Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

[ericmeyer4]

The more and more I work on my sound the more and more I realize is that I sound my best when playing with clean tones.

So I am looking for some type of preamp that I can use for clean tones. This will be for recording purposes. I sometimes plug straight in with a direct box, but I would like something to liven things up a bit.

So what should I look at? Rackmount or pedal is fine. Tube or Solid state both are fine.

Usually the simpler the happier I am. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg as I don't record enough to justify spending a large amount of money on something.

If Fender made a preamp that would be awesome for me!

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

Great clean tones are very dependent on a nice tube circuit and the right cabinet and speaker. Trying to find that in a preamp is difficult, but if you're going the route of modeler or preamp, I'd look at stuff like the POD Pro XT, Vox Tonelab, ADA MP-1, or Marshall JMP-1. If you're able to lay out a lot more money, the Mesa Triaxis is loaded with awesome clean and gain tones.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

My standard clean tone at the moment is using a DI box and a little reverb. I was just wanting something to add a little extra sparkle.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

I've cut a frightening amount of squeaky clean guitar with a DI box plugged into some kinda gnarly preamp... Amek 9098; old Neve's; SSL 4000G consoles (not a fav) followed with some compresion & EQ. Maybe a bit of chorus or other flavoring to taste...

If 'ya like the Fender sound, how about taking the preamp out of a solid state Fender to your favorite DI box?

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

I've cut a frightening amount of squeaky clean guitar with a DI box plugged into some kinda gnarly preamp... Amek 9098; old Neve's; SSL 4000G consoles (not a fav) followed with some compresion & EQ. Maybe a bit of chorus or other flavoring to taste...

If 'ya like the Fender sound, how about taking the preamp out of a solid state Fender to your favorite DI box?

I'll have to look at some of that other stuff.

I don't really care if I get the Fender sound, nor do I feel like modding an amp. I don't even like to rewire my guitar lol.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

Some of those wicked preamps might set 'ya back a few bills... like $1000-2000 each...

What kind of DI box are you using and what are you plugging into?

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

Right now I'm using a Whirlwind and a Hughes and Kettner and I record everything into Sony Acid. So I don't need anything super expensive.

 

[Dirt123]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

The Vox Tonelab is pretty good for recording cleans. I like the AC30 model for my tele, with a little compressor, & sometimes stereo chorus. The compressor is not great, so I use an old pedal. The fender twin & boutique clean models are nice too.

I used to have a Mesa V-twin that was nice for cleans.
Try one if you can find one.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Looking for a Preamp: Clean Tones

Right now I'm using a Whirlwind and a Hughes and Kettner and I record everything into Sony Acid. So I don't need anything super expensive.

Are they active or passive? I have a couple of passive Whirlwind DI's and while they certainly work I don't think they sound all that amazing, pretty much "utility" boxes.

The standard DI is a Countryman... either that or a BSS active DI would most likely be a step up.

The other option would be to get some kind of 'channel strip' with a DI input like this ~ http://presonus.com/eureka.html