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Budget Preamp Pedal, a Game Changing Device

Greg Pruitt

Greg Pruitt

Apr 15, 2022
262
317
Mid-West, United States
www.indexpointholsters.com
#1
I initially came to this forum after picking up my bass after a very long time. Many (actually everyone) here recommended adding a preamp pedal as a starting point. I did not thing I need such a device because my active bass already has a preamp. Because I had no idea if I wanted to go through with buying a preamp. So, I located an inexpensive multi-effects pedal. I bought the Zoom MS-60b (dirt cheap). The MS-60b has I believe 5 preamp models built-in. My favorite among the built-in models was SandsAmp and the MXR. The kicker was that all of the built-in preamps opened up gigantic tone shaping options that I had not imagined.

After lots of mixed YouTube results, I ended up buying the DemonFX Mircotubes D7K Ultra. I selected this option because it was inexpensive, had plenty of controls for shaping, well constructed, and lastly, I located a YouTube video with great audio by which to hear what this thing can do. My experience was different from the video I watched. In my opinion, this thing performed much better than what I heard on teh YouTube video. I have only played with this thing for about 5 hours after arrival. The tone shaping is amazing. right away, I was able to lock into the tone range I liked, and from there, I did lots of experimenting. This device did such a wonderful that I took my rack EQ off-line. I am getting deep punchy opened up hi and low mids that I needed for the slap tone I am after. Fingering tones are dead on what I need for Jazz/funk/R&B music I mostly play.

Found on Amazon, was at my door within 2 days, an early delivery. You got to love it!
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Part of the 3 major food groups. Does a body good!
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#4
Looks like they clone a lot of other builders designs, which is fine by me. To go so far as to clone the aesthetic but do it in such a way that they look like a cheap knockoff is a weird choice to me. Good prices, though.

EDIT: Their listing for their Horizon Precision Drive clone states that Mosky builds them, which explains why they are and look so cheap.

EDIT 2: Checking out their website, they even have a clone of the Cali76.
 
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#5
J Posega said:
Looks like they clone a lot of other builders designs, which is fine by me. To go so far as to clone the aesthetic but do it in such a way that they look like a cheap knockoff is a weird choice to me. Good prices, though.

EDIT: Their listing for their Horizon Precision Drive clone states that Mosky builds them, which explains why they are and look so cheap.

EDIT 2: Checking out their website, they even have a clone of the Cali76.
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Not sure what you are talking about. But these components sound great, and gives me the tone options I want. Which items are you referring to?
 
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#7
Greg Pruitt said:
Not sure what you are talking about. But these components sound great, and gives me the tone options I want. Which items are you referring to?
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You do realize these are knockoff clones of other pedals, right? I'm not saying it's wrong, hey not everybody can't afford a Darkglass. And I was serious about wanting the Call76 compressor, if it's anywhere near the real thing I'd be good with it on my practice board. But yes these are just knockoffs.

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#9
When I bought the BK7, I was buying a preamp first and for most. I have a rack compressor, and the Zoom MS-60b has a pretty nice set of compressors built-in. Does the BK7 sound like the Darkglass? Of course not. In fact, I have never heard what the Darkglass sounds like. So, that comparison has no meaning to me. Look at the tone options the BK7 includes! Don't knock it until you've it. This thing sounds amazing! This is the first preamp pedal I have bought. It is perfect in every respect!

There is most certainly an economic aspect. I am putting kids through school, mortgages, cars, insurance, this-and-that, etc. Spending $300-ish bucks on a guitar pedal would be a stupid thing for me to do. So, I didn't.
 
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#11
mmbongo said:
Allright, I want a Call76!

View attachment 4688637
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ole Jason said:
I don't think the Origin knockoff is available yet, I haven't seen it anywhere. I have the King of Tone clone and it sounds just like the original I had. Quality seems really good, better than average for pedals in that price range. Soldering, components, etc. all look fine.
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I'm also intrigued by the Call76. There's also a Super Symmetry clone. Could be fun to have a cheap clone shootout.
 
#15
mmbongo said:
You do realize these are knockoff clones of other pedals, right? I'm not saying it's wrong, hey not everybody can't afford a Darkglass. And I was serious about wanting the Call76 compressor, if it's anywhere near the real thing I'd be good with it on my practice board. But yes these are just knockoffs.

View attachment 4688639
View attachment 4688640
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It does not matter that this is a knock-off. It sound great, it has loads of tone options, it is priced right, there are more important things to spend money on. Guitar pedals are NOT in the top 10 list of spending priorities.
 
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#18
mmbongo said:
It's a compressor.
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Cool. I will soon be trying the compressors built into my MS-60b Multi-Effects. I am heading toward eliminating my rack processors (EQ, and Compressor/Gate).

It has been very difficult gauging the audio quality of components on YouTube. As the audio quality is mostly bad on most videos reviewing effects pedals. I will check out the Call76. Thanks for the heads-up.
 
#20
ole Jason said:
I don't think the Origin knockoff is available yet, I haven't seen it anywhere. I have the King of Tone clone and it sounds just like the original I had. Quality seems really good, better than average for pedals in that price range. Soldering, components, etc. all look fine.
Click to expand...
AliExpress, where you find all the blatant ripoffs that they can't always get away with selling on western marketplaces
 
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