• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Recommended tube preamp <$350?

Supposedly the 210 is loud enough. I wouldn't mind a 12 if it sounded good.

Supposedly a 210 is loud enough for what? There is no 210 that is going to out perform a 410 (if both are using full range drivers).

If you want a small, light, loud cab that has bitchen' performance, you need to look for one that makes use of drivers that have increased displacement.

IMHO a 210 is never going to be enough for a reasonably loud drummer. Two 210's? now you are talking. If you want a single small cab to take the place of a larger one, then you will need to make up the displacement.
 
What are these yu speak of? My Eden cab is the boobies but too big, heavy.

Baer
fEARful
fEARless/greenboy designs
Audiokinesis
Barefaced Bass
Bill FitzMaurice

All of these cabs take advantage of better designs than the common 410 (or any commercial cab for that matter).

Basically with the right application of power these cabs push the sound/pound barrier. They use premium driver, opposed to the relativity cheap drivers in most commercial offerings. They can be pushed a lot harder, and get a lot louder than cabs in their weight class in the commercial sector.

I currently have a fEARful 1515/66 which is the big cab of the line, and it is amazing. I also have a pair of 12/6's with alphalite mids in the works, which should be a respectable stack in its own right. The 1515/66 will out perform an 810 with ease and it is lighter than my old 410. The pair of 12/6's will approach the SPL from an 810 at a fraction of the weight.
 
I don't know if you can find one, but if you can, the Tubeworks "Blue Tube" (became Genz-Benz eventually) is an amazing 1-rack space unit, and usually sells down around $200. I can't recommend it enough, as it comes with a world of overdriven sounds from the gentle to the extreme built right into it and highly customizable with great EQ. In fact, I use one as an effects unit, but it also sounds great all by itself.
 
TomB said:
I don't know if you can find one, but if you can, the Tubeworks "Blue Tube" (became Genz-Benz eventually) is an amazing 1-rack space unit, and usually sells down around $200. I can't recommend it enough, as it comes with a world of overdriven sounds from the gentle to the extreme built right into it and highly customizable with great EQ. In fact, I use one as an effects unit, but it also sounds great all by itself.

Other Tube works pedals go for around $100 on that auction site. Blue Tube is a little harder to find and from what I've seen 200+.
I'm very happy with my ART MP tube mic preamp. It's loud and clear--the difference between being heard and not. Cuts through with momentum. I recommend for everyone and it's just $30 or something. I used it again Saturday; my friends noticed too. No need to run two cabs out of my power amp. It would be nice but no need.