Looking for a preamp pedal to replace my Terror Bass

[mxmxm]

I moved abroad recently and while I could bring my bass and my pedalboard with me, I couldn't bring my amp, which is an Orange Terror Bass.

Genre-wise, I play some stoner / doom / psychedelic rock type of thing with an Epiphone Jack Casady semi-hollow bass, with an always-on overdrive and tons of effects to mess around.

Now, whether it's the reharsals studios or the venues I play at here, I'm not quite satisfied with the amps I get (most of the time, it's the all-time regular Ampeg SVT with an 8x10 cab, but I never really got with the Ampeg sound) and I don’t really have the space or the money to buy a new amp (even a small one like the Terror Bass) and as I might be moving countries again in the future, the problem will just keep on repeating itself.

So my idea now would be to get a preamp pedal that would basically replace my amp head, with all the basics features like a basic 3-band EQ, a DI and an effect loop, and that I would just plug straight into the power amp of whatever I get in the studio or at venues.

Usually playing an Orange Terror Bass, if Orange had one (like a bass version of the Terror Stamp they released a few years ago), I would've jump on it already, but all there is for bass is their Bass Butler and honestly, it is way too much of an overkill for me ; I have all the drives and dry/wet I need on my board, so I have really no need for their two-channel rig (especially at that price).

The same goes with all the preamps that go with two channels, an onboard overdrive and stuff. I have absolutely no need for that.
All I need is a simple amp head with a basic EQ, a DI and an effect loop but small enough to be on my board.

The closest I've seen that would fit my need is the Shift Line Olympic (no switch, no bs, just an always-on preamp with a DI and an effect loop).
They also did a preamp based on the Sunn Beta Bass a few years back but it has been discontinued since. I never played on a Sunn amp, but I believe from what I heard that it could be something I like.

Now, calling out to your wise advices: what other preamps am I missing out that would meet the features I need and within the Orange-y (why not Sunn-y) sound more than the myriads of Ampeg-in-a-box thing (I get that's popular, it's just not my cup of tea unfortunately), and more on the stoner /doomy side that the pristine sounding jazz / funk amp ?

Also - a subsidiary question - a friend of mine who build pedals from PCB is offering me to build me such a preamp if I can't find what I need.
As it seems that he can get PCBs based on the Orange AD200B and the Sunn Beta Bass, I wonder how these two amps compare and if I should venture into Sunn territory even though Orange would be my safe bet. I can't seem to find any comparison video online. Has anyone played these two amps (or even brands) side by side?

Thanks in advance for any suggestion!

 

[gtirard]

The Super Two Hundred pedal is based on the vintage Orange AD200 bass amplifier

https://www.mastereffectspedals.com/super-two-hundred

Ok, there's a bypass foot switch you don't need, but that's pretty close, isn't it? You're not obliged to use it after all, and frankly, I find this bypass foot switch very useful when you are dialing your tone, it lets you compare your sound with/without the pedal…

They also have other preamp pedal inspired from other amps as well

One Hundred -> Hiwatt DR103
Four Hundred -> Mesa Boogie Bass 400+
Etc.

Never used one, but Master Effects have a very good reputation here on Talkbass

 

[InkCow]

Also the AMT O-Bass: AMT O-Bass | AMT Electronics official website

In your case, I would probably just use a Joyo Oxford Sound.

 

[Mighty Thumb]

The Super Two Hundred pedal is based on the vintage Orange AD200 bass amplifier

https://www.mastereffectspedals.com/super-two-hundred

Ok, there's a bypass foot switch you don't need, but that's pretty close, isn't it? You're not obliged to use it after all, and frankly, I find this bypass foot switch very useful when you are dialing your tone, it lets you compare your sound with/without the pedal…

They also have other preamp pedal inspired from other amps as well

One Hundred -> Hiwatt DR103
Four Hundred -> Mesa Boogie Bass 400+
Etc.

Never used one, but Master Effects have a very good reputation here on Talkbass

This. I would also add a Sushi Box Finally at the end for some tube DI goodness. Finally – Sushi Box FX

 

[sloppy_phil]

It doesn't have the DI or FX loop, but if you want a pedal that will absolutely nail the sound of a Terror Bass (this was also my main bass head for 10 years!), the Sushi Box Underground Accelerator (still in production) or London Underground (no longer made, but used ones float around) is a tube preamp built off the front end of the AD200B. Of the preamp pedals I've messed around with, these are BY FAR the closest to a real Orange amp sound and response that I've ever heard.

