The Great Bass Preamp/DI Comparison

[jdc866]

Looking at maybe some EQ, particularly on a fretless U•Bass with flats, but I also have a 6 string BTB and a Fender Jaguar.

Anyway, wondering the benefits of say, a Southampton Ictineo vs an MXR 10-band EQ

 

[sears]

yway, wondering the benefits of say, a Southampton Ictineo vs an MXR 10-band EQ

the flounder, or the venison?

 

[jdc866]

the flounder, or the venison?

I realize they are different animals. However, the common thread is EQ, one essentially having preset bands, the other having a wider range of bands to dial in. Just curious what the extra magic is offered by the Ictineo or other similar preamp.

Total n00b so just trying to learn something.

 

[uwrossl]

Looking forward to the MXR Thump. Perfect simplicity.

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[Hypercaffium]

Looking at maybe some EQ, particularly on a fretless U•Bass with flats, but I also have a 6 string BTB and a Fender Jaguar.

Anyway, wondering the benefits of say, a Southampton Ictineo vs an MXR 10-band EQ

Barber Linden?

 

[Bassworship1]

Anyone wanting to try out a Mint Nordstrand Starlifter hit me up.

 

[Zbysek]

Anyone wanting to try out a Mint Nordstrand Starlifter hit me up.

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Are you letting it go? Why?

 

[Bassworship1]

Are you letting it go? Why?

I've found a preamp I think works better for my setup in the Trickfish. It adds a little bit more clarity for my Roscoe basses.

 

[Mushroo]

Quilter Phantom Block looks intriguing! It's teeny tiny, costs $99, and runs on 9v or phantom power. No 'thru' is a bold design choice.

 

[funkydario]

First thank you all... I've just finished the reading of 51 pages and I am clearer about what I want... Still confused about what to choose. Choices are sooo manyyyyy
Nobody talked-about Providence dual bass station... 2 channel is my choice for my on the making pedalboard.
Useful Art seems to be my first choice for a tube preamp DI... still wondering
Looks like some of you guys use Cab Sim, are they really useful? Overkill?
My pedalboard is my amp and will use it with IEM or active monitors like the Yamaha DXR12.
Again thank you all reading was very informative and interesting and made me discover builders that I did not know about.
Subd

 

[chadhargis]

First thank you all... I've just finished the reading of 51 pages and I am clearer about what I want... Still confused about what to choose. Choices are sooo manyyyyy
Nobody talked-about Providence dual bass station... 2 channel is my choice for my on the making pedalboard.
Useful Art seems to be my first choice for a tube preamp DI... still wondering
Looks like some of you guys use Cab Sim, are they really useful? Overkill?
My pedalboard is my amp and will use it with IEM or active monitors like the Yamaha DXR12.
Again thank you all reading was very informative and interesting and made me discover builders that I did not know about.
Subd

When I started this thread I had no idea it would become as popular as it has....big thanks to Scubaduba for jumping in and reviewing some preamps too.

I know in some preamps claim to have "tube tone", but in my experience, none sound like a real tube. I like to get a little tube growl...not so much overdrive, but just on the edge and the SLO gives me that.

I'm still considering building a "fly rig" (even though I don't do fly dates) that I can use on small stages or gigs where I don't need my full board. I am very interested in preamps like the Fender Downtown Express, GK Plex, GR Bass Drive, etc. I tried the Tech21 Bass Fly Rig and actually liked it which is odd because I don't typically like Tech21 stuff. Well...the Q-Strip is good too and I may add one of those just for the EQ because it's so powerful.

 

[scubaduba]

I like the Trickfish Trilobyte a lot.

 

[Nicholas Orick]

I tend to use my MXR Bass DI+ going into an MXR Dyna Comp.

The Dyna Comp takes the rattle out of the rafters.

 

[cosmicevan]

Looking forward to the MXR Thump. Perfect simplicity.

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The form factor on this is killer. It's what drove me to check out the M81 (and this is even smaller), but there was something so lifeless about the sound out of the M81 that I had to let it go. I love (and was looking for something transparent), but the voicings of the pre were just kind of blase if that makes sense. I ultimately went the Broughton route for a transparent w powerful boost/cut EQ in a one-off precursor of the Messenger and have been enjoying the other Broughton amp-in-a-box stompboxes for some extra color. I'd be interested to hear if this one has more life in it or if it is just a smaller version of the M81.

 

[emjazz]

For the tube thing, my Night Owl Industries Edison pre continues to impress over and over again. Totally floored by it. At home through my TH DI, or live into my TH500...totally kills. Gives me that tube sound and feel like nothing else I've tried, beyond a full blown tube amp. I put a vintage Tesla tube in it recently and am in love.

 

[chadhargis]

For the tube thing, my Night Owl Industries Edison pre continues to impress over and over again. Totally floored by it. At home through my TH DI, or live into my TH500...totally kills. Gives me that tube sound and feel like nothing else I've tried, beyond a full blown tube amp. I put a vintage Tesla tube in it recently and am in love.

Wonder what it would do in front of the SLO?

 

[emjazz]

Wonder what it would do in front of the SLO?

Not sure. Haven't tried the Slo.

 

[uwrossl]

The form factor on this is killer. It's what drove me to check out the M81 (and this is even smaller), but there was something so lifeless about the sound out of the M81 that I had to let it go. I love (and was looking for something transparent), but the voicings of the pre were just kind of blase if that makes sense. I ultimately went the Broughton route for a transparent w powerful boost/cut EQ in a one-off precursor of the Messenger and have been enjoying the other Broughton amp-in-a-box stompboxes for some extra color. I'd be interested to hear if this one has more life in it or if it is just a smaller version of the M81.

This has the same "magic" as the echoplex preamp has so my guess is it will be quite different from the M81. The people that have tried it so far really like it. Say it adds just the perfect amount of special sauce. For me at $129 it's a no brainer to give it a shot. Love that it's cut and boost and has sweepable mids in such a compact form factor.

 

[ThisYouCanTrust]

beyond a full blown tube amp.

Right.

 

[emjazz]

Right.

....which is something that I love, but can't carry around from gig to gig.