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Read Custom Bass Purity preamp- the inside scoop

#41
A.P.- I'm glad that I could turn you on to this preamp. I'd like everyone to be able to hear it eventually. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one now to know about this beautiful pre.

For everyone who is interested, Jack's preamp will be featured at the NAMM show in the same booth as Carey Nordstrand.
 
#42
emjazz, you're right- the more I hear my bass through the Purity, the more I love the thing! I put it through a real test last weekend. I played a big room that I've always had problems in the past hearing myself. I normally have to cart both of my Ampeg cabs to this gig, but last weekend I was able to use one cab and hear myself better than ever before!:) I was able to dial a nice midrangey tone that really cut through. My bandmates were very happy with my tone-I was too! And another happy soundman. He was able to put a lot more of my send through the mains. Man, this preamp is sooo cool!!!

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
 
#47
Originally posted by Hman
Andy, I think Jack is waiting for some parts to finish the next few preamps....but I'm sure he's going to send Carey the next one for NAMM in Jan.
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Sorry to butt in.. but this is what Jack told me about 10 days ago. He was waiting on parts to finish the next batch. He told me then it would be a bout a 4 week wait.

I'm hoping somehow the $$$ will turn up under a rock, so I can get mine.
 
#49
Originally posted by Hman
Anyone else tried the Purity??? Want to get more feedbacks! Arthur, what bass are you playing it thru??? Can't wait to get mine:D
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Hman, my main bass is a Modulus Q-4 w/EMG's and my backup is a Czech Spector also w/EMG's. Of course, they're very bright sounding instruments. The Purity warms 'em up just right, but each bass still keeps it's tone. I'm using a QSC PLX2402 with Ampeg BXT410HL cabs. I've gotten into my bass closet and tried out the following basses: Alembic Europa, '76 Rick 4001 w/Barts, 71 Jazz w/EMG's, Warmoth fretless Jazz w/DiMarzio's, MM Stingray-5 & Sterling. I've tried each bass using the Purity's eq and also with the "eq bypass" switch activated. Every bass I've tried through it sounds great. It's eq is responsive and it's easy to get a good tone out of it. I'm a big "mids" guy, so I really love the "Mid Emphasis" control. Over the last year I've tried so many amps out but I was never 100% satisfied with my tone. IMHO most of your tone comes from your hands and your instrument, so I did'nt need a preamp or amp that added a lot of coloration. I needed eq control over my mids for definition and some tube warmth. The Purity is just what I was looking for.:) Please post your thoughts when you receive yours. I'm confident you'll love the tone.

A.P.
 
#50
Oh my!! Wow!! The Read pre is so good. I played it thru my Nordstrands this weekend and the sound is so pure. Jack made some adjustments to my pre and I think is more bass than before. I even tried the bypass switch for the eq section and hear how clear the tone sounds to me. In addition, the unit is the most quiet pre I've tried so far. My favorite is the emphasis knob..turn it up and cut thru any mixes. Wow!

BTW, I know someone bought Andy's 1st Read pre, you should contact Jack to make some updated adjustments. You'll love it!!:D
 
#52
Originally posted by Hman
BTW, I know someone bought Andy's 1st Read pre, you should contact Jack to make some updated adjustments. You'll love it!!:D
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Guilty as charged! :hiding:

I don't actually have it yet, it's in transit via USPS.

I bought it mostly because I'm really curious about the sound. I may love it and still sell it on - my main pre right now is an Aggy DB680 and I also have an Alembic F-1X. I mostly use the Alembic for recording and the Aggy for live, but occassionally the other way round.

But I will update here once I've gotten it and had time to mess around.
 
#53
David, when you get the pre be sure to contact Jack so you can send it to him for a couple of upgrades. He's made the bass control boost only and I believe he's done something else. I know that the turn around is very quick as well to get it back to you.I would've had it done before it went to you but I didn't find out until it went out.

Enjoy! That's an amazing preamp!

Oh yeah, be sure to ask Jack about other tube options as well. They really do make a difference.
 
#56
I do have it, I am liking it but want to reserve final judgement and review until I get it to Jack and back with the upgrades (enhanced low end circuitry, boost only bass control). So, what I say isn't my final word on the subject:

It has the same great clarity of a Demeter but it's not as hifi brittle sounding to me. The bass boost knob doesn't seem to give that much low end boost, but the 'deep' boost kicks in some nice booty. With that you can get a sound that's fat and crisp, but not sterile. But I'm definitely looking forward to getting it with the enhancements - which will all be in the first production models (mine is pre production model no #1).

I did experience a bit of a clarity overload playing my MTD through the Read preamp into my EA CXL-112L cab.

As to Kern vs Read, they're not that similar at all. The Kern is very thick in the mids, it's hard to get rid of them. The Read has a very even response by default, but the midrange emphasis knob can give some great mid boosts for cutting through etc. The Kern has the passive interactive eq ala Alembic, the Read has active EQ with bass,low mid, high mid,treble.
 
#57
I had the opportunity to play the Purity at the Norstrand booth at NAMM. Until then I hadn't played a preamp that really got my attention. Played it through a Stewart 1.2 and an Accugroove Tri-112. What was great that I got to play it through a cabinet that I have. Would like to play it out on a gig, it's really hard to put any equipment through the test at NAMM, but what I heard that day I did like.

Wally
 

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