Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

[infrared72]

So I've been looking around for a nice tube preamp for my bass. I think the POD and V-Amp stuff is cool, but I've already got lots of multi effects so I don't really need more of the same. Really what I want is a nice little Tube preamp with a functional eq and voiced for Bass guitar. I've been working with my Boss VF1 24 bit fx processor, and it sounds good but a little thin on the preamp side. And there's just too many screens to scroll through when you want a simple overdrive with a small bit of modulation or slap delay. I checked out the SANSAMP specs and it looks pretty cool but it's all solid state from what I remember.

I don't know how well it would work, but I was reading up on that new Seymour Duncan twin tube preamp pedal thing. I've heard it on some NAMM videos over at Harmony Central and it sounds pretty good. It seems like a preamp that is voiced for Guitar more than for a Bass. Can anyone recommend something for my bass that won't break the bank?

-Peter

 

[Texas Swamp]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

That Soldano pedal sounds cool, costs a fortune though. Have you thought of the V-Twin by Mesa Boogie?

 

[James Rock]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

Try the behringer bass processor models tube bass amp (i think) looks like it might be a good but cheap alternative. Have read good reviews.

 

[these_go211]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

the sansamp bass drive di *is* solid state. but seriously, if you are looking for tube tone this thing really is amazing. you should try it out. this unit is rare in that it seems like bass players and engineers like it at about 9 times out of ten. this is versus other pieces of gear which seem to suffer from wildly varying, and at time, polarizing opinons. try it man! unless you just absolutely positively need a tube.

 

[NT02]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

How much do you want to spend? Google the Alembic F2-B. Based on the Fender Dual Showman, customized for bass.

 

[infrared72]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

Thanks for all your responses. I was hopeful that I could keep it at $500 or less. Lots of good suggestions here, so I'll look into those. I did find some Rocktron preamps that are fairly inexpensive. Are those any good? Specifically, I found the Ganiac which is sold as a guitar/bass preamp, and also the Blue Thunder bass preamp w/ effects. They're fairly inexpensive, but I don't know if maybe that's for a reason? (like they might be cheesy)

-Peter

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

Well we are making one, it has been tested by a few players....but it is not quite done yet!

 

[shaka]

Re: Tube Preamp (or pedal) for Bass

I bought one of those Line6 Guitar Port thingy's. It hardly gets used. However, one day I needed to cut som bass tracks and what I was doing wasn't working very well. Anyway, plugged the bass into the guitar port, dialed in a Fender Bassman, (Ithink that's what it was) added a compression effect, and and away I went. It's crazy but I was able to pull some pretty convincing sounds out of that thing. I'm going to experiment more next time I do some demos.

Not bad for ninety bucks.