Which preamp should I get?

[Frank Martin]

I've check out a lot of preamps too, but am down right allergic to hum and noise. I've got two I'd recommend. If you want a basic preamp with few frills and great tone, I'd recommend an Alembic Fx-1. If you like bells and whistles, try the ART Studio Nightbass SE. Both are extremely quiet, great tone. I think each has a single tube in it.

BTW, are Glocks really as good as they're made out to be? It's almost impossib le to audition one here in the US

Once again, these things like that are not availble here

As for Glocks, ask todd VanSelus, maybe he can "taste" one of those, to - but neither have I seen any here

 

[Frank Martin]

i just bought a used trace elliot gp250 pre amp...and it is sick. its ultra clean, with lots of punch. im running it with a genz-benz 2x10 xb, and a genz-benz 15...and it is plenty loud. the 7 band eq allows lots of room for tweeking your tone.

I have so far only seen two old, used, beat-up Trace Elliot heads - but no pres...
Damn, sometimes living here just sucks!

 

[Frank Martin]

ADA MB-1
LES CLAYPOOL AND A LOT OF OTHER PLAYERS USED IT AND ITS FULLY PROGRAMABLE

it can be had for anywhere from 150-350 depending on if it comes with the footswitch... its tube / solid state... that would be my choice

ADA MB-1?

Heard somthing ADA mentioned in one of the stores...
But I dont remember them saying the keywords "they have" or "pre-amp"...

But maybe they can get.
However, I have not heard barely anything of them - do you have their hompage? You got me interested
Thanks!

 

[Frank Martin]

Another look around on the used market reveals there is:
- the used Ampeg SVP-Pro is still there for $600~$650
- used EBS Classic $950
- new Quadruplet $900~$950

Seen a used ADA MP-1, didnt look too appealing to me, hope thier bass pre are better

It still looks like the SVP-Pro is a serious contestant - but I dont like tubes and hum... and sounded a bit unprecise on basstasters... but its used and "cheaper" (relative to lical standards... )

SVP-Pro-owners, how bad is the retubing&hum issue?

And with all these tube-emulators out there, is it worth it to get an all-tube pre?

 

[pedroferreira]

Don't forget that warwick is German, so it's cheaper in EU than US.

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Warwick Quadruplet- € 519,00

 

[Frank Martin]

Don't forget that warwick is German, so it's cheaper in EU than US.

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Warwick Quadruplet- € 519,00

The problem is that the retailers and distributors here only sell it for $900...

And also, Music Store Köln does not ship to Hungary

Maybe I'll just have to wait a while, because as one dealer/salesman here said, due to the EU-join, there is a bit of chaos - EU-shipping and EU-prices or shipping from outside as a non-EU-state continues? They couldnt make up their minds so far, but even if they do, as well as i know these dealers, the result will be that they get it for less and sell it for the same price

 

[John D Harris]

Quote:
Originally Posted by lo-freq
BBE Bmax.

PM djnylonpants regarding getting one where you are.

I already did about two days ago, but still no reply so far... But what the heck, he is a product manager, thats a good excuse, I bet he really has a lot of things to do

He could be on vacation...

 

[Frank Martin]

He could be on vacation...

Yeah, even that is possible

But even if I could get some dealer here to get me one, it wont be as cheap as it is at over you: the French distributor (because that was the only distributor on the BBE site that had a homepage) retails it for €529 or 519, but anyway that would climb up to $600-700 after the next dealer /re-distributor

Maybe I sohuld just conform and get a head, too?

 

[Fuzzbass]

It still looks like the SVP-Pro is a serious contestant - but I dont like tubes and hum... and sounded a bit unprecise on basstasters... but its used and "cheaper" (relative to lical standards... )

SVP-Pro-owners, how bad is the retubing&hum issue?

And with all these tube-emulators out there, is it worth it to get an all-tube pre?

Hi there,

In another thread you asked me about RBI vs. SVP-Pro so I thought I'd answer here in your own thread.

Anyway: considering the fact that you want clean tone with a minimum of hum and hiss, I would definitely recommend the RBI over the SVP-Pro. As mentioned I now own both. I do like the SVP-Pro a lot, partly for its warmth and smooth overdrive, and especially for its versatile tone-sculpting ability (and I don't even use the graphic EQ). However it would not be my preamp of choice if I wanted clean quiet tone! My SVP was retubed by its previous owner and noise is not a major factor but some hiss is still there. Also, I have to be very careful with EQ and gain settings if I want clean tone from my SVP. Now, that might just be because of the particular tubes I have in mine, but IMO the reason many bassists use the SVP-Pro is because it sounds so good when it's unclean (so to speak).

