My preamp bender: A Journal.

[el murdoque]

@bassbrad
I did check some videos on both the Particle Accelerator and the Ictineo and while those people in the videos did not really show what I'm after, the pedals sounded quite promising.

My big fault was doing sonic research BEFORE I did market research.
It seems that the Particle Accelerator is out of production at the Sushi Box FX website and the Ictineo is sold out at Southampton - with the used market just as clean.

 

[arepa_funk]

@el murdoque -- Haven't used it, so this is second-hand knowledge at best. From what I've read and heard in demos, the One Control Crimson Red preamp is reggae bass tone in a box. Don't know how available it is in the EU, but it may be the ticket for your needs esp considering the band you play in.

Following this thread too.

 

[bassbrad]

@el murdoque My bad I probably should have mentioned that @Sushi Box FX has discontinued the Particle Accelerator & London Underground (there are used ones coming up all the time) in an effort to improve his product line and created a new product in replacement the Underground Accelerator that combines the best characteristics of both. He also offers the Sunnday Drive that is based on the Sunn Model T that many see as an improvement on the Bassman/Showman with increased headroom and low end response favored by many back in the day including.

Before I got on my tube kick I was regularly using Joyo Sound pedals for amp in a box sounds they are Harley Benton for you are and very affordable. Harley Benton American for Fender Bassman, Harley Benton California for Mesa Boogie, Harley Benton British for Marshall ~ all get very usable bass and guitar tones the trick is in the VOICE control. These are all based on the Tech 21 Character series pedals that have been discontinued and cloned.

 

[Spent]

I went down this rabbit hole a while back; ran the gamut from an mxr m80 (my favorite “cheap” preamp) to a Demeter vtbp-201s. Bought a GK Plex, QStrip, Yamaha pb1 and many more along the way (still have all of them and should put them up for sale at some point). At one point, while undergoing treatment for cancer, I talked to my band mates about not letting my wife sell any of them for what I told her I paid for them if I didn’t make it. For real. Included my 20+ basses on that list. But I digress. Two years later, after obviously surviving, I’m playing with just my two notes CABm and couldn’t be happier. The CABm, when dialed in, is the perfect preamp IMHO. That being said, I would not dissuade anyone from trying as many preamps as possible; it was a lot of fun.

 

[jcburn]

@el murdoque - I think a preamp with decent shelving bass boost/cut combined with some kind of High Pass Filter set around 30-40 hz will get the job done for you.

The Q-Strip has this all in the one unit.

I currently run the Tone Hammer DI as my "preamp" for all my passive basses. The Bass knob can add loads of nice thumpy low end but does need some sub-bass content filtering via a HPF unit to clean up the boom below 40hz. I get this done with a Broughton HP/LP Filter pedal and a little AGS (which adds some mild overdrive that tightens the sound a little further).

The shelving bass boost brings the thump. The HPF cleans up the sub frequencies you don't need and allows the thumpy bottom end to also be articulate.

One last bit of advice - I find that GHS Pressurewound strings help here too. I find that by default PW strings have a "tight" low end that when pushed doesn't get boomy like some strings.

All just my opinion. Interested to see what your preferred outcome is. I once had a Microbass II. I thought it was a great unit with lots of cool useable features, but the frequency points were all wrong for me, and I didn't like the overdrive.

 

[el murdoque]

@el murdoque - I think a preamp with decent shelving bass boost/cut combined with some kind of High Pass Filter set around 30-40 hz will get the job done for you.

The Q-Strip has this all in the one unit.

I currently run the Tone Hammer DI as my "preamp" for all my passive basses. The Bass knob can add loads of nice thumpy low end but does need some sub-bass content filtering via a HPF unit to clean up the boom below 40hz. I get this done with a Broughton HP/LP Filter pedal and a little AGS (which adds some mild overdrive that tightens the sound a little further).

The shelving bass boost brings the thump. The HPF cleans up the sub frequencies you don't need and allows the thumpy bottom end to also be articulate.

One last bit of advice - I find that GHS Pressurewound strings help here too. I find that by default PW strings have a "tight" low end that when pushed doesn't get boomy like some strings.

All just my opinion. Interested to see what your preferred outcome is. I once had a Microbass II. I thought it was a great unit with lots of cool useable features, but the frequency points were all wrong for me, and I didn't like the overdrive.

