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Pedal pre's

OldogNewTrick

OldogNewTrick

Dec 28, 2004
1,816
1,236
Germany, EU
#1
Which one do you prefer and why ?
Which one has the best clean tone (think Avalon U5) ?
Which one is the most flexible with regards to style / connectivity / application ?
Which one would you consider as a preamp to a poweramp ?


Bassbone

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tech21_sansampparadriverdi.jpg
 
#4
there are a number of other pedal preamps - sadowsky, john east, fodera being but three of them.

You don't have to use the distortion with the mxr, it's a great bang for the buck pedal.

I've tried out most if not all of the ones mentioned.

I'd guess my question would be: what are your requirements?
2 band / 3 band?
DI / no DI / don't care?
Price limit?
1 channel/2 channel?
Looking for one to make switching multiple basses easier?
 
#5
davidmwilson said:
there are a number of other pedal preamps - sadowsky, john east, fodera being but three of them.
Click to expand...

None of those are available in Europe ...

davidmwilson said:
I've tried out most if not all of the ones mentioned.

I'd guess my question would be: what are your requirements?
2 band / 3 band?
DI / no DI / don't care?
Price limit?
1 channel/2 channel?
Looking for one to make switching multiple basses easier?
Click to expand...

Great, could you compare the EBS and the Bassbone ?
Would you think the Equinox is a viable option ?

as to requirements:
pristine, tranparent clean tone (-> U5) "must have" ,
noise-free (hiss-free) "must have",
3-band eq as minimum, better 4-band with para mids,
DI for recording/FOH is a "nice to have",
2-channel as A+B would be "nice to have",
switching multiple basses not important...
Effects loop parallel with blend / serial would be really "nice to have", but there are enough loop controllers available for some additional $$$.

Price level in Germany:
EBS MicroBass II - € 359,-
Bassbone - € 310.-
Para DI - € 259,-
Equinox - € 299,-
MXR Bass DI - € 175,-

for reference:
Summit TD-100 - € 479,-
Avalon U5 - € 599,-
Glockenklang BAC - € 980,-
Eden Navigator - € 1.100,-
Millennia TD-1 - € 1.650,-

oops, got carried away....
 
#6
OldogNewTrick said:
good call, but I hadn't included that one for the same reason I didn't include the Sansamp BassDI - more interested in clean tones, definitely not in distortion.
Click to expand...
The primary difference between the BassDI and ParaDriver DI is the sweepable mids, both have a drive facility that you don't have to use. You can use it just as eq if you want. MXR is the same.
OldogNewTrick said:
None of those are available in Europe ...
Click to expand...
John East is based in the UK, I believe Sadowsky have European distributors
 
#7
OldogNewTrick said:
could you compare the EBS and the Bassbone ?
Click to expand...
With my limited experience with the Bassbone, the EBS is the 'cleaner' sounding of the two. Both good in their own way, but I would probably pick the EBS over the Bassbone. The EBS has some oddities, such as the input being on left side and output on right side, which can make pedalboard mounting awkward but if you don't need that then it won't be an issue for you.
Would you think the Equinox is a viable option ?
Click to expand...
I'm sure it would be, have no experience with it.

I also forgot to mention the Carl Martin 3 band parametric preamp pedal:
http://carlmartin.com/product_pre.htm

You don't say what your maximum price is.

If clean sound is your primary criteria, I'd discount the MXR. It's
a great bang for buck pedal, but I wouldn't call it 'pristine' sounding.
 
#8
I have the EBS if you need to know anything about it... It is pretty clean sounding but can do a decent dirty sound too which don't use much. I have used the unit for about two years now both live and in studio (on 2 albums). ironically I find my newer Fender TBP-1 to be cleaner and smoother sounding. The EBS always seems to need EQing, while the Fender I just plug and play...

