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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

#3,221
uwrossl said:
You're the one. I knew I remembered somebody on here dropped one of those in. As a newb when it comes to the tube...are the differences in character between a low output and high output tube self explanatory or is there more to it than that?
Click to expand...

It's a new one. Not a NOS.

Tube Depot shows the sonic characteristics of the tubes. The Mullard is supposed to have a warmer bottom end and a roll off on the top end. Good bass tube!
 
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#3,222
My Oracle arrived today. Micah's build time estimate was right on.

I went with stock tube.

I have a couple of Svetlana 12ax7 in the garage, and some NOS 5751 and NOS 5965, so I'd have a starting points if I wanted to experiment.

There are plenty of aftermarket options tubes available, as well, but differences are likely to be very subtle, given the number of other things that contribute to "tone".

But, I'll probably just use it as shipped!


I wandered in to this thread from the DB side, looking for insight into the Noble. Ordered an Oracle (have a JDI) and a NUX MLD.

Almost cancelled the Oracle order after the NUX arrived, very cool box, and "impulse response" files are amazing. Glad to have the Oracle, though!
 
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#3,223
uwrossl said:
You're the one. I knew I remembered somebody on here dropped one of those in. As a newb when it comes to the tube...are the differences in character between a low output and high output tube self explanatory or is there more to it than that?
Click to expand...

I would expect it affects gain or drive, and a low(er) gain tube will be cleaner while a higher gain tube will be more driven at the same (gain) setting? As always I could be wrong. I probably should not have selected high gain when I purchased mine. Maybe this will help you. Might email the folks at tubedepot with this question. They might be able to answer this. It may also just affect the (amount of) output volume. Not sure.
 
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#3,225
chadhargis said:
It's a new one. Not a NOS.

Tube Depot shows the sonic characteristics of the tubes. The Mullard is supposed to have a warmer bottom end and a roll off on the top end. Good bass tube!
Click to expand...

I do like the sound of that. Would it be correct in assuming that low output tubes in general are warmer and high output brighter and generate more distortion? Trying to educate myself and look up some articles as well to gain a better understanding of the "why's?" I basically love a squishy and gooey tube sound married with the tight punchy attack of flatwound strings(mostly from a P) and then add a some drive to taste.
 
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#3,226
tedsalt said:
I would expect it affects gain or drive, and a low(er) gain tube will be cleaner while a higher gain tube will be more driven at the same (gain) setting? As always I could be wrong. I probably should not have selected high gain when I purchased mine. Maybe this will help you. Might email the folks at tubedepot with this question. They might be able to answer this. It may also just affect the (amount of) output volume. Not sure.
Click to expand...

Yeah...that's exactly what my assumption was and what general logic would tell you. But as you said...it could be one of those weird situations where something in the science reverses it and makes us look like asses for assuming. :roflmao:
 
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#3,228
MascisMan said:
Has anyone compared the Mullard to the Gold Lion. Tube Depot's comparison charts show them with fairly similar characteristics
Click to expand...
FWIW, I asked tube depot for a more affordable alternative to a Telefunken smooth plate 12au7, and they recommended both of those. I went with a Gold Lion, which I liked for smooth tube enhancement. Still want to try a Mullard some day.
 
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#3,237
For those looking into Power options for the Effectrode LA-1A. After doing some reading on the Cioks 4 I now understand that for it to run at 100% it requires 30W. My understanding is that to calculate Watts it is V x A, so a 24VDC 1.5A power supply will give you 36 Watts, an 18VDC 2A power supply will give you 36 Watts etc.

I may still go for a Cioks DC-7 yet, but with no gigs I can afford to take my time deciding. I will cross post this info in the Compressor Thread.

I've been thinking long and hard about what Preamp to pair with my LA-1A when it arrives, and again, with no gigs there is no rush to decide. Still gassing hard for a NuX MLD though! With no gigs since March due to C-19 I have not used my Fender Super Bassman at all. I got it out today and powered it up and played thru it for a bit. I was reminded that every piece of gear that I have (Tube Emulation, OD's, Compressors etc) is ultimately about trying to Emulate the tone and heft of this amp when I can't use it for whatever reason. My Aguilar Agro and the Distortion on the B|Amp come closest to my dialed in OD on the SB300 for example.

Due to this - I'm going to do my level best to wait for an annoucement on the stand alone Bergantino Preamp pedal I think. There have been numerous rumors on here. I really am hoping we get an announcement soon!
 
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#3,238
Rocksolid said:
For those looking into Power options for the Effectrode LA-1A. After doing some reading on the Cioks 4 I now understand that for it to run at 100% it requires 30W. My understanding is that to calculate Watts it is V x A, so a 24VDC 1.5A power supply will give you 36 Watts, an 18VDC 2A power supply will give you 36 Watts etc.

I may still go for a Cioks DC-7 yet, but with no gigs I can afford to take my time deciding. I will cross post this info in the Compressor Thread.

I've been thinking long and hard about what Preamp to pair with my LA-1A when it arrives, and again, with no gigs there is no rush to decide. Still gassing hard for a NuX MLD though! With no gigs since March due to C-19 I have not used my Fender Super Bassman at all. I got it out today and powered it up and played thru it for a bit. I was reminded that every piece of gear that I have (Tube Emulation, OD's, Compressors etc) is ultimately about trying to Emulate the tone and heft of this amp when I can't use it for whatever reason. My Aguilar Agro and the Distortion on the B|Amp come closest to my dialed in OD on the SB300 for example.

Due to this - I'm going to do my level best to wait for an annoucement on the stand alone Bergantino Preamp pedal I think. There have been numerous rumors on here. I really am hoping we get an announcement soon!
Click to expand...
Im waiting for mesa to drop a tube pre if they do my verellen meatsmoke may be on the chopping block provided it keeps up
 
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