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BBE Bmax T or Tech 21 RPM????

G

Gui101

Apr 28, 2013
4
0
North West UK
#1
Hi All,

I am torn between these 2 preamps, I play mostly blues, rock and funk.

If anyone could give me some opinions as to whether these would be good choices for me as I will not be able to try them before purchase.

If anyone uses these I would appreciate it if you could give me your experiences and or suggestions to some other preamps if they suit better.

Thanks in advance
Gui.
 
#2
They are both well-respected and worth trying. The BBE is meant more for "clean warmth" while the RPM is meant more for dirty tones. The RPM can clean up well, but the BBE is really not going to dirty up all that well. So in that regard it's mostly just a question of personal tone preferences at the cleaner end.

The RPM has a more modern style of EQ, while BBE has a Fender tone stack.
 
#3
bongomania said:
...The RPM has a more modern style of EQ, while BBE has a Fender tone stack.
Click to expand...

+1

The (single) mid control on the RPM is parameteric. The mid band center frequency is set by a knob, and the level by another knob.

Also, the over-drive has drive and blend controls. IME, at low setting, this widens the tone and slightly compresses it—and works very nicely with upright.

The RPM is also available in a great DI pedal version, the paradriver DI, which does everything the rackmount version does. I have used it as a pre with a power amp. Besides electric bass and guitar, it handles any other instrument I've thrown at it live or in my home studio, including piezo pickups on acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin, and specialized sax and trumpet mics. Check some of the youtube vids.

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#4
I agree with the above posts. I have owned the BBE and it IS a great pre-amp. I sold it 'cos I couldn't get on with the Fender tone stack. I've owned the BDDI but it did nothing that I liked and I ended up giving it away.

As I see it, the best thing for you to do is to try each unit with your own system. Only you really know what you are looking for.
 
#7
BassmanPaul said:
I agree with the above posts. I have owned the BBE and it IS a great pre-amp. I sold it 'cos I couldn't get on with the Fender tone stack. I've owned the BDDI but it did nothing that I liked and I ended up giving it away.

As I see it, the best thing for you to do is to try each unit with your own system. Only you really know what you are looking for.
Click to expand...

+1

You just need to try a few.
I kind of grew up with the Fender tone stack, so the BBE was OK for me, but found the RPM great with active basses, passive instruments, and acoustics. The BBE really only like my passive basses—in my hands anyway. I did get some great slap tones out of it with a Jazz. Wow. :ninja:
 
#9
I know I'm most likely in the minority but, I prefer the RBI to either. I've had the Bmax, Bmax-T, RPM & RBI at one time or another. They all can sound good, but like others have stated I also cannot get along with the Fender tone stack. Could totally be operator error, but it is was it is. The RPM sounded great, but I preferred the RBI. I now play a SVP-Pro, but use my BDDI a lot straight to FOH. My BDDI was modded to have a mid control so it's an RBI in a box. The Bmax have a little more low end push compared to the RPM for what that's worth.
 
#10
Cheers Guys,

I'm definitely leaning towards the Tech 21 RPM, I hear a YouTube clip of the BBE and although it had a lovely deep warm tone, the eq was overly subtle and the RPM appears to be much more versatile.

Thanks for you help on this one, it much appreciated.
Gui.
 

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