I'm curious about the Q strip, too - the unit on ebay is running for three more days and that's the only second hand one I can get my hands on - should that fail, I'll buy a new unit.
One other that has just popped up on my radar is the Trickfish Minnow.
And ze Germans in ze German Forum seem to be raving about the API Tranzformer LX.

 

[mmbongo]

I must admit that I've crossed any pedal off my list that has a tube in it. My recent experiences have told me that tubes need to be done in boutique-grade quality or you will get dirt. I want clean lows, as clean and articulated as possible, all the way down to the B.

That's too bad, as SushiBox pedals do not operate like that. I'm mainly speaking of the Particle Accelerator with the mini-tubes. The 12AX7 version does not give you as much clean low end indeed.

 

[shwashwa]

this will do what you want. and there is a ton of gain on tap. pair this with a preamp after it and you have a messenger with the ability to swap out preamps for different flavors. i have a messenger, a studio one, and the above pedal. right now the above pedal into the API tranzformer preamp is winning

 

[Spent]

I'm curious about the Q strip, too - the unit on ebay is running for three more days and that's the only second hand one I can get my hands on - should that fail, I'll buy a new unit.
One other that has just popped up on my radar is the Trickfish Minnow.
And ze Germans in ze German Forum seem to be raving about the API Tranzformer LX.

I highly recommend the QStrip. We’ve been using for the guitar di when we record and it sounds great. Very flexible, easy to use and it’s tech21, so reliable and well made. It’s one of only a couple of preamps I won’t part with.

 

[el murdoque]

View attachment 4375372



this will do what you want. and there is a ton of gain on tap. pair this with a preamp after it and you have a messenger with the ability to swap out preamps for different flavors. i have a messenger, a studio one, and the above pedal. right now the above pedal into the API tranzformer preamp is winning

I do in fact own a Broughton LPF pedal, a HPF pedal and a DI Box - and I think that once I've found the final contestants in my preamp race, I'll test the naked signal vs. HPF+LPF+DI vs. Torpedo C.A.B M+ and see who gets the job (done).

 

[shwashwa]

I do in fact own a Broughton LPF pedal, a HPF pedal and a DI Box - and I think that once I've found the final contestants in my preamp race, I'll test the naked signal vs. HPF+LPF+DI vs. Torpedo C.A.B M+ and see who gets the job (done).

Pretty good. The thing that's different about that pedal that I linked above is that it has a ton of gain on tap. It's a preamp in its own right and I use it by itself often, but if I need a little more than it goes into something else

 

[Hummergeist]

I haven't heard of the Two Notes Cab M before - I'm on their site now, this thing looks so useful. What a great thread.

 

[el murdoque]

@el murdoque -- Haven't used it, so this is second-hand knowledge at best. From what I've read and heard in demos, the One Control Crimson Red preamp is reggae bass tone in a box. Don't know how available it is in the EU, but it may be the ticket for your needs esp considering the band you play in.

Following this thread too.

Thank you for that suggestion. One Control is available over here, and it's not even expensive. I'll carelessly toss one into the shopping cart with my next order and see what happens.

 

[el murdoque]

I've navigated the next leg of the journey.

The Aguilar DB-925 is gone. I liked the sound it gave me, but it was kind of a one trick pony for me. The inability to cut was the main reason for my decision to get rid of it - I liked the sound I got when I slightly boosted bass and kept the treble at zero - but nothing else. I did not get it to do anything useful in combo with a fully grown preamp.

The EBS Microbass II is gone. In direct comparison with the Microbass III, it just felt that for my usecase the III is superior to the II and there's nothing to gain from keeping the II.

The Mesa Boogie Subway DI is gone. As I wrote earlier, we simply did not click. It does what it is supposed to and I can coax usable sounds out of it, really nothing to complain about, but no fat grin on my face either.

So the winner of bout one is the EBS MicroBass III. In fact, I could stop right here. This unit feels like a nice addition to my collection and I'm happy playing with it. However, I feel like I want to try out some more before settling down. It is nice to know that I could stop, though.

With the EBS sitting in the champion's corner, I eagerly await its competition to arrive later next week.

The challengers are:
1. The One Control Crimson Red Bass Preamp.
I really like the sounds I hear from the demos and would try out what it has to offer - the risk might be that I reach the same conclusion I did with the Aguilar - but the One Control can be ordered with 30 days money back, so there's no risk.

