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Which Preamp?

Which preamp should I buy?

  • Alembic F1-X

    Votes: 14 23.7%

  • Tech 21 Sansamp RBI

    Votes: 9 15.3%

  • Aguilar DB-659

    Votes: 9 15.3%

  • BBE Sound Bmax T

    Votes: 2 3.4%

  • Ashdown RPM-1

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Ampeg SVP-BSP

    Votes: 3 5.1%

  • Other (please mention)

    Votes: 19 32.2%
  • Total voters
    59
#21
MuzikMan said:
The Ampeg SVP-CL has the ability to quickly change from a mid-heavy rock tone to a bass only dub tone with it's 5 position ultra low shape knob. Works great on the fly.
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Sounds cool, will take a look.

SteveC said:
If you ever get a chance to play through one, you'll know why.
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Wow, maybe they are all that! I'll have to see if the Pro Shop (music shop here in town) has one in, they carry Avalon gear.

steveksux said:
Eden Navigator.
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Cool, I'll check it out.
 
#24
Unchain said:
Why the Avalon U5? Isn't this a generic mic pre? At half a rackspace, with no tone shaping options, why this over the rest? I've heard people ditching Ampegs and Edens for this, but why?
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From the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
DESIGNED FOR DEEP & CONTROLLED BASS
Avalon U5 DI-preamps have been in use around the world since 1995. They have found their way into the world's leading musicians rigs and recording sessions and been featured on thousands of the best selling (and sounding) albums and live performances.
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The Avalon U5 is amazing. I don't know if it will deliver the sound you want but I like it. At US$540 new, they ain't cheap. If I could afford one, I'd get it.
 
#25
i've been playing with my Aguilar DB 659 for a few months, i used to use an SWR IOD,...moved on to teh Ampeg SVP-Pro...didnt like that so 3 weeks later got the Aguilar DB 659, i love this thing!

The SWR did the lean and mean thing really well, and had really nice overdrive options, but for meaty fingerstyle for old school rock, it didnt satisfy me, great for slap and other types of fingerstyle music though. Wanted a meatier sound and of course I tried teh Ampeg SVP-Pro. It was really thick tubey, but i felt it covered up my bass too much...

the DB 659 is great. It lets through that "thwump" of you really dig in for that sort of 'punch'/percussive hit (like a thumb slap), has a really nice full fingerstyle tone that i dont even need to EQ, but is there if i need it. Has a bright switch if you need that high end tweaking, and really nice effects loop options in a 6 lb 1 space package.

i highly recommend it.

only reservation is that the EQ is tube driven (i think?) so its not hugely powerful like lets say, Eden's preamp, but it does more than enough for me, very smooth even when you dime a knob, doesnt get raspy or harsh with my setup.
 
#26
thejohnkim said:
the DB 659 is great. It lets through that "thwump" of you really dig in for that sort of 'punch'/percussive hit (like a thumb slap), has a really nice full fingerstyle tone that i dont even need to EQ, but is there if i need it. Has a bright switch if you need that high end tweaking, and really nice effects loop options in a 6 lb 1 space package.
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Oh, sounds nice. I think I might have a winner either in this, or the Alembic.
 
#27
The Avalon U5 is amazing. I don't know if it will deliver the sound you want but I like it. At US$540 new, they ain't cheap. If I could afford one, I'd get it.[/QUOTE]
My question is, there aren't any tone shaping options? If I were to get one of these, would that be done in the signal chain by an equalizer or Sansamp?
 
#28
The U5 does have 6 preset choices. They are good. If you have an active bass, you have all the tone control you need there.

Really, I plugged a number of different basses in the thing and they all sound good.
 
#30
SteveC said:
The U5 does have 6 preset choices. They are good. If you have an active bass, you have all the tone control you need there.

Really, I plugged a number of different basses in the thing and they all sound good.
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IMO, that's the best thing about the U5-- it's pretty much plug-and-play. I sometimes use setting '2' on the tone control when I want a really scooped sound, but mostly I leave it flat and control tone with the EQ on the bass.
 
#31
dunamis said:
IMO, that's the best thing about the U5-- it's pretty much plug-and-play. I sometimes use setting '2' on the tone control when I want a really scooped sound, but mostly I leave it flat and control tone with the EQ on the bass.
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Cool. And I have a pedal EQ, so I'm all good to go there. Anyone know how these sound ran into a head?
 

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