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BBE 383 Distortion

A

ancjr

Guest
Sep 9, 2004
92
117
#1
I have a BBE 383 preamp that distorts not unlike an overdrive when it is cold, as it warms up, it will clear up almost completely except it will distort a little when resuming play after a period of silence. Haven't been able to find a repair shop (the best one in the area closed permanently last year) and no there was no reply from BBE support. I'm wondering if it is something I could repair myself. Opened it up and poked around and it's not a loose connection. Nothing looks obviously damaged. Having built many PTP crossover circuits, I can solder competently and have several multimeters, but I don't know much about low power audio circuit diagnostics. Included is a link to the manual and schematic.

http://www.bbesound.com/products/manuals/383_manual.pdf
 
#2
Without a scope to identify where in the circuit the distortion is being generated, this is going to be tough. The first thing I would suggest is inserting a short 1/4" shielded cable between the effects send and return to eliminate the FX normal switching function.

This is the sort of thing that a qualified service guy would troubleshoot by injecting a signal at the front end and looking at the signal at each stage to identify where the signal becomes distorted. Then, the real diagnostics begins because identifying the bad component(s) requires an understanding of the circuit and how it's supposed to work. When the circuit is not working as it should, you have identified the culprit. Easier said than done however, which is why good techs have an education and experience doing so.
 
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#3
If you value the unit, IMHO it's best to find a reputable tech. It should not be hard for a competent technician to repair as long as the problem presents reliably. I believe all of the active components are specified on the schematic and easily sourced except the proprietary BBE chip which I believe is a NJM2153.

The only problem is the bench fee to have the unit looked it will probably be more than the unit is worth. I paid $79 for mine brand new around 1993. I still have it, but I always thought it was a pretty mediocre sounding preamp.
 
#7
agedhorse said:
It's actually a pretty cool preamp, if it's tone profile suits your own personal taste.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm a previous owner, when I was in to the rack mounted rig thing. Never had problems with mine, and I thought it sounded pretty good. Never got the whole " BBE Processing " thing, though.
 
#8
ancjr said:
I've never had anyone complain.
Click to expand...

I used my 383 for several years with no complaints as well.

It would not hurt to see what else is out there, but if you like the 383 enough to get it repaired...get it repaired!

There are actually quite a few well reviewed preamp/DI pedals currently available that can drive a power amp.

Agehorse designed the Subway line:
Mesa Boogie Subway Bass DI Preamp | MESA/Boogie®
MESA/Boogie®

The Tech 21 Q/Strip is also popular:
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The MXR M81 is also well reviewed:
MXR® BASS PREAMP

These all produce primarily a clean sound. You can also find units that are designed to make OD and distortion.

Rack units are not a popular as they used to be but you can still find rack preamps. Tech 21 makes some other options under the Sansamp name but I think they are more for distortion and OD. They do clean as well.
Sansamp – Tech 21 NYC


The 383 is the only rack preamp I have ever owned. I was tempted by several over the years, some of which are no longer made (*): Alembic F1X, Demeter VTBP-201S, Kern IP-777*. For a while I was even considering getting a "straight wire" mic pre made by either Millennia Media or Great River...so yes I am a bit of a cork sniffer.

The F1X is pretty much old school Fender with a crossover added. Alembic makes a two channel version without the crossover F-2B
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Demeter: https://www.demeteramps.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=50


I think the Jule Monique is probably the preamp that has made the most stir on talk bass over the last 10 years

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Actually a Jule Monique 700 is on my bucket list...but I already have 28 amps and have been trying to exert a bit of self control.

Anyway, don't let my assessment of the 383 factor into your decision. Taste is subjective, so if the 383 serves your tastes well, you should have it repaired.
 
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#10
Not being near any showrooms or repair centers makes the difference here. Shipping is going to make the cost of repair prohibitive. If it were an obvious issue such as replacing the power supply caps or such I could easily do the work myself. That not being the case, I need to move on.

As far as buying new, travel is simply not an option for me at this time. Including the fact that I would want to include whatever device was under consideration in my signal chain with my existing equipment.

The local shop that did repairs and would allow me to demo freely closed about 2 years ago. It was still a 60 mile round trip.
 
#12
ancjr said:
Not being near any showrooms or repair centers makes the difference here. Shipping is going to make the cost of repair prohibitive. If it were an obvious issue such as replacing the power supply caps or such I could easily do the work myself. That not being the case, I need to move on.

As far as buying new, travel is simply not an option for me at this time. Including the fact that I would want to include whatever device was under consideration in my signal chain with my existing equipment.

The local shop that did repairs and would allow me to demo freely closed about 2 years ago. It was still a 60 mile round trip.
Click to expand...

There's no way to guess what the problem is, but I am reasonably confident that it's not power supply caps...
 
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#13
ancjr said:
Not being near any showrooms or repair centers makes the difference here. Shipping is going to make the cost of repair prohibitive. If it were an obvious issue such as replacing the power supply caps or such I could easily do the work myself. That not being the case, I need to move on.

As far as buying new, travel is simply not an option for me at this time. Including the fact that I would want to include whatever device was under consideration in my signal chain with my existing equipment.

The local shop that did repairs and would allow me to demo freely closed about 2 years ago. It was still a 60 mile round trip.
Click to expand...

Do some research on where reputable shops are...you will probably travel sometime in the future. When you travel by a shop, drop the 383 off. Then you only have to worry about getting it home.

Maybe there is a good repair center near someone you will visit. Then you can drop if of and ask if they can pick it up when it is ready. Retrieve the 383 next time you visit.
 

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