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Thoughts on AMT-BC1 Bass Crunch?

A

AndrewM

Feb 10, 2013
151
20
#1
AMT BC-1 Bass Crunch Preamp
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/amt-electronics-bc-1-bass-crunch-bass-preamp

I saw this pedal/preamp the other day, and from what I've seen on Youtube so far, it seems to give off the type of sound that I would like to have.

Naturally, I turned to talkbass for some further insight. When I started looking around, I discovered this pedal had been mentioned in threads about "the worst pedal you've ever bought", but I was also able to find people who heavily praised the AMT BC-1.

I currently play through an Ampeg PF-350, which I love, but I was looking to add a nice, aggressive crunch effect while also having more tone-shaping options.

Any input is appreciated, so long as it is informative and helpful :)

Thanks in advance for your time.
 
#3
ryansalmond said:
I can recommend the AMT F1 as an amazing bass preamp almost no one knows about, because it's made for guitar. Don't know about the bc1
Click to expand...

Maybe we can assume that AMT makes quality products, if that's the case :P is it safe to run a bass through a guitar preamp though?

Also, anyone who has experience with the BC-1, feel free to chime in :)
 
#6
I currently own and use the BC-1 as a preamp for going direct to the board in live applications.

I'm on my lunch break @ work so i have to be quick:
Good Things:
It has a decent sound - very punchy.
2 channels + Boost & Clean blend knob - both channels sound good yet distinctive.
FET based circiut lets Gain knob add more saturation - good on Clean and Drive channels
EQ switches are handy to tailor your sound

Bad Things:
I have the treble knob almost all the way down on both channels. There is a TON of high end available, if that's your thing.
The "Output" jack is pretty harsh sounding, even used through a line in on an amp. The last time I tried, the Drive channel was generating some very weird overtones/harmonics from fret slap.
I will try it with a different amp and let you know what happens.

I will repost with more info later tonight/tomorrow and try to get you a more comprehensive review.

Hope this helps.
 
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#7
Okay - more details:

I bought this to replace my Digitech GNX3000 as a standalone preamp I can just run into the PA and go. It does that extremely well - fits in the gig bag, sounds good, lots of useful features in one box.

I ran the BC-1 between my EDB555 and GK MB800.
I used the BC-1 in front of my amp, and through the FX return as well to see the difference in sound.

What I remembered about using the Output jack was correct.
The clean channel sounds ok, but the drive channel gets kinda painful in places :spit:. Especially the D and G strings starting at around the 7th fret.

Using the Cab Sim out eliminated the pain and gives you a bit more flexibility in terms of gain/volume and the EQ. It will sound a bit more muffled, but it's mainly the drop in volume that you notice. You can EQ some/most of the muffle away.

Using the BC-1 through the FX return lets the preamp do what it was designed for - to act as a standalone unit you can plug in anywhere and get the same sound. Output jack rules apply here too.

It’s not a bad box, but it definitely has its limitations. And for the price, you may or may not be okay with them. I got mine off ebay for about $100 less than retail, so I don’t mind working around the BC-1’s issues. If I had paid full price, I probably would have returned it.

If there's something I missed you want to know about, just let me know. Bottom line, if you think you might like the sound, find one to try out. But definitely compare it with something else just to be sure.

BTW - Battery cover rattles – Set screw is a bit too long. Gonna try cutting down the set screw to see if that helps the rattle.

I hope I didn't ramble on too much. . .;)
Cheers.
 
#8
Flat5Bass said:
Okay - more details:

I bought this to replace my Digitech GNX3000 as a standalone preamp I can just run into the PA and go. It does that extremely well - fits in the gig bag, sounds good, lots of useful features in one box.

I ran the BC-1 between my EDB555 and GK MB800.
I used the BC-1 in front of my amp, and through the FX return as well to see the difference in sound.

What I remembered about using the Output jack was correct.
The clean channel sounds ok, but the drive channel gets kinda painful in places :spit:. Especially the D and G strings starting at around the 7th fret.

