What's so special about a Noble preamp?

[Roger W]

A look at several DIs, including the Noble.


For me, it’s not worth it. I’m not, and not likely to be, in a position to need a dedicated DI to begin with, so buying the most expensive, arguably the best, on the market makes no sense.

 

[MikeBass]

Have mine up for trade currently. looking for an Aguilar DB759/751/359 for trade.

 

[Keithunem]

It's a big black box with white lighting that says Noble in an elegant font.
It has three knobs. If you play direct through the XLR out, only two of those knobs do something.
The bass knob makes your bass and tone fatter. The treble knob adds a sweet treble range.
It's just so beautiful in its simplicity.

There is a certain sound associated with tube gear that plays clean. The Noble does exactly that.

You can easily get away without a Noble.
97,8% of the audience will not notice if you replace the Noble with a pedal that costs a fraction.
But when you played through one and your ears have gotten used to playing through it, you will not want to play without it.

…..and once your ears have gotten used to the sound coming through the Noble, you won’t want to play without it. Great quote… no matter what equipment you have, we’re forever trying to improve our sound. Pedals, amps, cabinets, etc. The reality is that most of the people in the audience won’t hear your sound on the stage anyhow. Plus, a good sound engineer can make just about anything sound better.

I believe the point of all this is that the tone chasing, at least for me, is done mostly for my own satisfaction. I’ve worked hard at getting to where I am musically and I don’t think it would be fair to myself if I didn’t pursue equipment that kept up with, or even exceeded my ability. I think Jack has made an exceptional piece of gear, and commend him for his efforts. Meanwhile, y’all keep on thumpin’

 

[el murdoque]

I believe the point of all this is that the tone chasing, at least for me, is done mostly for my own satisfaction. I’ve worked hard at getting to where I am musically and I don’t think it would be fair to myself if I didn’t pursue equipment that kept up with, or even exceeded my ability. I think Jack has made an exceptional piece of gear, and commend him for his efforts. Meanwhile, y’all keep on thumpin’

Well said.
I can gig with my Sansamp just fine. I paid 150 for a second hand unit.
The audience and the FOH people like it.

It's just more fun for me when I play the Noble - which brings out the best in me.
When my sound is THE sound (as in "the chase is over"), I bathe in its glory and feel the urge to make the best out of every single note. I think this effect is doing more for the band and the audience than the Noble itself does.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I got my Noble in December 2016. Played it almost every day since. My best purchase ever ... and I've tried a lot of nice gear over the years! The EQ (for me) is useful for playing through a powered cab. Lately, I'm mostly tracking electric bass for projects. The tracking signal path is passive P-bass (tone knob on full, volume on full) --> Noble --> Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 --> Studio One DAW. No effects, no EQ. The naked tone is drop dead gorgeous, and as a perfectly flat signal, is extremely easy to mix as needed for the song. The Noble is simplicity at its best. I can hear the difference. Collaborators can hear the difference. I cannot imagine playing without one!

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Bet anyone hearing you playing will go screaming in awe "That's a Noble! I can hear that!!!"
Yeah sure.

Nah — they’ll just scream in awe over the awesome tone and playing.

 

[Keithunem]

Bet anyone hearing you playing will go screaming in awe "That's a Noble! I can hear that!!!"
Yeah sure.

 

[Keithunem]

With all due respect…I have one coming soon and if for some reason I don’t like it, I can easily move it for at least what I paid for it. I have seen too many accomplished bass players, some who I know and respect, sing the praises of this little box to not at least give it a try!

I believe I could hook up a cheap bass to a cheap amp and most people wouldn’t know the difference. Personally, I’m willing to spend my money on nice equipment in the hope that it helps me play and sound better…if some people in the crowd notice, great! However, I’m buying premium gear because “I” notice the difference, and isn’t that what really counts? As for your post, I’m under the impression that you’re somehow mocking the product and people who spend the money on it.

If you have the money to spend on a Noble or any other gear that gives you GAS, I say go for it…if not, you can use my 2cents as a down payment…once again, I say this with all due respect!

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

This is for the guys nay saying here the difference is really up to each users own experience. My buddy demoed a few different pres and di's at church recently and asked me to come visit (note not my normal scene these days) and take a guess wich one stood out of the pack he had several people in the congregation notice and comment besides me including the foh engineer, wd, pastor, and broadcast guys. The Noble just has this warmth and presence and it fits in a mix perfect especially with a good p bass or jazz granted the Reddi, Kahn and my personal favorite the JT amps alpha di are all equally tasty in my experience too it really comes down to wich pre fits your own needs and sound preference it really is just different flavors of good after a certain point.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

With all due respect…I have one coming soon and if for some reason I don’t like it, I can easily move it for at least what I paid for it. I have seen too many accomplished bass players, some who I know and respect, sing the praises of this little box to not at least give it a try!

