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Recommend me a cheap bass preamp!

TuneSalad666

TuneSalad666

Inactive
Mar 1, 2018
629
608
Denmark
#1
As the tittle says I am looking for a bass preamp in the cheap end, cause I don't have a lot of money to spend on one.

What I like is a fairly aggressive, punchy and midrangy tone with a bit of bite and tube like grid, nothing too heavy, just at what would be about breakup point.

I am pondering on buying one of these, but other suggestions are welcome:

Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI-Expander

Eden WTDI Direct Box/Preamp

Hartke Bass Attack 2

Joyo American Sound (clone of Tech 21 Blonde, but from what I heard, some seems to think the Joyo has a slightly more desirable tone character)
 
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#3
Rollin Thunder said:
Just bought an MXR m80 of Amazon £122 ($170) brand new, top Di preamp at theta price usually £180 ($250)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, but thing is I am not in America but Europe.

If I buy stuff from the US I will have to pay import customs and the price would get much higher.

The Hartke Bass Attack 2 is about my maximum limit for how much I can spend.
 
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#4
TuneSalad666 said:
Well thing is I am not in America but Europe.

If I buy stuff from America I will have to pay import customs and the price would get much higher.

The Hartke Bass Attack 2 is about my maximum limit for how much I am going to pay.
Click to expand...
i'm in Uk its the Uk site but you should be able to buy from anywhere in EU. (for a couple more years anyway) great price that.
 
#6
I haven't tried them myself, but a lot of posters on TalkBass have made positive comments about the Behringer BDI21 and ADI21. They each sell for around $30 new. The BDI21 is a clone of the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver v1, and the ADI21 is modeled on the SansAmp Para Driver.

I have the Joyo American Sound, and like the results it provides with bass. The "Low" control is centered on 100Hz, which some might find a little high for a pedal that is to be used with bass. I haven't found this to be a problem, but those who do might want to use a separate EQ in tandem with the American Sound.
 
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#7
mrmxyzptlk said:
I haven't tried them myself, but a lot of posters on TalkBass have made positive comments about the Behringer BDI21 and ADI21. They each sell for around $30 new. The BDI21 is a clone of the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver v1, and the ADI21 is modeled on the SansAmp Para Driver.

I have the Joyo American Sound, and like the results it provides with bass. The "Low" control is centered on 100Hz, which some might find a little high for a pedal that is to be used with bass. I haven't found this to be a problem, but those who do might want to use a separate EQ in tandem with the American Sound.
Click to expand...

While I heard the Behringer BDI21 is supposed to be a really good and cheap clone of the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver, it doesn't really match my wish for for a midrangy sound, as it is known to be pretty scooped in the midrange, why I left that out from my options to start with.

The ADI21 might be a viable option though.

And as I don't really like to boost my low bass frequencies further the 100Hz Bass EQ control on the American Sound won't be an issue.
 
Last edited:
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#10
If you cut instead of boost in the eq section, you will find that the midrange scoop on the BDI21 isn't an issue at all for getting plenty of midrange tone. It's the best in it's price range...I think of your stated options, I'd be biting on the harley benton. Features for cost it looks like it has the goods, and as far as customer service in Europe goes Thomann seems like a safe bet.
 
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#18
I actually sold my Sansamp after getting the Behringer BDI21. I also don't like scooping mids. I typically only use it as a clean boost. I cut bass and treble, very little presence and blend, just a little level boost for a slight volume bump for the occasional solo. I'm a fan. I actually find it less noisy than my Sansamp too. Both are great pedals though.
 
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#19
TuneSalad666 said:
As the tittle says I am looking for a bass preamp in the cheap end, cause I don't have a lot of money to spend on one.

What I like is a fairly aggressive, punchy and midrangy tone with a bit of bite and tube like grid, nothing too heavy, just at what would be about breakup point.

I am pondering on buying one of these, but other suggestions are welcome:

Harley Benton Custom Line Bass DI-Expander

Eden WTDI Direct Box/Preamp

Hartke Bass Attack 2

Joyo American Sound (clone of Tech 21 Blonde, but from what I heard, some seems to think the Joyo has a slightly more desirable tone character)
Click to expand...
 

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