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Yet Another Preamp Thread

#21
I've owned quite a few including the Alembic F-1X, Kern IP-777, Millennia TD-1, Demeter HBP-1 & VTBP-201s, Aguilar DB 680 and Epifani Quest II and my favorite is the Demeter VTBP-201s for its simplicity and purity. I toured with it for a short time but I mainly used it in the studio and it always gave me the sound I liked - warm and round but precise. The Millennia stuff is also killer but very pricey. The DB 680 was lush and warm but felt a little sluggish and rounded off at times. I also like the SWR Baby Blue II preamp section. I used that for many recordings before I got the Demeter.
 
#22
I have one of the older Demeter VTV-201 preamps, highly recommended if you're looking for simple and classic. The EQ section is subtle and effective. You're not going to get much dirt or drive out of it, if any....it's just clean and warm. It's 1.5 spaces which is a little odd.
 
#24
I've had the Sansamp RBI & VT Deluxe, still have the VT for flavoring (but don't use it much). So I don't have much experience with a lot of these.

And probably won't get any... I have Monique and my amp/preamp GAS is pretty much done and over with. The only other pre I would maybe want to take for a spin is one of JGR's builds. Probably the 6SL7.
 
#25
86general said:
For a rackmount rig, recommendations on the preamp, please.

Interested in your choice, and why.

I don't have a $$$ cutoff. When possible, I favor simpler gear over more complicated stuff. I absolutely hate complex, menu-driven components and need a really good reason before I try to use something like that. But I still want to hear about it if this sort of thing is what you like, and why, etc.
Click to expand...
I gig with an Aguilar DB680 now and it has a very nice tone. It has a commanding, strong tone. It also sounds warm and round too. In a way, it allows the sound of my whole band to sound even better. I tune it to occupy a nice sonic space in the stage mix. It's got a really good DI too. I've got some second thoughts about it though, it uses 5! tubes. And although it's for good reasons - Aguilar knows their stuff for tube bass tone, I wish they made an all solid state equivalent but that's pie in the sky. But the DB 680 can get lots of useful tones and with its build quality it will last forever.
 
#26
I've used the Alembic F1-x for, I think, about 20 years. I won't be replacing it. I don't like too many knobs, switches, sliders, or gizmos. Most gigs I don't use any effects boxes of any kind (except my Peterson strobo-stomp tuner). When I do break out the pedal board, I want an effects loop because it sounds better.

I don't use the crossover. I've bi-amped in the past, but these days I just bridge the power amp into my DNA 4x10.

The Alembic is intensely musical sounding to me. In addition it is, solid, quiet, sturdy, and foolproof. It has a permanent place in my rack.
 
#28
86general said:
For a rackmount rig, recommendations on the preamp, please.

Interested in your choice, and why.

I don't have a $$$ cutoff. When possible, I favor simpler gear over more complicated stuff. I absolutely hate complex, menu-driven components and need a really good reason before I try to use something like that. But I still want to hear about it if this sort of thing is what you like, and why, etc.
Click to expand...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/more-preamp-berg-ip-reviews-cranky-old-opinionated-bugger-498552/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/summit-vs-api-7600-through-berg-ip-605257/

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/summit-audio-grand-review-487569/

and some amp and speaker reviews...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/random-amp-cab-reviews-cranky-old-bugger-341920/

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#29
I have a Yamaha PB-1 which I bought new back in the early 80s. I have always been very pleased with it. It is what I use in my studio paired with a Crown power amp. My main touring rig is having issues right now so I used the PB-1 rig at a gig last night and it sounded great.
 
#30
Various Pre's I have liked...

Demeter VTV-201, clean, warm, punchy
Yamaha PB-1, warm, flexible, clean
Art Tube Channel (Model 259), huge tonal range, warm, can do grit, good compressor, defeatable EQ
Fender TBP-1, dual showman tone stack
BBE BMax, cut your head off slap, Fender tone stack, OK compressor
 
#31
Guess I should add to my list the Tech21 Sansamp ParaDI, a pedal version of the RPM.

Jim Carr said:
Various Pre's I have liked...

Demeter VTV-201, clean, warm, punchy
Yamaha PB-1, warm, flexible, clean
Art Tube Channel (Model 259), huge tonal range, warm, can do grit, good compressor, defeatable EQ
Fender TBP-1, dual showman tone stack
BBE BMax, cut your head off slap, Fender tone stack, OK compressor
Click to expand...
 
#33
I'm getting reacquainted with a RPM, and with a different bottom and finding out I really like it. I'd love to hear/check a Julie. I was in Santa Cruz a couple months ago, and should have looked then.
 
#34
Demeter VTBP 201 the old 1.5 U space one, that's my best
I also use the Alembic F-1X and contrary to info out there, it is not one channel of the f-2B
I have the Fender TBP-1 and I like it, but not as much as the two above.
Had the Read Purity, you can still find them, liked it but could not get the Di to work properly, and did spend some time communicating with Jack Read.
Had the Trace Elliot V type, used it quite a lot but not as clean as the Demeter or Alembic F-1X.
I also like the Rane AP-13, which I use for piezo or slab bass.
 

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