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Playing a Sadowsky preamp through a Markbass Micromark (problems?)

ArteK

ArteK

Supporting Member
May 13, 2017
710
1,331
Boston area (Merrimack Valley)
#1
I recently picked up a Sadowsky bass preamp/DI box:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/sadowsky_sbp_1_bass_preamp_di.htm

I'm playing it through a very small amp, a 45W Markbass Microbass 1x8 combo amp.

The pedal has boosted the input signal quite a bit, to the point where the Microbass amp is now much louder than it used to be. It sounds really great, but I'm a little nervous that I'm overdriving the signal too much.

The sound remains perfectly clean, with no crackling or distortion. However, the performance boost is so dramatic that I wanted to see if anyone's had any troubles with pedals overdriving the signal on a Microbass (or maybe even some other similarly small amp).

Otherwise, I'll assume that this is just a happy accident to have found a way to make the Micromark almost able to keep up with a reasonably quiet drummer (or maybe even a moderately quiet one).

-- Arte
 
#2
ArteK said:
I recently picked up a Sadowsky bass preamp/DI box:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/sadowsky_sbp_1_bass_preamp_di.htm

I'm playing it through a very small amp, a 45W Markbass Microbass 1x8 combo amp.

The pedal has boosted the input signal quite a bit, to the point where the Microbass amp is now much louder than it used to be. It sounds really great, but I'm a little nervous that I'm overdriving the signal too much.

The sound remains perfectly clean, with no crackling or distortion. However, the performance boost is so dramatic that I wanted to see if anyone's had any troubles with pedals overdriving the signal on a Microbass (or maybe even some other similarly small amp).

Otherwise, I'll assume that this is just a happy accident to have found a way to make the Micromark almost able to keep up with a reasonably quiet drummer (or maybe even a moderately quiet one).

-- Arte
Click to expand...
If it sounds clean I don't see a problem. I also have a Sadowsky outboard preamp(the older belt clip one) and it breathed new life into an otherwise anemic SWR Workingman's 10 combo I had. It's as if the preamp finds power the amp didn't know it had. The combo was much louder and fatter sounding. A great addition to smaller combo amps.
 
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#5
I suspect that the internal pre and power amps are actually delivering the same gain increase they always did. What is different is that the incoming signal (that they start with) is now higher. As long as you are not hearing distortion/break-up from overdriving the input with too hot of a signal, you should be perfectly fine...and obviously happier!

Think about it this way....with your amp's controls at the same settings if you increase or decease the volume knob on your bass, the sound gets louder or softer. It's sounds like all you've done here is boosted the incoming signal more from your bass than you could even with the bass' volume knob full-up, and that hot of a signal is not overdriving your preamp.
 
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#7
I find the same when I use my Bass FlyRig with my Phil Jones BG400 combo. The FlyRig gives a hotter signal and dramatically increases bass amp output volume. I have been using it this way for several months with no issues. The output is clean: no distortion, etc.
 
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#8
If the overall output is significantly higher, you might want to keep an eye (and ear) on the amp during any longer playing sessions. It is at least possible that pushing the amp harder could cause it too heat up more quickly or have other issues that only really start if you push it that way for a while. Not saying I'm predicting that is the case, but something to pay attention to as you try out the new setup.
 
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#9
A lot is going to depend on how you have the EQ set on the Sadowsky pre. Also, are you using a bass that is already active going into the Sadowsky? That's important, because you may have an already hot signal going into another preamp.

I have had every iteration of that preamp, from the early belt clip style model in the late 90s, to the stopbox DI style you have, to the current 'small profile' preamp-only stompbox without any of the fancy bells and whistles. It's powerful, and the bass setting is capable of giving you some thunderous low end that could cause some issues with that small amp. Assuming you're playing a PASSIVE bass (basic Fender Jazz or P Bass for example), make sure you are starting with the bass/treble controls set in a 'modest' range - maybe 50/50 on each. Then, I set the volume on the preamp to 100%. THEN, set the gain on your amp to the point where you are almost clipping the input and then back off a bit.... that'll give you a strong signal with no clipping. THEN play around with the Sadowsky and the amp EQ to get the sound you want. You may be able to get away with a 'flatter' setting on the amp with the Sadowsky in the mix, which may not tax the amp as much moving forward.
 
#10
Al Kraft said:
I suspect that the internal pre and power amps are actually delivering the same gain increase they always did. What is different is that the incoming signal (that they start with) is now higher. As long as you are not hearing distortion/break-up from overdriving the input with too hot of a signal, you should be perfectly fine...and obviously happier!

Think about it this way....with your amp's controls at the same settings if you increase or decease the volume knob on your bass, the sound gets louder or softer. It's sounds like all you've done here is boosted the incoming signal more from your bass than you could even with the bass' volume knob full-up, and that hot of a signal is not overdriving your preamp.
Click to expand...
You hit the nail on the head. The preamp’s job is to boost the signal thus the pre in preamp. Unless your cabs are operating at an impedance level that’s lower than what your amp can handle you should be fine.

I have one of those boxes too and it turns my passive 70s jazz bass into a beast.
 
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#11
conttador said:
You hit the nail on the head. The preamp’s job is to boost the signal thus the pre in preamp. Unless your cabs are operating at an impedance level that’s lower than what your amp can handle you should be fine.

I have one of those boxes too and it turns my passive 70s jazz bass into a beast.
Click to expand...
Great for a passive J bass, really.
 
#12
JazznFunk said:
A lot is going to depend on how you have the EQ set on the Sadowsky pre. Also, are you using a bass that is already active going into the Sadowsky? That's important, because you may have an already hot signal going into another preamp.

I have had every iteration of that preamp, from the early belt clip style model in the late 90s, to the stopbox DI style you have, to the current 'small profile' preamp-only stompbox without any of the fancy bells and whistles. It's powerful, and the bass setting is capable of giving you some thunderous low end that could cause some issues with that small amp. Assuming you're playing a PASSIVE bass (basic Fender Jazz or P Bass for example), make sure you are starting with the bass/treble controls set in a 'modest' range - maybe 50/50 on each. Then, I set the volume on the preamp to 100%. THEN, set the gain on your amp to the point where you are almost clipping the input and then back off a bit.... that'll give you a strong signal with no clipping. THEN play around with the Sadowsky and the amp EQ to get the sound you want. You may be able to get away with a 'flatter' setting on the amp with the Sadowsky in the mix, which may not tax the amp as much moving forward.
Click to expand...
Another good point. If you are running the preamp on an active bass in essence using both the outboard & onboard preamp you’re double dipping and would have a doubly hot signal.

if that is indeed the case and your bass has an active passive switch I would ensure the bass’ onboard preamp is set to passive.
 
#13
BluesWalker said:
I find the same when I use my Bass FlyRig with my Phil Jones BG400 combo. The FlyRig gives a hotter signal and dramatically increases bass amp output volume. I have been using it this way for several months with no issues. The output is clean: no distortion, etc.
Click to expand...
I do the same. I found the BG 400 was not at all loud until i added a clean boost in front of the amp. Output improved massively, no distortion.
 
Last edited:
#14
The Markbass has no gain knob. That means they had to take into account that a very hot bass is connected to the input and it still works fine. If your bass is not a very hot bass, the preamp might make it one.
This should be fine. Markbass amps usually have very unpleasant clipping that can be easily spotted. It's not very musical.
Furthermore, Markbass amps go surprisingly loud for their size.
 
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#16
JazznFunk said:
A lot is going to depend on how you have the EQ set on the Sadowsky pre. Also, are you using a bass that is already active going into the Sadowsky? That's important, because you may have an already hot signal going into another preamp.

I have had every iteration of that preamp, from the early belt clip style model in the late 90s, to the stopbox DI style you have, to the current 'small profile' preamp-only stompbox without any of the fancy bells and whistles. It's powerful, and the bass setting is capable of giving you some thunderous low end that could cause some issues with that small amp. Assuming you're playing a PASSIVE bass (basic Fender Jazz or P Bass for example), make sure you are starting with the bass/treble controls set in a 'modest' range - maybe 50/50 on each. Then, I set the volume on the preamp to 100%. THEN, set the gain on your amp to the point where you are almost clipping the input and then back off a bit.... that'll give you a strong signal with no clipping. THEN play around with the Sadowsky and the amp EQ to get the sound you want. You may be able to get away with a 'flatter' setting on the amp with the Sadowsky in the mix, which may not tax the amp as much moving forward.
Click to expand...

Good general advice but the OP's amp has only volume and filter controls, no EQ. All the EQ comes from the preamp.
 
#17
I do the same thing with a Trace Elliot ELF micro head , I run a boss graphic eq pedal through it ,it boosts the signal significantly and gets me a much more desirable palate of sound to work with...no problems
 
#18
ArteK said:
I recently picked up a Sadowsky bass preamp/DI box:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/sadowsky_sbp_1_bass_preamp_di.htm

I'm playing it through a very small amp, a 45W Markbass Microbass 1x8 combo amp.

The pedal has boosted the input signal quite a bit, to the point where the Microbass amp is now much louder than it used to be. It sounds really great, but I'm a little nervous that I'm overdriving the signal too much.

The sound remains perfectly clean, with no crackling or distortion. However, the performance boost is so dramatic that I wanted to see if anyone's had any troubles with pedals overdriving the signal on a Microbass (or maybe even some other similarly small amp).

Otherwise, I'll assume that this is just a happy accident to have found a way to make the Micromark almost able to keep up with a reasonably quiet drummer (or maybe even a moderately quiet one).

-- Arte
Click to expand...

Probably the worst thing that will happen is you get distortion.
 
#19
As for how I EQ the amp, I typically run the VPF (Variable Preset Filter, or mid scoop) knob at noon (50%), so I'm already getting some "scoop" already.

The Sadowsky preamp/DI is set to have maybe two notches (20%) up on the high and low settings, volume at 10 o'clock to noon (30-50%).

As for volume on the amp itself, I find having it around 9 o'clock to 11 o'clock (25-40%) gives me all of the volume I need with a low-to-medium volume, mixed acoustic and electric group (with a mostly light-playing drummer).
 

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