(Super) Affordable Preamp Pedal?

Have you tried turning the shape, compressor, and ultrabass off?

 

Master at 100%?

 

Which particular Ampeg cab is that?

 

My guess is it's that cab - a "preamp" can't perform miracles . Maybe try one of those amps into various cabs at Guitar Center to see what works with it - then look at their $100 used cabs. Should be able to get a 210 or 410 for that.

 

My vote would be for the Ampeg Classic Preamp Pedal:

Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp Pedal

Just picked one up myself, and it does a pretty convincing Ampeg tone, with lots of tone shaping. $99.00 new!

 

Hi, I would advise to try a Behringer BDI21. It is a copy of Sansamp BDDI. They are known to have a mid scoop, but if you cut bass/treble on it, it works as a mid boost and it might be what you need. It has some drive to it if needed to it. I have used this pedal with exact same bass as you have, before I bought a Darkglass B7K. And it worked for me fine, Im a more scooped slap bass guy,but that pedal can boost mids too my bet is its around 500-800hz. I live in Europe and it cost me 30euros, I think it is about 40 dollars. I have never owned such great pedal for such money. Aswell it has a DI if you want to do some home recordings. Hope this helps, buddy and best wishes to your family.

 

Which one of these do you prefer?

 

You shouldn't really need a preamp pedal since the ray4 is an active bass. It has a preamp built in. You should focus more on the amp or cab you are using. I play my ray4 through a Fender Rumble 100 or my Line 6 LD15 and they both sound just fine. Tweaking on the bass preamp, you should be able to get pretty much any tone you're going for with how much the boost/cut is on this bass.

 

This recent thread may have useful posts.
Tube preamps <$100.00...
Particularly this post.
Tube preamps <$100.00...
(Not exactly a pedal)

 

The new Harley Benton bass preamp seems a nice affordable alternative. You also have the Dr. J Sparrow which is a clone of the Sansamp BDDI. Both of these have DI output.
You can also use the Joyo American Sound or California as preamps, essentialy as tone shapers.
You could also try a eq pedal to do that.

 

Have you considered a Zoom B1.on pedal?
There's a learning curve (it's
easy) but there's a lot of preamp emulations(Sansamp,Xotic,MXR,Avalon)that are pretty good as well as eq's,exciter&a closet full of various effects& amp simulations. They are $49.95new.
Best wishes to your wife.

 

+1 on the Zoom. Yes, it's more of an effects device but they have amp models you might like. I have an MS60B and while not all the sounds are stellar it will give you at least some options. Plus there are threads here and elsewhere with lots of patch suggestions. You can get one used (I did) for as little as $50
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Zoom/?typeAheadRedirect=true

 

I've used the Behringer BDI21 for nearly two years and still enjoy the tone it adds. It's subtle but noticeable; I recognize when I've forgotten to hit the switch to turn it on. For another $10 or so it makes sense to get a power adapter so you will not be reliant on batteries.

 

go to zzounds.com and make payments on one. I think its like 55 a month

 

I think a pedal preamp is a bad answer to the problem in this case.
I gigged with the 3000. Not stellar but not a bad amp at all and controls work fine, it has a lot of adjustments available and should easily get your Ray to sound good.
I suggest to work with what you have instead of spending already tight money.
Leave everything flat, push the gain way up and you're there, decent tone.
If you have any money left put in into a stock of fresh strings and a good setup.