Preamp pedals that do line level?

[JazzyJacuzzi]

What are some actual preamp pedals? By that I mean preamps in the form of pedals that can do line level?

There are the Mesa Subway pedals. The Trickfish preamps suggest being able to do line level, but it's not clear… what are some others?

 

[DanDBassist]

Jazzy, you got me wondering what line level actually is and I found right here on talkbass a link that helped explain it. It appears that there are several voltage levels of line level and it looks like a helpful article.
Preamps Explained

 

[Johno Dunn]

LR Baggs Stadium DI.

 

[bassbrad]

1v line level 1/4" TS? TRS? XLR? Or some other connection?
What do you need to drive at line level and what connection?

 

[JazzyJacuzzi]

1v line level 1/4" TS? TRS? XLR? Or some other connection?
What do you need to drive at line level and what connection?

I want to drive the effects loop return input of an Aguilar Tone Hammer head — 1/4 TS.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I want to drive the effects loop return input of an Aguilar Tone Hammer head — 1/4 TS.

That's unusual...I thought the TH pre was largely revered. Just about every SansAmp pedal is capable of feeding a line level device...check the individual manuals for specs.

Riis

 

[two fingers]

That's unusual...I thought the TH pre was largely revered. Just about every SansAmp pedal is capable of feeding a line level device...check the individual manuals for specs.

Riis

I think it does what it does very well. But it only does what it does.

 

[JazzyJacuzzi]

That's unusual...I thought the TH pre was largely revered. Just about every SansAmp pedal is capable of feeding a line level device...check the individual manuals for specs.

Riis

I think it does what it does very well. But it only does what it does.

I've never had any issues whatsoever plugging into any amplifier, but for whatever reason, I can't make the TH work for me. I keep trying -- Precision with flats, Jazz with flats, Jazz with rounds, Stingray with rounds -- but it just does not do it for me, even after going through this 10-page thread.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I think it does what it does very well. But it only does what it does.

Would you have any hesitations sticking a character pre pedal (instrument level) on the front end of a TH or would you anticipate conflicts? I just hate laboring under the assumption that the addition of an extraneous device mandates bypassing the resident preamp.

Riis

 

[two fingers]

Would you have any hesitations sticking a character pre pedal (instrument level) on the front end of a TH or would you anticipate conflicts? I just hate laboring under the assumption that the addition of an extraneous device mandates bypassing the resident preamp.

Riis

I would have to experiment with it. I have not owned a TH myself. I have played through the pedal pre. I like what it does for some kinds if music. But there's no fighting what it does. It's sort of like the Sansamp line. If squeaky clean is your thing, go in another direction. Warm and wooly is where the Sansamp (and TH for that matter) excels.

As such, if the form factor works for @JazzyJacuzzi and he wants to experiment with other pre options, I say go for it...especially if he is already working with a pedal board (or putting one together) anyway.

In the long run, perhaps he can just get one if those tiny pedal board power amps assuming he can dial in what he's after with the new pre.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I've never had any issues whatsoever plugging into any amplifier, but for whatever reason, I can't make the TH work for me. I keep trying -- Precision with flats, Jazz with flats, Jazz with rounds, Stingray with rounds -- but it just does not do it for me, even after going through this 10-page thread.

IME, your best singular bet would be a BDDI v2.

*Can be used either instrument or line level.
*Almost the "gold standard" by which others are frequently compared.
*Not everybody's favorite...may not be yours, either...but can be easily flipped.
*SansAmp gear has a tendency to "commandeer" the tonal palette.

Riis

 

[JazzyJacuzzi]

Would you have any hesitations sticking a character pre pedal (instrument level) on the front end of a TH or would you anticipate conflicts? I just hate laboring under the assumption that the addition of an extraneous device mandates bypassing the resident preamp.

Riis

I would have to experiment with it. I have not owned a TH myself. I have played through the pedal pre. I like what it does for some kinds if music. But there's no fighting what it does. It's sort of like the Sansamp line. If squeaky clean is your thing, go in another direction. Warm and wooly is where the Sansamp (and TH for that matter) excels.

As such, if the form factor works for @JazzyJacuzzi and he wants to experiment with other pre options, I say go for it...especially if he is already working with a pedal board (or putting one together) anyway.

In the long run, perhaps he can just get one if those tiny pedal board power amps assuming he can dial in what he's after with the new pre.

I tried doing just that with a Broughton Fliptop (that's when I learned most preamp pedals are actually not preamps as mentioned in the @bongomania piece quoted above by @DanDBassist). It made things sound worse, IME. As @two fingers pointed out, there's just no way of getting around that TH sound. I'm terrible at describing tone, but the TH sounds "boxy," not in the traditional use of the term, but boxy in a like medium/small-sized box made out of a modern-ish material that's meant to replace wood.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I tried doing just that with a Broughton Fliptop (that's when I learned most preamp pedals are actually not preamps as mentioned in the @bongomania piece quoted above by @DanDBassist). It made things sound worse, IME. As @two fingers pointed out, there's just no way of getting around that TH sound. I'm terrible at describing tone, but the TH sounds "boxy," not in the traditional use of the term, but boxy in a like medium/small-sized box made out of a modern-ish material that's meant to replace wood.

What speaker are you running the amp into?

 

[JazzyJacuzzi]

What speaker are you running the amp into?

Couldn't tell you for sure since it's the setup at the studio where my band rehearses, but it looks like an Aguilar DB 112 (or DB 112NT).

 

[DJ Bebop]

Couldn't tell you for sure since it's the setup at the studio where my band rehearses, but it looks like an Aguilar DB 112 (or DB 112NT).

That maybe adding to the color of an already colored tone of that amp.

 

[40Hz]

I've never had any issues whatsoever plugging into any amplifier, but for whatever reason, I can't make the TH work for me. I keep trying -- Precision with flats, Jazz with flats, Jazz with rounds, Stingray with rounds -- but it just does not do it for me, even after going through this 10-page thread.

It happens. I have the Barber Linden EQ pre (basically a B-15 tonestack in pedal form) that does great things for every bass I own except for one. And that's a Squier CV 60s JB. And that bass sounds great with everything else I own except for the Linden.

I have no explanation for why those two don't get along. I've tried a lot of different things in an attempt to fix it. But it was all to no avail. Sometimes it just is what it is.

 

[AMJBASS]

Quilter Interbass does line level out. Killer preamp.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

The Noble tube preamp/DI has two exists: line-level 1/4" jack (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced). Wonderful tone with electric bass and double bass.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

What are some actual preamp pedals? By that I mean preamps in the form of pedals that can do line level?

There are the Mesa Subway pedals. The Trickfish preamps suggest being able to do line level, but it's not clear… what are some others?

Eden WTDI. Plenty on the market and will not make you broke.

 

[Aidenn7]

the Tone hammer di is way too hot for a DI out use something like an ohmni cab to filter down the drive..