Worship Bass Pedalboards

[MovingPitchers]

Popular preamps (with DI) that I see in a worship context are:

• Noble
• Arkham Oracle (just released a smaller version)
• Shift Line Olympic MKIIIS
• Origin Effects BassRigs
• Aguilar ToneHammer
• Sansamp

There are many others, of course (WR Goliath, Caveman BP-1, GP-Lightstone Emperor, Grace ALiX, various Broughton Audio offerings, etc.), but the ones I listed I tend to see the most.

DCX Bass is great, but it's not a preamp. It's a tone-shaper and overdrive, but not something with which you can drive a power amp.

Sansamp is a safe bet. Great value, sounds good. MasterEffects is lesser known, but has a line of preamps based on various popular amps. If you want the tone of any of those amps, the ME pre version will likely make you very happy.

I might end up going with a Sansamp - I used the Programmable BDDI (the one with 3 switches) a long time ago and really liked it aside from the super sensitive controls. I might go with the VT DI or one of the Geddy Lee ones (I will challenge myself to tame that beast).

The Darkglass stuff ain't bad too for drive options I think?

 

[Luke the Fluke]

I might end up going with a Sansamp - I used the Programmable BDDI (the one with 3 switches) a long time ago and really liked it aside from the super sensitive controls. I might go with the VT DI or one of the Geddy Lee ones (I will challenge myself to tame that beast).

The Darkglass stuff ain't bad too for drive options I think?

Will the programmable BDDI not give you drive options?

 

[NickyBass]

I used a Sansamp for a few years in a top 40 band, and then later in an original band. I played in all kinds of rooms and it never let me down. It was my only pedal, so I didn't have a board. I just tossed it in the gig bag and tossed the gig bag in the van. I'm using the Noble preamp now.

 

[jacoby75]

If you've got the budget, the Noble is king. The Sansamp is a classic for a reason. If you go that route, get the v2 with the mid control. Referenced above, the Master Effects Super 300 is a much improved version of the Sansamp, IMHO. It sounds a bit more "3D" and "amp-like" to me. It almost dethroned my Broughton SVPre. Almost. Which leads me to my next point. My favorite Ampeg-in-a-box for a bit was by far the Broughton SVPre into a DI like a Radial JDI or a good tube DI. If you want an Ampeg sound, that is. It is very natural sounding. The breakup sounds very organic and amp-like. It just sounds great. I used that for a few years as my main tone before switching to an HXStomp. It's a different animal altogether, and has the learning curve that comes with anything digital and as complicated as the Stomp is, but the amp tones out of it are just unreal, and the tonal possibilities are literally limitless.

 

[Erithon]

The Darkglass stuff ain't bad too for drive options I think?

Too sterile and modern sounding for my ears, especially in a worship context. But I hear good things about the new Vintage Ultra.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Will the programmable BDDI not give you drive options?

It definitely will but the controls are super sensitive...even the smallest adjustment makes a huge difference and I don't know if I like that.

 

[projectapollo]

My favorite Ampeg-in-a-box for a bit was by far the Broughton SVPre into a DI like a Radial JDI or a good tube DI. If you want an Ampeg sound, that is. It is very natural sounding. The breakup sounds very organic and amp-like. It just sounds great.

Any settings tips on the SV-Pre? I just picked one up and am still getting acquainted.

 

[Luke the Fluke]

It definitely will but the controls are super sensitive...even the smallest adjustment makes a huge difference and I don't know if I like that.

I've not played one, but don't you set it once, (well three times) and then save - so you only really need to fiddle with fiddly knobs once (or thrice) - I used to have a hx stomp, super unsensitive roterary encoders you had to spin time and time again… what I would have give for sensitive knobs!

 

[SteveC]

If you've got the budget, the Noble is king.

...switching to an HXStomp. It's a different animal altogether, and has the learning curve that comes with anything digital and as complicated as the Stomp is, but the amp tones out of it are just unreal, and the tonal possibilities are literally limitless.