My RBI, on the other hand, is *amazingly* quiet! I typically keep the Drive control at 40% for subtle tube dirt, but by turning Drive off all the way and being careful with the Presence control, you should be able to get clean tones. The RBI does have an inherent mid scoop (which isn't counteracted by the Midrange control), but keeping the Blend control at 40 or 50% makes this a very subtle factor. You could also turn the Blend control all the way off: if I'm not mistaken, when this is done the treble, bass, and midrange controls will still be active but the tube emulation will be bypassed along with the Drive and Presence controls. In other words, turning Blend off should allow for especially clean tones. In addition to all that, there's a bypass switch so that *all* RBI functionality will be bypassed (including EQ).

I hope this helps... good luck in your search.

 

[Transverz]

(btw, sorry for my seemingly redundant preamp thread. i just thought you may not have wanted preamp/poweramp talk on yours. rock on.)

Hmm...SVP-PRO not as clean and good for unclean dirt action? This may be what I would go towards as I don't really play too much clean stuff. Question: Can the RBI match the drive and "unclean" tone of the SVP-PRO? Of course it wouldn't but does it get close enough for the money you save (in your opinion)?

On the retubing issue, how often do you think the SVP-PRO needs to be retubed? More than once a year? (w/ normal amount of use, of course)

Oh, and what do you think of the SVP-CL and the SVP-BSP? Too much different than the SVP-PRO? Seem to be the same price.

Thanks!

-T

 

[Frank Martin]

Hi there,

In another thread you asked me about RBI vs. SVP-Pro so I thought I'd answer here in your own thread.

Anyway: considering the fact that you want clean tone with a minimum of hum and hiss, I would definitely recommend the RBI over the SVP-Pro. As mentioned I now own both. I do like the SVP-Pro a lot, partly for its warmth and smooth overdrive, and especially for its versatile tone-sculpting ability (and I don't even use the graphic EQ). However it would not be my preamp of choice if I wanted clean quiet tone! My SVP was retubed by its previous owner and noise is not a major factor but some hiss is still there. Also, I have to be very careful with EQ and gain settings if I want clean tone from my SVP. Now, that might just be because of the particular tubes I have in mine, but IMO the reason many bassists use the SVP-Pro is because it sounds so good when it's unclean (so to speak).

My RBI, on the other hand, is *amazingly* quiet! I typically keep the Drive control at 40% for subtle tube dirt, but by turning Drive off all the way and being careful with the Presence control, you should be able to get clean tones. The RBI does have an inherent mid scoop (which isn't counteracted by the Midrange control), but keeping the Blend control at 40 or 50% makes this a very subtle factor. You could also turn the Blend control all the way off: if I'm not mistaken, when this is done the treble, bass, and midrange controls will still be active but the tube emulation will be bypassed along with the Drive and Presence controls. In other words, turning Blend off should allow for especially clean tones. In addition to all that, there's a bypass switch so that *all* RBI functionality will be bypassed (including EQ).

I hope this helps... good luck in your search.

Thank you very much - it was just the type of info I was hoping to get!

So by now that used SVP is getting out of question (but I think I will try it - just to know how it sounds) and will look for the RBI or if I get some feedback, the Bmax (or, again, anything that surfaces here that is good and comes used for cheap )
Thx for all the replies so far!

 

[Fuzzbass]

Hmm...SVP-PRO not as clean and good for unclean dirt action? This may be what I would go towards as I don't really play too much clean stuff. Question: Can the RBI match the drive and "unclean" tone of the SVP-PRO? Of course it wouldn't but does it get close enough for the money you save (in your opinion)?

On the retubing issue, how often do you think the SVP-PRO needs to be retubed? More than once a year? (w/ normal amount of use, of course)

Oh, and what do you think of the SVP-CL and the SVP-BSP? Too much different than the SVP-PRO? Seem to be the same price.

See my reply over in your thread! BTW, these are not redundant threads because you have a preference for dirt and mutantbassist prefers clean.

On retubing: FWIW, the left channel on my Alembic tube pre seems to have gotten a little mushy after 3 years of very regular use, but some say that good quality tubes should last much longer. I'm not a tube expert, though.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Thank you very much - it was just the type of info I was hoping to get!

So by now that used SVP is getting out of question (but I think I will try it - just to know how it sounds) and will look for the RBI or if I get some feedback, the Bmax (or, again, anything that surfaces here that is good and comes used for cheap )
Thx for all the replies so far!

You're very welcome. I strongly encourage you to try the used SVP if you can, for no other reason than the same tube preamp can behave very differently with a different set of tubes: in other words, my SVP-Pro might be dirtier/noisier than the one near you.

