Rack Preamp Recommendation

[LM Bass]

The Fender TBP-1 is a great piece of gear!

 

[JamesNC]

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

I believe Geddy used the Ashly SC-40 rather than the BP-41.

 

[rwkeating]

Depending on how deep you want to dig into the topic of pre-amp power amp combinations, check out this link
Preamps Explained To cut to the chase, start at the paragraph "A common question is "can this preamp drive a power amp?"

 

[TheBassPreacher]

Thank you...I was originally looking for the old ProBass 1000...I didnt know about the MAX...there is another I just saw called the TB Raxx I didnt know about either (thanks @disssa )

The TB Raxx is a great one actually.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

So, while in Nursing School, my schedule is going to allow me to gig a little bit....I have a few offers, but they are rock groups....so I need power but dont really want to sink a whole lot of money into new gear...Id rather use stuff I have existing, so I yanked out a Mackie M2600 out of the PA to use for the amp ( plenty of power for cleanliness )...Im using my trusty DBX163 for the compressor, mainly as a limiter for transients...The EQ is just filling space......I will either use SWR Goliath cabs or old Crate cabs from the 80s that I like

About me: transparent player. Previously used Genz Benz. Amp color doesnt play into anything for me. Im primarily a fingers and slap guy but I am entertaining using a pick for these groups (Im historically a variety/dance player and these bands are much heavier than that). I use roundwounds and, most of the time, I utilize that rich piano string type sound. I do use a processor, a Zoom B3, but I would like to eliminate that otherwise I would just look into a pre pedal or just use the B3 itself as the Pre

Suggestions? New or used, tube preferred but not necessary - Price range 250 or less

View attachment 3280881

I have a rackmounted tech 21 RPM preamp and like it a lot..its not tube..but is a really nice unit..sells in the $250 range new..I also understand it is being discontinued..they have a Geddy Lee version..Mike Pope had one of the nicest tack mounted preamps out there..but it has been discontinued..it sold for around $1500..he still makes the units that mount right inside the instrument control panel area..

 

[Mingo Sanders]

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

I use Chrome as a browser. If you're on Chrome, look to the upper right where there's a "star" to bookmark the page. Just to the left of the star is something that looks like this:

That's the translate button.

 

[hennessybass]

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

Great website.
Thank goodness for google translate.
... although it does make for some funny reading now and then.

 

[JaseyT]

I use Chrome as a browser. If you're on Chrome, look to the upper right where there's a "star" to bookmark the page. Just to the left of the star is something that looks like this:
View attachment 3281940
That's the translate button.

Awesome, thank you.

 

[JaseyT]

I believe Geddy used the Ashly SC-40 rather than the BP-41.

That's right. Somewhere around 1979-ish, in that period between Hemispheres and Permanent Waves, he began using the SC-40. Up until the Grace Under Pressure tour, when he used a Furman PQ-3 as his "preamp".

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Another vote for the Peavey Max Bass. One rack unit high.

You should be able to pick one up for 100 bucks. Performs as good as ones going for 4x the price.

I’m into just heads right now, but if I go back to separates, I’ll pick up anther Max Bass for sure.

 

[Nephilymbass]

So, while in Nursing School, my schedule is going to allow me to gig a little bit....I have a few offers, but they are rock groups....so I need power but dont really want to sink a whole lot of money into new gear...Id rather use stuff I have existing, so I yanked out a Mackie M2600 out of the PA to use for the amp ( plenty of power for cleanliness )...Im using my trusty DBX163 for the compressor, mainly as a limiter for transients...The EQ is just filling space......I will either use SWR Goliath cabs or old Crate cabs from the 80s that I like

About me: transparent player. Previously used Genz Benz. Amp color doesnt play into anything for me. Im primarily a fingers and slap guy but I am entertaining using a pick for these groups (Im historically a variety/dance player and these bands are much heavier than that). I use roundwounds and, most of the time, I utilize that rich piano string type sound. I do use a processor, a Zoom B3, but I would like to eliminate that otherwise I would just look into a pre pedal or just use the B3 itself as the Pre

Suggestions? New or used, tube preferred but not necessary - Price range 250 or less

View attachment 3280881

For $250 you should be able to find like a used sans amp rbi or rpm. They aren’t too colored if you keep the blend between 10-2 o’clock imo.

I’ve seen the discontinued ampeg SVP series pre amps sell in your price range. They are getting harder to find these days though.

 

[popgadget]

Yamaha PB1

I’d agree that the Yamaha is likely the best value if you can find one. They are a generally undiscovered gem, and they don’t usually command a high price when you see them.

 

[amper]

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.

It's sort of strange how the preamp market seems to have dried up. In this age of tiny Class D amp heads, I would have thought the old beasts would be thick on the ground.

 

[amper]

For $250 you should be able to find like a used sans amp rbi or rpm. They aren’t too colored if you keep the blend between 10-2 o’clock imo.

Or leave the Blend off altogether. The RBI sounds perfectly fine without the tube emulation circuit.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

It's sort of strange how the preamp market seems to have dried up. In this age of tiny Class D amp heads, I would have thought the old beasts would be thick on the ground.

At least, given how light class Ds are, then a rack mountable entire class D head would be usable as just a preamp. However, the ones with the better feature sets tend to be the 500 to 800W ones, so it would seem pointless using another amp.

I had an Ashdown EB something combo that broke in shipping and for a while I used the head as a preamp at home. It was much better as a preamp than the combo as a whole, and I debated getting a tech to remove the power section and mounting it, but it didn't seem economic.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

It's sort of strange how the preamp market seems to have dried up. In this age of tiny Class D amp heads, I would have thought the old beasts would be thick on the ground.

I'm not convinced Trace Elliot ever sold many of the preamp, although one of the SMX ones would be excellent. Maybe they are in home studios now.

 

[amper]

I'm not convinced Trace Elliot ever sold many of the preamp, although one if the SMX ones would be excellent. Maybe they are in home studios now.

No, there never were that many of them, but they did make appearances on the secondary market more often. I wish I'd neber been forced to sell my V-Type Rackmount Preamp. That model is a classic, and I was the first owner for $250 new.

 

[dreamadream99]

Back in the late 80’s I had an Ashly BP-41. That was one solid piece of gear.

 

[dbljointedthumb]

I like the Ashdown RPM preamp. They pop up used fairly often and usually under $400. GC used online has one now. It is good warm sounding pre and has always been reliable for me.

 

[Rib 13]

I want to thank everyone for helping me and Ive taken a lot of notes in this thread....

I went ahead and tried a stack with an SWR Goliath on top of the SWR Triad and used the B3 as the Pre....I must admit: it sounded crystal clear and phenomenal - with headroom for days.....With a pick, I was getting that Jimmy Bain tone of clarity heard on "Holy Diver" out of my American Deluxe Jazz bass and my Ibanez DTB-400 (upgraded with EMGs). My 12-String bass also sounded great ....I think, for now, Im going to run with that but still keep my eyes peeled for many of the suggestions in this thread...Thanks again