For myself, I am in this boat. I play in bars. But if you have a pro sound guy with an ampless stage or if you play in the same church every week I don't see why it wouldn't make a difference.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
For myself, I am in this boat. I play in bars. But if you have a pro sound guy with an ampless stage or if you play in the same church every week I don't see why it wouldn't make a difference.
Gear does make a difference if you pay attention to tone. I've had several people tell me how good the tone was and it sounded different when I've used different preamps. I'm sure there are several who doesn't pay attention. A good player can make about anything sound decent to good but let's not pretend that great gear doesn't make a difference.
Last edited:
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I have played countless times at the same church and nothing was ever said about my tone through multiple effects, compressor, and preamp changes. Then one day I showed up with a certain combination and the sound man, also a bassist, commented on how great I sounded. For the most part, I doubt the subtle changes make THAT big of a difference. But once you dial in the right combination, it's worth it.
To an extent I agree. I do think there's a point of diminishing return though.
This is the reason I am still here reading. Most of my gigs (90%) are amp less, silent stage, DI/IEM gigs so I want the best sound for my IEM's especially and FOH as well as there's no amp to get "that sound" from. I play weekly at a church with this set up, and (in normal times) once or twice a month with a cover band. Same people, same gear and same sound guy.
I sometimes get compliments on my shirt! I was trying -- clearly, poorly -- to say that tone does make a difference, and trying to give a couple of examples where everyone could hear that tone. Once again, for the incredibly fun crowd at the Admiral's Cup who just wants to Santeria, maybe not so much.
The sound guy and singer both said something when I first used my LA-1A. That has never happened with a gear switch before. That's how I know it's a must keep piece for me.
I agree with your post in general, and would also like to add that the fact that « people » don't pay attention or don't notice doesn't mean that they don't hear the difference. Some people have no clue what a Bass guitar does or sounds like, but they do hear it
I agree. I'll also add that I only use a good compressor and preamp or DI so my signal is clean. So there is always a noticeable difference with my tone if I change up the preamp or DI box.
This might be a first. There is both an Oracle and Noble in the classifieds at the same time.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I'm not gonna name names, but I think we all know who's to blame. I'll give you one clue. His name rhymes with TubaPuba.
Is that the same guy that sells compressors?
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
There's also an Arkham Bullet on Reverb. I almost pulled the trigger because I want to try it, but it's not pedalboard friendly at all. It's more suited to rackmounting.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
Re: gear making you sound better...of course, to an extent. But, paraphrasing Marcus Miller, you need to find gear that works for you and then focus on the playing.
When I first started messing with preamps and posting early on in this thread, I was trying to learn to do Ampless gigs. And, part of that was trying to retain some level of my own control as to what goes into the FOH. But, what I have learned is that non-bass savvy sound techs will even take a great bass signal sent to the board and destroy it in the mix. Just nothing you can do about it, and the reason I particularly do not care for Ampless gigs.
OTOH, a great sound tech will also make your great bass signal sound stellar in the FOH. Unfortunately, there are more great preamps out there than great sound techs; and having a great preamp does NOT solve the lousy sound tech issue.
When I first started messing with preamps and posting early on in this thread, I was trying to learn to do Ampless gigs. And, part of that was trying to retain some level of my own control as to what goes into the FOH. But, what I have learned is that non-bass savvy sound techs will even take a great bass signal sent to the board and destroy it in the mix. Just nothing you can do about it, and the reason I particularly do not care for Ampless gigs.
OTOH, a great sound tech will also make your great bass signal sound stellar in the FOH. Unfortunately, there are more great preamps out there than great sound techs; and having a great preamp does NOT solve the lousy sound tech issue.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
I like to use a lot of effects when I'm messing around at home, but rarely use any live. It's basically tuner > compressor > preamp. Sometimes chorus, sometimes a dirt if I'm feeling particularly adventurous. Yet I keep it all on the same pedalboard. A loop-master loop switcher was one of the best gear investments I've made. It keeps everything I'm not using out of my signal chain. It made a noticeable difference in my tone as soon as I hooked it up. I can (and do) have 10-12 pedals that I can kick in when I want, but don't muddy up my signal when I'm not using them.
I agree completely on the Sound Engineer making or breaking you but that is something you absolutely can't control. I will however control everything I can which is my bass and the signal I send to the FOH. At least what's in my hand will be the best representation of my playing and commitment to the sound I want.
Agreed, that when you don't know what you are getting into, you put your best foot forward.
But, my Ampless gig uses one of the Behringer boards, owned by the lead vocalist; who uses one of two of his brothers as our sound techs. The older brother, who was supposedly a bass player from the days when guitars ruled the earth and bass thudded along in the background, mixes with the rhythm guitars out front of everything, except the bass drum on the 1 and 3. The younger brother has a MUCH better ear for studio reference mixes and creates a great soundstage. We just don't get him very often.
Here is my "older brother" Ampless rig:
Here is my "younger brother" Ampless rig:
The Demeter provides a FAR better preamp/DI input to the board. But "older brother" absolutely buries it. So, for "older brother," I simply take the perfectly decent, but far simpler Gen1 Mesa preamp/DI. Less hassle, still provides a decent signal, and much easier setup / breakdown.
And, as I said, with "older brother," it doesn't matter anyhow; because by the second tune, the rhythm guitars are raging and the band is not grooving on the 1 and 3. They are nice cats; so, I enjoy the group thing, even if 'older brother" can't mix his way out of a paper bag.
I have an Atomic Amps Bass Box on the way. Excited to give this one a run. Definitely a unique feature set.
Atomic BassBox - Bass Player's Dream Pedal | Atomic Amps
Atomic BassBox - Bass Player's Dream Pedal | Atomic Amps
