• 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.

sansamp bass driver. Do i need an amp?

P

priggs

Mar 2, 2005
6
0
#1
I've just recently tested out a sansamp bass driver di box and i love the sound. I'll be getting one in the next few weeks but am wondering what to do about an amp head.
I've read a lot of reviews for the sansamp and many people say they bi-pass the pre-amp on there head using the effects return. I need a new amp head and need to know if it is worth just getting a power amp and a quad instead.

Also need to know what differences there are, (if any), between the sansamp and the new programmable one.
thanks
 
#2
1. The sansamp is a pre-amp.
2. Pre-amp + power amp = head.
3. In your current situation, you do have the pre-amp but not the poweramp.
4. You can plug into the 'effects return' input to bypass the pre-amp from (almost) any head.

So in the end; you need either an head or a power amp. The power-amp will be the option where you have (most of the time) a lot of watt's, so it goes louder. What you need to find out is if you really like the tone of a Sansamp. So then you can decide if you really want it as a stand alone device.

The differences between a the older sansamp and the new programmable one? The newer one has three programmable channels and a higher output so it can drive a poweramp. You can make the older one drive a poweramp, but you have to modify it a bit.
 
#3
Kilian. said:
The differences between a the older sansamp and the new programmable one? The newer one has three programmable channels and a higher output so it can drive a poweramp. You can make the older one drive a poweramp, but you have to modify it a bit.
Click to expand...

I don't understand that part. What modifications are you talking about? I used a bass driver as preamp and that worked perfectly without any modification.
 
#5
I have tried to use a BDDI with a power amp (Focus SA) into a cab. It didn't "do it" for me. I

I think the BDDI is a great effect pedal and will serve as a good preamp/DI in an emergency.

I went back to an Eden WT-550 head. Greta clean tone. If I want a little more grit, I'll use the BDDI.

Many people like the BDDI as a preamp. It's up to your ears.

To answer your question, you need an amp, but a head.
 
#6
cheers all. thanks for the help. i was thinking it might be a good idea to have a head even just as a backup. looking at getting a GK 1001RB2. its got enough power for me.

i also found out that the programmable sansamp doesn't have a 'parallel' output. i was wanting to send a clean signal to the PA and an affected signal to my amp in a gig situation.
Does anyone use this setup? is it worth it?
 
#7
No, get a nice power amp. Since you like the Sansamp (which is what counts) the Sansamp allows you to back off the "drive" section to get the level of transparency you need. You don't need to send two signals. People here on TB convinced me of the pre-amp + power amp deal, and I will never go back as long as I am playing out. We played a gig last week at a beach pavillion. After the show we let some local kids sit in. The sound guys took the instruments out of the board. I started walking away from the stage and kept walking, and the farther I walked, the better that thing sounded. I went clear out to the beach two blocks away and that thing was thundering.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back