Searching for preamp with the following:

[Munjibunga]

Hey michaeln,

I may be interested in your Navigator. I talked to you in the Lakland Forum a while back. (You were somebody else, and so was I then.) Do you ever make it down south to LA or SD? Lemme know. BTW, have you seen Kevin's web site?

 

[michaeln]

I don't recall ever having been anyone else... but in any case, I wasn't offering to sell the Navigator just yet.

 

[Hans]

It might not be what you're looking for, but the Peavey Bassfex meets all of your criteria

1)Clip LED
2)Quite a well featured compressor/limiter
3)An excellent 4 paramteric EQ (with width control), as well as 9 or so other effects
4)Definitely NOT Trace Elliot or SWR

I used to own one and eventually moved on to a Trace Elliot V-Type (nicer sound and simpler to use) and I know it's not for every one, but it does have the things you need.

 

[Bob C]

Originally posted by michaeln

But keep in mind that the kern does have a very nice totally tube-driven effects loop, and should you feel the need for that stuff after getting used to the Kern's "minimalist" controls, you can always insert an RNC (a FAR better compressor than you'll find built into anything) and or an EQ unit in that effects loop.

If I were to insert an EQ in the effects loop, where exactly in the chain would it be, in relation to the gain and tone controls? Would it be the same as if the EQ were built into the preamp? Would this relationship be the same no matter what preamp I use? In the past I've used stomp-box type graphics between the guitar and the input -- because this is the only place they can go.

 

[JohnL]

FYI, You definently ought to check into the Alembic tube preamp, it is really smooooth. Also, BassPlayer magazine seems to swear by the Demeter; all of their guitar reviews mention the same reference rig: Demeter preamp and Hafler power amp. I have also had some success with the BBE bass preamp in the studio, it was not that expensive, and more than one engineer has remarked positively about the sound.
Plus it is QUIET!

 

[Bob C]

Thanks John. I've heard people rave about the Alembic; others say it's way overrated. The sales info says it's modeled after the Fender bassman - who wants that? Also, many who like it are using it in conjunction with the Alembic Superfilter.

I'm considering the Demeter. The new model has some, but not all of the features I want. And I haven't found anyone in my area (Midwest) that sells them.

I don't think the BBE is still in production. Am I wrong?

Bob

 

[JimS]

Modeling a preamp after the Bassman is nothing to shy away from. The Alembic, Kern and great guitar amps like plexi Marshalls and Soldano have their roots with the Fender Bassman. MESA/Boogie got it's start by hot-rodding Fenders.

While Bass Player magazine uses a Demeter-Hafler rack as their reference, BP's review of the Kern blew the reference Demeter rig away! However, that is their opinion and ears; not yours. I got so burnt out demoing heads and cabs. I tried and fell in love with the Kern and called it quits.

I did not try out the Alembic and Demeter preamps. The older Demeter is supposed to be very nice but lacking in low end and with relatively functionless tone controls. This isn't as major a setback as it might seem if you have a very nice bass with superlative on-board active eq. The new Demeter H has a parametric eq which might have remedied the situation. I've heard people describe the Kern as being similar to the Alembic but with a bit more growl. The Kern cab be orderd w/o the wall wart power supply. Nevertheless, despite all the hyperbole above, use your own ears to judge.

If you've got some extra bucks and don't have local access to these products, maybe call a place like BassNW. Ask them to ship you the Kern, Demeter H, and Alembic preamps. See if they can work out a deal like splitting the shipping 50:50 or 30:60 if you decide to keep one of the preamps. I think they have a 72 hour approval policy. Kern will ship you a preamp direct for a longer trial period but my charge more than a retail store.

Good luck.