Many on this forum have bought this (including me!) and I’ve yet to see one come up for sale. That should tell you something.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Red Eye Preamp
- Thread starter Pat Harris
- Start date
That's always a pretty good measure of the effectiveness and quality of a particular preamp. You rarely see a Grace Designs Felix either. Part of that is the initial cost for sure,
that said, people hold on to them because they are such remarkable preamps. I'd put the RedEye in the same category. It's much simpler, but in some ways the improvement
of the piezo's original sound may be better. Just my take. I'm experimenting with using the powered MAS 1/8 with the RedEye as the only preamp. So far it's pretty remarkable
The jury is still out for me because it's limited ability to control feedback, but so far so good. The RedEye is as close to a "plug and play" preamp as I've ever experienced.
that said, people hold on to them because they are such remarkable preamps. I'd put the RedEye in the same category. It's much simpler, but in some ways the improvement
of the piezo's original sound may be better. Just my take. I'm experimenting with using the powered MAS 1/8 with the RedEye as the only preamp. So far it's pretty remarkable
The jury is still out for me because it's limited ability to control feedback, but so far so good. The RedEye is as close to a "plug and play" preamp as I've ever experienced.
Yeah, as someone who's messed with DIY electronics a little, I'm curious if there's actually some less common or unique input stage topology to the Redeye, or if it's just a colourful way of describing something that uses more common circuit elements. Accounts point towards it sounding good, and that's what's important, of course, but the nerdy side of me is curious as to what's going on in there.
Without that grasp of the technology yet, too, my nerdy side has come to peace with my signal chain confusion by considering the red-eye in function more as a compressor and boost pedal and not necessarily a magic front end piezo impedance balancer. I couldn't be happier with how the Slampegg took to the Tung-sol 12AT7 tube for clean upright. If I have that right out the gate (full-circle pup), it sets the whole tone for sweetness, 3D depth, and blossoming. When the Red-Eye is up front everything is a little grittier, a little more two-dimensional, and sustains a bit longer. My technique adapts a little bit and it's a totally awesome, workable tone, too -- just a little less "MBOL". But, if I use the Red-eye after the tube influence it does nothing but enhance that sweet tone wtih added sustain, trimin' some wild hairs and seeming to even everything up (like a compressor!). The boost is much sweeter after the tube as well, as it's not changing the tube color characteristics.
Good luck in your quest. As a bassist who’s been looking for the solution that solves the tone quality issues with piezoelectric pickups. Using the device
and hearing the results are so satisfying that my curiosity of how it works is not as important as the fact that it does work. Just my take.
* bdowd
* Chris Fitzgerald
* crd
basically_eli
* statsc
* vanselus
Ben Rolston
kkenda11
Hasty
From perusing the thread this appears to be the list, but correct me if I'm wrong. Either basically_eli or Ben Rolston up next? Lemme know and I'll get it moving again, I've taken more than my share of time and I thank you all for that - especially Darren for the loan. Love that manufacturers are willing to send a demo unit around and appears that it's been well worth the investment. Thanks all!
* Chris Fitzgerald
* crd
basically_eli
* statsc
* vanselus
Ben Rolston
kkenda11
Hasty
From perusing the thread this appears to be the list, but correct me if I'm wrong. Either basically_eli or Ben Rolston up next? Lemme know and I'll get it moving again, I've taken more than my share of time and I thank you all for that - especially Darren for the loan. Love that manufacturers are willing to send a demo unit around and appears that it's been well worth the investment. Thanks all!
Been playing a few gigs with this: Underwood!> Redeye>MAs16 P. Wow what a great combination of gear. The Underwood in this context sounds frickin great, I had more volume then I ever have had from the MAS16(with it on the floor) clear articulate sat just right with the band and I could still whip up the drummer. The EQ knob that Darren put on there (altered so that it is more in the mid/bass range rather then a treble knob) is just killing, no need for more eq. Somehow this combination of equipment works perfect together (Playing my Franken American Standard with Spiro EA and Perp Stark D,G) just kickin it.
Not using your Bassetto? Underwood? Are you ok man?!
Dude, this American Standard with a new neck is a cannon! It is so much fun to play. SO loud on it's own that the sound is always a blend of the instrument and amp. With the trio last night I was getting all Francois Moutin on it, and the bass was sassy. Out of that little 16 too.
Does anyone else run an XLR to 1/4” to amp adapter with this pedal? I’m finding when I use the effects loop return on the redeye (as opposed to running everything in series after the FX out), there is some delightful buffering on that FX input that takes out all the harshness and grit that I have here-to-fore associated with the redeye. My tube preamps’ gain stages seem to magically behave and gel, too.
I have a theory that because the Underwood doesn’t overly emphasize low frequencies it works at higher volume levels. It also is less likely to
change timbre as it gets louder as it’s tone quality for better or worse stays relatively the same.
change timbre as it gets louder as it’s tone quality for better or worse stays relatively the same.
Has anyone recently ordered one of these off Amazon? If so, does it have the 9V power input? The unit on the picture does not…
Best bet (imho) is to order it directly from Redeye - communication when I had initial questions was excellent, shipping was quick, and more of your money goes directly to the company vs a cut to Amazon.
Hi Dave,
Can't help; I ordered mine directly from mfg.
Still have the Upton ply? If so, hope it's working for you.
Gollihur has them too, and their customer service is exceptional. Mine has the input, and powers perfectly from the Noble.
As a quick derailment Francois Moutin is such a beast. I don't know why he's not more "jazz famous". Very unorthodox technique too. He played with some local cats a few years back and I watched from side stage. He had his left foot on top of some bag to balance the bass on his left leg. Like how most people play seated with left leg on bar stool rung....but standing! My back hurts just thinking about it but I can't argue with his results. Unreal Eddie Gomez thumb territory mastery goin on!
[edit] Scratch that... kkenda11 reached out and is ready to go, if there's no objections to him jumping the line a couple spots I'll send it out early this week.
Last edited:
