Versatile Preamp Suggestions

I use the Noble for literally all of those instruments...recording and live. I really cannot go back to the ToneHammer after using this. It absolutely kills on acoustics as well as synths like my Minimoog. I use it as a part of my live acoustic rig every Sunday at Church.

Electric Guitars are tricky because they need some sort of cab sim to get a better, more realistic tone.

 

Broughton Messenger may be what you're looking for. Lots of versatility, great sound.

 

Broughton Messenger

 

I use a Southampton Ictineo for my all around plug in polisher because if I need a DI I am old school and use a separate box. Other boxes I use are [sfx]AY2, JohnK FET-F2B and a Zeibek Submarine mk III. Current fave DI is the Rupert Neve RNDI plus old stand by Countryman Type 85 and a couple of old boxes with vintage Jensen transformers.

 

You should consider Q strip from Tech 21 and Alix/Bix from Grace Design...

 

GK Plex?

 

The nice thing about the Messenger is that you can use it almost as a second channel, in that you can use a second instrument with it and not have to mess with any of your settings. Just use the lower output instrument with the boost adjusted to match the higher output instrument without it.

 

Alix has parametric mids plus sweepable HPF/notch filter...

 

The Felix/Alix are top notch and sound a-MAY-zing. In all my gear slutting (Not “whoring”. There’s a difference.) I ended up with a Noble and a Felix at the same time. The Felix won.

The Grace stuff is spendy though. But man...There’s some magic in there that’s hard to describe.

I currently own a Messenger and love it. Ultra quiet, ultra clean, lots of EQ available, pretty small, not expensive....What’s not to like? Combining the H/LPF’s with the Bass/Treble controls yields some interesting and useful tones.

Also, Fishman has some nice options for preamps that look interesting and are not crazy expensive. The OP may want to check them out, too.

 

Another vote for the Messenger, very clean, responsive and present sounding. Notes have alot of clarity. I also have a Radial Tonebone OD that I use mainly for db but the Messenger has really improved my toan.

 

I'll second the Q/Strip.

Four band EQ, HPF, LPF and DI. Reasonably priced. Plus it sounds good. The "Swiss Army Knife" of tone.

 

I’m with ya! I had a terrific run a couple of years ago and splurged. But, like you, I can’t justify the “ expensive stuff” playing in the trenches.

All that great gear was fun while it lasted, though! But honestly, I’m just as happy with my Messenger.

 

I use a Brick Drive by Providence: three band eq with another mini knob for different mids freqs and a knob "presence" that works on the tone clarity, it will be very helpful, expecially with the guitar, I think.
It also have the drive section with dedicated volume and blend knob. It's very transparent as drive/overdrive so it will keep your tone and it stacks very well with other pedals

 

Nice! Between the Q Strip and the Messenger you cant go wrong.