Double Bass Noble tube preamp

[Ric Vice]

Well,

With my Mirecourt 5/8’s and a Grace Designs Preamp the MAS 18 is the best sound I’ve gotten. I cannot speak to the 6x6. I also have a powered 4x5.5 great for DB and EB.

 

[bass08053]

The Noble preamp is phenomenal. I don’t see it talked about much in the DB section, but we have a massive thread dedicated to it in the electric forum. It’s a really well built yet simple device that I can’t live without. Throw any bass through it and you won’t want to play without it. Plus, it can power up to 6 pedals if needed.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I would love to get my hands on one of the Noble pres one just to try it out. It sounds like a brilliant design. If it did for the piezo signal why it seems to do for the participants in the mega thread upstairs, I'd find the scratch for it in a heartbeat.

 

[bass08053]

I would love to get my hands on one of the Noble pres one just to try it out. It sounds like a brilliant design. If it did for the piezo signal why it seems to do for the participants in the mega thread upstairs, I'd find the scratch for it in a heartbeat.

As said in the thread where I saw you posted, it really does something special to anything plugged into it. I don’t even like to practice without the Noble. I constantly get complimented by venues for its warmth and clarity.

 

[vanselus]

Hey Chris, if you wanna borrow mine for a bit let me know.

I would love to get my hands on one of the Noble pres one just to try it out. It sounds like a brilliant design. If it did for the piezo signal why it seems to do for the participants in the mega thread upstairs, I'd find the scratch for it in a heartbeat.

 

[bass08053]

If anyone is ever in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area, feel free to plug into mine as well to jump on the goodwill of @vanselus

 

[Keithunem]

I heard a bluegrass cat friend of mine the other day and he had a Grace going into one of those new Ampeg 50 watt tube heads with a 12 (looks like a mini fliptop B15) and it sounded stellar.

I've been interested in that PF50T with 112PF also but specs didn't look like it had a real deep bottom. Currently using a Mesa Walkabout with 12" and Felix or Aguilar DB751 with DB212 for large spaces. Waiting for my Upton Bohemian...getting a Krivo and Yamahiko installed...excited to hear it!

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Hey Brent I’m late to the party but here’s my 2 bits. One problem with amplfying acoustic instruments is how easy it is to get a sound that’s artificial and unconvincing. Convincing is something the Noble seems to do well with any instrument through any rig. Haven’t used mine with the DB but I have been using it with a very acoustic Ribbecke Halfling ABG. I’m past believing it’s possible to get the natural sound of an acoustic instrument amplified but the Noble brings a natural warmth that makes it easy to at least get a pleasing sound. It’s probably the single best investment in amplification I’ve made in the forty-five years I’ve been playing the bass.

 

[bassmanbrent]

Thanks Jeff! I've come to terms with the notion that MBOL, if I could ever achieve it, is not what's gonna work for me on most of my gigs. A pleasing amplified sound is definitely what I'm trying to refine. Sounds like the Noble might help me get there. I'd love to check yours out sometime soon! I'll text you later. Hope that's cool... Cheers!

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Thanks Jeff! I've come to terms with the notion that MBOL, if I could ever achieve it, is not what's gonna work for me on most of my gigs. A pleasing amplified sound is definitely what I'm trying to refine. Sounds like the Noble might help me get there. I'd love to check yours out sometime soon! I'll text you later. Hope that's cool... Cheers!

You’re more than welcome to try mine. I’m not gigging a ton but I’m living out past Mission so hooking up might take some organization. Doable though. Text me.

 

[bigshiny]

I am really intrigued by the Noble. Knowing that it is a “boost only “ eq I would very interested on how it reacts with different uprights, pu’s and cabs.
So many variables. I am really enjoying my GB Streamliner 900. I played a big room last weekend with a very competent sound man and I used the DI post eq. He and I were both very pleased with what it added. I was so satisfied I actually sold my Puma 900 this last week and got another Streamliner 900 as a backup. It’s amazing how a well designed tube preamp can bring something that sounds so friendly to the human ear.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I am really intrigued by the Noble. Knowing that it is a “boost only “ eq I would very interested on how it reacts with different uprights, pu’s and cabs.
So many variables.

