Double Bass Best dual input / channel preamp?

[james condino]

I've been using a beat to $#@! ancient old Baggs paracoustic DI preamp since I bought it new when Bush was president; 'must have played 600+ gigs with it. I've modded it heavily & it still works pretty good but.... Since I've been blending multiple pickups and mics, I'm feeling the need for something that has dual channels.

The other important thing is it needs to have the option of wall wart or battery powered, as half the time I'm using my big pedalboard and the other it is just me out there with no power options and the need for a clean stage.

The Radials look pretty cool, but they need power. Any suggestions?

 

[oren]

I think the Grace Felix 2 is hard to beat in terms of fidelity, features and quality of construction. Not inexpensive, though. And it needs power (but has a built in power supply, so no wall wart, just an AC cord).

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

Headway has several options

 

[bassically_eli]

+1 for Headway. I think that's probably the best option unless you want to spend a lot of $$$ on a Grace Designs preamp.

LR Baggs makes a Mixpro belt clip preamp that I like a lot. You may or may not need a separate phantom power supply if you use a mic; it depends on the mic.

The Zoom A3 is another (discontinued) option. It's pretty affordable used and has some cool features. Also has some frustrating design choices. It runs off of 4xAA batteries, which is nice because you can use rechargeables, but it only lasts ~7 hours.

 

[rickwolff]

John Littler at Headway is sending me The BAND pickup AND the new EDB-2 HE to send around on a traveling demo. Let me know if you'd like to be on the list to check it out.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Posting this out of nostalgia, but it really is a wonderful sounding pre. Sold mine years ago...

Alembic F-2B | Reverb

 

[Ric Vice]

There is a Grace Felix for sale in the DB classifieds. The warranty is transferable for five years.

 

[Jim Dombrowski]

There is an Alix in the classifieds, but I don’t see a Felix

 

[mikeGJ]

There is an Alix in the classifieds, but I don’t see a Felix

For Sale - Grace Design Felix

 

[Sam Reese]

@james condino is asking for an optional AC or DC powered preamp. I also add 48v phantom powered as an option. LR Baggs paracoustic DI has served me well, also. Currently, I've gone back to the old school Fishman Platinum Bass DI which can be battery powered, 48v or AC powered. I am in the same boat regarding needs as James so I'd probably consider the Headway EDB-2 on my "short list" of contenders. Good luck in your quest!

 

[Ric Vice]

@james condino There is currently a Headway EDB-2 H.E. for sale in the DB classified section.

 

[bassically_eli]

@james condino is asking for an optional AC or DC powered preamp. I also add 48v phantom powered as an option. LR Baggs paracoustic DI has served me well, also. Currently, I've gone back to the old school Fishman Platinum Bass DI which can be battery powered, 48v or AC powered. I am in the same boat regarding needs as James so I'd probably consider the Headway EDB-2 on my "short list" of contenders. Good luck in your quest!

I've been wishing for LR Baggs to do a two channel version of the Paracoustic DI for a long time.

 

[Sam Reese]

I've been wishing for LR Baggs to do a two channel version of the Paracoustic DI for a long time.

Yeah, and if it had a variable HPF, bonus.

 

[bassically_eli]

Yeah, and if it had a variable HPF, bonus.

Oh right, I forgot that it does not have that. The Mixpro has two HPFs. If they would just combine the Paracoustic and Mixpro and add an XLR with proper phantom power....okay, maybe I'm just being needy. Good thing Headway is around.

 

[Ric Vice]

A variable HPF is a great feature to have. The Grace Felix has one and I use it all the time. Their simply isn’t enough real estate on the front/top control panel of the EDB-2 H.E. for any more knobs (that I can see)without loosing something in return. The three positions on the HPF switch does a decent job of giving you options. The new version of the EDB (tube) may address this.

 

[cacio]

i've got radial od and headway.
Then I bought Ebs Stanley preamp,it's better in any ways.
2ch,48v input option,very powerful eq(with hpf or notch) and a good quality DI

 

[Adam Booker]

Grace Felix and done, bro.

 

[bassically_eli]

i've got radial od and headway.
Then I bought Ebs Stanley preamp,it's better in any ways.
2ch,48v input option,very powerful eq(with hpf or notch) and a good quality DI

Which Headway? The EDB-2 H.E. has those features.

 

[flatback]

James,
I would really encourage you to try the very inexpensive but crazy good Red Eye twin.