Preamp for solid state power amp

[toneseeker74]

How hot of a preamp do you recommend for a solid state preamp? I'm not looking to crunch up the signal just get a warm, round, full sound. Love the sound of my tube head, but it overdrives way too easily. Could I run a boost/overdrive pedal into something like a 400 watt Crown power amp, or do I need a dedicated preamp?

[trevorus]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

Get yourself a dedicated preamp meant for the job. What amp are you using currently?

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[jeremy]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

what tube amp are you using now? I wouldn't use an overdrive pedal as a preamp. I used to use an lr bags para acoustic di into a power amp for bass and it sounded damn good.

does your tube head have a line out?

[toneseeker74]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

Thanks. Yeah, I though that I probably should get a dedicated preamp.

Right now I have a Traynor YBA-1. I used to have a YBA-1A, and maybe I'll get another one. No line out on the Traynor.

[jeremy]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

is this a new yba1 or old? those are pretty under powered for bass amps but they do sound sweet.

[toneseeker74]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

Approximately 1970 YBA-1. Yes, it does sound sweet, but it overdrive by 2 or so on the volume. Way to low-powered. My YBA-1A was much more robust...louder, more punch...but still broke up quicker than I liked. Maybe a YBA-3 Custom Special is in order

[toneseeker74]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

Probably should just look into a GK 800RB and call it a day.

[dd12939]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

You could check out Tech21.

[jeremy]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

Approximately 1970 YBA-1. Yes, it does sound sweet, but it overdrive by 2 or so on the volume. Way to low-powered. My YBA-1A was much more robust...louder, more punch...but still broke up quicker than I liked. Maybe a YBA-3 Custom Special is in order

are you using the 2 input? breaking up on 2 is pretty early. seems like the tubes may be tired or not optimally biased or something.

what bass and pups are you using?

[dg27]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

You could check out Tech21.

I agree 100%. I use a Tech 21 BassDriver and no matter what amp I throw it at I can get a really warm, tube sound.

BassDriver-OM1.pdf

[post toastie]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

going in a different direction,

experts: perhaps a change of speaker is the prescription....one with more headroom that breaks up later ?

[ginormous]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

going in a different direction,

experts: perhaps a change of speaker is the prescription....one with more headroom that breaks up later ?

Good question. Is it overdrive or speaker breakup that's got you looking? Try something with clean power, and see what your speakers are doing.

Preamps are so varied and so specialized for purpose, I'd ask what your budget was in order to get more of a handle.

There's some great pedal-format stuff (Carl Martin, EBS, Tech 21 as mentioned), and rack mount power amps are all over the place.
Almost every store or web page has something with decent horsepower, new or used, for not a lot of scratch.
You can even find some used Class D (solid state, small-footprint) amps from SWR and Ampeg.
Full disclosure: I'm an Ampeg fanboy. If you want warm and fat tube sound, you can't lose.

Welcome to The Great Tone Chase! On your mark, get set --

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

I used to put a Tech 21 Bass Driver DI in front of my solid state GK bass amp and it gave it a great, punchy tube tone. Night and day difference from the sound of the GK without the Bass Driver.
Last summer I got a Tech 21 Landmark 300 bass amp.

If you're using a dedicated solid state rack power amp, one of the Tech 21 rack preamps might be a great choice. But their floor pedal preamps work fine as a preamp section in front of a power amp too.

[dg27]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

I used to put a Tech 21 Bass Driver DI in front of my solid state GK bass amp and it gave it a great, punchy tube tone. Night and day difference from the sound of the GK without the Bass Driver.

My practice amp is a lowly 30 watt solid state "Stadium" amp that probably cost less than $100 about 30 years ago. The Tech 21 makes it sound like a whole 'nother animal.

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Preamp for solid state power amp

http://www.jimdunlop.com/product/m80-bass-di ?