Sansamp Geddy Lee GED 2112 Rack mount Pre Amp?

[Mike Brueske]

Hi. I am/was seriously considering a Sansamp "Geddy Lee" rack mount preamp to run through a Crown XLS1000 power amp in a portable rack. BUT I don't want to necessarily sound like Geddy Lee! I very much like the idea of two parallel channels. I have a stereo Ric bass that I would like to occasionally use, and I want the ability to run two distinct signals into separate cabs- even with my "mono" basses (which I actually use most of the time anyway). Are there any alternatives to the GED 2112 that would give me this flexibility?

 

[John Swartz]

I'm sure there alternatives, but as an owner of the GED 2112, I can say it does more than make you sound like Geddy Lee. The "Drive" section (based on the Sansamp RPM pre-amp), in particular is very flexible tonally with 3-band EQ and mid-shift control, along with a drive level and blend (drive vs original signal). The "Deep" channel, which has a fixed EQ profile (set to Geddy's preference) so is less flexible, is focussed more on low-end with a "saturation" control that provides some tube-like compression/drive. The channels can also be combined if you prefer not using 2 amps/speakers. I run mine with a Peavey IPR2 3000 stereo poweramp - both mounted in a 3-space rack.

Having said all that, I would note that the GED-2112 does NOT have separate inputs for each channel (all inputs feed both channels) so if you're looking to do the "Ric-o-sound" thing (separate outputs for each pickup), you'd still need another amp.

John

 

[Mike Brueske]

Thanks John. I have a two channel power amp (like you), so I guess I am looking for a two channel (bass) preamp. The GED 2112 won't work then? I thought there was a DIP switch inside that could separate or combine the channels...

 

[WW2]

The DIP switch combines the outputs so a single amp can be used. I dont think there is a way to separate 2 inputs to feed the separate sections.....

 

[tech21nyc]

You can route the outputs to separate channels but the GED is designed for a single output instrument. If you need two input channels you would need two units.

 

[J Wilson]

Alembic F2B tube preamps are dual channel, with a refined but basic Fender tone stack in the controls.

Alembic did these as a lot of their basses are 'stereo' (i.e., like Rics in that there's separate outputs for the neck and bridge pickups), and the idea was separate outs to separate channels in the preamp out to separate channels of a stereo power amps (traditionally in those days a big MacIntosh or DC300 Crown) to separate cabinets for each. Just as you've imagined here.

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Not inexpensive, but deals can be found online from time to time. You also see these with a Jensen-transformer XLR out occasionally. For a new one, contact my friend Will Gunn at www.willgunnguitars.com. Will's a longtime Alembic user and dealer and is encyclopedic in his knowledge of the system.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Hi. I am/was seriously considering a Sansamp "Geddy Lee" rack mount preamp to run through a Crown XLS1000 power amp in a portable rack. BUT I don't want to necessarily sound like Geddy Lee! I very much like the idea of two parallel channels. I have a stereo Ric bass that I would like to occasionally use, and I want the ability to run two distinct signals into separate cabs- even with my "mono" basses (which I actually use most of the time anyway). Are there any alternatives to the GED 2112 that would give me this flexibility?
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Absolutely! I run my GED-2112 in the same fashion. I plug its “Drive” channel into one side of my stereo power amp, and it’s “Deep” channel into the other side of my stereo power amp. Then I plug a speaker cabinet into each side of my power amp.

IMO running a Clean/Dirty setup is incredible.

Also, I’m not trying to emulate Geddy’s sound at all. The GED-2112 is very versatile sounding, so finding your sound is pretty easy to do.

 

[lalo_garcia-maynez]

So can I use both channels with just one power, one bass , and one speaker ? This is a great preamp !

 

[tech21nyc]

Yes you can. Please contact our customer support department for instructions. [email protected]