Rack Preamp Recommendation

[Zooberwerx]

Just looked in the classifieds. Best you can do is a SansAmp product or a BBE BMax-T for $210 (...my first choice at the moment).

Riis

 

[HeavyJazz]

Either of the Demeter preamps will fill your needs. They pop up used here from time to time.

 

[JaseyT]

I collected over 30 different preamps and wrote a little about it here: Invalid Link Removed

Um, is there a version of this that's in English?

 

[TheReceder]

Yamaha PB1

Had one sold one... regretted the sale many times.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Ashly BP41, by the way this is the only pre Geddy Lee used for years.

 

[Stranger Danger]

If you can stretch to $375 these are incredibly good:

Fender TBP-1 Tube Bass Preamp | The Skipsonian

 

[Spent]

I’ve used most of the preamps listed; Ashly sc-40 (sold), Yamaha PB-1 (still own) and Demeter vtbp-201s (still own). I’ve also owned the Tech21 RBI, GK Plex and MXR M80 (great, cheap preamp). I’m sure I’m forgetting about a few, but this covers most of them. For the past year I’ve been using a Tech21 Q/Strip and I couldn’t be happier. I’ll probably be selling the rest of them in the near future, the Q/Strip has put an end to my preamp GAS.

 

[sears]

Has anyone mentioned the Ashly and BBE units in the classifieds right now? I use the same Ashly and it's great.

 

[Jazz Ad]

I know exactly what I'd do with gear like this.
Bass into B3, B3 into PA amp, PA amp into 1 or 2 cabs depending on my needs.
I'd ditch everything else in favor of a pretty light 4U bag to keep amp, B3 and cables.
It's a simple, trustworthy combination and I have used the B3 as a preamp with great success for many a gig so I know it will sound like needed.

 

[REV]

+1 on the BBE BMax-T and since no one has mentioned it so far the Alembic F2B. The BBE BMax-T isn't quite as sophisticated electronically but it sounds about as good as the F2B.

 

[MordBass]

You can sometimes find an SWR GrandPrix in that price range. Good preamps. Theyre transparent enough until you start adding gobs of EQ and are very usable for most any style.

 

[NickFromNY]

I had a BMax that’s a I liked a lot. The BMax T will work for you. I use an ampeg SVP-CL now but those are over your range. The Sansamp RPM is a really nice unit if you are willing to go not tube.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I think this might be your deal:

For Sale - Ashly SC-40

 

[The_Janitor]

Second vote for the Peavey Max, it's just a really solid, flexible two channel preamp. I had BBE BMax for a while, it was decent but i prefer the Peavey by a good margin.

 

[Bassheart365]

I've not owned one, but I've heard a lot of bass players love the Art Pro MVA. Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet.

ART Pro MPA II 2-Channel Tube Mic Preamp | PNW GEAR

 

[Jack]

+1 for the Presonus studio channel, I used and loved mine for years.

 

[trevcda]

You might check out an old ADA MB1. It's a MIDI tube pre-amp that has recallable presets. Great for keeping several presets handy at the push of button and you should be able to find one in your price range. And while it's no longer made, and manufacturers tech support is no longer available, adadepot.com is an owner run website/forum with a ton of resources.

 

[Rickter]

Had a BBE Bmax-T for years. Loved the tone. It was limited to a basic sound, but its base tone was tasty and covered most all grounds needed. Ran it into a Crown XLS-402 then to an Avatar 212 I had retrofitted w Eminence DeltaLites.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

If I was looking then one of the old Trace Elliot preamps would be my choice, but they are almost as rare as hens' teeth.

 

[xring]

Check out the Art Pro Channel or Pro Channel II tube pres. Very versatile and sends a strong signal to the amp.