Noble Amps Preamp

[sk8]

Just now getting exposed to the Noble and have already started saving my pennies.

I'm guessing I'll get a rather biased response, but this is seriously the greatest sounding preamp. Some of those YT clips sound incredible.

Is it worth the cost and/or have you folks encountered any more "reasonable" comparisons?

It is but it's a preamp, eq, buffer, LPF, power supply all in one handy package.
Every time I take it out my chain some magic disappears. I think it's not really doing anything till I remove it. I'm using it with a variety of electric (passive and Active) and a piezo equipped bass and it makes them all sound great. O even use it in front of my all tube amp to give me an extra layer of control!

It's an investment sure but one worth making.

 

[Levin Hannaford]

I was able to eliminate my pedal board power supply using the Noble - so in theory there are some savings versus a different preamp with a stand alone supply for the rest of your board.

As far as the actual tone goes, I highly recommend the Noble. It has impressed many more sound guys than any other unit I've owned - even guys I've played in front of 50-60 times have made a point to come by and give a compliment.

 

[Ewo]

Mine came yesterday. Only had a little time, so I ran the bass into the Noble, and the 1/4" out into the power amp of my Mesa Subway rig (D-800, a 12 cab, and a 15 cab).

Messed around a bit--EQ on the Noble (EQ on the amp bypassed, of course), EQ on the bass (Sadowsky Will Lee, so...active).

Wowzers! Tasty, chewy, responsive to my touch. I like the D-800 very much in that regard, and the Noble kicked it up a notch.

Reminded me of my first real amp, an Ampeg SB-12 purchased new in 1967. That wasn't loud enough to play with a rock band--but this will be...

Wowzers! Sure does sound good.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Mine came yesterday. Only had a little time, so I ran the bass into the Noble, and the 1/4" out into the power amp of my Mesa Subway rig (D-800, a 12 cab, and a 15 cab).

Messed around a bit--EQ on the Noble (EQ on the amp bypassed, of course), EQ on the bass (Sadowsky Will Lee, so...active).

Wowzers! Tasty, chewy, responsive to my touch. I like the D-800 very much in that regard, and the Noble kicked it up a notch.

Reminded me of my first real amp, an Ampeg SB-12 purchased new in 1967. That wasn't loud enough to play with a rock band--but this will be...

Wowzers! Sure does sound good.

My thoughts exactly, with my D800.. for quick plug and play, the Mesa D800 can't be beat, to me, but throw in the Noble and it's a whole different ball of unexplainable awesomeness.

 

[physics]

What does that mean for the people who all appear to 'center' their controls at noon, assuming it works similarly to the FTS?

The Fender, Marshall and Vox tone stacks are interactive and setting them at noon will cut(scoop) the midrange. There were vintage Ampeg and Orange amps that had a Baxandall tone stack that was flat with the controls set at noon.

 

[bassdrop]

The Fender, Marshall and Vox tone stacks are interactive and setting them at noon will cut(scoop) the midrange. There were vintage Ampeg and Orange amps that had a Baxandall tone stack that was flat with the controls set at noon.

The Noble is boost only so flat response is with the knobs turned all the way down; a typical three band passive FMV tone stack has no output at all with the knobs turned down.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Hopefully soon I will get back some of those mixed neo soul tunes I can share here. Currently the sample tracks I have are unmixed and unmastered, so the volume is just too low to hear the details.

On all I used my AVRI 63 Pbass with flats, tone 75% down into Noble. Many takes will just be that. Some will have a slight OD from the 5th gear pedal and some I use the fwonkbeta filter. I just have to see how it all gets arranged and mixed. Regardless, this combo has really provided me with a tone that I am loving.

 

[AngelMoncada]

Still loving the tone I get from my Noble. Curious to know from those that are more experience. How do you guys feel about the Noble's overdriven sound? In your opinion, Does it function well in that role or not really?

