This is a good and cheaper option that you can consider.
Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp + DI (NBP-5) - NUX
Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp + DI (NBP-5) - NUX
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Preamp pedal recommendations.
- Thread starter Steve Fox
- Start date
I have a SansAmp BDDI and it's a good pedal.
I also have an EBS MicroBass 3 and it's a really good pedal ; it's also got an FX loop, so it can be a pedalboard hub. (Forget the distortion channel, though; they should've just done two the same, like the Stanley Clarke acoustic one.)
I also have an EBS MicroBass 3 and it's a really good pedal ; it's also got an FX loop, so it can be a pedalboard hub. (Forget the distortion channel, though; they should've just done two the same, like the Stanley Clarke acoustic one.)
Per my real-life experience and in order of preference:
*Tech 21 Fly Rig
*EBS MicroBass 3
*Trace Elliot Transit B
Each offers what I consider to be the essentials for a usable single pedal platform.
Riis
*Tech 21 Fly Rig
*EBS MicroBass 3
*Trace Elliot Transit B
Each offers what I consider to be the essentials for a usable single pedal platform.
Riis
Sansamp Programmable Bass Driver DI.
Sounds well, has usable drive sounds and it works super well with FOH.
EBS MicroBass 2 & 3: Depending on the features one wants/needs, these offer a bit more versatility in the clean sounds than the SansAmp, but their drives are not great.
Any "Alembic F-2B" style Pedal (AMT A-Bass, Broughton Super Stack, Sushi Box FX Particle/Underground Accelerator, EBS Valve Drive2, to name a few)
Sounds well, has usable drive sounds and it works super well with FOH.
EBS MicroBass 2 & 3: Depending on the features one wants/needs, these offer a bit more versatility in the clean sounds than the SansAmp, but their drives are not great.
Any "Alembic F-2B" style Pedal (AMT A-Bass, Broughton Super Stack, Sushi Box FX Particle/Underground Accelerator, EBS Valve Drive2, to name a few)
Can't go wrong with a Sansamp.
Two Notes Le Bass would be my other recommendation.
Two Notes Le Bass would be my other recommendation.
some may say i'm stuck in 2010 with this but,
the VT bass is the perfect fit.
I say it constantly. I use mine all the time.
the VT bass is the perfect fit.
I say it constantly. I use mine all the time.
I'd vote JHS Colour Box and if you can find it used... even better! Its classified as " preamp / eq / OD/ Dirt / Fuzz / DI box" based off a Neve studio console and has fun colors on the pedal.
V2 does have neat features the V1 doesnt have, so could be something else to consider when looking.
V2 does have neat features the V1 doesnt have, so could be something else to consider when looking.
Alan Ace Cooper
Supporting Member
- Jan 6, 2004
- 3,349
- 9,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Devon Basses, DR Strings, EMG pickups, Bag End Cabs
That was my recent move too! I sold EBS MicroBass II and bought the Tone Hammer...
+1 on the SCR-DI, but I have heard a lot of good tones out of the MXR M80 and M81 too
Worst customer service I've ever found. Their software interface simply doesn't work. NUX's only solution was 'buy another cable'. Never mind that I had tried six different cables at that point in time. I sent it back.
He said he wanted something with character, messenger is a great piece, but it is dead clean
Correct.
I use Messenger with my EUB. Even though I love it, I wouldn't recommend it to anybody wanting preamp with character...
Last edited:
You get a -1 on the Ampeg SCR from me. I am usually an Ampeg guy and like the overall sound, but there are two things that can make live hard if you are gigging frequently:
1. The knobs turn way too easily. The slightest touch and they are all over the place. That is annoying when packing and unpacking and can get you into trouble if it happens mid show.
2. The -15db switch for changing between active and passive basses is on the inside. You have to unscrew the bottom and then you have to change an electric bridge or something which is really small and quite hard to do.
1. The knobs turn way too easily. The slightest touch and they are all over the place. That is annoying when packing and unpacking and can get you into trouble if it happens mid show.
2. The -15db switch for changing between active and passive basses is on the inside. You have to unscrew the bottom and then you have to change an electric bridge or something which is really small and quite hard to do.
I only have experience with the Sansamp VT DI and the EBS Microbass 3, but I would recommend either! I've used the VT extensively for years and just bought the EBS recently. I really enjoy both. I would give a slight edge to the Microbass 3 as an all-in one platform just for the little details it includes that the VT doesn't have, including the input peak light, 2 channels, and onboard tuner. Highly recommend!
Im leaning towards the EBS, based mainly on how much I enjoy my Reidmar 750. That combined with it having an in build tuner and compression are some pretty strong selling points. Does it have its own character or is it more of a super clean "your bass plus equalization"?
