most universal preamp?

[2saddleslab]

Guys, stop it with the Ampeg SGT.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Having already recommended the Genzler Magellan, I might also put in a plug for the API LLX bass pedal. I use mine as an EQ (its frequencies perfectly complement those of the Magellan) and boost (up to 40 dB! Easily enough to drive a power amp). It is clean, but does impart a certain gloss to one's tone, presumably in part due to the output transformer. It also has a switchable op-amp overdrive circuit, adjustable primarily according to the input received by the pedal (the gain dial seems to have relatively little impact on the amount of breakup). It's primary downfall as a standalone preamp is the absence of a DI out, but mine is always on at the front of my chain (right after the API CMP).

 

[AK Bass Guy]

MXR M81 Bass Preamp.
Clean,nearly impossible to clip. Very transparent.

 

[jose edwardo]

Guys, stop it with the Ampeg SGT. OP’s got a VT Bass already, they’re pretty much the same (you know what I mean).

Yea but the ir on the sgt kinda puts it on another level I have about 80 cabs and 50 mic combos I can load on it..it's a blast and always can suprise you, vt is incredibly limited in that sense. Also but a compressor and a tube boost before the sgt and the tone is unlimited

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I decided to order the Wampler Ego76 Compressor tomorrow. It should be similar to the OE Cali76 Stacked and not the Bass Compact darker tone.

Wampler Ego 76 Compressor Review

Though there are certainly differences between the original 1176 studio device and the Ego 76 pedal format compressor I think Brian Wampler has succeeded in creating something interesting, useful and exciting sounding in a pedalboard friendly format. The price of admission is nice too.

www.compressorpedalreviews.com

 

[Piranha The B]

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.

this makes me think, but it's actually true. thank you

I only use wah in one song when I play bass solo, but I'll still try cry baby

 

[Piranha The B]

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

What about origin effects bass rig or DCX bass?

Lets say price range about 400€ , DI/XLR out will be nice, but I can survive without it.

I saw some videos on youtube about DCX bass and is very interesting pice of gear and has certainly aroused interest in me.

Thank you

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

While that Wampler Ego76 Compressor looks great and I'm sure it is...

I've been on a "road less traveled" trend, too. Looking at what there is, what I really need/want and features v. fluff. I'm also going in a bit of vintage 70's vibe as well and some more less D'jent tone while trying some interesting sonic edge.

I pulled the trigger this morning on an Ampeg Octo-Comp and a Mythos Hephaestus Fuzz to add to my pedalboard.

Putting a Duncan Antiquity I P pickup through this is already very nice. It sounds and feels like being hit with campfire S'mores - warm, sweet, gooie with some crispness to the attack, if needed. I'd like to burn my marshmallow a lil bit more and add JIF.

Gratuitous pic of my polished turd...

'82 Fender Japan 57 body, '05 USACG 1/4 sawn Maple/Macs. Ebony neck, FCGR (Japan) Tone Shift 3mm Brass Chrome Plate w/ Titanium neck screws. LQ BAII String Through & the Duncan '57 with '78 Tokai (Japan) Brass pickup and control shielding plates.

*Brushed Aluminum Pickguard appears courtesy of Hoxley Guitars. No relicing was applied in the making of this Bass.

Unbelievable focus, sustain, quite and plays effortlessly!

Tone is where ya find it, not in a can on the swag isle @ GC!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

this makes me think, but it's actually true. thank you

I only use wah in one song when I play bass solo, but I'll still try cry baby

I use it in three songs. One on a solo-esque moment, twice in conjunction with my synth. Slow and gradual. A wah is an envelope filter with a pedal controlled rate and sweep. IE, a manual Flange

 

[crapusername]

Without trawling through the rest of the replies, I would say that the tech 21 Steve Harris preamp is the single most versatile pedal I own.
It can do jamerson esque through to lemmy and cliff inspired sounds with ease and massive room for adjustment, with a tuner built in as well.
Pretty much the most expensive pedal I own, but the price is massively dwarfed by its functionality and usefulness.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I believe that the new "TB Universal Preamp" will be dropped tomorrow...stay tuned!

 

[klyph]

I use a Broughton Messenger Jr., because I love the sound of my bass and don’t really need distortion or compression. I could probably get away with just a nice adjustable hpf, a mute switch, and an active DI, but that would be way more money… and more space. The Mjr. Is a ton of bang for the buck IMO.

Edit: the two main runners up to the Mjr. were the M81, and the Tech 21 Qstrip. Believe it or not, I really need the mute switch for my current gig…
I would say those are the most “universal”, clean, compact, reasonably priced bass preamp/DI pedals. I picked the only one of those that doesn’t take a 9v battery, which I miss. However, the Mjr. Can take line level signals when running on 24v, with tons of headroom, which makes it really handy for keys, etc.

 

[jose edwardo]

Something that is also wild is our ears seem to change everyday..so it's good to have a few options. One day I plug in and I have the perfect tone ,,the next day ,same settings same bass, same strand lol and it sounds a tad different. It's a roll of the dice and I love every second of it!

 

[klattman]

How about a used gk plex preamp. Lots of flexibility, built in tuner. Really nice for clean tones. Been out for a while.

 

[scubaduba]

I’ve been through many preamps. More than 50 if I’m remembering them all correctly. Pedalboard preamps. Tube based preamps. Solid state preamps. Rack mounted preamps. Lunchbox/desktop preamps. Etc.

If the definition of “de facto preamp” is the combination of most versatile and best sounding then the Millennia TD-1 takes the prize easily in my book.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

^^^^^

$999 - $1569 USED

Mark Egan seems to agree...

That's up there with a Noble...??

 

[hennessybass]

For a clean kind of thing, the Q\Strip is nice.
I have the Messenger DI (I'd rather the JR because I don't the AUX). The Messenger is a bit cold and sterile to me.
I'd like the Broughton Studio One.

I like the addition of the HPF / LPF... especially the LPF (why isn't this more popular?). Especially if you are running a DI to PA or an ampless rig.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

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

The Noble sounds great -- I've used mine for eight years and it's a keeper. It especially shines in recording.

 

[Azari]

get the industry standard: sansamp bass driver DI. Honestly I think a good audio engineer can do as well with it as they could with a super expensive nobel preamp or something. Just my opinion though.

 

[el murdoque]

My personal #1 is the Noble in combo with a Broughton RFE. The Noble has no controls over the midrange, and the parametric mids of the RFE work perfectly with that - also the resonant HPF and LPF work as a cab sim.

Universal preamp suggestions I'd make and have not seen in this thread:

Tech21 Q\Strip. Has everything you need, super transparent.

Broughton Studio One. That's the one I use when I don't bring the Noble and want a versatile preamp.