krispn

That was the reason I bought the JHS Colourbox. I had a tube DI and was using that as my FOH sound but wanted some eq options too. It made sense to grab a unit which worked beautifully on bass (which it does) and I really wanted that flexible EQ as I do have some preferences of where I like my jazz bass eq’d but also to dial out any resonances etc. if the room was being troublesome. Very soon after I got that set up the chance to buy a “dream preamp” came up hence the sale. If I hadn’t nabbed that pre I’d be keeping it.

I’m selling a JHS Coulour box(v.2) which has transformers on the input and the DI output (as well as great semi parametric eq options for an upright)! It’s also got combo inputs/outputs for mic or 1/4”. Often transformers are a much sought after piece of the signal chain. Some of the warmth which folks are after isn’t always from a valve pre in a pedal and there are a few considerations such as is it running at the correct plate voltage etc. I have a couple of transformers in my signal chain and a tube preamp so the colourbox is surplus now. Shameless plug but Janek Gwizdala recently added one to his live rig as his touring DI. This is for sale too (not by me) and might be a good fit for what you’re after.

Didn’t know you were a beach boys collector 😀

I care little for other peoples ocd😀

I’ve added a few things, sold a few things and experimented a wee bit and a re-route of one or two things here’s the board. The top row is for FOH only so tuner… preamp (DI out)>compressor>CabIR and is basically a clean signal chain. Everything below runs as you’d expect from right to left in order form the pre-amp> LBA2020s transformers(hidden underneath)> comp> dirt> fuzz> EQ> HPF (hidden underneath) I think I may still look for a low gain unit but the preamp does have some degree of boost and a nice gain range to keep things lively! I’ve a MarkBass comp which can add in some extra ‘tone’ but I’ll see how this goes for the next few shows. The fuzz will go next I think - I’ve been trying out various drive pedals as I think it’s the one thing which I can rotate to taste as the rest of the signal chain is sounding great.

Yeah I guess I was thinking the bog standard Ampeg style units SVT/B15 type but I think the UA plug in’s are via Brainworkx rather than in house like the 1176, LA-2A software development etc. Like I mentioned I think Tore from TC was drafted in aith the goal of designing specific guitar-centric pedals as a new venture and most of this (much like with Origin) will see the guitarists catered for first. When I was mucking about on the stomp I used whatever amps sounded best be they guitar or bass specific as they all have their qualities especially with the clean blending and parallel pathways As for market forces I think for every band where the guitarist wants a Dumble style amp or a 5150 there’s likely to be a bass player standing in the shadows who’s up for trying a new floor based stomping toy in the endless ‘promised land’ tone search.

My buddy has a passive HH Fender Dimension and it has a lovely neck which has a slightly symmetrical profile. Sound wise it’s not quite a stingray but unique enough to not be Fender either. The only problem is the prices they are going for. He bought his used for £650 a few yrs back.

With the latest two “amp modeller in a box” offerings being released from UA has anyone read anything about UA doing a bass version? With the popularity of the Origin gear I feel like UA would be missing a trick if they didn’t use their experience and expertise to look at something for the bassist. I think Tore from TC went over to UA a few years back to develop this stuff. Would any of you guys be interested in something like that from UA for bass players? The guitar amp versions come with a heap of cab options and are very tweak-able via an extensive but user friendly app and well designed on pedal options with switches and knob - no screens or serious menu diving. They seem to go for about £300-£350 which might just push people to a multi-fx but they do sound fantastic in their guitar versions and I think designed for going direct as much as adding versatility to a live rig. What’s folks thoughts?

I’m a bit giddy with a mark bass comp first and after my preamp there’s a hyper luminal going to my foh. As the signal moves along I have a Basswitch Dual Band comp near the end of the board. It’s excessive but as I had them I thought I’d add them and honestly with a little touch of mild comp I’m getting a big sound with dynamics intact. I’ll pair it down but it’s actually fun. I can switch them on and off and generally leave the hyper luminal on all the time.

It’s fun once you start to blend int he drive section. All that pleasing fat fundament robe just gets a wee lift from adding a touch of gain. It’ll go heavier but that ‘finishing touch’ which a wee nudge of drive can offer is tone heaven.

Very well written and it’s the type of head people ‘tone chase’ a lifetime for (especially with a p bass).

Just chime in after some great suggestions. Well all have different needs and wants, preferences and things we see as pro’s or cons. As @Osiris says if it’s overly noticeable you either want that effect or you’ve set it ‘wrong’. I currently have three comps on my boards and it’s an overindulgence but… Hyper Luminal sitting right after my preamp and before the DI signal for the FOH output. BUS setting with very little compression but just enough to catch anything overly unruly. I think I have reasonable control of my right hand technique and this still allows my dynamics etc. Nice thing about the HL is the onboard control with three types of comp and deeper setting to tailor the unit for each ‘type of comp’ so three setting (pre sets?) in the one unit. Markbass Compressor- recently acquired and I love it. It’s equally effective as a characterful tube stage as it is a wonderful easily tweak-able comp. I have it set up to barely grab peaks but just find the whole signal chain sounds better with it in line. It’s now first thing on the board. If you want tube character it sounds as good and better than almost any ‘tube drive’ units I’ve tried or those amps with the tube pre which doesn’t really do much. Honestly I feel this is a sleeper pedal for folks wanting tube character without fizzy drive, thickness with out loss of top end and a wonderful actual tube doing the work compression. It’s a big unit and needs 12v 600 mA power but if you have space and the right power it’s a winner. Basswitch Dual band comp - @Osiris has had a play on this and finds it similar to the Boss LMB but with a slightly different flavour. Very punchy and simple to dial in - some pre set things going on under the hood so the four controls make it really simple to set up quickly. Again I’ve it set up to be not so grabby and much like gain staging drive units I can have all three compressors on without tone suck and all just adding in a wee touch of ‘more’.