Budget Friendly Bass Preamps

The Behringer BDI21 is very budget and very good for the money. It’s a sansamp basically.

 

Joyo true tone series. They are copies of the tech21 character series, and very very nice

 

Great pedal for 20 bux, ethics etc aside.

Which one is which out of interest?

 

EHX Nano Battalion

 

Hartke Bass Attack II, perhaps.

The Behringer BDI21 is a super cheap very good clone of the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI, the first version, but it comes with scooped mids, so if you don't like that I would look for something else.

If your sound happens to be mid scooped it's definitely a really good suggestion.

Doesn't come much cheaper, and sounds as great as the original much more expensive Tech 21 preamp.

 

Define your budget?

 

It's a very well know quantity, and made well. If you like the tone of it (it's nominally got a baked in tone), it's good. Not my cup of tea, but I may be in the minority. I use Tech 21 Q Strips as a preamp/DI's, which is more neutral - more my cup of tea.

 

With that budget, most preamp pedals are in your range if you consider Used. I really like the Aguilar Tone hammer and is available for less than that used, slightly more new. Mesa Subway DI can be found used in your range too. Either would be a great choice

 

I went with the Spectradrive because of the I/O flexibility. Aux in and headphone out. DI out is flexible as well. Powerful EQ. solidly built, compression and drive for dirt if needed. Works for silent practice or in your live setup!

 

MXR M81 is my favorite.

 

Co-signed. I picked up my B7K for $185 on Reverb a few years ago IIRC.

 

Used SansAmp RBI should be within reach.

 

If you can live without a DI output, the MXR 10-band EQ makes a dandy preamp.
Otherwise the MXR M81 bass preamp is nice and compact. And the Behringer BDI21 is worthy!

 

For those on a super tight budget, pair the Behringer with the Caline CP-24 10 band EQ.

 

I can recommend the Southampton Ictineo if you’re willing to put a little time into sussing out all the things it can do. But it’s definitely not a plug & go type pre.

My favorite (and don’t let the name fool you) is the Barber Linden EQ. It’s basically the front end of an Ampeg B-15N plus some additional tone shaping switches that boost it up to a whole ‘nother level. And an amazing value at (currently) $99 direct.

 

I got a used V2 here on TB.

I still have my road-worn pre-V1 BDDI that I should sell, still works great.