Had 1 of these for a minute, love the tone! It is the pre section out of the SVT 2 Pro, just doesn't weigh 70 lbs. Comes in a 1u rack mount & can be found used for around $300. Has 5 tubes that can be used to really dirty up the tone in a good way.
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Best Bass preamp?
- Thread starter shirtforbrains
- Start date
- Feb 16, 2008
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- John K Custom Basses
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
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- John K Custom Basses
I really like this one too that I built from a kit:
That this in pretty sweet! does it have enough output to drive a power amp?
John, how do you like that 1176 compressor? I've thought of building a clone but I've been told that it is more suitable for recording vocals (which doesn't make sense IMO).
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
it has an 1176 compressor in it and that's the best bass compressor I've ever used for bass. I even like it better than my empirical labs distressor, and that's saying ALOT.
I've owned quite a few and the UA6176 is still my fave out of all of them.
This is what heaven should look like...
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
DISCLAIMER: To each their own. We will all offer our faves, as "BEST"....
My faves are: 1)Furman pq-3, 4 6 and 8. I oWn a re issue black faced pq-3; preamp and fully parametric. Makes my anemic sounding olfd Kustom 200 sound GREAT; Like it has JBL's instead of CTS.
2) Line 6; I own a pod; an effects box. Line 6 offers many others; each is a pre-amp with tons of other features.
3) Korg Pandora PBX-4. Also a preamp with tons of effects.
My faves are: 1)Furman pq-3, 4 6 and 8. I oWn a re issue black faced pq-3; preamp and fully parametric. Makes my anemic sounding olfd Kustom 200 sound GREAT; Like it has JBL's instead of CTS.
2) Line 6; I own a pod; an effects box. Line 6 offers many others; each is a pre-amp with tons of other features.
3) Korg Pandora PBX-4. Also a preamp with tons of effects.
For recording only I use a UA LA-610 first generation. Sounds pretty good on bass and vocals.
My brother has a Focusrite Red 8 and with a passive DI the bass tone is to die for.
My brother has a Focusrite Red 8 and with a passive DI the bass tone is to die for.
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
I'm with JohnK on the UA 6176. I have one and it's amazing, but it stays racked up in the studio...I don't know how well it'd hold up to touring and at that price, I have no desire to find out 
If you want a super clean feature packed pre with a very useable compressor, the ART Pro Channel 2 is really tough to beat at its price point. Got one brand new for $229 and free shipping from the 'bay. Possibly the most underrated pre out there.
For a no nonsense great bass sound on the cheap, the Aguilar Tone Hammer Pre/DI is awesome as well. Just over $200, takes phantom power, has a good DI and is slightly bigger than the average stomp box...really nice.
Haven't tried one yet, but the PreSonus Eureka Pro is getting rave reviews for bass/vocals in the audio recording world and costs only $500. That could be worth looking into as well
If you want a super clean feature packed pre with a very useable compressor, the ART Pro Channel 2 is really tough to beat at its price point. Got one brand new for $229 and free shipping from the 'bay. Possibly the most underrated pre out there.
For a no nonsense great bass sound on the cheap, the Aguilar Tone Hammer Pre/DI is awesome as well. Just over $200, takes phantom power, has a good DI and is slightly bigger than the average stomp box...really nice.
Haven't tried one yet, but the PreSonus Eureka Pro is getting rave reviews for bass/vocals in the audio recording world and costs only $500. That could be worth looking into as well
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Hi Tom,
I agree. Those are the two I own these days. Although the Monique gets way more play. I used the Kern the other night as a make shift rig with a LMII, and it sounded great, and I remembered what I love about it.
By the way, if anyone wants to buy an Art Pro Channel, there is two brand new on eBay for $229, shipping included 
Lotsa great ones out there, but an enthusiastic +1 on the Ampeg SVP-CL ... especially if you play a P-Bass strung with roundwounds and want a good rock sound.