Getting a cheap DI box would be an easy thing to tack on, especially since the Sushi stuff costs considerably less than many of the all-in-one preamp pedals. The only box this arrangement wouldn't tick is the FX loop. Just curious, what would you run there that you've found doesn't sound as good going into the front end?

 

[Danny C]

Jad Freer Capo

 

[JFlo]

The only thing I can think of that ticks all your boxes is a Line 6 Helix HX Stomp. The terror bass preamp is very close to a Fender blackface amp like a dual showman so something in that flavor will get you in the ballpark for tone. I recommend a preamp that can output at line level so you can plug into any amp's return jack thereby bypassing the amp's own preamp. The Sushibox FX units are top notch and probably the best value (real tube circuits). Origin Effects Bassrig '64 could get you there but its almost as much as a Helix without the i/o flexibility. Frog pedals also makes a real tube Fender pre in stomp box form.

 

[BrentSimons]

The Super Two Hundred pedal is based on the vintage Orange AD200 bass amplifier

https://www.mastereffectspedals.com/super-two-hundred

Ok, there's a bypass foot switch you don't need, but that's pretty close, isn't it? You're not obliged to use it after all, and frankly, I find this bypass foot switch very useful when you are dialing your tone, it lets you compare your sound with/without the pedal…

They also have other preamp pedal inspired from other amps as well

One Hundred -> Hiwatt DR103
Four Hundred -> Mesa Boogie Bass 400+
Etc.

Never used one, but Master Effects have a very good reputation here on Talkbass

Uh huh! That was going to be recommendation as well.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

The only thing I can think of that ticks all your boxes is a Line 6 Helix HX Stomp. The terror bass preamp is very close to a Fender blackface amp like a dual showman so something in that flavor will get you in the ballpark for tone. I recommend a preamp that can output at line level so you can plug into any amp's return jack thereby bypassing the amp's own preamp. The Sushibox FX units are top notch and probably the best value (real tube circuits). Origin Effects Bassrig '64 could get you there but its almost as much as a Helix without the i/o flexibility. Frog pedals also makes a real tube Fender pre in stomp box form.

The Stomp actually has an AD200 model in it, I was pretty shocked how close it was to my AD200, captured the gain staging really well. Broke up about in all the same spots!

 

[ComeHomeShane]

Don't forget the Orange Bass Butler! Even if you don't use the gain channel you can send the clean channel by itself. It creates that awesome vintage orange clean tone.

 

[Daniel Piper]

My preamp weapon of choice is the EAE Model Fet.

Very nice pedal indeed.

 

[Mighty Thumb]

It doesn't have the DI or FX loop, but if you want a pedal that will absolutely nail the sound of a Terror Bass (this was also my main bass head for 10 years!), the Sushi Box Underground Accelerator (still in production) or London Underground (no longer made, but used ones float around) is a tube preamp built off the front end of the AD200B. Of the preamp pedals I've messed around with, these are BY FAR the closest to a real Orange amp sound and response that I've ever heard.

Getting a cheap DI box would be an easy thing to tack on, especially since the Sushi stuff costs considerably less than many of the all-in-one preamp pedals. The only box this arrangement wouldn't tick is the FX loop. Just curious, what would you run there that you've found doesn't sound as good going into the front end?

Interesting. I have a UA and absolutely love it, but haven’t been able to “nail” the tone I get out of my Terror Bass. Can get close, but not right on it, and I know it’s the same tone stack. Would be very interested to know how you have the UA set to get there. That could be a real problem solver for my ampless board.

The Stomp actually has an AD200 model in it, I was pretty shocked how close it was to my AD200, captured the gain staging really well. Broke up about in all the same spots!

Wish the POD Go had it too. Though if I can get there with the Underground Accelerator as in the post above, that will work too.

Don't forget the Orange Bass Butler! Even if you don't use the gain channel you can send the clean channel by itself. It creates that awesome vintage orange clean tone.

I didn’t think the Bass Butler was close to the Terror Bass. To me it was closer to the OB1 or the Crush Bass 50/100. YMMV of course.

 

[sloppy_phil]

Interesting. I have a UA and absolutely love it, but haven’t been able to “nail” the tone I get out of my Terror Bass. Can get close, but not right on it, and I know it’s the same tone stack. Would be very interested to know how you have the UA set to get there. That could be a real problem solver for my ampless board.

