Modern, Clinical Preamp/DI Box?

[DirkP]

Have the Neve and the Lehle Basswitch and the Sansamp VT BASS DI. The Lehle is very clean and has a very good EQ for bass. The transformers are super clean (Lehle developped them 'cause even the Jensens etc. were not good enough for them).

 

[cataract]

The Tronographic Rusty Box can get some inherently sharp and defined tones when not overdriven, I love it. I've used an Avalon U5 with good results too.

 

[FerruleCat]

I was messing around this afternoon and realized that I already have a pretty workable, though unconventional, solution: the Tech 21 Leeds pedal. It's crisp and very tweakable within a useful range. With the drive at a moderate setting and the Character knob about 2 o'clock, it delivers lots of gank. No balanced XLR, but it scratches the spot for now. Kind of a "secret weapon" bit of gear, really.

 

[crapusername]

Eden wtdi

 

[Al Kraft]

The value play to get to the other end of the TH (and especially SansAmp) spectrum for me is the MXR M80. Another option, that some would characterize as too sterile is the EBS MicroBAss II. I've heard, but do not own the MicroBass - it's not mistakable for a Tone Hammer.