeah, i kind of expect that the "balls" and "bite" and stuff i'll be doing on my own. i just need something that has a nice clean sound. i wasn't really thinking when i posted earlier, but i guess most of that stuff is more from me and the bass than the amp itself. thanks guys, but i'm rolling with that BBE. i've read a lot about it, and it sounds like the way to go for me.
 

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