Using the Cab Sim out eliminated the pain and gives you a bit more flexibility in terms of gain/volume and the EQ. It will sound a bit more muffled, but it's mainly the drop in volume that you notice. You can EQ some/most of the muffle away.

Maybe a Sansamp bass driver?

Maybe a Sansamp bass driver?

The Sansamp seems to get a lot of love. A possibility, perhaps?

The Sansamp seems to get a lot of love, a possibility perhaps?

Using the BC-1 through the FX return lets the preamp do what it was designed for - to act as a standalone unit you can plug in anywhere and get the same sound. Output jack rules apply here too.

It’s not a bad box, but it definitely has its limitations. And for the price, you may or may not be okay with them. I got mine off ebay for about $100 less than retail, so I don’t mind working around the BC-1’s issues. If I had paid full price, I probably would have returned it.

If there's something I missed you want to know about, just let me know. Bottom line, if you think you might like the sound, find one to try out. But definitely compare it with something else just to be sure.

BTW - Battery cover rattles – Set screw is a bit too long. Gonna try cutting down the set screw to see if that helps the rattle.

I hope I didn't ramble on too much. . .;)
Cheers.
Click to expand...


No such thing as too much rambling! Thank you for the information :) It would definitely be a good idea for me to try one out in person before committing $230 to buying one. Lets say I try one out and I'm not too fond of it, for whatever reason (the output jack problems, maybe just the tone, etc.) Do you have any pre-amps and/or crunch effects in mind that would do a good job?

What I'm looking for is a tone thats not completely overdriven, and still retains a nice "clean"-ish sound, but at the same time will also have lots of bite and a little crunch/distortion to it. That's why the blending knob on the AMT BC-1 appealed to me; I felt like I would be able to dial in just the right tone using the right blending of the clean and crunch channels.
 
#10
I'm also using BC-1 but mostly for the clean sound

I use the 2nd channel to get a slight boost if needed, but yeah, most of the time I don't even step on it. I have my other overdrive box for dirt and girth.

I think of it as a "tool" rather than an effect. I've done several gigs without amp, with the line goes direct from the cab sim output to the mixer, and it's flawless.

Headroom probably is the main advantage, because it's an 18v unit.

Sansamp BD has a better way of "coloring" your sound, if that is what you're after.
 
#12
In addition to what fleizenkruz said, if you like the sound of your Ampeg, do you want a box that will change the base (not bass :)) sound completely, or do you want something to further tailor what you like about your amp?

Just something to think about if you haven't already.
If you have. . . pretend this post didn't happen.
 
#13
AndrewM said:
Tried to edit my last post but for some reason my changes were not showing up.

Does anyone think a Sansamp bass driver might suit my needs?
Click to expand...

I like the Sansamp Para Driver DI because of the parametric mid control. Sansamp (and SVT-sounding stuff in general) tends to scoop the mids. This can make it hard to cut through a mix. The parametric gives me more control over that scoop.
 
#14
Rockin Mike said:
I like the Sansamp Para Driver DI because of the parametric mid control. Sansamp (and SVT-sounding stuff in general) tends to scoop the mids. This can make it hard to cut through a mix. The parametric gives me more control over that scoop.
Click to expand...

Hmm.

I checked out the Para, and to me it looks identical to the Bass Driver DI, except it has adjustable mids. Is this correct? If so, I think this would have to be my choice haha.

I went to the nearest guitar center yesterday and played around with a Sansamp BDDI and I liked it a good deal :)
 
#15
Flat5Bass said:
In addition to what fleizenkruz said, if you like the sound of your Ampeg, do you want a box that will change the base (not bass :)) sound completely, or do you want something to further tailor what you like about your amp?

Just something to think about if you haven't already.
If you have. . . pretend this post didn't happen.
Click to expand...

I am leaning towards the second option; tailoring what I already like about my amp :P


Also, the thing about the BDDI that I like over the Para, is that the BDDI comes in a 3-channel version which seems quite helpful to me. The Sansamp para doesnt have a 3-channel version though, or atleast I was unable to find one :(
 

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