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Inline preamps: how and why?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by terlewine, Oct 27, 2001.

  1. Oct 27, 2001 #1
    terlewine

    terlewine Supporting Member

    Apr 23, 2001
    Athens, Ohio
    Folks, I've got a Pbass and an Ampeg B-50R. My bass has a standard, passive pickup. For awhile, I was playing a very high-end Washburn bass with active electronics (Bartolini pickups). That bass was hugely louder through this little amp. The sound seemed sort of processed, which is what's always made me steer clear of actives, but it was very clear and fat. I gave that bass to my son, though, and since then I've missed that big sound. My friend gave me a small "Silver Bullet" preamp stompbox (designed for guitar), and I bought a passive Bartolini P-bass pickup for my Pbass. These didn't produce the same sound at all.

    Now I'm wondering if some sort of preamp is what I'm looking for to get that big sound in a box I can switch in or out. I've seen such items from Roger Sadowski and from Aguilar, but haven't tried them. I assume these are really useful, high-quality things, but I'd like to know more about them.

    Does anybody have experience with small preamps before the bass amp?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Oct 27, 2001 #2
    Muttluk

    Muttluk

    Jan 19, 2000
    Oakland, California
    I have a Tech 21 Bass Driver Di, it can used as a line spliter, DI Box, or pre-amp. I really like it. I used it all the time when i had my peavey combo amp, it really added a rich fatness to the tone, which the peavey pre-amp couldnt do on its own. But i then upgraded to a Eden half stack, and back to the unloved gear drawer the pedal went. Then i started messing around with recording, and i pulled the little sucker back out, but now as a DI. It really does wonderes, but doesnt do much if you have a good (i mean good high end) amp. its $150 as a pedal, but rack mounted i think it's somthing like $200-$300 i cannot remember right now.
     
  3. Oct 27, 2001 #3
    terlewine

    terlewine Supporting Member

    Apr 23, 2001
    Athens, Ohio
    Thanks, Muttluk. I've just paid for an Ampeg B-100R on eBay, and when it gets here maybe this won't be a problem for me anymore (there are a few more tone controls on that amp than my B-50). Somehow my hunch tells me a preamp is part of what I'm wanting, though.


    te