jwbassman Posted May 19, 2007 Share Posted May 19, 2007 (edited) Hi guys - I'm thinking about changing my EA iAmp 200 combo into a pre/power amp setup... Currently the EA is a great hi-fi sounding setup and very light and compact to boot, which is ideal as I have a stack of PA gear to transport most of the time too. I'm liking the idea of a valve pre amp but wouldn't know where to start, my main gig is with a bigband, I play a fretless 5 (don't even own a fretted bass although this may change if I can get some cash together) so most of the time guess I'm looking for a woody sound but with enough punch to drive the rest if the band forward and the ability to get a more modern sound for some of the funkier and contemporary charts we also have in the pad. Any experiences, thoughts on the pre/power v combo set up much appreciated... i've been reading up on the BBE BMAX F, but I really know nothing about preamps... help! Cheers John Edited May 19, 2007 by jwbassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikyhedgehog Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 A very good place to judge preamps from is the following website: [url="http://www.basstasters.com/"]http://www.basstasters.com/[/url] Lots and lots of clips to listen too. There are plenty of preamps out there. As for the poweramp side of things, I personally believe that it doesn't make [i]that[/i] much difference in shaping your sound. You can spend lots of money on a power amp if you wanted, but there are some very good value ones out there. I use a behringer one, it's not gone wrong in 2 years. However brands such as Yamaha and QSC have some good value stuff out there as well and they are obviously a bit better quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 Cheers Spikyhedgehog - thanks for your input, i'll check it out... I've had a look at a QSC earlier today, only online but it looked pretty good - guess I need to find a local shop where I can try these things out... Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikyhedgehog Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Well remeber that the main use for the poweramps is as part of a PA system, so if you can find a shop that sells alot of PA equipment then you might find something you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 Will do - we've got a Rimmers Music in town, but I might have more joy if I take a trip to Manchester or Liverpool, a few more option there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbluestew Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Research it carefully - I used a Bass POD XT PRO and Ashdown ABM500 stereo power amp, both top quality pieces of kit, and it just didn't float my boat as much as I thought it would. Changed to a MesaBoogie 400 + head and VIOLA, happy bunny. Same cabs, sames basses, but now a very happy bunny. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share Posted May 24, 2007 Sound advice bassbluestew - I'm not one to rush into a change as fundamental as this, so rest assured I'll be doing my homework... At the end of the day I guess it's what sounds to me - and this may well be different to next bassist, and the next, and the next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 30, 2007 Author Share Posted May 30, 2007 Hi guys - seriously leaning towards the BBE BMAX F right now but not sure what to power it with or what cab to go for - the EA cabs are still looking (and from experience, sounding) good, but also considering a EBS 110 or 112 - but open to other suggestions... as for a power amp I'm liking the look of this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160119295561&rd=1&rd=1"]1U rack mount[/url], any thoughts or recommendations? cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I'd suggest that you try a sansamp bass driver in front of your existing EA. You can (with a bit of adjustment) use this to warm up the sound, and make it sound "older" if that makes sense? I did ths for ages with my SWR (Grand Prix or Studio 220 into 800 pwr amp) for blues and rock gigs. I've also done the same with an iamp500 / cxl112 and get very good results. It may not be a purist approach, but I've always found it works well and you don't have to cart extra heavy rack boxes about. Maybe I'm just getting old and lazy..... BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 [quote name='BassBod' post='10235' date='May 31 2007, 09:36 PM']I'd suggest that you try a sansamp bass driver in front of your existing EA. You can (with a bit of adjustment) use this to warm up the sound, and make it sound "older" if that makes sense? I did ths for ages with my SWR (Grand Prix or Studio 220 into 800 pwr amp) for blues and rock gigs. I've also done the same with an iamp500 / cxl112 and get very good results. It may not be a purist approach, but I've always found it works well and you don't have to cart extra heavy rack boxes about. Maybe I'm just getting old and