Double Bass Bypassing a Preamp

[likeminds]

Okay, so I just bought an Acoustic Preamp that I'm really excited about trying out. The only thing is that I would like to use it directly into one of my rigs (2x10 or 1x12) and see how it sounds as apposed to running it through a PA. I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted to bypass their pre-amp on their head? I heard you could do it by using the effects send/loop and that would maybe bypass the preamp but I haven't got to test it yet considering I don't actually have the preamp yet. If that doesn't work should I buy a rackmount power amp and use that to power my speakers and then run the preamp through that? What would the limit be on buying a power amp for a 2x10 or 1x12 too (as far as wattage)? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
is the Preamp and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is the head I've been using. Whaduya Think?

 

[bolo]

I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted to bypass their pre-amp on their head? I heard you could do it by using the effects send/loop and that would maybe bypass the preamp but I haven't got to test it yet considering I don't actually have the preamp yet.

I don't know much about that PreSonus box, but yeah, in general, the approach you outlined using the effects return should definitely work. Lots of folks use this approach with a variety of (external) preamps and various bass amps. I've used it for example with a D-TAR Solstice into an EA iAMP-200 head, but I actually thought it sounded better running the output of the Solstice straight into the regular input on the iAMP, and thus including the iAMP's built-in preamp in the signal chain. So try it both ways.

I could be way off, but bypassing the preamp in that SWR head might help you get a more natural sound for DB. I think many people feel SWR (pre)amps tend to be voiced or colored for EB.

Plus you get to mess with trying different levels at different points in the signal chain to attain the same relative volume. Like the preamp cranked and the power amp low, versus the preamp low and the power amp cranked. Or both set half and half. These things can subtly (or even dramatically) affect the tone IME.

 

[fdeck]

I have bypassed the preamp on both of my GK amps, by plugging my homemade blender into the effects return. It works fine.

You shouldn't need to buy a power amp. That SWR head should work just fine as a power amp. It is my guess that you will have enough power for virtually all upright bass work, so you may never have to upgrade unless you want to go lightweight.

 

[likeminds]

I could be way off, but bypassing the preamp in that SWR head might help you get a more natural sound for DB. I think many people feel SWR (pre)amps tend to be voiced or colored for EB.

I totally agree, the SWR head sounds awesome w/ my jazz bass but I can't really dig it with my upright, that's why I bought that tube preamp.

Sooo... would I need to run a speaker cable from the output of my preamp into the effects return and then another from my effects send into a speaker?? The other way you suggested would be to run it through the input on the front, would I just flatten the EQ on my head and then adjust EQ from my preamp?

I can't wait to test it!!! I'll let you guy's know how it sounds. My head is 400 watts at 4 ohms by the way.

 

[likeminds]

I have bypassed the preamp on both of my GK amps, by plugging my homemade blender into the effects return. It works fine.

How did you build a homeade blender???

 

[bolo]

Sooo... would I need to run a speaker cable from the output of my preamp into the effects return

Well, not necessarily a speaker cable. Just a regular 1/4" instrument cable.

... and then another from my effects send into a speaker??

No. Just the regular speaker cable from your SWR to your speaker cab like you have it set up today.

The other way you suggested would be to run it through the input on the front, would I just flatten the EQ on my head and then adjust EQ from my preamp?

Yup, you could. In this case the preamp in your SWR is part of the chain now too. So you could also use the EQ on the amp and leave the preamp EQ flat. Or use EQ on both the preamp and the SWR.

 

[fdeck]

How did you build a homeade blender???

Check out the BBBB links at my little web page. Disclaimer: There is some commercial content there too.