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Bass Preamps
- Thread starter Big Band Hand
- Start date
Good on you bongo; very few here that have the balls to revise something they said earlier be it right, wrong, or indifferent
Scoring a used Yamaha PB-1 is usually very inexpensive for the tone and quality.
To me, it sounds like a slightly warmer, punchier Demeter HBP-1.
To me, it sounds like a slightly warmer, punchier Demeter HBP-1.
- Jan 17, 2002
- 1,249
- 23
- Disclosures
- I paid for all my gear myself. Well, me and MasterCard.
The Yamaha pre has the classic low-mid notch hardwired in (think Fender tone stack). If that's your style, go for it. I tried one and found it's not my style.
Pres with semi-parametric (or full parametric) mid controls will easily let you emulate the sound of a PB-1, where the PB-1 cannot EVER sound like an HBP-1. I'll take the more flexible pre every time.
Pres with semi-parametric (or full parametric) mid controls will easily let you emulate the sound of a PB-1, where the PB-1 cannot EVER sound like an HBP-1. I'll take the more flexible pre every time.
The PB-1 does have a parametric mid control and yes, without that set right, it doesn't come close to the HBP-1.
I'm not a big fan of the Fender tone stack either, but between the parametric on the PB-1 and the 3-band EQ on my StingRay 5, I can get into a very nice tonal space with my EA CX-310.
If I only used passive basses, I don't know if I'd be that happy with the PB-1, but I'm actually digging it pretty well.
That's the pre I forgot in post #2.
I had the PB-1 on long term loan and it was nice; not my fave, but very nice.
I don't like the Fender style tone stack for bass either and that's what killed the Alembic for me for bass. I did like it on stereo synth tracks per DI in the studio to warm things up.
I had the PB-1 on long term loan and it was nice; not my fave, but very nice.
I don't like the Fender style tone stack for bass either and that's what killed the Alembic for me for bass. I did like it on stereo synth tracks per DI in the studio to warm things up.
Doesn,t a Alembic SF-2 Superfilter have a wall wart?And it also considered a Pre add that to the Kern and you have 2 .We ll maybe it doesn,t have a tube though!
Summit Audio TD-100
No need to spend more money that. Pure natural tube tone no tone sucker circuits and does allow for top end EQ with the impedence control.
No need to spend more money that. Pure natural tube tone no tone sucker circuits and does allow for top end EQ with the impedence control.
Red Planet said:
+1
Since Kerns are rare.
It's fabulous for recording.
Your funds are limited.
It really sends voltage to that tube.
It's quite hifi and tubish too.
It's a great DI live too.
It's small.
I think I'm going to fire mine up right now
It's the first time I've heard no compromises in bass tone in a non-pro studio.
Sound is big and real.
You immediately hear the differences in technique.
That loading knob when used with passive basses makes it sound like you have minimum five different basses on the session.
+1
Since Kerns are rare.
It's fabulous for recording.
Your funds are limited.
It really sends voltage to that tube.
It's quite hifi and tubish too.
It's a great DI live too.
It's small.
I think I'm going to fire mine up right now
It's the first time I've heard no compromises in bass tone in a non-pro studio.
Sound is big and real.
You immediately hear the differences in technique.
That loading knob when used with passive basses makes it sound like you have minimum five different basses on the session.
Absolutely. The Summit is no cheap piece of gear and can be had used for around the $300.00 range I believe.
I did forget to mention the Loading Control has no affect with an active bass but it's very cool with a passive bass. It takes the impedence of the input stage from 10K all the way up to 2Megs and tyou canget some widely variable tonal options with that alone and a passive bass.
Now if you really want to get jiggy with it try out a Summit ECS-410 Everest preamp. You have choice of Tube or FET preamp, compressor, EQ section, DI (6 them), and you can use them in any routing combination on the fly. All 6 DI's can be used at the same time and each section of the unit can be used seperately. At $3500.00 it can be a little pricey but whats life if not fun.
+1. I really like the Demeter HBP-1. I've been happily using mine for many years. I also have a Read Purity tube preamp that I really like as well.
I also have owned the following preamps: Alembic F1-X, SWR I.O.D, Ashly BP-41, and (very briefly) an Ampeg SVP-BSP.
There are many others that I love to try out. Way too many to list at that.
popgadget
Commercial User
- Sep 4, 2005
- 1,233
- 942
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- Authorized Greenboy Designs Builder, Scabbey Road
I have a Yamaha on its way to me, I'm curious how it will compare to my Alembic F1X or Demeter HBP-1J. My current preference is for the Demeter, but for convenience, I've been gigging with a Streamliner.
Red Planet said:
Bro,
he has cash issues. I've been trying to not mention the Monique.
It's in another universe and is in the teens in cost.
Bro,
I've been trying to not mention the Monique.
It's in another universe and is in the teens in cost.
I hear you. I have cash issues too as in I don't have any at all but I do have the TD-100 as it is an excellent preamp whether you have lots of cash or not.
The Everest was my answer to John's post.
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
I've tweaked a couple of the Yamaha's pretty successfully by swapping the first two op-amps with Burr Brown OPA-2134 "Sound-Plus" op-amps. If you are good with PCB soldering you can do it yourself. Otherwise look for a local "tweaker." (I mean "tweaker" in a good way.
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