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Preamp Shootout

Which preamp should I go with?

  • Total voters
    90
M

mrkreuzschlitz

Jun 30, 2008
1,343
8
Dacula, GA
#1
Recently I got an Ampeg 8x10 through a fellow TB'er (although it was through CL) and with that I kinda want to change my rig up a little. Well right now I'm using an Ampeg SVT-IIp, and I've been looking to sell it, and with that I've been looking at new preamps. I've really taken a liking to the BBE Bmax (SS version) over the Sansamp RBI (which does have the effects send, rear input, etc) but I'm stuck. Right now I'm aiming for a nice growly meaty type tone, and my SVT-IIp is close, but no cigar.

Anyways, its in the air, and I've heard that the BBE is better for the sound I want and I already have a Sansamp BDDI in case I need some grit. What do you guys think, Sansamp, BBE, or keep the Ampeg?

Oh yeah, I'd also like a Gallien Krueger 1001-RBII.
:D
 
#2
You'd do well to try an Ampeg SVP-CL and/or SVP-Pro if you like tubes. Neither is made any more, but they come up frequently. I've used an Alembic F1-X for a great Fender tube tone, but on the clean side. My current Eden Navigator kind of does everything, most pretty good. Actually, the ss BBE is a great value and good pre. You could do far worse than that.
 
#3
I had the SVP Cl and the SVP Pro They were both very nice.. but still may favorite ampeg preamp of all time time is also not made anymore.. its the old SVT-IIP i think it is called.. its the same pre as the older SVT 2 Non-Pro.. Voiced much differently than the newer version SVP pro.. more like a real vintage SVT voicing .. even more so than the SVP-cl in my opinion..
Some of the early SVP-CLs had a gin problem if i remember correctly but i think they fixed that..
I know the SVP-Cl is supposed to sound like a vintage SVT but i think the SVT-IIP come much closer.

If you can find an old SVP-II give it a try... I saw on on ebay for $75 and i should have grabbed it.


I also like the Alembic F2B over the F1X.. The F2B has a more tube sound than the F1X since the F1X goes through a SS chip before its output and the Deep switch is just troublesome in my opinion...
Overall the Alembic pre is very clean and easy and sound good in just about any situation...

But for me the SVT-IIP is the ****!!

EDIT: I meant that i like the SVT IIp which is the non pro version ...
 
#4
svtb15 said:
I had the SVP Cl and the SVP Pro They were both very nice.. but still may favorite ampeg preamp of all time time is also not made anymore.. its the old SVT-IIP i think it is called.. its the same pre as the older SVT 2 Non-Pro.. Voiced much differently than the newer version SVP pro.. more like a real vintage SVT voicing .. even more so than the SVP-cl in my opinion..
Some of the early SVP-CLs had a gin problem if i remember correctly but i think they fixed that..
I know the SVP-Cl is supposed to sound like a vintage SVT but i think the SVT-IIP come much closer.

If you can find an old SVP-II give it a try... I saw on on evay for $75 and i should have grabbed it.


I also like the Alembic F2B over the F1X.. The F2B has a more tube sound than the F1X since the F1X goes through a SS chip before its output and the Deep switch is just troublesome in my opinion...
Overall the Alembic pre is very clean and easy and sound good in just about any situation...
Click to expand...

I think you have your models switched up.
I have an Ampeg SVT-IIp, which is the preamp from the svt-II non pro.
 
#5
I think you are right.. this is the one im talking about .. I like it much more than the Pro version.. It is voiced more like an Old SVT i think.


18989-1.gif


I will change my text

mrkreuzschlitz said:
I think you have your models switched up.
I have an Ampeg SVT-IIp, which is the preamp from the svt-II non pro.
Click to expand...
 
#6
I just swapped out (like 10 minutes ago) my old tube pre of 11 years (Alembic F-1X) for the Ampeg SVT-IIP. Gig testing won't come till Saturday, but fiddling around at home, the Ampeg is absolutely blowing me away. It's THE sound I've been looking for: vintage, round & deep but also bold & assertive.

You say you want "meaty" and "growly". I'm not sure anything could possibly be meatier than the Ampeg. Growly - maybe? (Solid State circuits like the GK seem to growl more.)

If I were you, I wouldn't let go of that Ampeg unit until I was absolutely sure I had something more to my liking. Before giving up on the Ampeg, you might want to check the tubes. I've heard complaints of the original tubes being cheaper - retubing w/ quality tubes apparently can help reduce noise & would likely affect the tone.
 
#7
If youcan find a Aguilar DB659, that would be my vote. I went from an Ampeg SVP-Pro which was awesomely tubey and thick, but didnt have the body and definition to the notes i wanted, to teh SWR IOD which had a lot of note definition, but no meat behind teh notes, and a few other preamps before finally settling on the Aguiar DB659, which has a great mid warmth and meat to teh sound, while being full on teh bottom, and teh top, with great note definition. and i use a BDDI through it, and teh combo works nicely as well.
 
#13
Nothing against the BMax, but I think you might want to consider the other Sansamp (the RPM), and the TBP-1 Fender Tube Pre. For bigger bucks, there are the Demeters. Go used! :cool:

The Art tube channel I use is a discontinued model, that is superb. You can hear 'em all on Basstasters.
 
#14
I choose "Other" because if the Ampeg can't give you the "growly meaty type tone" then the Sansamp probably won't either. I have no experience with the BBE, but it might be worth a try. Have you tried a Trace? They growl, but with a British accent. Like Jason Statham.
 
#18
I have run my SVT3 Nonpro. Same Preamp as the listed (SVTIIP) and pictured above.. I ran it into my Crown amp with the crown input turned down and the SVTIIP turned up.. It growled slightly.
That Ampeg has far better Mid EQ than the newer SVP Pro in my opinion...
The Alembics are very clean tube pres... I have had both my 1977 F2B and a newer F1X at the same time.. I sold the F1X since the F2B has a tone that prefer more.. The F2B is still very clean and not as much EQ options as the older ampeg SVTIIP
 

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