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Double Bass Tech21 Q Strip preamp for double bass?
- Thread starter Frits
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- double double bass preamp tech21
Yes.
Yes.
I don't know Messenger.
But the QStrip is simply a "surgical" parametric equalizer and a DI box. You dial in the frequencies you want to boost or attenuate, and there you go. It does what you tell it to do.
That all said, I don't use it very often. But I'm always taking it with me to gigs, just in case. Every now and then, a "case" happens.
The downer:
Apparently it's been discontinued.
Apparently it's been discontinued.
Q\Strip – Tech 21 NYC
OWNER’S MANUAL QSTRIP The ‘60s and ‘70s are widely recognized as the heyday for professional recording console design. The EQ and preamp sections of these near-mythical vintage consoles are highly sought after, even to this day. Some of the most iconic guitar and bass tones in the history of...
tech21nyc.com
Yep. I've been using one for several years.
What it does well: (almost everything)
Piezo impedance buffering. Seems perfect. Really helped taming my Yamahiko before I did so with a capacitor. Into the effects return or the input on backline or any amp that I wasn't getting the best result from.
D.I. enabled me to send an eq'ed signal to the house
I also used it into a PA for certain gigs instead of bringing an amp.
Reductive eq. Sweep each mid-band to find the frequency with the worst sound and then cut it until I liked what I heard.
Quiet. Great build quality. Reliable.
What I would change about it (almost nothing)
I wish the hpf was variable. It's fixed at around 40hz, I think. I have an FDeck, but it sucks to carry 2 devices when it could have been one. Not always needed and sometimes the fixed hpf seemed to be enough, but when you have an issue on a gig that a variable hpf would solve, you have to have one.
I also wish it was fully parametric in those 2 mid bands. I can't honestly point to any issues that I experienced because it wasn't, but in theory, if I could adjust the Q, in addition to the frequency midpoint, it would be more surgical.
That said, killer little device. Shame it was discontinued, if you're wondering about a used one at a good price, buy it.
Empress makes one that is fully parametric and has a variable hpf that, on paper, is better, but they are expensive.
There are a few others worth considering, but based on my criteria, I'm not sure what's better in this general price range.
Regarding the Messenger, if you're buying used, the input impedance is hugely important. I know he will customize them if ordered new and maybe he would modify a used one, but it's non-optional for DB application. Know before you buy and don't let love of Broughton convince you to devalue that aspect.
Last edited:
The downer:
Apparently it's been discontinued.
Q\Strip – Tech 21 NYC
OWNER’S MANUAL QSTRIP The ‘60s and ‘70s are widely recognized as the heyday for professional recording console design. The EQ and preamp sections of these near-mythical vintage consoles are highly sought after, even to this day. Some of the most iconic guitar and bass tones in the history of...tech21nyc.com
Yup. It's really a shame because they don't really have anything else like it. I've also used it to eq electric piano and electric guitar with great results and last year, I used it as a lead guitar eq/clean boost, for solos in a short lived soul/rock project.
Between this Q\Strip and a few Empress products, I've been spoiled by well machined metal knobs and general build quality. When I pick up something with plastic parts now it's a disappointment, even though a lot of really great boxes use plastic knobs and it's not an indication of how well it's going to work. It still just feels good to have a quality product.
Not my first Tech21 box. I had a V1 Bass Driver that I bought well-used here and enjoyed until the stomp switch broke off of the board. I replaced it with a ParaDriver which was noticeably better and actually even-traded it for the Q\Strip. All really good devices.
I've noticed Q\Strips are being listed and are selling on Reverb north of $300 and it's tempting to list mine. I think they were closer to $200 new and less used when they were in production. Might be a sign to Tech21 to re-release it.
Two of them, it would appear.
These have been going for over $300 on Reverb recently, which I think is a little crazy. TB prices are sane and those will be good for someone.
The Q\Strip is based on a recording console channel strip from the 60s/70s. It is a Baxandall EQ for the Low and High controls (pivot point at 1000 Hz) with the addition of semiparametric Lo-Mid and High-Mid controls. It can be powered by battery, wall wart, or phantom from FOH. I do wish the HPF were variable.