The EBS does have a more aggressive sound though which really brings out the growl in both my warwicks
 
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#9
davidmwilson said:
The primary difference between the BassDI and ParaDriver DI is the sweepable mids, both have a drive facility that you don't have to use. You can use it just as eq if you want. MXR is the same.

John East is based in the UK, I believe Sadowsky have European distributors
Click to expand...

John East - all I can find are the U-Retro's onboard pre's, the Sadowsky is basically an outboard version of the 2-band pre (€240 @ Paul'S Bassmatters in Holland).

I've got a´bass with an excellent 3-band onboard pre, which I feed currently directly into my poweramp with pretty good results...
 
#10
Son of Bovril said:
I have the EBS if you need to know anything about it... It is pretty clean sounding but can do a decent dirty sound too which don't use much. I have used the unit for about two years now both live and in studio (on 2 albums). ironically I find my newer Fender TBP-1 to be cleaner and smoother sounding. The EBS always seems to need EQing, while the Fender I just plug and play...

The EBS does have a more aggressive sound though which really brings out the growl in both my warwicks
Click to expand...

hmmm... ok, one can NEVER have enough preamps :smug:

The EBS is fairly frequently available on Ebay here, normally not a so good sign.

I still got my trusty Dual Showman, so I've been ever interested in the TBP-1...

on a side note, I've lined this one up for a DIY project when I next get some leave....
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#11
davidmwilson said:
With my limited experience with the Bassbone, the EBS is the 'cleaner' sounding of the two. I also forgot to mention the Carl Martin 3 band parametric preamp pedal:
http://carlmartin.com/product_pre.htm

You don't say what your maximum price is.
Click to expand...

I would have to be sufficiently below the Avalon so +/- 300,
much more than that, I might just go for the Avalon...


Excellent call on the Carl Martin !!! :)
Its available, its €275, very interesting option !
 
#12
OldogNewTrick said:
John East - all I can find are the U-Retro's onboard pre's...
Click to expand...

Then you need to look harder. ;) There is a pedal model. He's in the UK, so even if your shop down the street doesn't carry the pedal pre, there must be some shop in the EU which could send it to you; ideally they might have a return policy in case you don't like it.

Just to throw it out there, there is a Japanese company called "Crews Maniac Sound" who make a pedal pre which is really good- very clean, pristine sound, and very useful functions. I know it will not be easy to find in general, but you never know- someone may have traveled between Japan and Germany and have it to sell.
 
#14
I use the sans amp. the main reason is that it sounds great with my p-bass. I have tried it with other basses and it does not sound as good. the other pre that I have is a fishman that i got for my kay upright. it sounds nice on my electrics but does not have the same attack as the sans amp. it is great for a "motown" sound.:bassist:
 
#15
OldogNewTrick said:
Which one do you prefer and why ?
Which one has the best clean tone (think Avalon U5) ?
Which one is the most flexible with regards to style / connectivity / application ?
Which one would you consider as a preamp to a poweramp ?


Bassbone

bbone.jpg



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View attachment 2741958
Click to expand...

I prefer the EBS because I consider it the most versatile and flexible...
 
#19
LOL

Thanks for resurrecting my old thread.
I bought on recommendations of David-Wilson a Carl Martin 3-band pre
David Wilson said:
I also forgot to mention the Carl Martin 3 band parametric preamp pedal:
http://carlmartin.com/product_pre.htm
Click to expand...
, which is still today an essential part of my setup.

bucephylus said:
11 year old thread. Just sayin. A few things have changed in the meantime, and doubtful that OP is still “on the hunt.”
Click to expand...
That being said, we are always "on the hunt" for that elusive perfect tone.
A Tech21 VT has been added to get a more vintage tone, to add that magic ingredient
And recently the Ampeg 20-T for yet the closest vintage tone I have yet experienced.

Still, for playing my fretless, the Carl Martin Pre into a solid state power amp is perfect. Such a prestine and precise sculpting tool.
It gets also (mis-)used as HF and room correction EQ, when required.
 
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