 

[Dave W]

I don't get any overdrive from mine.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Mine doesn't overdrive either, but when added via my fifth gear, or Broughton version of a Blueberry it's amazing

 

[Stepdice]

Yay finally ordered a Noble and Jack has been great to deal with. I was also curious about how it reacts to overdrive - does anyone increase the output of their compressor to induce some form of tube overdrive in the noble? I have a darkglass VMT and B7KU that I'll use for overdrive (although only space for one of those pedals on my pedalboard) but was just curious.

 

[sk8]

I've overdriven mine by boosting my compressor level and with a boost pedal (funny that)

I've also found hitting the high pass switch and adding in the bass can get it to overdrive too

 

[AngelCrusher]

I've also found hitting the high pass switch and adding in the bass can get it to overdrive too

Yeah that is a cool way to do it for sure. It has a big fat sound that you have to commit to live unless you don't mind bending down and turning knobs. Studio, it is an epic tone for sure.

I personally use 2 5th gears . One is essentially an always on compressor/limiter at the end of my chain, and it is set very conservatively. It does add drive, but it's crazy subtle. Benefits are that I have all levels controlled if I switch basses or turn on wild pedals like a filter. I use the V2 5th gear for this since I can dial the volume in.

Then at the front I use the v1 5th gear for an actual boost. It's my favorite setup for total pedal and drive control.

Short story is - while you can drive the Noble rather well on it's own, especially in studios, it would probably pay off to invest in a drive pedal on the front end for live performances.

 

[SKennedy32]

GAS has overcome me. Must sell gear to purchase asap.

 

[ExaltBass]

GAS has overcome me. Must sell gear to purchase asap.

I doubt you will regret it! (I sure don't!)

 

[Ewo]

I doubt you will regret it! (I sure don't!)

+1. It def adds a touch of magic to the tone.

 

[SKennedy32]

A massive gear sell off is about to go down in the Classifieds

+1. It def adds a touch of magic to the tone.

 

[ExaltBass]

A massive gear sell off is about to go down in the Classifieds

That's what I did

 

[SKennedy32]

has anyone run the Noble before their effects? I currently run a dirty and clean line to FOH and run a mixed signal to my amp via a blender. Wondering if I could run the Noble pre split and get the tubeyness for both channels (dirty and clean) via the 1/4 out and not use the xlr out.

 

[nateynate]

Man, great thread guys. Lots of good information. I've been researching the Noble for a while (along with other things) in a quest for the best match between portability, consistency, and tone. Also run a studio so will be doing DI work there as well as session work for other people in other locations.

I play a lot of hillcountry blues (some funky, trance style of cotton patch blules ie RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, etc.) as well as straight up blues, americana, even sometimes punk / straight rock stuff (with the occasional 80s/90s country wedding band).

I currently play a '76 P with LaBella flats and Lollar pickups, an Ibanez BTB 5 string with 18v Bartolinis, and a 40s Kay upright with a K&K bridge pickup. Main rig is GenzBenz ShuttleMax 9.2 -> fEARFul 15/1. I also have various other smaller amps I use for smaller shows. I plan to keep the fEARful for larger outdoor gigs, but will looking at something smaller for smaller shows / venues (ie: fEARless / Accugroove or similar in 12" probably or 2x10).

What I want to do is have the same head / amp / pre + a choice of cabs based on need. I like the tone I get from the GB 9.2 but lots of times I do smaller shows where I am DI only (with upright or acoustic fretless) through house PA or something like the Bose Line array. I've seen a few guys throughout this thread mention the 9.2.

All that to basically ask recommendations and experiences with similar rigs. I'm after something I can use in every environment (upright, electric, etc) and just take a bigger cab for stage if I need it. Keep the tone / setup constant.

My thoughts were : Noble + Empress ParaEQ + tuner + wireless on a pedalboard (possibly a boost like 5th gear) and maybe Octave or Delay.

Any ideas / experiences appreciated!

Nate