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Preamp?

#21
I didn't see whether anyone has asked you Doodaddy, but what "sound" were you after in particular?

I'd recommend the Avalon U5 myself, since that's what I use... but I like a particular 'clarity' that the Avalon gives me.

If you're after something a little 'grittier' :bassist: , it might not be your 'cup 'o soup'!
 
#22
oshaughnessy said:
I bought a Radial Bassbone a month or two ago. It has 2 channels with separate EQ sections, and channel 1 has 2 great sounding presets and a flat setting. It also has a tuner out, high quality direct out, and a boost/mute/effects loop. It's *really* flexible -- a Swiss Army Knife of a pedal/preamp. I haven't been able to get a bad sound out of it, either. Some people seem to mistake it for an overdrive pedal, but if you just expect it to be a preamp with some nice tone shaping controls, it's great. I think one will run you about $250 new.
Click to expand...

What type of power are you running you're BassBone into?
Are you having any trouble with instrument level output,
as opposed to line level output?
In another thread someone said that the output on the BassBone
wasn't all that compatible with power amps.
Just curious.
Thanks.
 
#23
Bringing this back from the dead. :)

I'm looking for something clean and warm, but can give me something gritty if I feel like it.

I've been doing a lot of reading and I can't decide between the BBE BMAX or the Sansamp RBI. Any reason for one over the other? Or any reccomendations for comparable pre's in the same price range.
 
#25
Doodaddy said:
Bringing this back from the dead. :)

I'm looking for something clean and warm, but can give me something gritty if I feel like it.

I've been doing a lot of reading and I can't decide between the BBE BMAX or the Sansamp RBI. Any reason for one over the other? Or any reccomendations for comparable pre's in the same price range.
Click to expand...

You're not going to get "gritty" from the BBE.
I have a BMax, and it's got a great "clean" sound.
Punchy with plenty of bottom depending on how you EQ it.
But it doesn't have any "tube-ness", unless maybe you go
for the BMax-T. I can't say for sure though, I've only had
experience with the solid state version.
 
#27
From what I've seen, I think anything with a tube is going to be too much.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily.

As has been suggested before, go to Invalid Link Removed to listen to some sound samples of various preamps. My current favorite sound sample is actually the DI from a Mesa Walkabout amp (tube preamp circuit).

It's a good sign that you're as dilligent as you've been so far in doing your "homework". :D
 
#33
Doodaddy said:
Well, for one, I'm not looking to spend $2500 on a B stock item. 8\

And I didn't think mic pre's made good bass pre's?
Click to expand...

First of all,you can get a brand new TD-1(not a B-stock) for around $1600.00.

And the TD-1 is an awesome bass preamp! Do a search on Talkbass for Millennia gear and see what everybody else is saying!

John
 
#34
I searched ebay and a B stock came up for that.

I never said it wouldn't be, I was just under the impression that mic pre's wouldn't be a good choice.

I think I've decided on the RBI. Any suggestions around that price? (Have yet to find a Navigator for sell).
 
#37
Had the RBI. Have a U5. Have a Great River MP-2MH (very high end preamp).

For live bass, I use a Bass PODxt Live. Once you get past the terrible presets there are some great sounds to be had. Including everything the RBI does. And a lot more.

It will get very very close to the U5 in tone, when played through a bass cab or PA. The areas where the U5 is better are areas that only exist in controlled listening environments through high fidelity speakers. Through a cab or PA, the subtleties are lost.
 
#38
Esquillama said:
What type of power are you running you're BassBone into?
Are you having any trouble with instrument level output,
as opposed to line level output?
In another thread someone said that the output on the BassBone
wasn't all that compatible with power amps.
Just curious.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Ya know, that's a good question. I actually haven't tried it direct into a power amp. I just sold my standalone power amp, too, so I can't go test it out now. I've only used the instrument-level out to feed a Tech21 Landmark 60 or a EA iAmp 350, and it's just right for that, so I'd guess it's probably *not* just right for power amps. Shoot, now I'm curious and I can't find out. I might be able to rig it up at church -- if I can pull that off this Sunday, I'll report back to you.
 
#39
oshaughnessy said:
Ya know, that's a good question. I actually haven't tried it direct into a power amp. I just sold my standalone power amp, too, so I can't go test it out now. I've only used the instrument-level out to feed a Tech21 Landmark 60 or a EA iAmp 350, and it's just right for that, so I'd guess it's probably *not* just right for power amps. Shoot, now I'm curious and I can't find out. I might be able to rig it up at church -- if I can pull that off this Sunday, I'll report back to you.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That would be great.
 

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