Last night I played pretty loud and used an Empress ParaEQ in front ofvthe Noble to tame low end feedback. The Noble is one flavour of secret sauce not a does-all swiss army knife kinda thing. For that get a Felix.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I am really intrigued by the Noble. Knowing that it is a “boost only “ eq I would very interested on how it reacts with different uprights, pu’s and cabs.
So many variables. I am really enjoying my GB Streamliner 900. I played a big room last weekend with a very competent sound man and I used the DI post eq. He and I were both very pleased with what it added. I was so satisfied I actually sold my Puma 900 this last week and got another Streamliner 900 as a backup. It’s amazing how a well designed tube preamp can bring something that sounds so friendly to the human ear.

I've done lots of gigging with the Streamliner, the Puma 900 and Noble. With acoustic bass guitar, not upright; but using the piezo pickup. To my ears, the Streamliner is very dark in tone, so much so that I sold it. Too hard to EQ. The Puma 900 was great, mostly uncolored, clean tone. Good DI. The Noble preamp / DI is definitely clean but adds a 3D feel to the notes that were not happening with the other two amps. I've used Noble for more than two years and haven't thought twice about using anything else. Easy to plug into any amp or house system.

 

[vanselus]

I am really intrigued by the Noble. Knowing that it is a “boost only “ eq I would very interested on how it reacts with different uprights, pu’s and cabs.

Really well voiced, gig usable - if you know what I mean. This is from last night...

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

This video I prepared provides many aural comparisons in tone of the ABG. I used a Noble in several of these scenarios so you can get a sense of "My_ABG_But_Louder." Not an upright, but it is an accurate "with / without" the Noble & piezo pickup.

• Acoustic – with microphone
• Pickup – straight into DI
• Pickup – via tube preamp / DI
• Cabinet – with microphone
• Blend – tube DI & mic’d cabinet

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I just returned the Noble preamp that @vanselus was kind enough to let me borrow for the Aebersold workshops. I immediately ordered one once I discovered how great it sounds going straight into the FX return of the PJB Super Flight Case. Because it has a HPF built in, I will be able to eliminate the Fdeck HPF that has been velcroed to the back of my amp for years now, relegate the Sansamp Para Driver to a backup, and my entire chain will consist of the Noble's 3 knobs plus the master volume on the PJB amp. I will not miss all of the knob twiddling one bit. Looking forward to it!

 

[flatback]

Hi Chris,
Hey can you go into a little more detail? I am firmly committed to a tube preamp or DI (just had my trusty Demeter Tube DI stolen with my Focus and MAS16) so I am looking for another. I really like the Monique ( Jule is the father of a friend and I like the preamp section and rectifier tube) but I also really dig the minimal Noble concept but I need to know what is the imp? how is the eq? I am curious if it could be used after the Grace like I used the Demeter...I would prolly just use it straight into the poweramp. but more review would be great.

 

[JAKBOUND]

After a long and tiring work week, the dB stayed at home and a Hofner club went to the gig last night. At my advanced age, it’s time to simplify. If I could double with this type of set up (Noble-power-amp or powered speaker), it would be very attractive. Also time to look at the contrabasetto or Kolstein set up. The freedom that came from the lack of dB on stage, where to avoid feed back I am scrunched into the corner, was a pleasant plus for the gig, as was the single trip load in. I look forward to hearing how it works out on gigs, and with the Kolstein.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@flatback The input impedance is 10MegOhm. The unit has three knobs - Volume, Bass, and Treble - and a switch for the fixed HPF, which is fixed at 100hz. As I understand it, the volume is not saturation, but just pure volume. The EQ knobs are boost only, and fixed at 150 and 3.5K Hz, respectively. When used, the curves produce a dip at around 700hz, which is pleasing.

It's really a subtle thing, and depending on the set of the EQ, almost invisible. I say almost because there is an intangible heft and evenness to the signal coming out. I could blather on about upper harmonics being highlighted and other technical yadda yadda, but you kind of have to hear it. I suppose you could put it after the Felix, but then there's gain staging and two different preamp and EQ colors. Might be nice, but I couldn't say.

What is nice was the simplicity of the thing. Use the volume to light the limiter just a flash when you bring out Thor's hammer, EQ to taste with only 2 knobs, and keep the HPF on. That's pretty much it....then just focus on the music.

 

[Don Kasper]

Does this thing really cost $999.00? (+ $18.00 shipping.)
You rich kids get off of my lawn!
(jk)