New SolidGoldFX Beta V Bass Preamp Pedal

[klattman]

Did you have a high output bass going in? Active, or hot pickups. A passive jazz bass probably would break up less quickly, I’ve found that with another pedal.

multiple passive basses.

 

[triviani]

Did you have a high output bass going in? Active, or hot pickups. A passive jazz bass probably would break up less quickly, I’ve found that with another pedal.

Pasive P bass with a P90, but yeah, the input volume probably affects the gain. It's not a bad thing, that slightly driven sound is the whole point of the pedal, isn't it?


However, it's been a long time since I've seen a SPST switch in a pedal. Maybe replacing it with something else would stop the pedal from cutting the sound when turned on and off. (??)

What's that red thing?

 

[odarellmc]

Pasive P bass with a P90, but yeah, the input volume probably affects the gain. It's not a bad thing, that slightly driven sound is the whole point of the pedal, isn't it?


However, it's been a long time since I've seen a SPST switch in a pedal. Maybe replacing it with something else would stop the pedal from cutting the sound when turned on and off. (??)

What's that red thing?

A good sign that whatever is in that box is beyond your skill set, lol.

 

[triviani]

A good sign that whatever is in that box is beyond your skill set, lol.

Man, people jumps so fast onto each other in this forum... it's going to become the old gearslutz.

 

[odarellmc]

Man, people jumps so fast onto each other in this forum... it's going to become the old gearslutz.

I was joking.... LoL

 

[foal30]

Hopeful mine arrives tomorrow....

Btw Solidgoldfx are real good to talk with. Great customer service

 

[arbor]

I just got one and added it to my pedalboard. I wasn’t sure how well it would do what I wanted to do. Specifically, I have a Noble that I love, but I wanted the option to add a bit more grit / amp-like tone for when I play direct without an amp (my norm now, it seems).

I’ve only played it at one rehearsal now, but I was able to dial in really subtle drive, and it didn’t materially change (disrupt) what I already loved about P-bass w/flats direct to Noble.

 

[odarellmc]

I just got one and added it to my pedalboard. I wasn’t sure how well it would do what I wanted to do. Specifically, I have a Noble that I love, but I wanted the option to add a bit more grit / amp-like tone for when I play direct without an amp (my norm now, it seems).

I’ve only played it at one rehearsal now, but I was able to dial in really subtle drive, and it didn’t materially change (disrupt) what I already loved about P-bass w/flats direct to Noble.

I've been noticing all the pros that use the Noble really don't use compression... It's all about tone. Technique is so good compression not really needed.

 

[foal30]

The right compressor can be a fantastic tone enhancer that’s unrelated to technique

Exhibit A - The Diamond Bass Compressor

 

[superheavyfunk]

The right compressor can be a fantastic tone enhancer that’s unrelated to technique

Exhibit A - The Diamond Bass Compressor

Exhibit B - FEA OptiFet
Exhibit C - Fairfield Accountant
Exhibit D - Dozens of other pedal and rack compressors

 

[odarellmc]

The right compressor can be a fantastic tone enhancer that’s unrelated to technique

Exhibit A - The Diamond Bass Compressor

We're just briefly talking about the Noble and no compressors. But I definitely agree...

 

[foal30]

Well mine has arrived (finally) must be short staffed at NZ Customs

Hopefully a report next week

 

[foal30]

I’m really liking this pedal. It’s one of the best Bass things I have purchased in 30+ something years of playing

1. It behaves as described
2. Whoever designed this clearly spent time on it, each part has its own vibe that adds to its usefulness
3. I’ve only run it at 9V so far but no head room issues so far
4. The post EQ section is superb in particular the Bass side which is a bit “more” than a 2Band Stingray but a bit “less” than the Sadowsky outboard preamp
5. Unity volume is approximately 10 o’clock and it works smoothly and gradually
6. Boosting the drive does increase the volume
7. Switch position middle is the loudest ( to my ears)
8. Roundwound or flatwound, active or passive, plectrum, fingers, thumb all no problem and options for each
9. Through an old Ashdown SS Klystrom it certainly can add low gain o/d goodness
10. The drive itself is more subtle than I thought it would be but that suits me anyway. Switch position 2 with the Treble/Presence boosted gives the most drive
11. Through a big valve Ashdown CTM-300 there’s way more drive options than a simple man like me needs but I imagine would be great for Rockers
12. Blues and Rock tones for days. If that’s your main genres of playing I can’t hear how you couldn’t get mileage here

X. I’m not a fan of the drive boosting the volume. It should change the tone not the volume output

X. With the Presence / Treble boosted and the LPF raised it totally hated the Tone knobs on my 70’s Fenders. Unusable in fact, noise/hiss for days

For how I play with the gear I’ve got this unit is a straight up winner:

