Rack preamps really aren't that popular anymore....

[JoshuaTSP]

Go figure....just as I was getting into them.

 

[Handyman]

Were they ever big sellers?

 

[JoshuaTSP]

I have no clue, but no one really makes them anymore.

 

[NOVAX]

They are with me:

Ampeg SVT IIP
Demeter HBP1
Groove Tubes SBP
Peavey Max
Peavey Probass 1000
Joe Meek SixQ
Universal Audio LA 610 (My God!)

 

[bongomania]

Yeah while there are still several rack bass preamps in production, I think if you shift your focus to "channel strips" you will see there's a really large number of currently-produced and very exciting options.

OTOH, examples showing bass-specific rack pre's can still be popular include Geddy Lee's rack pre rig that people like to emulate, and TB'er JGR's "rock preamp" that has generated a lot of interest on this forum at least.

Are they as popular as micro heads? Probably not, today.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

JGR's preamp sounds awesome to me, but exceeds my price range.

 

[TheWoodShed]

I have always wanted to run an STT-1 to see how that would sound in my rack, as well as various other strips.

Yeah while there are still several rack bass preamps in production, I think if you shift your focus to "channel strips" you will see there's a really large number of currently-produced and very exciting options.

OTOH, examples showing bass-specific rack pre's can still be popular include Geddy Lee's rack pre rig that people like to emulate, and TB'er JGR's "rock preamp" that has generated a lot of interest on this forum at least.

Are they as popular as micro heads? Probably not, today.

 

[fourstringburn]

I don't know your sources, They are still available in either rack form or stomp boxes. I love my 2 preamps, a Ampeg SVP Pro and a SVP-BSP. I think that Sansamp VT pedal ( the large one) can hold it's own with the best of them.

 

[Nev375]

Why does it matter if they are popular with others as long as they are popular with you?

 

[JimiLL]

Im about to dive into the pre/power thing myself

 

[funkinbottom]

They are with me:

Ampeg SVT IIP
Demeter HBP1
Groove Tubes SBP
Peavey Max
Peavey Probass 1000
Joe Meek SixQ
Universal Audio LA 610 (My God!)

+1 Also
Alembic F-1X & F-2B
BBE bmax
Sansamp
Fender TBP
Agular

 

[u84six]

IMO, it's the most logical way to go. the preamp is generally the only thing that colors your sound (if you've got a full range cab), so if you get tired of it, just swap out the pre with something new. On the other hand, since most power amps have 2 channels, you could have a stereo setup with 2 cabs and 2 preamps. One set to clean and deep, the other with just a tad of tube overdrive and different EQ. It's the components in the preamp that color the sound more than even the dials and eq (IMO). To prove that, using the same power amp and cab, play through something like a sansamp with flat eq, then swap that out and play through a Universal Audio LA 610 with flat eq and note the difference. BIG DIFFERENCE!

p.s. and some power amps are really lightweight these days.

 

[packhowitzer]

I use a Sans amp RBI, I have a Sans amp PSA-1 (1.0) that used to be my main preamp, and I used to have an ADA MB-1 (just like Les Claypool--oddly, he sounded much much much better through his than I did through mine). I kinda miss that MB-1.

 

[Jerrold Tiers]

Nope, NEVER that popular.

We could barely keep up sales for ONE type, let alone a couple alternatives..... we always ended up discontinuing them for lack of sales, and we had some nice pre's.

 

[Josh Pelican]

I dig rack preamps.

 

[BurningSkies]

Its never really been about popularity, has it? I mean, there are a whole lot of things in this world that are widely popular that suck. And there are plenty of things that are most perfectly awesome that only a few people know about. I'm usually more interested in the second, than the first.

The reality is that a lot of guys don't want the effort or 'complication' of a multi-part amp/rig. That's also why combos and single cab/head setups are so popular. Its been found that while people SAY they want choices, they really like a limited amount of freedom over wide expanses of options. That's what a power amp/Pre amp/cabinet setup is all about.

 

[JoeVictim]

Them not being popular means good deals on the used. I am glad they aren't popular. I love having a 1000 watts under 20lbs. I was used to a 45lb head so going pre/power has made my life easier.

 

[BurningSkies]

Them not being popular means good deals on the used. I am glad they aren't popular. I love having a 1000 watts under 20lbs. I was used to a 45lb head so going pre/power has made my life easier.

Meeee toooo. I like that a high powered amp can be had cheaply because it's not getting the 'consumer bass gear markup', then I can pair it with a pre of my choice. I like that Class-D means I can have a 7 pound 3kw amp. I also like it because I could combine some old technology (my Kern IP-777) tube preamp with it and get what I think of as the best part of tube sound (harmonic richness, or the 'good part of harmonic distortion) with a complete lack of distortion on the power side.

 

[tabdog]

Who needs a rack mount preamp.

Just get a stomp box and a great
sounding Crown PA amp.

Simple and lots of headroom with
great sound. Also, light weight,

Stomp box - $70 used

Used Crown - $130

Total - $200

Then comes the $$$ part, Speakers,

Tabdog

 

[fokof]

"Rack preamps really aren't that popular anymore...."

Maybe those that are aimed at bass specificaly , but like other said , if you look at Chanel strip mike preamp side of the things , the choice is endless.
And more often than not , they'll be a lot more flexible than "bass only" or "instrument" preamp.