So, one thing I've done recently was swap out the stock 12AX7 tube for a 5751 instead. It only has about 70% of the gain factor of a 12AX7, so it really widened up the on-the-edge-of-breakup sweet spot, which was how I always had my Orange set. Everyone's pedal environment will be different, so don't take my settings as gospel, but here's what I'm doing, whether running into an amp, or going IEM:

Master- noon
Gain- ~2 o'clock
Treble- 11 o'clock
Mids- Full
Bass- 9-10 o'clock

I should also point out that when I'm running ampless, my DI box has a speaker simulation on it (Two Notes Torpedo CAB M+), which I think is essential for making an ampless rig sound "right". You can use a H/LPF to similar effect, but a speaker's EQ curve is more complex than attenuating lows and highs. Playing the Sushi straight into the board just sounds like a warmed up direct line. Not bad by any means, but it doesn't sound like a full Orange rig just on its own.

 

[Mighty Thumb]

So, one thing I've done recently was swap out the stock 12AX7 tube for a 5751 instead. It only has about 70% of the gain factor of a 12AX7, so it really widened up the on-the-edge-of-breakup sweet spot, which was how I always had my Orange set. Everyone's pedal environment will be different, so don't take my settings as gospel, but here's what I'm doing, whether running into an amp, or going IEM:

Master- noon
Gain- ~2 o'clock
Treble- 11 o'clock
Mids- Full
Bass- 9-10 o'clock

I should also point out that when I'm running ampless, my DI box has a speaker simulation on it (Two Notes Torpedo CAB M+), which I think is essential for making an ampless rig sound "right". You can use a H/LPF to similar effect, but a speaker's EQ curve is more complex than attenuating lows and highs. Playing the Sushi straight into the board just sounds like a warmed up direct line. Not bad by any means, but it doesn't sound like a full Orange rig just on its own.

This is great, thanks!

 

[ComeHomeShane]

I didn’t think the Bass Butler was close to the Terror Bass. To me it was closer to the OB1 or the Crush Bass 50/100. YMMV of course.

Yeah, I don't disagree. I guess I've always just thought of the Terror and OB series as AD200 replicas without the size footprint. I've never really put them In Their own tonal categories, only friendly versions of the original. IMO the bass butler sounds closer to the AD200 than any of the other heads. That's why I use my terror 1000 frequently, because live i can make you think you're listening to a AD200.

 

[mxmxm]

The Super Two Hundred pedal is based on the vintage Orange AD200 bass amplifier

That's nice! I first ran into Master Effects a few days ago when looking for a new distortion and was eyeing at their Valvestate-based Martyr, but I didn't check the rest of the catalogue!

Ok, there's a bypass foot switch you don't need

I'm not radically anti-footswitch , but I liked the idea of the "it's an always-on pedal, just like an amp". No risk of accidentally kicking it off!

Thanks for the suggestion, that looks like an awesome pedal, I hope I can try it out!

 

[mxmxm]

Also the AMT O-Bass: AMT O-Bass | AMT Electronics official website

Damn! I totally forgot about that one, I was looking for one to use as an overdrive a few years back. Time to resume the search!
Thank you for bringing it back to me!

 

[mxmxm]

This. I would also add a Sushi Box Finally at the end for some tube DI goodness. Finally – Sushi Box FX

I've been suggested to split my needs and go for a simpler preamp than an all-in-one-box as I was looking for. If I do so, this little pedal looks perfect for the DI part! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[mxmxm]

It doesn't have the DI or FX loop, but if you want a pedal that will absolutely nail the sound of a Terror Bass (this was also my main bass head for 10 years!), the Sushi Box Underground Accelerator (still in production) or London Underground (no longer made, but used ones float around) is a tube preamp built off the front end of the AD200B. Of the preamp pedals I've messed around with, these are BY FAR the closest to a real Orange amp sound and response that I've ever heard.

Thanks! Never tried any Sushi Box gear, but heard nothing but the best about it! Keeping an eye on this one, this looks like a great option for what I need.

The only box this arrangement wouldn't tick is the FX loop. Just curious, what would you run there that you've found doesn't sound as good going into the front end?

My bass has quite a hot output and I have a chorus and a tremolo that somehow clip because of it, so I ended up putting all my modulation and time-based effects in the loop. And eventually, it turned out I like how it sounds rather in front of the amp, especially something like a shimmer reverb that really comes out pristine after the preamp.

 

[mxmxm]

Jad Freer Capo

Never heard of it before! Will check out, thanks for the heads up!