Linus27 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 (edited) Has anyone tried the Ampeg Classic Bass Preamp? Wondering what they are like for adding a bit more meat on the bones for overall bass tones. Edited February 7, 2019 by Linus27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 9 minutes ago, Linus27 said: Has anyone tried the Ampeg Classic Bass Preamp? Wondering what they are like for adding a bit more meat on the bones for overall bass tones. I’ve got the SCR-DI which is that plus a scrambler overdrive. I like it - it does a passable SVT ish tone and certainly adds something. The scrambler not so much.. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted February 7, 2019 Author Share Posted February 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Bridgehouse said: I’ve got the SCR-DI which is that plus a scrambler overdrive. I like it - it does a passable SVT ish tone and certainly adds something. The scrambler not so much.. I was wondering about that pedal and did think about buying it. If I see one come up second hand, will give it a whirl. See if it will replace my Ampegulator and not have to use the EQ on my amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 5 hours ago, Bridgehouse said: I’ve got the SCR-DI which is that plus a scrambler overdrive. I like it - it does a passable SVT ish tone and certainly adds something. The scrambler not so much.. Yes I had one of those too, I had the scrambler set in minimal and it added in some nice drive when digging in, anything more and I thought it just sounded, well, wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 9 hours ago, Sharkfinger said: I was wondering about that pedal and did think about buying it. If I see one come up second hand, will give it a whirl. See if it will replace my Ampegulator and not have to use the EQ on my amp. Does the ampegulator not add tube like warmth? For what it's worth I was doing some tracking at home with the DHA VT-1 earlier straight into the computer and it made the bass super warm and tubey. It's the one without the eq from 2008 or there abouts. I'd stopped using it because of the 12v power supply a while back but it sounds really great. I'm glad I dug it out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 7 hours ago, Ray Jones said: Does the ampegulator not add tube like warmth? It does a little, yes. Mainly just that 'dynamic grit' that I like. I just don't like the EQ, makes it sound muddy to my ear. Perhaps with the treble up, it rolls off frequencies above it? Is that a real thing or am I imagining it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 It could be trying to emulate the compression tubes give. Tubes do mellow out the highs. Did you make the ampegulator? You could give the GUMA Antique Drive kit a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted February 8, 2019 Author Share Posted February 8, 2019 12 minutes ago, Ray Jones said: It could be trying to emulate the compression tubes give. Tubes do mellow out the highs. Did you make the ampegulator? You could give the GUMA Antique Drive kit a try. I had it made for me, to a much higher standard than I could have managed. The GUMA Antique is based on the DG vintage microtubes, isn't it? Might give that a try, might get on better with the EQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 41 minutes ago, Sharkfinger said: I had it made for me, to a much higher standard than I could have managed. The GUMA Antique is based on the DG vintage microtubes, isn't it? Might give that a try, might get on better with the EQ. I know that with the VMT/Guma the eq section is after the drive section so if you are happy with your own amps eq you could leave it flat. I don't know how transparent it is. It also has a blend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Jones Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 If you can get one of these second hand though it fits the bill. I don't use it as a pedal. It Sits on top of the amp always on and sounds great in a mix. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 After a long play last night i took my Basswitch off the board and put the BDDI back on. Its a cliche phrase but to my ears its 'tone heaven'. I found the BW to be doing a good job, but the BDDI can do that, and more if needed. The BDDI seems to make a really nice difference with my new BH800. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Just came across this thread on TB. Looks like an interesting bit of kit. Not cheap. But an actual 12 Ax7 under the bonnet. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/shift-line-olympic-mkiii-tube-bass-preamp.1328767/ Anyone over here tried / using one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Yep - researched it, listened loads, know a guy that tried one. Not magic beans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Cuzzie said: Yep - researched it, listened loads, know a guy that tried one. Not magic beans As an observer there seems to be a real obsession generally on bass forums with preamps in pedal format that I’m not sure was there a few years back 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 This may sound daft, but have you tried different basses or more specifically different pickups? I have x2 Vintage basses - a V4 reissue and a ICON. They have different pick ups in, but otherwise fairly identical. Identical strings on too. No matter what i use or what i do, i cannot get the V4 to give that bright zingy valvey sound. Tried everything. It sounds great, really great, but not bright valve like. However, the ICON, as soon as i plug it in to anything remotely valvey or valve like bursts into valve like song. Its weird. But the ICON really does the valve sound great, but the V4 cant get anywhere near as close, despite using identical amps and pedals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 I've said it before but I'll say it again, nothing beats my Dave Hall VT-2 for adding tube warmth to my solid state amps, sadly they're no longer made as Dave passed away last year. If you can get your hands on a used one, you won't go wrong, there's an older thread here 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naxos10 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 +1 have used a DHA pedal in front of my amp for a number of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 14 hours ago, LukeFRC said: As an observer there seems to be a real obsession generally on bass forums with preamps in pedal format that I’m not sure was there a few years back Yes it occurs to me that I currently own 8. And I bet I'm not the only one on basschat with more than I'll ever need. They are stupidly convenient though, and very versatile. And, like it or not, amps are getting less and less relevant so I'm sure preamp use will increase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 14 hours ago, LukeFRC said: As an observer there seems to be a real obsession generally on bass forums with preamps in pedal format that I’m not sure was there a few years back I think it’s the convenience that they bring. At any gig, no matter what amp/cab is onstage I know that FOH will get the sound the band wants due to my Para Driver. Really makes gigging easy, especially on shared backline/15 min changeover gigs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 2 hours ago, Lozz196 said: I think it’s the convenience that they bring. At any gig, no matter what amp/cab is onstage I know that FOH will get the sound the band wants due to my Para Driver. Really makes gigging easy, especially on shared backline/15 min changeover gigs. +1^^ exactly! One pedal to rule them all. And the point applies not just to backline but equally to whichever bass you happen to fancy playing that night too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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