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My preamp journey

So Talkbass.
I once said that I would swap between the Kern IP-777 and the Demeter HPB-1 between songs. Tombowlus called that "excessive." Hmmmmmmmm:):):):)
Meanwhile owning every Pre in the universe without having a Glockenklang BAC is not owning every Pre in the universe. :):):):)
No offense. You only hurt the ones you Love. :):):):)
I captured both the IP-777 and HBP-1 into my Kemper and I do exactly that. Those pres are my two main tones and I switch between them sometimes in the same song. I also pepper in some Eden WT400, SVT Blue Line and Verellen Meatsmoke.
 
So Talkbass.
I once said that I would swap between the Kern IP-777 and the Demeter HPB-1 between songs. Tombowlus called that "excessive." Hmmmmmmmm:):):):)
Meanwhile owning every Pre in the universe without having a Glockenklang BAC is not owning every Pre in the universe. :):):):)
No offense. You only hurt the ones you Love. :):):):)
Ho Lee F#@k Batman........WOW!!!!
 
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Hello Bass players I need help the preamp I was going to buy they raised the price and for what it offers its not worth the cost to me at this time. 599.99 plus tax for Caveman audio BP1-compact nope not doing it. With that said I'm looking for a preamp with DI say around $300.00 USD. Not a fan of dark glass and want something different than sansamp. So, other than those I'm open to suggestions. Help :)
 
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Hello Bass players I need help the preamp I was going to buy they raised the price and for what it offers its not worth the cost to me at this time. 599.99 plus tax for Caveman audio BP1-compact nope not doing it. With that said I'm looking for a preamp with DI say around $300.00 USD. Not a fan of dark glass and want something different than sansamp. So, other than those I'm open to suggestions. Help :)

lots to choose from

I have been enjoying Aguilar Tone Hammer recently…
 
“Not Darkglass” is a pretty wide category (it’s also seemingly lumping every Darkglass preamp into one sound, but whatever), but if I had that budget I think a Two Notes Le Bass would be on my board.
I'm not looking for dirt from my preamp Darkglass seems to excel in that area. I have dirt pedals for that so I'm really looking for something that enhances the tone without coloring it too much unless desired. but if i'm over looking something i'm willing to check it out.
 
I really like my transit B Invalid Link Removed


Hello Bass players I need help the preamp I was going to buy they raised the price and for what it offers its not worth the cost to me at this time. 599.99 plus tax for Caveman audio BP1-compact nope not doing it. With that said I'm looking for a preamp with DI say around $300.00 USD. Not a fan of dark glass and want something different than sansamp. So, other than those I'm open to suggestions. Help :)
 
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Reactions: tombowlus
Hello Bass players I need help the preamp I was going to buy they raised the price and for what it offers its not worth the cost to me at this time. 599.99 plus tax for Caveman audio BP1-compact nope not doing it. With that said I'm looking for a preamp with DI say around $300.00 USD. Not a fan of dark glass and want something different than sansamp. So, other than those I'm open to suggestions. Help :)

Agreed on the Caveman. It might be for other people, but $599 is a little more steep than what I'd pay for that particular preamp.

You need this thread: The Great Preamp/DI Comparison. Be prepared though... it's quite a rabbit hole, but there's a lot of good discussion about preamps from budget to boutique. You might find something there that lights your fire.

That said, it's hard to argue with @Zbysek's suggestion. The Tone Hammer is one of the only preamps I've held onto after quite a few years, and it's great a great DI with a nice warm Aguilar sound. (Most Aguilar stuff I've tried has a pleasant low/low mid warmth to it.) Coincidentally, it's also the pedal that started the Great Preamp thread. Just be prepared with this one, the AGS circuit doesn't seem to be designed to be turned on and off whenever you like. It's more of an on OR off thing, there's a noticeable volume difference when you turn it on that will require making adjustments.

I've also had a Tech21 Q Strip for a few years as well. It's basically the parametric EQ strip from a Neve console (I think?) that will warm your tone a bit, but without imparting "the Sansamp sound."

The Two Notes Le Bass is also a nice suggestion, I've got that one on my "rainy day" list to try someday. But if I were going to pick up a new preamp pedal today, I'd probably opt for the Trickfish Minnow. Designed by Mike Pope who also did Fodera's preamps. Maybe a tad above your price range, but if you can swing the extra cash, it'd probably be worth it. I've got Pope Flexcore preamps in 2 of my basses and they're killer. Jayme Lewis did a pretty in-depth demo of the Minnow (link here), that has a lot of great info even if you go with a different preamp.