- MTD 5 string w/flats it handles it easy including with a plectrum
- With a Diamond BCP-1 in front the P Bass with old Chromes was pretty much majestic tone...totally loved it
- Fretless 2 Band EQ Stingray just a touch of drive was nice on walking lines and improved the G string ‘balance’
- Running a Wounded Paw Bass Fuzz before it was really cool, I generally aren’t a fan of Bass Fuzz and definitely not in a Rock Band Trio setting where it seems to me the ass falls out in the Bass register. Certainly not the case here
- Putting a VCA Compressor after it was smooth , more Tone Enhancement than a straight “driven” sound

Enough from me. My advice is have a go. Try one out first chance you get. I don’t have that option living in New Zealand but I’m well pleased I took the plunge and congratulations to Solidgoldfx for making a pedal that sounds like it looks/ is described

 

[foal30]

The pedal just arrived and gave it an hour test at home.

Initial impressions:

Pros:
It sounds good, very good. I’ll test it with the band this weekend to see how it sounds there, but I’m very pleased so far with the classy bass grunt it provides.

The EQ knobs are quite great, they add to the highs or lows without changing the overall tone.

The 3 positions EQ switch also ads some versatility. It will be off for now, but it’s nice to have it.


Cons:
The pedal has probably been designed to be always on because when you press the switch there’s a small instant where the signal is interrupted. This is very bad if you want to turn the pedal on and off during a song and I wonder how the other newer SGfx pedals are in this regard.

The LPF knob does nothing with the EQ switch off, and very little in the 1 and 2 positions.


Pro/con:
The pedal always adds a tad of dirt to it, even with the gain turned all the way down. Great if that’s what you are looking for, not so much if you want to play perfectly clean (it would not be the pedal you'd buy anyway, they are pretty clear about what it does).

I also tried it at 18v but there was not much difference.


A suggestion: SGfx could just remove the switch from the pedal. Or even better, use the switch to turn the dirt on and off, or for different gain stages.

How did it go with the band? I did a trio rock/blues thing yesterday evening and it worked well.

- Drive on/off switch is a good idea
- I don’t hear this pedal always adding dirt
- LPF does “more” in position 2
- I’ve not heard the signal pop or cut when engaging....I’ll pay more attention and try a couple of different amps today

 

[triviani]

How did it go with the band? I did a trio rock/blues thing yesterday evening and it worked well.

- Drive on/off switch is a good idea
- I don’t hear this pedal always adding dirt
- LPF does “more” in position 2
- I’ve not heard the signal pop or cut when engaging....I’ll pay more attention and try a couple of different amps today

The pedal was nice but somewhat redundant with the amp and other pedals. I like how it sounds but not sure of how many levels of low gain dirt are necessary in my band context.

About the switch. I contacted SGfx and they acknowledged that it’s how the switching works. The small gap is a default, not even replacing the switch would change that. It’s not a big deal and I’m probably hearing it because I already expect to hear it. But I’d not want to use a fuzz pedal that does that.

An always-on version ala Fairfield’s Modele B would be interesting.

 

[foal30]

I’ve tried it via three different amps and I still can’t hear a pop or “gap”

The Beta V certainly can sound significantly different through a 300W Valve Head. Using it as EQ boost with a Free The Tone OD in front of it was fantastic however a VCA type Compressor after it was significantly less tasty than when run into a SS head.

Still plenty for me to keep trialing....a very cool pedal.

 

[foal30]

The pedal was nice but somewhat redundant with the amp and other pedals. I like how it sounds but not sure of how many levels of low gain dirt are necessary in my band context.

About the switch. I contacted SGfx and they acknowledged that it’s how the switching works. The small gap is a default, not even replacing the switch would change that. It’s not a big deal and I’m probably hearing it because I already expect to hear it. But I’d not want to use a fuzz pedal that does that.

An always-on version ala Fairfield’s Modele B would be interesting.

Found the gap...sustained note from off to on.

 

[triviani]

Found the gap...sustained note from off to on.

Yeah, it's not very noticeable overall, specially for a preamp. Still, it makes not much sense to use that switching system when the good old 3dpt didn't have that issue.

They said that: " equipped with a FET mute that activates for fraction of a second when switching the pedal to mute any switching noise from the relay circuit."

 

[foal30]

I’m not sure the Beta V is a pedal I’d be switching on and off all the time

The Sadowsky pre makes an enormous pop when switched on

I can’t hear anything from any other pedal I have here

 

[Hallic]

Im a big fan of the Beta, had the orginal one and the MK2. Loved the Mk2 for extra headroom, running at 12V the breakup was even more smooth. And you could swith the dirt of to just have the tonalcharacter of the beta. Just love that "warm wooly blanket over my tone". I know its an bass pedal, but i tried it on guitar aswell, the higher strings however were too dark. Sadly, however the mkV has an presence control, so im eager to redo that experiment.

Im just going to leave this here for the sake of love for Beta, someone did this: