Fishman full Circle - Preamp Options?

i've been gigging with the fishman preamp and think it does a really good job. i'm using a rev. solo pickup. i'm not using a rig right now just bass into pickup into pa. i also like this preamp with eletric bass, although i dont gig with a electric, it sounds pretty good at the house.
i'm playing in a acoustic string band so volume levels are resonable. you can usually pick up a used fishman for under a $100, so it wont hurt you too much to try it.

 

In my experience, the Sansamp products are best suited for electric bass. They can sound good with the DB, but they have a definite "sound" to them. Its very difficult to get away from. Very mid scooped. I would also recommend the Fishman preamps very highly. I have a Fishman BII preamp that I use when I need to go into a PA or am unfamiliar with the amp. They aren't expensive and sound very good. The Fishman Pro Platinum Bass is the most comparable to the Sansamp in features, but IMO it is a much better choice.

 

I have owned the Para Driver, and from plenty of experience its not the greatest preamp for Double Bass unless you want that tube sound. You can add mids with it, but you can't take away from the Sansamp sound. The Fishman is a better option.

 

The Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Bass does not mount to anything. It is just a pedal-sized box that you can put on the floor or on top of your amp, etc. I bought mine a few years back when they were a new design - they are pretty inexpensive now compared to then. It's a great unit - I would definitely buy another. It gives me predictability and control over my tone from one gig to the next. The phase switch is indispensable, the depth control is very useful if you are playing loud, and the EQ bands are well-chosen. It sounds good with upright and electric basses. You can't miss with it -it was designed with your needs mind.

 

They also come with a belt clip which can be convenient(I just put mine on top of my amp). I forgot that the Pro EQ Platinum had the phase switch. That is indeed a very useful feature. I am not saying that the Sansamp units are bad, but they do have a definite sound to them, and don't really give you the best acoustic representation. I do like them for bass guitar though. They are great for recording.

 

+1000 i own 2....there one of the best bass di out there IMO...Ed frieland uses one frequent and was featured on one of his videos. I use it when i go straight thru the board.

 

Different strokes etc...
I use to have a Fishman pro platinum. I found it too noisy and
awkward to use quickly on a gig. Also, I didn't really like it
for electric bass. I've found the ParaDriver to be very easy
to use with upright or electric bass. I just don't use the tube
or distortion features on the Para.
The Sansamp Acoustic Di used to be my "Swiss Army Knife".
The Para sounds just about the same but is even more
versatile. My doubling head is an older Focus 1 with the Para
into the effects return. This way I can run the Full Circle or
Underwood into the 10meg ohm input on the Focus and an
electric bass in the Para, or run the upright into the Para and
bypass the Focus eq depending on the needs of the gig or
room acoustics.
The problem is that every acoustic bass sounds different with
different amps and pickups and strings. You have to just
experiment and find what helps the sound in your bass get out
to the audience. What sounds great for one guy may suck
for you. Having said that... I like the ParaDriver.