Blind test! Trickfish Minnow vs Ampeg PF-20T (flat settings)!

[J_Bass]

That's not what you said in your initial post. You lowered the Minnow's master to "match output levels." To my ears, the Minnow is quieter in both the mic and DI samples than the Ampeg. Others seem to have heard the volume the same way. No harm or foul, but the gain disparity definitely makes a difference.

Yes, you are right. I thought I did. I think I must inadvertently turned the record volume knob up (or down) at some point when reaching for the cables.

 

[J_Bass]

I must admit this experiment was done a bit hasty. I just bought the Ampeg and expected the difference vs the Minnow to be more significant.

If there was any bias, it was on my side favoring the Ampeg—I was expecting a much bigger gap and a very "tube-specific" character. As several folks here have wisely said, I still need to work the knobs to really discover what this amp can do.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Minnow holds its own. It's a genuinely solid compact alternative—fits on the pedalboard, feels robust, and is easy to carry.

For TalkBass standards I should have been more rigorous with level matching. I would have made the same remarks about the mismatched volumes. I'll re-record and be as strict as possible next round.

 

[dmt]

I must admit this experiment was done a bit hasty. I just bought the Ampeg and expected the difference vs the Minnow to be more significant.

If there was any bias, it was on my side favoring the Ampeg—I was expecting a much bigger gap and a very "tube-specific" character. As several folks here have wisely said, I still need to work the knobs to really discover what this amp can do.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Minnow holds its own. It's a genuinely solid compact alternative—fits on the pedalboard, feels robust, and is easy to carry.

For TalkBass standards I should have been more rigorous with level matching. I would have made the same remarks about the mismatched volumes. I'll re-record and be as strict as possible next round.

I just want to say that I wasn't trying to criticize you with my comments; I think it is a cool comparison you are doing. I certainly would have never thought of comparing the Trickfish Minnow to an Ampeg PF-20T. Now you've got me thinking (and maybe shopping… ).

I was just pointing out that if asked which of two recordings is better, if all other aspects are equal between the two recordings, people (including me) are going to tend to prefer the louder one (up to a point, of course). Accordingly, level matching is an important parameter to consider for this kind of comparison. But nothing is perfect. We do the best we can within a reasonable expenditure of resources compared to the benefit we hope to gain

 

[J_Bass]

I just want to say that I wasn't trying to criticize you with my comments; I think it is a cool comparison you are doing. I certainly would have never thought of comparing the Trickfish Minnow to an Ampeg PF-20T. Now you've got me thinking (and maybe shopping… ).

I was just pointing out that if asked which of two recordings is better, if all other aspects are equal between the two recordings, people (including me) are going to tend to prefer the louder one (up to a point, of course). Accordingly, level matching is an important parameter to consider for this kind of comparison. But nothing is perfect. We do the best we can within a reasonable expenditure of resources compared to the benefit we hope to gain

Yes, no worries!

This was made initially for me to listen without having to play at the same time and to send to two friends to see what they think.

So it was done in a hurry.


But it turned out as an interesting exercise, because I also never thought the comparison between these two would be so close.

I wonder if in a band setting it really matters. Why not just grab a pedalboard and leave the big heavy head at home.

 

[J_Bass]

I bought the Ampeg two days ago, and now I'm a little disappointed in it, because I was expecting a big difference.

Good for the Minnow, though which is a preamp I really like and it is very sensible to the turn of the knobs.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I bought the Ampeg two days ago, and now I'm a little disappointed in it, because I was expecting a big difference.

Good for the Minnow, though which is a preamp I really like and it is very sensible to the turn of the knobs.

I love the Minnow. It stacks up against a lot of things I've used, including high end tube DIs. It's a central part of my ampless rig and studio board because I can turn off the EQ when not needed and it's a very good DI.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I have a pf-50t and a Minnow and I'd guess that #2 is the Trickfish.

EDIT: read my post again and it could come across as "I have this gear so I know which is which". I mean at as, "I have this gear and I dunno, I'm guessing"

 

[basss]

I have a Trickfish Mini 500 and have owned and used Ampeg heads. I recognize the tight controlled but fat bottom and mellow but present highs of the minnow and the more forward and slightly crunchy mids of the Ampeg. I prefer the more hi-fi sound of the minnow myself, but I can see a rock player liking the midrangey Ampeg sound. I think once you get these going through an amp at loud volumes the differences will be more pronounced.

 

[MrWolf14]

With these and tons of other pre's and amps I've owned (and own), I've almost never been satisfied with gain and tone controls at their presumed flat position. These knobs were meant to be turned -- have some fun with this!

Agree!! It would be way more fun to compare "your tone" with both.

I went with #2 but I think neither of the two is what you would play in a real situation.