 

[ebozzz]

did you know warwick makes a preamp? i just bought one used, but i haven't received it yet, so i can't say how it sounds. however, i am very excited about it.

i've played through warwick combos and a quad VI head through a pro 411 cabinet and really enjoyed the sounds i was able to get, so i'm confident that it will be really sweet. there's probably more warwick availability around you than here.

the quadruplet preamp lists for $1000 here in the USA, so perhaps you can get it fairly reasonably in the EU -- congratulations Hungary!

robb.

What? No plug for the Peavey MAX preamp Robb?

For what it's worth, the MAX is also a nother very nice inexpensive preamp.

 

[Frank Martin]

What? No plug for the Peavey MAX preamp Robb?

For what it's worth, the MAX is also a nother very nice inexpensive preamp.

Well maybe inexpensive there, but I am here... and it is sold (only if you order it, none of the in stock ) here for almost $600 - and for that money I'd prefer something better - for example the used SVP-Pro I am eyeing for a time now is for almost the same price

 

[ebozzz]

Well maybe inexpensive there, but I am here... and it is sold (only if you order it, none of the in stock ) here for almost $600 - and for that money I'd prefer something better - for example the used SVP-Pro I am eyeing for a time now is for almost the same price

I apologize. I completely missed the fact that you are in Europe. As for me, I actually preferred the Peavey MAX to the SVP-PRO and I would say that they are comparable. Now tone is totally subjective and you may feel differently.

 

[Frank Martin]

I apologize. I completely missed the fact that you are in Europe. As for me, I actually preferred the Peavey MAX to the SVP-PRO and I would say that they are comparable. Now tone is totally subjective and you may feel differently.

No need to apologize - in fact you showed me another alternative The only problem is that i cant try any... maybe if i happen to come over one

 

[robb.]

well, i try to avoid endorsing every single peavey product i touch. since working here, though, i've learned that i like a large percentage of the bass gear we make. and the stuff i don't like, well i also don't like other companies' versions -- 10" speakers being a prime example.

i bought a max before i even considered working for peavey, without ever having seen or heard one and was very happy with it. and like ebozz, i'd rather own a max than an SVP-Pro. but i preferred the SVP-BSP over the max -- i sold the max about a year before i sold the BSP!

at $600 new v. a $600 used SVP-Pro, there'd be no comparison for me. but i've moved on from both. your tastes may vary.

robb.

 

[Frank Martin]

well, i try to avoid endorsing every single peavey product i touch. since working here, though, i've learned that i like a large percentage of the bass gear we make. and the stuff i don't like, well i also don't like other companies' versions -- 10" speakers being a prime example.

i bought a max before i even considered working for peavey, without ever having seen or heard one and was very happy with it. and like ebozz, i'd rather own a max than an SVP-Pro. but i preferred the SVP-BSP over the max -- i sold the max about a year before i sold the BSP!

at $600 new v. a $600 used SVP-Pro, there'd be no comparison for me. but i've moved on from both. your tastes may vary.

robb.

Well, I'm still thinking of both - and all the others... I have some options, but not many seem to work out here.
If a store had a MAX Pre, I would definately go and try; however, these things must be ordered (and I dont like their local dealers, they are one greedy mob! )
In the meantime, Im only going to try the SVP-Pro - Im not really a tube-and-distrotion-kinda guy, so I'm not sure that it would work out for me - but, who knows?

Well, at least now I've got a lot of options and keep my eyes pealed for all these stuff if they surface somewhere.
Thanks everyone!

 

[My bass in your]

Heya MKB?!
What's up? Your friend from Holland here.

I'm kinda in the same situation as you are. I NEED power. My current 350 Watt Ampeg head won't do the trick anymore. Now I like Ampeg, but 1900 Euros (= US $ 2300!!!) for an Ampeg SVT4pro is just too much. That's more then I paid for my car!
So I figured out that a cheaper and louder solution is going for a separate pre + power amp. Indeed, the European market for pre amps is bad. Because of that there's almost nothing available second hand. The diffrence between you and me is that I like some overdrive. I'm going for the Cliff Burton tone. I'm very tempted to buy the SVP pro. I searched and searched. The cheapest I could find was 619 Euros. That's a bit over the top considering:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=43372&item=3721996369&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

They go for cheap on the US eBay. I don't know how I can solve the power supply problem. I'll be reading, checking, trying and searching too. I won't buy anything without trying it.
Maybe one of these shops can help you.

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http://www.musik-produktiv.de

The last one has the Warwick for CHEAP!

Keep us updated!