The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[SteveC]

I just received a Palmer Pocket Bass Amp in for review, and this thing packs a ton of features into a rather small package. The price is also rather small. I played through it briefly at practice last night, and it seemed to work as advertised, with no obvious flaws thus far. Great feature set, though, for sure!

Any more thoughts on this, Tom? I need something with a little drive to fatten up my sound a bit. This seems like a nice option to replace my big muff which isn't quite what I need/want with some light drive, some eq and even cab emulation. It's got a DI but I'd probably still run it into my REDDI, unless it sounds really good on its own. I'd still run my Empress bass compressor in front of it all after my tuner pedal.

 

[tombowlus]

Any more thoughts on this, Tom? I need something with a little drive to fatten up my sound a bit. This seems like a nice option to replace my big muff which isn't quite what I need/want with some light drive, some eq and even cab emulation. It's got a DI but I'd probably still run it into my REDDI, unless it sounds really good on its own. I'd still run my Empress bass compressor in front of it all after my tuner pedal.

The drive and fuzz seem more like variations on a theme, but there are a number of ways to tweak the dirty tones, and those sweepable mids are really nice in this regard. So far, I feel like it offers a heck of a lot for the price, and it does not appear to be a tone-sucking monster.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Just nabbed the Alpha di at gc used for cheap I'll be sure to check in when it arrives in postage

 

[jacoby75]

Any more thoughts on this, Tom? I need something with a little drive to fatten up my sound a bit. This seems like a nice option to replace my big muff which isn't quite what I need/want with some light drive, some eq and even cab emulation. It's got a DI but I'd probably still run it into my REDDI, unless it sounds really good on its own. I'd still run my Empress bass compressor in front of it all after my tuner pedal.

Not to get off topic, but the Tech21 Dug has become my go-to drive. It's got that great bi-amped sound for adding just a touch or a lot of hair on my signal. I use an xlr-1/4" cable to run to other pedals afterwards so I can take advantage of its cab sim as well. Sounds great. Before that, I used the Tech21 YYZ in "tight" mode, with similar results.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Just nabbed the Alpha di at gc used for cheap I'll be sure to check in when it arrives in postage

I've been watching that one, and should've pulled the trigger. I'm really curious about it, having read Scubaduba's review.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I've been watching that one, and should've pulled the trigger. I'm really curious about it, having read Scubaduba's review.

I was skeptical at first because new tube Di's where popping up left and right at the time and some where pretty meh at best then I heard some of JT Amps demos and saw it at work and I got hooked on it's sound.

 

[R&B]

I just received a Palmer Pocket Bass Amp in for review, and this thing packs a ton of features into a rather small package. The price is also rather small. I played through it briefly at practice last night, and it seemed to work as advertised, with no obvious flaws thus far. Great feature set, though, for sure!

Looks sleek, while bristling with knobs and jacks. Best and clearest labeling I've ever seen on an electronic device! Tempting.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Look what just came in

 

[fivestringgecko]

This is me dropping into the thread to contribute... ha ha

New smaller version of the Caveman. Curious about what other people thing of this one. Or the original for that matter.





5sg.

 

[Mark Ambler]

The drive and fuzz seem more like variations on a theme, but there are a number of ways to tweak the dirty tones, and those sweepable mids are really nice in this regard. So far, I feel like it offers a heck of a lot for the price, and it does not appear to be a tone-sucking monster.

Just to add that I received a Palmer Pocket Bass yesterday. Initial impressions weren't good.
On removing the battery cover, (it's not attached to the pedal), and it felt a bit cheap and easy to lose, I installed the battery. Nada. I removed the battery cover and pressed the battery connectors and tried again, success, then nothing. Repeated process and this time it worked fine.

The EQ is very nice, really like the sweepable mids, the cab sims were ok, I didn't care for the distortion, fuzz, but then again I only use clean sounds. They've really put a lot into this box, the pots feel high quality, and the option to set the foot switch as a mute or a bypass is a nice touch.

Had the pedal had a more rugged battery holder, I would've kept the pedal, as I was looking for this sort of thing that didn't need a mains adaptor. I guess the Phil Jones Big head pro would be more to my liking. Having said that, the pedal was very quiet, and the eq was great.

 

[Btbp]

Just to add that I received a Palmer Pocket Bass yesterday. Initial impressions weren't good.
On removing the battery cover, (it's not attached to the pedal), and it felt a bit cheap and easy to lose, I installed the battery. Nada. I removed the battery cover and pressed the battery connectors and tried again, success, then nothing. Repeated process and this time it worked fine.

