I have decided to junk everything and go with a rack preamp and stereo power amp setup. I'd like to find a used one that had versatility (tube and solid state) and a wide range with some great headroom for my Kubicki Ex Factor. It does not have to have a compressor or bi amp outs, but that would also be neat. I plan on pairing it up with a set of Bill Fitzmaurice cabs. Is there anything out there for maybe $ 150 that would do the trick?
150.00 might be a little low for what you want.You might find an older Carvin preamp for a little more money. I personally use a Pearce BC-1 preamp,and all my basses,especially the 2 Kubickis,sound great through it. I don't think you gain much,if any,by using a tube pre,and a ss poweramp.Might as well use a hybrid head.If you want tube tone,you gotta go all tube. I'd try to find a Pearce first. 2 independent channels with gain 3 way tone/sweepable mids,effects loop,and master volume for each channel.There is a nice little limiter at the end of the chain,to help balance everything out. They are great.Good luck in your search.
Perhaps hard to find, but I'd suggest looking for a Peavey Max pre. I think it doesn't come up often on TB but when it does it seems to have positive reviews. I like mine, but should qualify that since I bought it I haven't been in a band -- It's all been noodling at home. Regardless, I believe it's going to be quite nice -- I can get some tube overdrive when I want it, or I can get extremely flexible solid state tone, or I can blend them. Hoobass
I'd suggest a Yamaha PB-1. Around $200. They aren't made anymore and if you are patient you might do better on the price. I have one that I replaced with a Demeter HBP1. The Yamaha sounds almost as good at way less than half the price!! The EQ is excellent with a parametric, fully adjustable 2 way crossover for those inclined to that, DI, beautiful big clean sound, and built like a tank! I hadn't thought of selling mine but if you want it send me a PM and I might be persuaded. The preamp is the critical piece to determine you tone. The power amp just makes it louder and there are a lot of high quality brands that will do. For power I use a Crown XTi 2000 (1600 - 2000 watts depending on how I hook up the cabs) in to Bergantino's.
I picked up my Ampeg SVP-BSP for 200 bucks. My power amp is a Carver 2.0i for 200 bucks. They don't make Carver's anymore. This one has been modded to be mono. A lot of juice is wasted on the stereo aspect of power amps. I'm pushing 1000W Mono out one hole at 4 Ohms. I'm really happy with my sound. Love my pre-amp. It's a split channel amp.
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