What Preamp???

[pbass2]

I clicked "other" - both the Xotic RC and BB are worth checking out (probably the RC since you don't need overdrive). I've had the Sadowsky, Xotic Tri-logic, Sansamp, REDDI(Ok, I know that's a DI..) and others over the years, and the RC and the BB are the two I've kept. The RC is a surprising little unit--don't be fooled by how simple it looks--it does a pretty magical thing. Highly recommended.

 

[GrooveWarrior]

I voted Radial BB v2. I actually have the OD version but it has most of the same features. The OD pedal basically adds the HPF and 3-band parametric EQ to both channels (and the OD circuit, duh), whereas the v2 only has those on one channel.

Any of those pedals on your list would be great choices, but if you're looking for max versatility and "cleanliness" in the DI section, and if you switch between multiple basses (even acoustic or upright), the Radial is hard to beat IMO. It's very transparent, so what you put in is pretty much what you get out but the EQ section is very usable.

Wow. I had not seen that piece of gear. That really hits all the things I need.

 

[GrooveWarrior]

The PZB switch on the Radial BB OD and BB v2 allows you to switch impedance for electric upright/ABG on channel A, while still allowing you to run a conventional magnetic pickup bass on channel B. Just sayin'...

I see you're a Cinci-area player as well. I used to live right up the road from you in Monroe Crossings but I've been in Lebanon for about 3 years now. Small world...

Very cool. I'm actually over in Oxford.

 

[line6bassist]

Even though it's only volume, bass and treble. The Sadowsky SBP-1 is a very versatile DI. It's all boost and a little goes a long way.

 

[DonaldR]

Ampeg SCR-DI is good, nice overdrive and with an aux-in. Working well on 9v battery also.

 

[bikeplate]

Might not need a preamp. I played at a church for 8.5 years mostly with an amp and DI out of my amp. We went ampless and I got a REDDI. Killer and sounded amazing in my IEMs

 

[RhynoRock]

I use the VTBass Deluxe and it's served me very well. Pretty versatile, you basically have 6 "channels" where you can create rather drastically different tones, ranging from overdrive to a nice clean slap tone, or with less treble, like reggae for example. You can save the sounds you create to each switch, plus a switchable FX loop that can be programmed to each channel independently if you find yourself needing it. And it's really easy to use. It also has two inputs, so you can bounce between two basses if you like.

I can't speak on anything else you listed in the poll though. Pretty much once I got the VTBass, that was it. It's worked so well for me I haven't needed or even wanted to try anything else lol. Although it seems lots of people really like the Mesa, I might try one of those someday.

 

[awakefie]

I like the GED-2112 because it has 2 separate channels for out. I can send the drive to one channel and the regular signal to another. Really does come close to Geddy's sound. Now if I could play like him ... oh well.

 

[TrevorR]

When we went amp less and I went IEM at church I got a Tech 21 VTBassDI. I'd tried a chum's rack Sansamp and I preferred the more classic amp/speaker sim'd tone of the VTBassDI which is modelled on a couple of classic Ampeg amps. I only wanted a single core amp tone so the multichannel version wasn't relevant to me.

 

[leto]

I am ready to try this one! Best of both his rack mount and pedal.
Tech 21 Geddy Lee DI-2112 Signature SansAmp Preamp Pedal

 

[GrooveWarrior]

Casting my vote for the OMNICABSIM Deluxe.

https://www.dsmnoisemaker.com/omnicabsim-deluxe/yh0m9

I would have loved to have heard that with someone playing with their fingers, without the distortion.

 

[GrooveWarrior]

Might not need a preamp. I played at a church for 8.5 years mostly with an amp and DI out of my amp. We went ampless and I got a REDDI. Killer and sounded amazing in my IEMs

I suppose in the same thought process, I could use an Avalon U5.

 

[Tekkers]

I would suggest the Tech 21 Fly Rig Bass, although the caveat is that it's the only one I have any hands-on experience with.

Covers pretty much all the bases I need it for though.
The SansAmp section is the VTBass which sounds great and is quite versatile, there's a DI out, plus there's a decent enough compressor, tuner, and chorus in the same box, which is small enough to fit in the front of my gig bag. It's also got a useable fuzz which I get some mileage out of, and a filter and half-hearted octaver which I don't, but it's there if you need it.

I've gigged mine up and down the UK toilet circuit and I generally don't bother with an amp at all any more, just going direct to the board from the XLR output. If there's a house amp available I can run a 1/4" from the back into the loop for some stage sound but it's never been essential.

Worth looking into, at least.

 

[Zbysek]

Yeah, I play through a Euphonic Audio iAmp 500, and it has a high impedance input that works well for that. Maybe I'll just take my EA head with me and use it as a DI.

Your amp's input impedance is 1MOhm. IME, NXT sounds the best with input impedance between 5 and 10MOhms...

 

[equill]

There are all kinds of churches and churchgoers. I would imagine there there are likewise all types of church music. The OP did not specify.

Well said.

I played in a band where the drummer was also the high priest for Dark Star Ministry. And, I have to say, that although he is wiccan/pagan, he is one of the more moral/ethical people I've had the pleasure of working with over the years.

Similarly, LaVey's main message was actually to take responsibility for your choices and actions, so I hold genuine Satanists to that expectation. Trolling the church always seemed secondary to that.
So that makes sense; given that context and even never having heard of that particular Ministry before, I see it as more of a "thus" than an "although."

 

[GrooveWarrior]

Your amp's input impedance is 1MOhm. IME, NXT sounds the best with input impedance between 5 and 10MOhms...

I knew that NS Design recommends at least 1Mohm, but I guess I didn't realize it would make much difference the higher up it went. What is a remedy to get me up to that level of input?

 

[Zbysek]

I knew that NS Design recommends at least 1Mohm, but I guess I didn't realize it would make much difference the higher up it went. What is a remedy to get me up to that level of input?

Preamp (or buffer) is a remedy. I am using Broughton HPF DI as a buffer (and/or EBS MB II as a preamp).

Input impedance is big issue for EUB (and upright) players. There is a nice buyer's guide on Gollihur's web:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

There are also many threads in the DB part of talkbass:

Input Impedance

Which (pre)amps work for your EUB?

Best Two-Channel Preamp for Doubling?

NS NXT Preamp Info

Sarno Black Box

Fdeck and GB Shuttle 3.0

NS Design NXT Megathread

 

[el murdoque]

Take a look at the Headrush Gigboard.

Or keep things simple and go with the Sansamp. I'd recommend the PBDDI. Three presets and you need not to worry about the positions of the pots.

 

[40Hz]

The Q-Strip is the single best bang for the buck utility infielder out there IMO. Very affordable too. If mids are your thing then its two sweepable midrange controls should let you dial in any tonal character you want.

 

[crabbybassman]

Sansamp Bass driver DI out of the list presented. I had been using the programmable deluxe version for over 10 years. The only thing that has booted it off my gig board is the Two Notes Le Bass Tube pre-amp pedal. I still grab the sansamp when hitting a jam night or going to something where I don't want to bring my board or amp. I would prefer to take the Two Notes but the only thing the Sansamp can do that the other can't is
...run off a battery. That's the only reason I grab the Sansamp still. But the Two Notes completely makes the Sansamp take a back seat on the gig board. I'm down to just one H9 and the Two Notes Le Bass. Controlling both together with a midi controller.