D
I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a G&L L2000 or some other similar, really versatile bass that can cover a range of bass tones. But now you have me questioning my entire line of reasoning.
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The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison
- Thread starter chadhargis
- Start date
I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a G&L L2000 or some other similar, really versatile bass that can cover a range of bass tones. But now you have me questioning my entire line of reasoning.
Well, I don't know that I'll be running off to buy Tributes and Squire's and selling my Roscoe's, just that maybe when I thought people were crazy for spending $1K on a tube DI that they weren't so far off.
jacoby75
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I've had the same basses, same pedals and preamps for a while now. But when I shelled out the cash for the Broughton SSDI, it made a huuuuge difference in my tone. And now it doesn't matter what I plug into it. It all sounds awesome.
I've been chasing "studio tone" in my head/headphones for a long time with pedals and never getting there. But there's a reason for that. If you want to sound "studio good," you've gotta up your game to some "studio quality" gear. There's just no comparison. Real tubes and real transformers make a huge difference.
That being said, every time Scuba posts absolutely anything, I say, "Huh? Whaddya know? That sounds incredible." I think part of that is that he's starting with a Sadowsky. But at the same time, you get to a certain level of gear and it all sounds amazing. Though some may sound more amazing . . . or differently amazing . . . than others, depending on what you're after.
I've been chasing "studio tone" in my head/headphones for a long time with pedals and never getting there. But there's a reason for that. If you want to sound "studio good," you've gotta up your game to some "studio quality" gear. There's just no comparison. Real tubes and real transformers make a huge difference.
That being said, every time Scuba posts absolutely anything, I say, "Huh? Whaddya know? That sounds incredible." I think part of that is that he's starting with a Sadowsky. But at the same time, you get to a certain level of gear and it all sounds amazing. Though some may sound more amazing . . . or differently amazing . . . than others, depending on what you're after.
jacoby75
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If you'd like to see a more affordable enhancement to your tone, pick up 1-2 LBA 2020S's. The transformers work wonders for warming thing up and "studiofying" your tone.
I may be wrong about those...but I won't touch them with a ten foot pole. Seems like snake oil to me.
D
jacoby75
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Definitely not snake oil. It's subtle, but fantastic. And the difference they make depends on what you're feeding them and where you put them in the chain. They're pretty cool.
Haven't used the LB2020's specifically, but can definitely confirm that adding some high quality transformers to your signal chain can make a significant and noticeable difference.
I have a Steinberg Audio interface with switchable/adjustable Neve designed Transformers.
The difference they make when switching on and off, and other equipment I have with high end Transformers make, is ear opening.
Even my wife, who knows next to nothing about audio, can immediately tell the difference when using them from rooms away.
A good tube preamp with good transformers is a combo well worth seeking out.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
jacoby75
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Purchased in $99 increments. Ingenious to say the least. I’d love to place one between my Keeley Bassist and Barbershop...or maybe after both...crap, maybe one after each??? This isn’t a rabbit hole I’m willing to go down, but I can certainly see the appeal.
In the worlds of “snake oil” and “subtle” I found an interesting device. The OTO Machines BAM is a desktop reverb unit, and part of the charm is the A/D conversion, gain section, and filter section. There’s a setting which bypasses the reverb effect but still gives you the converters, gain, and filters, and it’s not bad at all. I wouldn’t go out of my way just to get a BAM just for that, but it’s a nice bonus.
jacoby75
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It's smart. I'll give him that. I currently have a 2020 and 2020s after my compressor. It's yummy. It makes me want to try more. Someone posted a shot of one before and after their compressor. I'll bet that's fun. The more the merrier.
It isn’t. Especially the 2020s. I wouldn’t say the 2020 is snake oil but it’s more subtle. Two 2020s definitely does something though
Has anyone tried more than two 2020s's? Including adding one or more 2020's to the chain. How did 2 become the default? Did someone here try three, decided there were diminishing returns and therefore two is the most bang for the buck?
jacoby75
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Only one way to find out. You first.
@lightningboy do you have a frequent buyer punch card or do you accept a bunch of half filled Chipotle and pet store cards I found in the back of a drawer recently?
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