lazy..... BB[/quote] Hey BB Thanks for the advice - the Sansamp has been recommended to be before, so there must be something in it I'm still not 100% sure about my setup at the moment, not sure whether it's the GAS kicking in or there is genuine need to try something else. I've always played it save I guess, so maybe now's the time to try and experiment a little - at the end of the day if things don't work out I can always sell the stuff here or on eBay - think it goes something like this, nothing ventured - nothing gained Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted June 1, 2007 Share Posted June 1, 2007 (edited) Hi jwbassman I'm going in the opposite direction - I loved my SWR rack, (90 lbs cab and 30-40 lbs of pre/pwr amp). It always sounded good. But, I really appreciate the newer lighter stuff (EA esp) and don't use the bigger rack gear unless its a tour/big venue and there's plenty of people to load the van or its a really important recording where someone might appreciate (or even notice) a better sound. Whenever I've used the sansamp for recordings I've always been very impressed, in fact surprised, that it performs so well. People think of it as a fuzz box, but it can be more subtle. Enjoy looking for your solution - there's a lot of good rack gear out there - I'd recommend the SWR Grand Prix (very clean), any age of Alembic F1X/F2B (warm as toast) or the Trace GP12SMX. All great and sometimes available on evilbay.....or here? BB Edited June 1, 2007 by BassBod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted June 1, 2007 Author Share Posted June 1, 2007 [quote name='BassBod' post='10590' date='Jun 1 2007, 02:03 PM']Hi jwbassman I'm going in the opposite direction - I loved my SWR rack, (90 lbs cab and 30-40 lbs of pre/pwr amp). It always sounded good. But, I really appreciate the newer lighter stuff (EA esp) and don't use the bigger rack gear unless its a tour/big venue and there's plenty of people to load the van or its a really important recording where someone might appreciate (or even notice) a better sound. Whenever I've used the sansamp for recordings I've always been very impressed, in fact surprised, that it performs so well. People think of it as a fuzz box, but it can be more subtle. Enjoy looking for your solution - there's a lot of good rack gear out there - I'd recommend the SWR Grand Prix (very clean), any age of Alembic F1X/F2B (warm as toast) or the Trace GP12SMX. All great and sometimes available on evilbay.....or here? BB[/quote] Hey BB If I go through with this I'll be selling my EA iAmp 200 if you're interested - need to raise £500 on it - as you're proabbly aware they're £1300 new... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Nailed Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I used to have a Sansamp PSA-1 and that was both warm and sterile at the same time, very odd! Then I switched to an Ampeg SVP-Pro and was a lot happier with my overall tone. Tube preamps vary quite a lot in range, my Ampeg only cost me £250 off Ebay but you can buy stuff like Demeter or Aguilar that is pretty boutique so shop around. You really do have a lot of options here! I'd look into either of the two BBE preamps, the Sansamp RBI, Ampeg SVP-Pro and SVP-CL and the EBS Classic 1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted June 5, 2007 Author Share Posted June 5, 2007 [quote name='Dan_Nailed' post='12541' date='Jun 5 2007, 02:09 PM']I used to have a Sansamp PSA-1 and that was both warm and sterile at the same time, very odd! Then I switched to an Ampeg SVP-Pro and was a lot happier with my overall tone. Tube preamps vary quite a lot in range, my Ampeg only cost me £250 off Ebay but you can buy stuff like Demeter or Aguilar that is pretty boutique so shop around. You really do have a lot of options here! I'd look into either of the two BBE preamps, the Sansamp RBI, Ampeg SVP-Pro and SVP-CL and the EBS Classic 1.[/quote] Just to throw something else into the mix - I was chatting to Laurence at Overwater yesterday and he suggested I should try the Avalon U5 - any of you guys ever used one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Nailed Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 They're pricey and IME have more of a reputation as a DI box. But undoubtedly they're a good piece of kit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I have an Avalon U5 enroute at the moment. It'll be here in about 10 days, will update once I've given it a whirl. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 (edited) [quote name='alexclaber' post='12574' date='Jun 5 2007, 04:12 PM']I have an Avalon U5 enroute at the moment. It'll be here in about 10 days, will update once I've given it a whirl. Alex[/quote] Hi Alex - great would appreciate it, looking forward to hearing your review John Edited June 12, 2007 by jwbassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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