Can you use a preamp and a head?

[moulie]

I know the head does the same job as a pre/power amp.

But I was wondering if a preamp before my head would make for nice tone, if the preamp was nice (BBE max-T, potentially)?

Is this ever done? I just don't know.

thanks

 

[Mushroo]

Hi Moulie,

What most players do in that situation is plug the preamp into the Effects Return on the head. This bypasses the preamp on the head, essentially using it as a power amp.

If you plugged the preamp into the preamp on your head, you might run into problems with the gain being too high, causing clipping or distortion.

What gear are you using, and what is your goal?

M

 

[moulie]

My head is an Ampeg B5R--not great but suitable for the hobby bass player.

The reason I ask is there is a bbeMax-T available for a good price locally.

I have heard great things about the tone of this pre, but i don't feel like a complete rig overhaul right now. Thought I could buy it, run it, get the tone from it and update the rig at a later date.

I would hate to buy it and have it sitting around, staring at me while I wait to get a power amp!

 

[Mushroo]

Hi Moulie, I am not familiar with that model of Ampeg. If it has an Effects Return (or similar jack), then you can use it as a power amp.

I feel that a good preamp is a very useful thing to own--you can use it not only in your rig, but also to do recording, play with headphones (on some preamps), etc.--so if you love the sound of the BBE, you will not regret the purchase.

 

[BassmanPaul]

You can do as you ask but why bother? Use the BBE with a nice power amp and ditch the Ampeg.

Paul

 

[moulie]

no love for the ampeg, eh?

 

[BassmanPaul]

no love for the ampeg, eh?

I admit to not being an Ampeg fan, I find them way too coloured. I use a mic pre-amp strip (art 259 Tube Channel) to drive a Carvin DCM1000. I also have a BBE Bmax-T but I've moved away from it's Fenderesque EQ.

Paul