most universal preamp?

[Piranha The B]

Hello bass friends,

When I played regularly in a heavy progressive metal band I used a Darkglass B7K preamp, and it worked very well in combination with a 5-string active bass and an Ampeg SVT-3 pro amp. Unfortunately that story has come to an end and now I play different genres of music from (soul, blues, funk, to hard rock).
Mostly I play Motown songs, classic P-bass in combination with a VT Bass pedal. For other projects - rock music, but also on J-bass.

I sold the Darkglass pedal and replaced it with a VT Bass, which is not like a Preamp di more cab simulator (because for mobility reasons I play right now mor on a hartke combo amp and not so much on ampeg)

I was thinking about the Nooble di, but I think it might be a bit overpriced (although I like it a lot) considering I'm not a pro, but more of a semi pro player.

I have shortlisted the following preamps:
- EBS Vavledrive di
- Subway Bass DI-Preamp Box
- Shift Line Olympic MKIII Mark 3
- Aguilar AG Preamp

I find it really hard to choose, because they all sound great via YouTube.

In the future I think, also to replace the Compressor instead of the boss - Cali 76.

at the moment my pedalboard looks like this. Suggestions are definitely welcome

 

[GrowlerBox]

To me, a "universal" preamp means "clean," "transparent," etc. The Genzler Magellan fits this bill. I also like the time-tested Aguilar ToneHammer, and while it is much more "voiced" than the Genzler, is still quite flexible.

 

[Piranha The B]

To me, a "universal" preamp means "clean," "transparent," etc. The Genzler Magellan fits this bill. I also like the time-tested Aguilar ToneHammer, and while it is much more "voiced" than the Genzler, is still quite flexible.

yes, that's exactly what I mean - a "universal" preamp means "clean," "transparent," etc.

 

[Chris_will_do]

Try the GRBass amps. They got the pure-amps or the One-series. Very clean though punchy. One-amps can set to "pure" aswell so the preamp can be totally bypassed.

 

[OneNut]

I'm still looking for a preamp pedal, but when I read about clean the ones I would consider are the MXR M81 or the Broughton Messenger Jr.

 

[MuseChaser]

Another strong recommendation that you check out the Genzler preamp.

 

[bassbrad]

I am a big fan of Sushi Box FX pedals so if I might suggest the Neptunium since you have an interest in Noble. It should play very nicely with what you have

 

[klokker]

Lot's of good suggestions here. My only comment is that I wouldn't ditch the BC-1X too easily. That's a great compressor.

 

[MrDinsdale]

If you want versatility, then the Jad Freer Capo is a really solid option.

Dual high quality DI for clean input and post signal chain, great if you're recording in particular. Very solid ultra clean channel with a solid EQ and blendable saturation for adding a little grit. I also have pre and post fx loops along with lots of routing options.

I actually ended up selling mine for the Shift Line Olympic, I love both, but the valve won out for me. It's far less versatile, but I really like the tones. I miss the Capo’s clean DI and routing features though.

 

[gregmon79]

Hello bass friends,

When I played regularly in a heavy progressive metal band I used a Darkglass B7K preamp, and it worked very well in combination with a 5-string active bass and an Ampeg SVT-3 pro amp. Unfortunately that story has come to an end and now I play different genres of music from (soul, blues, funk, to hard rock).
Mostly I play Motown songs, classic P-bass in combination with a VT Bass pedal. For other projects - rock music, but also on J-bass.

I sold the Darkglass pedal and replaced it with a VT Bass, which is not like a Preamp di more cab simulator (because for mobility reasons I play right now mor on a hartke combo amp and not so much on ampeg)

I was thinking about the Nooble di, but I think it might be a bit overpriced (although I like it a lot) considering I'm not a pro, but more of a semi pro player.

I have shortlisted the following preamps:
- EBS Vavledrive di
- Subway Bass DI-Preamp Box
- Shift Line Olympic MKIII Mark 3
- Aguilar AG Preamp

I find it really hard to choose, because they all sound great via YouTube.

In the future I think, also to replace the Compressor instead of the boss - Cali 76.

at the moment my pedalboard looks like this. Suggestions are definitely welcome
View attachment 7009913

For what you're describing what you're playing now, I think the Shift Line Olympic would be amazing.

 

[gregmon79]

If you want versatility, then the Jad Freer Capo is a really solid option.

Dual high quality DI for clean input and post signal chain, great if you're recording in particular. Very solid ultra clean channel with a solid EQ and blendable saturation for adding a little grit. I also have pre and post fx loops along with lots of routing options.

I actually ended up selling mine for the Shift Line Olympic, I love both, but the valve won out for me. It's far less versatile, but I really like the tones. I miss the Capo’s clean DI and routing features though.

I REALLY want that one (the Capo). Its spendy. While totally worth it, I'd have to be in the right time/right place kinda thing monetarily for me to get one.

 

[bass12]

Another vote for the Genzler Magellan.

 

[silky smoove]

I didn't realize the Shiftline Olympic was back in production. That's exciting news. It's a very cool unit that's been backordered for a very long time.

 

[tleebassist11]

The Jad Freer Capo is amazing! Makes your sound better live and has so much tonal versatility and the Di/routing options are incredible

 

[frankie5string]

Look at the EBS Microbass 3...It has a lot of stuff, and two preamp "channels" you can merge and split as you like. It even has two different types of distortion and three different distortion tonalities to chose from before you even touch the EQ. So anything from clean and transparent all the way to distorted, with a decent one-knob compressor and lots of tone control.

The Valvedrive DI is a bit more specific. It's basically a Fender tone stack and the low-gain distortion of the Microbass 3. For what it's worth, it seems to be difficult to get the Valvedrive DI right now. I don't really know why.

 

[logdrum]

Universal is the Headway EB-2 . Yeah it is used by DB folks but Channel-1 has impedance switch for active - high and piezo sources. 5 band EQ with full cut. Also has HPF

 

[Danny C]

JFA Capo

 

[prndltech]

What is your price range? And do you need a DI/XLR out?

What about origin effects bass rig or DCX bass?

 

[MynameisMe]

The Mesa Subway DI is so transparent I sold it and have regretted it ever since. Why didn't I just add a dirt pedal?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello bass friends,

When I played regularly in a heavy progressive metal band I used a Darkglass B7K preamp, and it worked very well in combination with a 5-string active bass and an Ampeg SVT-3 pro amp. Unfortunately that story has come to an end and now I play different genres of music from (soul, blues, funk, to hard rock).
Mostly I play Motown songs, classic P-bass in combination with a VT Bass pedal. For other projects - rock music, but also on J-bass.

I sold the Darkglass pedal and replaced it with a VT Bass, which is not like a Preamp di more cab simulator (because for mobility reasons I play right now mor on a hartke combo amp and not so much on ampeg)

I was thinking about the Nooble di, but I think it might be a bit overpriced (although I like it a lot) considering I'm not a pro, but more of a semi pro player.

I have shortlisted the following preamps:
- EBS Vavledrive di
- Subway Bass DI-Preamp Box
- Shift Line Olympic MKIII Mark 3
- Aguilar AG Preamp

I find it really hard to choose, because they all sound great via YouTube.

In the future I think, also to replace the Compressor instead of the boss - Cali 76.

at the moment my pedalboard looks like this. Suggestions are definitely welcome
View attachment 7009913

Your VT Bass should do everything you need.

Everything is universal, by the way, the only thing that matters is what you like personally.

You're playing bass. It sounds like bass.

Get a wah. Cry baby bass wah, to be exact. The white one. Full sized. The mini has a terrible range.