The EQ is very nice, really like the sweepable mids, the cab sims were ok, I didn't care for the distortion, fuzz, but then again I only use clean sounds. They've really put a lot into this box, the pots feel high quality, and the option to set the foot switch as a mute or a bypass is a nice touch.

Had the pedal had a more rugged battery holder, I would've kept the pedal, as I was looking for this sort of thing that didn't need a mains adaptor. I guess the Phil Jones Big head pro would be more to my liking. Having said that, the pedal was very quiet, and the eq was great.

Funny you say this, as I found the tone controls not to my liking, partially due to user error, though I didn't have any issues with the battery which I only used once. I still like and use the Palmer though.

After I bought this I wished I had gone with my more expensive Plan B instead, you might want to have a look at the Ashdown headphone amp.

 

[scubaduba]

Look what just came inView attachment 4770282

This one is a winner.

 

[Giff]

Picked up a Mesa Subway DI plus. It sounds really good. Really good! I have a PJB PE-5 and it sounds great. The Mesa might unseat the PJB.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Picked up a Mesa Subway DI plus. It sounds really good. Really good! I have a PJB PE-5 and it sounds great. The Mesa might unseat the PJB.View attachment 4781374

I'm running the subway di+ with the alpa di a two note cab m+ on my output side and a sushi box deep dish tube comp in front I think at this point I'd be hard pressed to get much closer in sound to a full blown tube rig but it weighs a quarter as much and is way more versatile.

 

[DaveParker39]

I just picked up a Tech 21 VT Bass DI.
I keep it in the bag in case my amp dies, but TBH I wouldn't be sad if I had to use it direct into the PA. Sounds great.

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I just picked up a Tech 21 VT Bass DI.
I keep it in the bag in case my amp dies, but TBH I wouldn't be sad if I had to use it direct into the PA. Sounds great.

That is deffinitly no slouch it was one of my main preamps for many years I got the vt deluxe to have a couple switching options tho. I just got addicted to getting the closest sound possible to a full blown tube rig along my journey so I ended up selling it on but as far as solidstate preamp emulation of the svt ampeg type sound the tech 21 sansamp Vt bass di has to be up there as one of the closest I've heard to nailing it. The vt bass is very good and a fairly affordable preamp considering.

 

[SteveBassJr]

I have been watching this thread since it started. I might of missed it but, has the Darkglass Photon been talked about? I have been using it for 6 months now and I love it. I know it's digital but, it has replaced 4 other pedals from my board. Imo the compressor settings sound great and the ability to move thru 3 different preamp settings without turning knobs is great. The Bluetooth connectability is cool. I stayed away from DG thinking it was only for metal for a long time.
Idk, I had a ton of the preamps mentioned in this thread. They were all great but the Photon definitely sounds just as good or even better to my ears.

 

[restomod]

Funny you say this, as I found the tone controls not to my liking, partially due to user error, though I didn't have any issues with the battery which I only used once. I still like and use the Palmer though.

After I bought this I wished I had gone with my more expensive Plan B instead, you might want to have a look at the Ashdown headphone amp.

If I can ask what was plan B?

 

[restomod]

Also read through this everyday but quick comparison question:

Palmer Pocket Bass> Atomic Bass Amp> NUX Melvin Lee

I have read separate threads on all of them, seems pros and cons for all. The thought of picking up the Palmer from my board and heading out someplace to sit and throw on headphones seems like a good idea. I have a vox amplug that I can do the same with but the thought of having a DI when going to friends or jamming is appealing to me. However I am not sure that the battery option is worth giving up some of the more advanced features and tweaking in the Atomic and NUX when on the board. I know this is probably personal pref but looking to see if people think the Palmer is feature rich enough to make it worth the portability?

 

[chadhargis]

Also read through this everyday but quick comparison question:

Palmer Pocket Bass> Atomic Bass Amp> NUX Melvin Lee

I have read separate threads on all of them, seems pros and cons for all. The thought of picking up the Palmer from my board and heading out someplace to sit and throw on headphones seems like a good idea. I have a vox amplug that I can do the same with but the thought of having a DI when going to friends or jamming is appealing to me. However I am not sure that the battery option is worth giving up some of the more advanced features and tweaking in the Atomic and NUX when on the board. I know this is probably personal pref but looking to see if people think the Palmer is feature rich enough to make it worth the portability?

I can only speak to the NUX, but it sounded really good for what it was. The software is a little clunky, but if you're just using it as a preamp/DI, it's tough to beat for the money.