For a clean preamp I always enjoyed the MXR M81. Great EQ with sweepable mids. I also like the clean side of the MXR M80. Having the distortion option is a plus as well but you seem pretty well set there.
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Best preamp for "clean" bass sounds?
- Thread starter Adrin
- Start date
I think that aguilar tonehammer or ampeg scrambler cold do a great job on it.
if i am not wrong, the ampeg cost less 100$....
But if you are looking for for a "very clean" sound, i suggest you to buy a decent and non cheap - passive DI
byez
if i am not wrong, the ampeg cost less 100$....
But if you are looking for for a "very clean" sound, i suggest you to buy a decent and non cheap - passive DI
byez
I bet it is! How did you manage to get your hands on it being based in Central Europe though?
I came to my office in the morning, opened the internet, checked the Broughton wep page and there it was, sitting "in stock"...so I bought it.
Being in Central Europe was an advantage actually. Recent runs were released at odd times for Americans...but perfect times for me (about 8 am). I scored Messenger and RFE like this...
I will add another upvote for the Mesa Subway + DI, I recently got one, and it replaced my previous DI's and my broughton HPF/LFP pedal. It is a huge pedal, and was shocked by how large it was. If you can get past the size and price, I would recommend one.
If you're willing to consider a rack-mount preamp, look into the Yamaha PB1. You can find them used for under $200. Sounds very similar to the classic Alembic F-1X, which would run at least $500-600 these days.
My personal favorite clean preamp is the Demeter VTPB-201. It's hard to explain tone in words, but it sounds like an Ampeg B15N ... but with more clarity and depth. Cost is very high, though (typically $700-900 today).
Other great options are the old Trace Elliot GP12 and Eden Navigator preamps/heads. The SMX is a little more mid-scooped and the Eden is (to my ears) more neutral. You can get either for $250-400 used. I haven't used one, but the Ashly BP-41 gets rave reviews as well. Should be in the same price bracket.
Yes. My rig is VERY quiet, and the Q strip wasn't horrible, but the noise it added was noticeable.
Avalon a5 and Wayne Jones are similar, clean And I have experience with both. I have to “dirty them up” a bit most of the time, but very clean.
Q/Strip and the MXR 10 band are great, but you gotta decide if you simply want an active EQ or if you want to further enhance your sound. Fattening up is something else then increasing bottom end so to speak.
I have a bunch of pre's and all have their pros and cons.
The Trace Elliot Transit-B gives me five band EQ, dualband compression, a tuner and overdrive. I love that.
The Two Notes Le Bass really does warm up my tone with its tube and has a GREAT tube overdrive (the best I heard yet).
The MXR 10 band EQ I have is simply that, an EQ.
I have a bunch of pre's and all have their pros and cons.
The Trace Elliot Transit-B gives me five band EQ, dualband compression, a tuner and overdrive. I love that.
The Two Notes Le Bass really does warm up my tone with its tube and has a GREAT tube overdrive (the best I heard yet).
The MXR 10 band EQ I have is simply that, an EQ.
I've got the VT Bass DI by Tech 21. I bought it originally just because I needed a DI pedal, but also wanted decent sound going to mixer. I've been very happy with it. While I like to throw in a little fuzz here and there, for the most part I play with a clean tone. And whether playing clean or dirty, this pedal has done very well at making my bass sound great through just about any amp or PA system.
The Q\Strip CAN be used to enhance your sound of course.
As much as I already have a Q\Strip, an Olympic MkIIIs and a Bass Butler I think I want one.
