My preamp journey

[moon-bass]

Possible,but in my experience with tube preamps weather in pedals or in the front of amps I've never had a problem or had to replace one.If you have a tube to switch out that will answer that quickly and easily.If that's not the cause of the "hum"then a technician will be in order.It's a great pedal and seems solidly built so I wish you luck.

It was the power supply. Strange, cuz it worked with other pedals. But it's working and working very well. First impressions are very positive, it can be very clean and also gets very nice dirt. I might build a small pedal board with it. Really like it so far!

 

[Kendescending]

I have the AMT A and O bass, and they're both great. I also have the Sushibox equivalents (Particle Accelerator and London Underground), and I like the larger size, as they're easier to adjust. The AMT pedals are almost too small, but if pedalboard space becomes an issue, I'll use those.

 

[moon-bass]

I have the AMT A and O bass, and they're both great. I also have the Sushibox equivalents (Particle Accelerator and London Underground), and I like the larger size, as they're easier to adjust. The AMT pedals are almost too small, but if pedalboard space becomes an issue, I'll use those.

Nice! I'm picking up a PA shortly (this month), and then I'm on the list for his SVT toe pedal. I'm thinking about either building a micro board with the AMT or using it as a grab and go when a pedal board just won't work. I really like it tho, very impressive esp for the size.

 

[Kendescending]

Nice! I'm picking up a PA shortly (this month), and then I'm on the list for his SVT toe pedal. I'm thinking about either building a micro board with the AMT or using it as a grab and go when a pedal board just won't work. I really like it tho, very impressive esp for the size.

I'll be getting the SBVT as well, and my Super 300 is on the next batch for early-mid April from ME. The thing that sucks is that I'm super happy with my preamp pedals now. At least I'm done buying basses...

 

[moon-bass]

I'll be getting the SBVT as well, and my Super 300 is on the next batch for early-mid April from ME. The thing that sucks is that I'm super happy with my preamp pedals now. At least I'm done buying basses...

Oh man. The Super 300 is just killer. Absolutely killer. I'm at a point now where I am really happy with preamp pedals as well, but I have the Sushibox pres on order already, so ....

 

[moon-bass]

So I wanted to put together the world's smallest functional pedal board, but had to go out of town for a family emergency so it will have to wait. I've got all the parts (that I already didn't have) sitting at my neighbors.

I'll update when I get back. By that time I might also have 1 of two Sushibox preamps as well.

 

[moon-bass]

Okay ... So not sure if ppl are still looking, but between work and a family emergency I haven't had much time to play preamp until recently.

I had time to mess with the AMT and I really like it. I did some thinking and decided to put together another pedal board. I use the Oracle as my preamp, and I'm using the AMT as a second preamp and also to add dirt. The AMT plus Oracle reminds me of the Fatdrive, but a lot more flexible. Pics below.

Then, I decided I was going to put together a smaller board that I could set up to easily swap out Preamps. This way I can use a different one depending on the needs of the gig/mood. No pics of that yet.

 

[fivestringgecko]

Ha! The size difference is almost comical! lol When you have time, it'd be interesting to hear thoughts/comparisons between them.

It's interesting to me though... Even with all the discussion of the boutique preamps here and in the Great Preamp thread, the EBS VDDI is (oddly?) the one that I want to try most. The Oracle, Khan, SLO, etc are still on my list of course, but my brain keeps coming back to that EBS, but I can't quite figure the reason why. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

EDIT: Right, the Super 300. That one just hit my radar this week. Looks pretty awesome! *sigh. Stupid G.A.S.

5sg.

 

[Kendescending]

Oh man. The Super 300 is just killer. Absolutely killer. I'm at a point now where I am really happy with preamp pedals as well, but I have the Sushibox pres on order already, so ....

Yes, the Super 300 is absolutely killer! I received mine just after I had my pedalboard setup in the perfect order and was 100% happy with it. Now it's time to remove some pedals, thanks to the Super 300.

 

[jazzbass_5]

What I used for a while and was quite happy with.
Ampeg SVPCL or an Ampeg SVP-PRO with a Quilter BB800. Light and versatile.

 

[moon-bass]

Ha! The size difference is almost comical! lol When you have time, it'd be interesting to hear thoughts/comparisons between them.

It's interesting to me though... Even with all the discussion of the boutique preamps here and in the Great Preamp thread, the EBS VDDI is (oddly?) the one that I want to try most. The Oracle, Khan, SLO, etc are still on my list of course, but my brain keeps coming back to that EBS, but I can't quite figure the reason why. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

EDIT: Right, the Super 300. That one just hit my radar this week. Looks pretty awesome! *sigh. Stupid G.A.S.

5sg.