“Not Darkglass” is a pretty wide category (it’s also seemingly lumping every Darkglass preamp into one sound, but whatever), but if I had that budget I think a Two Notes Le Bass would be on my board.

The only Darkglass flavor I haven't tried is the X series... I've owned one of all the others (B3k, B7K, Vintage Ultra, Alpha Omega Ultra), along with the Tone Capsule, Harmonic Booster, and Super Symmetry. Super Symmetry aside, there's definitely a common "Darkglass sound" to all of them just with different flavors of dirt on top. That's probably what @Maxi Funkl is talking about and wanting to avoid.

5sg.
 
Agreed on the Caveman. It might be for other people, but $599 is a little more steep than what I'd pay for that particular preamp.

You need this thread: The Great Preamp/DI Comparison. Be prepared though... it's quite a rabbit hole, but there's a lot of good discussion about preamps from budget to boutique. You might find something there that lights your fire.

That said, it's hard to argue with @Zbysek's suggestion. The Tone Hammer is one of the only preamps I've held onto after quite a few years, and it's great a great DI with a nice warm Aguilar sound. (Most Aguilar stuff I've tried has a pleasant low/low mid warmth to it.) Coincidentally, it's also the pedal that started the Great Preamp thread. Just be prepared with this one, the AGS circuit doesn't seem to be designed to be turned on and off whenever you like. It's more of an on OR off thing, there's a noticeable volume difference when you turn it on that will require making adjustments.

I've also had a Tech21 Q Strip for a few years as well. It's basically the parametric EQ strip from a Neve console (I think?) that will warm your tone a bit, but without imparting "the Sansamp sound."

The Two Notes Le Bass is also a nice suggestion, I've got that one on my "rainy day" list to try someday. But if I were going to pick up a new preamp pedal today, I'd probably opt for the Trickfish Minnow. Designed by Mike Pope who also did Fodera's preamps. Maybe a tad above your price range, but if you can swing the extra cash, it'd probably be worth it. I've got Pope Flexcore preamps in 2 of my basses and they're killer. Jayme Lewis did a pretty in-depth demo of the Minnow (link here), that has a lot of great info even if you go with a different preamp.



The only Darkglass flavor I haven't tried is the X series... I've owned one of all the others (B3k, B7K, Vintage Ultra, Alpha Omega Ultra), along with the Tone Capsule, Harmonic Booster, and Super Symmetry. Super Symmetry aside, there's definitely a common "Darkglass sound" to all of them just with different flavors of dirt on top. That's probably what @Maxi Funkl is talking about and wanting to avoid.

5sg.
Great post thanks for the insight. I forgot all about that Trickfish I think it's on top of the list. since I love their amps.
 
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Hello Bass players I need help the preamp I was going to buy they raised the price and for what it offers its not worth the cost to me at this time. 599.99 plus tax for Caveman audio BP1-compact nope not doing it. With that said I'm looking for a preamp with DI say around $300.00 USD. Not a fan of dark glass and want something different than sansamp. So, other than those I'm open to suggestions. Help :)
Master Effects makes some cool stuff in your price range.I have their popular Super 300 a great take on the SVT.I also have the M.E. Super 800 a wonderful copy of the G.K. 800 RB.You can order directly off the M.E. website.Carvin has just introduced a new preamp that looks good and is reasonably priced.I'm a long time fan of their stuff.
P.S. you might check out the AMT A Bass a tiny but very good take on the Alembic preamp (Fender tone stack).Also in your budget and available on the AMT website.
 
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Master Effects makes some cool stuff in your price range.I have their popular Super 300 a great take on the SVT.I also have the M.E. Super 800 a wonderful copy of the G.K. 800 RB.You can order directly off the M.E. website.Carvin has just introduced a new preamp that looks good and is reasonably priced.I'm a long time fan of their stuff.
P.S. you might check out the AMT A Bass a tiny but very good take on the Alembic preamp (Fender tone stack).Also in your budget and available on the AMT website.

can't go wrong with any of these suggestions. So many preamps out there, ask yourself what kind of tone yo are looking for? Fender-ish? Ampeg-ish? Clean and clear? Down and dirty?