I still am tempted to try a Noble, but I have pretty much committed to the Stomp with extra switches and preset purchases. I know I could use the Noble after my Stomp, but it doesn't fit on my board and it seems like overkill for a weekend guy like me.

Speaking of, learning curve is less with some good presets. I am liking the ones that Ian Allison has. My main preset is IMA SIG. Great for bass, and with octave, drive and chorus and you have a effects options AND nice synth options if you kick one or two of them on...all from one preset.

 

[projectapollo]

Noble just ordered, expected arrival September 2024. Nice personal note from the owner.
DCX Bass arrived today and first run through very favorable.
Still trying to sort out the SV-Pre vs. the DCX Bass - do I need just one?

 

[Erithon]

Still trying to sort out the SV-Pre vs. the DCX Bass - do I need just one?

Congratulations on the Noble!

Only you can answer this since it depends on your goals. You already have the DCX Bass in hand so why not see if that meets your needs as is; if, after using it for some time, you determine your use case requires (or even just benefit from) an SV-Pre you can always pick one up at that point.

 

[JeffTCS]

Any settings tips on the SV-Pre? I just picked one up and am still getting acquainted.

Many would say to dime the master and adjust gain to taste, but really there are a lot of options in that box depending on how you want to use it, with the switches and what not.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Noble just ordered, expected arrival September 2024. Nice personal note from the owner.
DCX Bass arrived today and first run through very favorable.
Still trying to sort out the SV-Pre vs. the DCX Bass - do I need just one?

Wow. And I thought two months for my Super 800+ was a long time to wait for a pedal!

 

[MovingPitchers]

Might be purchasing this as an alternative to the HX stomp.

I'd like to know your experiences, those who had/have this.

 

[furym]

Might be purchasing this as an alternative to the HX stomp.

I'd like to know your experiences, those who had/have this.

View attachment 5239876

I have one but still have trouble getting the tones out of it that I want. It does better for me with passive basses rather than active as far as getting "my" sound. Keep in mind it is two preamps in one, not one with a drive switch. There is a significant volume difference between the AGS on vs off.
It is an excellent piece of gear, and I will continue in my struggle to master it.

 

[furym]

Might be purchasing this as an alternative to the HX stomp.

I'd like to know your experiences, those who had/have this.

View attachment 5239876

 

[MovingPitchers]

I have one but still have trouble getting the tones out of it that I want. It does better for me with passive basses rather than active as far as getting "my" sound. Keep in mind it is two preamps in one, not one with a drive switch. There is a significant volume difference between the AGS on vs off.
It is an excellent piece of gear, and I will continue in my struggle to master it.

My only basses are all passive: Player Precision and a Roadworn 60s Jazz (3-knob model). The seller sent me a video clip of them playing through it on their rig and it sounds pretty good to me. The AGS switch is I guess what passes off for a "drive" feature but I don't think it's safe to say it is a true drive switch?

View attachment 5239880

do you go through in house or through an amp beforehand?

 

[furym]

My only basses are all passive: Player Precision and a Roadworn 60s Jazz (3-knob model). The seller sent me a video clip of them playing through it on their rig and it sounds pretty good to me. The AGS switch is I guess what passes off for a "drive" feature but I don't think it's safe to say it is a true drive switch?



do you go through in house or through an amp beforehand?

My church use is all FOH and IEMs. And no, AGS is just a "drivey-er" preamp with more gain. Not something you can switch on without adjusting the master as well.

 

[kirkdickinson]

Might be purchasing this as an alternative to the HX stomp.

I'd like to know your experiences, those who had/have this.

View attachment 5239876

I have an HX stomp but still use my Tone Hammer with the AGS circuit engaged at about 8 o'clock. I usually run and SVT preamp and cab sim on the HX stomp. I like that combination.

 

[furym]

Might be purchasing this as an alternative to the HX stomp.

I'd like to know your experiences, those who had/have this.

View attachment 5239876

I felt inspired by your post so I hooked up the Aguilar board and after reviewing this post from the Tonehammer DI thread I settled here with AGS on

Sounds similar to my SVT settings on the Stomp.

edit: That said, I still prefer the Stomp.