Dude, the VD is awesome. Looks like there is one in the classifieds ... Also, the Super 300. Damn. So much to like!

 

[moon-bass]

What I used for a while and was quite happy with.
Ampeg SVPCL or an Ampeg SVP-PRO with a Quilter BB800. Light and versatile. View attachment 4244723

I had the exact same set up. Loved it. Only sold because I got away from rack gear ..

 

[moon-bass]

So my Sushibox PAX is on its way back. I had some noise issues, but it looks like it may be my power supply ...

Also, I couldn't help myself - I bought a Broughton Super Stack from the classifieds.

At some point I'm going to get some sound samples together...

 

[jazzbass_5]

I had the exact same set up. Loved it. Only sold because I got away from rack gear ..

Was a great setup, lost everything in a fire a few months back, was going to go all lightweight but found an SVT-PRO 6 and 6x10 classic for a steal.

 

[chadds]

I began my preamp journey when the Berg IPs came out. I needed .775 v but I was ignorant and thought anything with an XLR would work. LOL
I tried everything. I learned that DI outs of integrated heads were often very meh. After trying stand-alone DIs and pedal Pres I learned I needed real bass preamps. If I played through the wonderful Demeter DI the signal would get quieter and quieter. There are other laws that have to be obeyed that include impedance too.

Anyway to have an unfiltered unrestricted experience just the way an integrated head works I had to choose carefully.

Summit TD-100 is amazing. With the loading knob you can bring a Fender to a session and sound like you brought 5 different basses. Very complex beautiful harmonics from the 12ax7. That has something to do with how much voltage they allow through it. In studio amplified acoustic instruments sound identical to their i amplified selves.

The Glockenklang BAC is outstanding in an extremely articulate and tubish SS pre.

The overall champion is the Monique. It combines articulate McIntosh hifi with phat Ampeg, Sunn, and Hiwatt tube deliciousness. It does what you want. It’s eq is buttery and musical. In the mix it is punchy. It does all frequencies equally. Deep lows and articulate and sweet highs.

I am biased from personal long term gigging and studio session work in most every musical form. No Tuven Throat singing.

 

[moon-bass]

As things final get back to normal I had a chance to compare the 4 Fender tone stack Preamps that I now have. Comments for each below -

AMT Bricks a Bass - small, much smaller than I expected. Fits great on a pedal board. I will probably use this as a drive predal in conjunction with my Oracle preamp. It sounds great. Very fat. Very, very fat. It gets a little grindy, very pleasant OD. Out of the 4 it's definitely the fattest and roundest.

Sushi Box Particle Accelerator X. Also has great OD, and very punchy. Great bass response, smooth when needed, and definitely gets into dirt if you like it. Did I say punchy?

Broughton Super Stack - no gain knob on this one, so it doesn't get dirty. Prob the most versatile EQ of the 4. Bass in your face. Gets deep, nice highs. Lots of bass.

EBS Valvedrive DI - two different flavors of dirt (footswitchable). Best highs of the bunch. Super smooth and creamy.

One word summary?

AMT - fat
PAX - punchy
Superstack - bassy
EBS - creamy

 

[moon-bass]

I finished up my pedal boards and I'm extremely happy. Three boards total, the third will have rotating Preamps (hence the extra Preamps).

I only have one preamp on order - a Sushibox SBVT, which I am pretty sure will be in the rotating Preamps. I can honestly say that I am extremely happy with my tone, it's flexible, and .. well it's all good!

 

[kevmac]

I have the AMT A and O bass, and they're both great. I also have the Sushibox equivalents (Particle Accelerator and London Underground), and I like the larger size, as they're easier to adjust. The AMT pedals are almost too small, but if pedalboard space becomes an issue, I'll use those.

How do the similar pedals compare sound wise? I have the AMT O and A myself and I'm happy with them but I'm curious.I'm currently waiting for my first Sushi Box,a Sunday Drive.

 

[Kendescending]

How do the similar pedals compare sound wise? I have the AMT O and A myself and I'm happy with them but I'm curious.I'm currently waiting for my first Sushi Box,a Sunday Drive.

They're very comparable. I prefer the Sushibox because of the larger size. It's easier to read and turn the controls without accidentally moving the others. If I really needed the room on my board, I'd be fine with the AMT pedals.

 

[moon-bass]

How do the similar pedals compare sound wise? I have the AMT O and A myself and I'm happy with them but I'm curious.I'm currently waiting for my first Sushi Box,a Sunday Drive.

I have my AMT A on the board with my Oracle preamp. It should unds great, and it has a few options with regards to tone tweaking that I really like. A lot of it does come down to room on the board and the form factor, but the AMT is definitely fat and round.