I believe I could hook up a cheap bass to a cheap amp and most people wouldn’t know the difference. Personally, I’m willing to spend my money on nice equipment in the hope that it helps me play and sound better…if some people in the crowd notice, great! However, I’m buying premium gear because “I” notice the difference, and isn’t that what really counts? As for your post, I’m under the impression that you’re somehow mocking the product and people who spend the money on it.

If you have the money to spend on a Noble or any other gear that gives you GAS, I say go for it…if not, you can use my 2cents as a down payment…once again, I say this with all due respect!

You’ll love the tone, probably even find the tone inspires you. The Noble is a great device, and I still use it for every gig and session today… I got mine in early 2019.

 

[amper]

My opinion of the Noble (and the REDDI) is that they sound great...but they don't sound better than units that cost a fraction of the price, and the extent to which they even sound different is so minuscule as to be immaterial in any real world usage scenario. Coupled with the high price and large size, and there's no way I'd ever incorporate either of them into my signal chain.

People have a tendency to need to justify expensive purchases both before and after the fact. Blind listening tests prove my points. If you can't afford one, you won't be missing anything.

 

[villegastx]

Noble vs Mesa

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

The difference is pretty noticable to me and many others it all is up to personal taste and better sound is completely subjective to each player.

 

[Justin Keoni]

Noble vs Mesa

My only input about this comparison is that the Mesa could have made up much of the difference with the eq. A little adjusting and I feel they’d be indistinguishable from each other. Thoughts?

 

[amper]

The difference is pretty noticable to me and many others it all is up to personal taste and better sound is completely subjective to each player.

The point is not whether or not the difference it "noticeable", it's whether the difference makes a material difference to sound quality, and well, it just doesn't. You may prefer one or the other more. In Ivan's video above, I have a noticeable preference for the tone of the Mesa Subway+, but again, the difference is so minor as to be completely immaterial in any real world usage scenario, because these things come with tone knobs that can be adjusted to make one sound exactly like the other, if need be.

 

[amper]

My only input about this comparison is that the Mesa could have made up much of the difference with the eq. A little adjusting and I feel they’d be indistinguishable from each other. Thoughts?

This, except, the other way around. To my ears and tastes, the Mesa sounds better in that video. It's the Noble that needs to "make up the difference". But yes, twiddle the knobs a bit, and no one will be able to tell which is which.

 

[amper]

If it gives someone peace of mind to spend over $2000 on a preamp/DI, when they could have spent $400 (or even less) to get top quality sound, it's no skin off my back. And I'm no stranger to paying for expensive custom gear to make myself feel better--I do, after all, own a bespoke Warwick Custom Shop instrument because I wanted particular options to suit my sensibilities.

Every player needs to make their own decisions about the gear that gives them the most confidence to get the most out of their playing experience. But, it's time to stop pretending that more money automatically equals better. If you like playing organic handmade valve gear, more power to you. If you like pristine solid-state wizardry, that's great too.

 

[Keithunem]

Wowee…I’d never spend $2,000 on a pre-amp! It was hard enough to justify $1,100 for a new Noble! I have seen used Nobles go for that price though, which only gives me even more reason to buy one! Online recordings mean next to nothing to me because of all the variables, and it’s all relative anyway…and in this video, I agree, I think they both sound really good!

 

[Lovep]

I think I paid ~$750 for my Noble a few years back. I now own a Oracle ($500) and would say I am way happier.

The thing about the Noble is that very little devices are made. To get one the manufacturer charges a premium on a awesome device --> creates a stir and high demand in the public (especially if you get a few high profile pros to use it). With increasing demand, the price increases over time. Very simple micro economics...

For me, no way the Noble is worth more than ~$700-800 at most! That's just me though...

Now, that Mesa Subway + (now discontinued)---Mesa charges ~$400. They could have easily charged more...its just that good!

 

[Keithunem]

I think I paid ~$750 for my Noble a few years back. I now own a Oracle ($500) and would say I am way happier.

The thing about the Noble is that very little devices are made. To get one the manufacturer charges a premium on a awesome device --> creates a stir and high demand in the public (especially if you get a few high profile pros to use it). With increasing demand, the price increases over time. Very simply micro economics...

For me, now way the Noble is worth more than ~$700-800 at most! That's just me though...

Now, that Mesa Subway + (now discontinued)---Mesa charges ~$400. They could have easily charged more...its just that good!

I’m happy you like your Oracle, they’re very nice. I had one and sold it as it didn’t match the sound I was looking for. I’ve only used a Noble in the studio (so far), and instantly fell in love. Also, if you wanted to sell your Noble right now you could probably double your money! As many have said before, “each to his own, everybody’s taste’s are different,” etc…