BASS PREAMPS,YOUR FAVORITE!

[SamJ]

I have a 3leaf Enabler and MXR-M81, both work fine, but my goal is an Alembic SF-2! That is the Rolls Royce of Pre-amps in my book.

 

[Daniel Piper]

What about the B7K did you like better than the vintage deluxe?

I'll rank the ones I've owned

1) Darkglass B7K
2) Darkglass VMT deluxe
3) EBS Valvedrive
4) Tech 21 VTDI
5) Tech 21 Sansamp 3 channel BDDI

 

[Rocksolid]

Anyone power a preamp with the VT bass?? I don't know if it gets a full 1.4v oupu.

Yep - Running my Pedal baord with a VT Bass deluxe into a QSC PLX 1804. I use the 1/4 out 10dB boost these days, but was driving my Power amp without using the boost. I personally think they have plenty of output to drive a power amp.

 

[Turock]

Demeter VTBP-201

 

[AgressivePassiv]

What about the B7K did you like better than the vintage deluxe?

For me it's because the B7K's distortion cuts through in a live setting better.

 

[CrashClint]

I keep one of these in the top pocket of my gig bag, it goes wherever my bass goes! Good call

I am going to buck the trend a bit here. If this thread was started in the amps section I'd say V4B as I am very pleased with the live sound from the simple tube amp. If this thread was posted in recording I'd probably mention my Reddi which I am happy to run into any high quality mic pre in a studio.

But what I can't live without is my little Fdeck HPF-Pre

 

[kurotenshi]

Ever since I got into the EBS tone I've been in love with it. For sheer tone the ValveDrive is an amazing preamp but the Microbass II is every bit as good sounding and has more options than I could ever ask for so... for me it's the Microbass II.

 

[Sweet Willie]

There's a rehearsal studio I like in NYC that uses the Demeter VTBP-1 as the preamp in their bass rigs. (Can't remember now, but I think Hafler power amps.) I've been quite pleased using those with the Bergantino cabs they have there, too.

I have always liked, but never owned, the Kern IP-777. Buttery, deep bass. Lovely. There was a Kern pre-Peavey power-early Epifani 2x12 rig I played once that was a trip to heaven.

I have a Warwick Quadruplet preamp that I like a lot. More flexibility than I need - I tend to prefer fewer knobs and options. However, it is really packed with tone, and has been playing quite nicely with the 1U Peavey DPC-1400X power amp in my rack and my Bag End cabs.

 

[vigor&kandor]

My favorite preamp i ever owned. sounded amazing.

I still own this one and thought mine is noisy, it sure is fun.

 

[nervous]

Ordered me an Eden WTDI to replace my Sansamp BDDI. My need are not so sophisticated.

Hopefully a satisfactory. single box solution to live FOH and IEM needs. I found the on-board simple compressor a very attractive option as well as a mid-range control.

 

[friendlybass]

swr grand prix!

 

[waveman]

I'll throw out an oddball choice...the ADA MB-1

Very versatile. You can mix tube and solid state gain stages. Excellent mild to moderate overdrive. Powerful semi parametric EQ. Usable compression and chorus. Two effects loops that can be independently switched in and out. Adjustable crossover if you desire.

You can save multiple banks of presets for clean vs. dirty, different basses, etc.

Yeah, I'd like to have one of those. I have an MP-1 for guitar, and love it. I remember when I was younger, and this guy had one of those with the ADA Power Amp and Hartke cabs, and it sounded fantastic

 

[Smit_Dogg]

I use a Tech 21 VT Bass and a MXR M81 Bass Preamp. Either individually or combined. I like the fatness and tube emulating properties of the VT and the crystaline, almost piano like, clarity you can get from the M81. Both serve good purposes. In combined mode i put the VT into a fat and warm SVT tube sound and the M81 into a glassy mid and treble-laden tone. They blend great together and don't fight. All they do is enhance each other!

 

[Owens W]

en wp100 navigator!!

 

[Martin Tenbones]

I've only had my Bassbone V2 for 3 hours, but it is kicking my ass.

 

[lesh-head]

BBE Bmax!! View attachment 575808

that's almost identical to mine!

 

[wmhill]

that's almost identical to mine!

killer rig!

 

[B'Boom]

Monique by Jule Amps + Whirlwind Bass Ten Eq pedal.

The Effectrode Blackbird is very nice also.

 

[Bassmike62]

Hmmm... preamps. I don't have much experience, but I've owned SansAmp BDDI, PBDDI, Paradrive and VT DI, as well as my current MXR Bass Preamp. All worked very well for me, my favorite being at this point the PBDDI. For a short while, I had at VT Bass (v.2) & BDDI combo, which sounded killer to my ears. Then the logical step was to go for the then-brand new VT DI, which to me sounded way darker than my previous preamp. Then, I went for the MXR unit for transparency's sake. I'm sucker for that SVT sound and can't go for tube head for now, but maybe I should try another VT DI to complement my new rig....

*wonders*

 

[Downunderwonder]

PSA for today:

Can it drive a power amp?
Y- it's a preamp
N- it's a tone pedal, stop calling it a preamp.