I Need Some Help! Clean Preamp/DI Pedal Choices

If you like to have a tube in there, the EBS ValveDrive V2 could be an option.
It's a simple device, capable of a range of clean sounds.

 

Take a look at the Dicosimo 800RB. It's a GK 800 preamp section in a pedal. I love mine. I go amp-less on stage and this thing is like having my old GK rig without the back ache.
B.

 

The v1 is called Valve Drive. It runs off 12V AC - and I'm not entirely sure but I think it does not have a DI out.
The v2 is called Valve Drive DI and it runs off a more pedalboard friendly DC, I'm not sure if it's 12 or 9V, but I think 9.

 

Not sure if you looked at this yet but caveman audio makes a very simple preamp with a DI called the BP1 compact. I bought mine when it first came out back in August and love it. No tone controls on it just a gain and a level control, that’s all it needs. BP1 Compact Bass Preamp - Studio quality bass preamp at your feet

 

Trickfish minnow or Trilobite. That Mesa is great. And I love my arkham oracle. but for normal gigs i use the trilobite at the end of my chain for most gigs. I like the fx loop dry/wet mix and super clean di.

 

Sushi Box Finally

Finally – Sushi Box FX

 

Sweetwater should get a Pulitzer for this article.

The Great Direct Box Comparison with Audio Samples - inSync

 

Mesa

 

I’ve got a Starlifter and I’ve been happy with it. The scoop/bump settings are useful without being over the top. My only gripe is the in/out jacks have the orientation reversed compared to most other pedals.

 

Sounds like you want something more than a DI box, a bit of control, but not a lot of color...

I'd throw the Q\Strip out there.
Totally clean / flat - but has a TON of EQ control.
I just got one as my "emergency" box. Smaller than I expected (perfect for a pedal board). Sounds fantastic going into the FX return of the amp I tested it with (actually prefered the Q\Strip to the amp preamp). Boosted the B / T two clicks each, and I had my sound.
Doesn't have any "SansAmp" technology - more of a channel strip.

The MXR M81 is kind of in that same category. I think the Q\Strip has a better feature set.

Broughton Messenger - but that may be hard to come by.

------------------------------------

My feeling is stuff like the Mesa Subway DI / GK / Trickfish / Origin Effects Bass Rig, etc... are going to be more "voiced." That may or may not be bad, depending on how you feel about that "voice." Sounds like you are looking for clean.

I have to say the Sushi Box Finally looks pretty cool, and I thought about that one - but no EQ control.

This looks really cool... Kaos Amp Tube DI Direct Box Preamp | Reverb

If you want to get into a 122 page thread, this is pretty great... Tube Preamp/DI Sound Samples — Noble, Oracle, P-15, Super Stack, REDDI, Tonecraft, Jule...
You could knock a TON of these off you list because they either don't have the XLR DI, or are just straight up DI boxes with Tubes.

 

I just ordered a Trickfish Minnow from a dealer on Germany and the unit will be cleared at customs and delivered to me this week.

Having tried their Bullhead 1K amp and having played Foderas with custom-made pres by Mike Pope for more than 20 years now, I have high hopes for this pedal. I will give an update as soon as I receive it.

Best…

 

ShiftLine Olympic IIIs
EBS ValveDrive DI
MXR M81

 

Genzler re/q, perhaps?

 

This sounds like a job for the Q Strip. IMHO priced well for how good it sounds and for the feature set.