Like you I applaud Darren’s ingenuity and design simplicity simplicity. Walter Woods was using FET’s as early as 1975 and MOSFET’s in the early 80’s.
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Double Bass Red Eye Preamp
- Thread starter Pat Harris
- Start date
I have the Radial SBU 48 Phantom Power Supply. It is part of the Stage Bug line but the not one used with piezo pickups. I did use the older Radia Pizz DI in a recording studio a few times. The Red Eye is my favorite.
I received the demo from @Jason Hollar last week.
Overall, I couldn't get the RE Twin to sound on par with my Sarno BB setup. I was hoping it would work out because it's definitely a nice compact, light pedal with the right functions.
I messed around with it in various configurations at home and then took it out to a live performance with a full band (grand piano, drums, guitar and bandoneon).
I have two Yamahiko pickups but on this bass, I prefer just the E side.
The RE didn't correct the inherent piezo nasal sound. it reminded me of the Felix - where I was always fiddling with midrange notch to reduce that sound.
I started out with my preferred rig...
Yama (E side) > Sarno BB > FDeck > Demeter VTBP M 800 (set flat) > house bass cabinet.
After a few tunes, I switched to...
Yama (E side) > RE Twin > Demeter VTBP M 800 (set flat) > house bass cabinet
it was a noticeable change. It made me want to mess with EQ.
I played through this setup for two tunes before switching back to the Sarno.
I think I'm the last one on the demo list. Who should it go to next?
Overall, I couldn't get the RE Twin to sound on par with my Sarno BB setup. I was hoping it would work out because it's definitely a nice compact, light pedal with the right functions.
I messed around with it in various configurations at home and then took it out to a live performance with a full band (grand piano, drums, guitar and bandoneon).
I have two Yamahiko pickups but on this bass, I prefer just the E side.
The RE didn't correct the inherent piezo nasal sound. it reminded me of the Felix - where I was always fiddling with midrange notch to reduce that sound.
I started out with my preferred rig...
Yama (E side) > Sarno BB > FDeck > Demeter VTBP M 800 (set flat) > house bass cabinet.
After a few tunes, I switched to...
Yama (E side) > RE Twin > Demeter VTBP M 800 (set flat) > house bass cabinet
it was a noticeable change. It made me want to mess with EQ.
I played through this setup for two tunes before switching back to the Sarno.
I think I'm the last one on the demo list. Who should it go to next?
Out of curiosity, what were the impedance settings you were using on the Felix? 10/20m sounds great with my Felix. I've thought about asking for a stereo Sarno BB that went up to 20m for the Felix but I think Brad would think I am nuts.
I remember @flatback and Brad collaborating on the first Double Bass versions of the Black Box. As I recall it has higher impedance loading than the original steel guitar version. I just don’t remember how high it goes. The original EDB-2’s violin setting was 20 Meg and Fishman Full circle players liked it. I’m a RedEye guy cause it’s a perfect match with the Realist Lifeline, my basses and MAS cabinets. With or sometimes without the Grace Felix.
P.S. the Bass version of the Sarno is variable from 333 K Ohms to 5 Meg Ohms. The Headway EDB-2 H.E.is 6.8 Meg Ohms. Not that that matters because it’s all subjective anyway.
P.S. the Bass version of the Sarno is variable from 333 K Ohms to 5 Meg Ohms. The Headway EDB-2 H.E.is 6.8 Meg Ohms. Not that that matters because it’s all subjective anyway.
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Interesting! I found no difference to my ears between 10m on the BB and 10m on the Felix after I level matched the audio files using the Yamahiko as a pick-up. Maybe a tiny bit of mid push with the BB but I don't think I could spot it in a blind test.
Brad Sarno initially designed the Steel Guitar Black Box to be used with magnetic-coil puckups (steel guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, etc), and then created a version with the "upright/acoustic BASS mod" for double bass and other instruments that use piezo-type pickups. TB has electric bass players who think they need the "bass mod" version of the Steel Guitar Black Box because, uh... they're playing bass. The confusion is understandable, but the bass mod is intended primarily for piezo-type pickups. Since this thread is about the Red Eye, I assume most Black Box users want the bass mod version. But if you're shopping for a Black Box for your P or J bass, the standard Black Box is better than the bass mod version. Just sayin.
Yeah I have the 20Mohm Sarno BB. There is a switch from up to 10 and then 10 to 20. I like it with an NOS RCA 12AX7. Right now I am using it with the E side Yama into the Felix. Nice. I asked Brad about a 2 ch BB. It is a possibility. I can tell you I have tried the Two Yamas one into a BB and one into the V8 and then into the Felix (just for kicks) It sounds like too much of a good thing. Too Thick, too tubey. The BB>V8>powered speaker is NOT too much though and sounds great too.
Brad can do the 20 M BB. It does not make that much diff if at all (wee bit maybe) Going into the tube and then the Felix sounds great. Going from the Tube to the Redeye also sounds great (much more mid rangy but clear and from a distance…woody). I wish I hadn't loaned out my Fdeck because I am only really using the Felix for the HPF and gain. In trying to simplify without giving up anything sonic-ly : E side Yama>BB>(Redeye or Felix)>Powered cab is a great sound. I also really like the two Yama’s into the Felix (TRS) and THEN into the V8>powered Cab. Lots of ways to get a good sound these days, bass depending.
Brad can do the 20 M BB. It does not make that much diff if at all (wee bit maybe) Going into the tube and then the Felix sounds great. Going from the Tube to the Redeye also sounds great (much more mid rangy but clear and from a distance…woody). I wish I hadn't loaned out my Fdeck because I am only really using the Felix for the HPF and gain. In trying to simplify without giving up anything sonic-ly : E side Yama>BB>(Redeye or Felix)>Powered cab is a great sound. I also really like the two Yama’s into the Felix (TRS) and THEN into the V8>powered Cab. Lots of ways to get a good sound these days, bass depending.
The BB is the only tube thing I've used that was actually clean enough to be good with the doublebass. Everything else I've tried was too lead guitar for my taste. That said, TRS to Felix is so easy I didn't end up keeping the BB but I still would like to try a two channel BB because GAS...
Ok, Demo has ended. The twin is on its way back to Daren at Fire Eye.
Thanks for the great discussion!
Thanks for the great discussion!
Yes. Thank you to the whole FireEye crew for letting us test drive this wonderful little box.
Got the red eye. I think it sounds amazing. The only thing I find a bit impractical is if one wants to use the DI out and other effects afterwards (in the loop) then there is no way to send the signal to an amp and FOH at the same time. Is it just me?
I used the Redeye AFTER the tube pre or gigs this weekend, ala Chris F. sounded fantastic.
After having tried it for a while I feel the sound of acoustic bass is improved. It feels more organic. Satisfied!
I recently had to play through a backline amp: 15" speaker, obvious BG-type voicing, sounded like what you would expect. I hooked up the Redeye, did a little tone shaping, and it was actually not bad.
