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Preamp alternative ?

P. Bass

P. Bass

Mar 17, 2010
1,489
123
Toronto
#1
Although I've never tried this in a gig situation I have read in "Bass Player" awhile ago that it is entirely feasible.
Plugging into an Avalon U5 (pure class A) DI , then into power while using the active pre on the bass (eg: Sadowsky) for tone shaping. The U5 has a (very) HI Z input & a boast circuit so you could set the output level to suit the bass' vol.control range that you prefer. It also has other very usable features. Any opinions?
I ask primarily because the U5 is one of the best TONE PURIFIERS that I have ever heard. I run mine into a dbx160a comp for recording.
Thanks,
B.
 
#2
P. Bass said:
Although I've never tried this in a gig situation I have read in "Bass Player" awhile ago that it is entirely feasible.
Plugging into an Avalon U5 (pure class A) DI , then into power while using the active pre on the bass (eg: Sadowsky) for tone shaping. The U5 has a (very) HI Z input & a boast circuit so you could set the output level to suit the bass' vol.control range that you prefer. It also has other very usable features. Any opinions?
I ask primarily because the U5 is one of the best TONE PURIFIERS that I have ever heard. I run mine into a dbx160a comp for recording.
Thanks,
B.
Click to expand...

There's a fair number of bassists that use it and love it as a bass preamp.

It does have some presets that can modify your tone, but I would definitely want to use an active bass with it for finer control of the tone.
 
#5
Sorry my post wasn't clear , I wasn't comparing units. The two being VERY different beasts.

Just saying that I worked with a bass/DI/active box for many years with good success. The EQ and pickup selector on my bass is plenty of control.
 
#6
fokof said:
Sorry my post wasn't clear , I wasn't comparing units. The two being VERY different beasts.

Just saying that I worked with a bass/DI/active box for many years with good success. The EQ and pickup selector on my bass is plenty of control.
Click to expand...

I couldn't quite divine that from your post -- :confused:

The U5 will have BOATLOADS more gain (which means it will work better with a wider variety of power amps) and probably will have a slightly more hi-fi tone that is very fast, but still plenty warm.
 
#7
lo-freq said:
I couldn't quite divine that from your post -- :confused:

The U5 will have BOATLOADS more gain (which means it will work better with a wider variety of power amps) and probably will have a slightly more hi-fi tone that is very fast, but still plenty warm.
Click to expand...

Me & a buddy who works in a local pro audio dept. were discussing the U5 vs the Avalon 737 tube unit & he was saying that the 737(it's particular tube circuit) can tonally wander as it warms & can get unstable in that respect, even after warmup. The Class A is rock solid ALL DAY LONG. ALL of your points are well taken bro. I just wondered if anyone had experienced any issues w/ the U5, in a live situation. Thanks again people.
 

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