Searching for that Perfect CLEAN Preamp Pedal!

[fishdreams]

I looked for the same, and the question became: how clean is clean?

For 'clean but not too clean' I have a JHS Colourbox (make sure to get v2) , which i got from Prymaxe as a 'demo/lightly used' (basicly like new, incl. Box etc) at a steep discount. They pop up there regularly. Especially lowend push is massive, so espe ially great to beef up anemic pups.

For 'as clean as it gets, sounding musically' i use an Acoustic Image Clarus with their builtin Flex Pre. No preamp ive have used manages to let my fretless soubd like itself with all the subtleties in it, very musical without sounding 'cold' or 'clinical'. Flex preamp is also sold seprately, pricey but worth it(in the Grace range). Dor a little more you can get the whole heaf which is what i did (replacing a Quilter 802, a very fine amp)

 

[Matthijs]

If the eq options of the mxr are all you need and you’re not chasing a specific clean colour, I’d say the mxr is all you need.

if you want more the Marleaux Tonwerk is also a good alternative to the Q-strip. And it is a viable option as you are in the Netherlands. It has superb audio quality and 4 bands of eq with each a choice of 3 cleverly chosen frequency centers that match a lot of bass specific pre amps. And it has a some clever switching options for the DI. I chose it over the Q-strip and have never missed the parametrics.

 

[steelbed45]

+1 on the Marleaux Tonwerk. I had wished that Glockenklang would get into the preamp pedal market until I picked up one of these.

 

[Steve88]

I dont have a ton of experience with different preamps but I am very satisfied with my Mesa Subway+. I usually like to try out different options and flavors of gear but I havent felt any need to try anything else.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I would start with trying/researching the MXR bass DI. Its excellent for the price and may suit your needs. Hard to find a cheaper yet quality bass preamp/DI pedal. If that doesnt do it for you check out the Mesa Subway Bass DI/DI +. They are excellent and are based on their Subway amps.

 

[monkeyfinger]

I am using a Q/strip. It's a great clean preamp for a pedalboard. Great EQ, good gain range, plenty of power options, and reasonably priced. Sure, Noble and others make fantastic high end preamps, but I am not willing to put those on my board because they are so costly.

 

[6-3-2]

Chase tone? Or since you need a DI, assuming XLR, have a look at the JHS Pulp’N’Peel v4. Seriously. Not kidding. It can be used as a neutral DI and it’s a compressor.
View attachment 4719125

Oh, this might be exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for! Seems killer.

 

[Erithon]

As several others have said here, you want the Grace ALiX. It's superbly engineered and excels at clean. Plus it has all sorts of additional features: DI out, HPF, sweepable mids, Q control, etc.

 

[zacharybass76]

If the eq options of the mxr are all you need and you’re not chasing a specific clean colour, I’d say the mxr is all you need.

if you want more the Marleaux Tonwerk is also a good alternative to the Q-strip. And it is a viable option as you are in the Netherlands. It has superb audio quality and 4 bands of eq with each a choice of 3 cleverly chosen frequency centers that match a lot of bass specific pre amps. And it has a some clever switching options for the DI. I chose it over the Q-strip and have never missed the parametrics.

No, I'm not in the Netherlands. Nederland is a little town in Texas, although I can see where you'd think my profile may have said the Netherlands. But regardless, thanks for the rec!

 

[funkinbottom]

Pretty much interested myself. How is delivery time considering its a one man business as l understood?

Not exactly sure. When I ordered, Nathan just happen to have one available, so only a few days for delivery. He's here on TB. I'm sure he could give you a pretty good idea how long. Calling all Nathans @Sushi Box FX

 

[Matthijs]

No, I'm not in the Netherlands. Nederland is a little town in Texas, although I can see where you'd think my profile may have said the Netherlands. But regardless, thanks for the rec!

O.k. That’s funny. I’m Dutch myself, so I didn’t think twice about where Nederland would be.

 

[Frank_Raider]

How about the Tone Hammer DI? With the AGS circuit disengaged it is clean and with a really well thought out EQ. Lots of headroom and volume on tap. And, well, it can also get a great OD if you want to. Also look at the Xotic Bass RC Booster. Very clean and transparent, with lots of volume and a very musical EQ; I've used it for the last 10 years and it never has failed me soundwise, and it has been all that time on my board in constant use. The Ultra series in the Darkglass range have a very clean and neutral preamp side, too; but maybe is overkill if you already have a B3K and are mainly looking for a clean pre. Perhaps you can look at the "regular" series; with the clean blend at zero you get the EQ (although I use my Alpha Omega as a dirt box, I happen to really like the EQ on it, and sometimes I use it clean to bring more life to other drive pedels). If you like the Tech 21 stuff, the Q Strip is great, an also is the BDDI v2; with the blend at zero you have a very versatile and clean EQ. The MXR M80 has a good EQ, but maybe the M81 could be more in line with your needs, and has a more versatile EQ, with a smaller footprint (though I find it a little sterile sounding).

 

[LowRenzo]

No, I'm not in the Netherlands. Nederland is a little town in Texas, although I can see where you'd think my profile may have said the Netherlands. But regardless, thanks for the rec!

Well, technically speaking it does say 'Netherlands' in your profile. It just says it in Dutch instead of English...

(Source: I'm also Dutch )

 

[zacharybass76]

Well, technically speaking it does say 'Netherlands' in your profile. It just says it in Dutch instead of English...

(Source: I'm also Dutch )

Interesting! I guess Nederland is Netherlands in Dutch! Wow!

 

[MarkM13]

Tech 21 Q strip seems as clean as they come.

Another vote for this...it's a very versatile piece of gear. I also find the Tech21 Sansamp really good. Love my programable version.
You may also want to look at the Lehle Clean Boost by Basswitch. I haven't used it but, I have their dual band compressor and Sonic Spark and both are excellent pieces of gear.

 

[Ric5]

bass EQ pedal

 

[Ric5]

 

[kevmac]

Hey folks, I'm trying to find an ideal clean preamp pedal with a DI to slap at the end of my pedal board. I already have my overdrive pedal (Darkglass B3K), so I don't need a preamp that specializes in OD (but if any of the those pedals sound great without the drive, I'm open to try them as well). I have been leaning toward a MXR M81 Bass Preamp, but if there is a better option out there, I'll give it a try. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

The Darkglass Harmonic Booster is a terrific clean preamp and was practically made to be paired with DG dirt.I use the Vintage Microtube for when dirt is called for.The EQ on the HB is excellent.