2. The Tech21 Q\Strip. I liked this pedal from the day it was released. In theory. I've never heard it.

3. The Trickfish Minnow. At first glance, It is quite similar to the Q\Strip. Shelving Bass and treble controls, two mid controls (parametric on the Tech21, semi on the Trickfish), but it runs a lot hotter on the power supply which might or might not mean that there's more headroom to be expected. I've found a deal on one that's good enough to snag it up and sell it on, should I not be satisfied.

I will keep my eyes open for other options and see what pops up, but I want to try the Q\Strip so much, I'll order it new if the auction does not end in my favor.

 

[Mr. voodoobass]

Another dark horse to consider is the source audio eq2. Two inputs and outputs, tuner, limiter and the most advanced eq you’ll ever find. Small form factor, and can do the same the q-strip can and more.

 

[el murdoque]

The gods of the hunt have blessed me with good fortune and I was able to score agreeable deals on my next batch of pedals.

The Trickfish Minnow is on the way, I traded it for a Sansamp BDDIv2 and a bit of cash.

The Q\Strip on ebay ended at 33% off the retail price for a unit in near new condition and in original packaging.
Given their current availability in my place, this is a steal and I should be able to flick it easily and maybe even with a profit should I decide not to keep it.

I have to wait for thomann to accept my return of the Aggie and some other stuff to place the order for the One Control. This should happen within the next days, though.

 

[bassbrad]

Another dark horse to consider is the source audio eq2. Two inputs and outputs, tuner, limiter and the most advanced eq you’ll ever find. Small form factor, and can do the same the q-strip can and more.

I've been doing some experiments with my SA Bass Ultrawave seeing if it will do duty as a bass preamp / channel strip with it's mixer/pre, EQ/gates and excellent compressor/expander. Not quite perfected but getting some promising results.

 

[el murdoque]

Another dark horse to consider is the source audio eq2. Two inputs and outputs, tuner, limiter and the most advanced eq you’ll ever find. Small form factor, and can do the same the q-strip can and more.

I've been doing some experiments with my SA Bass Ultrawave seeing if it will do duty as a bass preamp / channel strip with it's mixer/pre, EQ/gates and excellent compressor/expander. Not quite perfected but getting some promising results.

I must admit that I'm kind of biased. I think I want my preamp section analog. I switched back from a Headrush pedalboard. The Two Notes CAB M+ would negate that, of course, but I'm still on the fence about keeping that one.

 

[el murdoque]

So here's a question for you guys:
A Subway + DI has popped up available, but with a catch. I need to buy it new, for 450 bucks, but not from a shop with a return policy. So my guess is that if I don't like it, I'll have to sell it used, with a loss.
I did try out the Subway DI and not really like it that much. Is the Subway+ like a Subway, just more of it - or is it an entirely different animal and something I should get my hands on ASAP?

On a side note: The Trickfish has arrived. I have grossly misjudged how big it would be - it's much bigger than the photos suggest. The weight feels reassuring. It has a certain heft - You might use it to smash in a car window in an emergency and still play the show that night. I am very curious how it sounds.
To be very honest, with all things identical, I'd go for the Q\Strip just because I like the looks better and feel more of my vibe swinging with Tech21 than with Trickfish, but ultimately, my ears will be the judge.

I fear that I'll not be able to do much testing, though - it's a beautiful late summer day over here and BBQ is calling, because the weather for the coming days seems less promising.

 

[el murdoque]

I've had a whole five minutes to play around with the Trickfish yesterday.

The Q\Strip and One Control are still in transit and did not show up today - it looks like the Q\Strip will be in either tomorrow or Friday and the One Control will arrive Friday or Saturday.

So what about the Trickfish?
Well, in those five minutes I had, I absolutely hated it. It's a great pedal, though.
My first impression was that the EQ is working very transparent, but it added a certain bite to the instrument, not unlike the Trace Elliot stuff in the nineties did. This will absolutely rip through a mix and sit well with modern rock tones. When I reduce the treble and boost the bass, I feel like the preamp is, for want of a better word, transparent all the way through extreme settings.

Where I'd like to get a thick and creamy custard, I actually received crystal clear spring water with a slight metallic aftertaste.

The experiments will continue of course and I'm curious whether or not I'll be able to tame that Minnow.