New SolidGold Beta V - latest Ampeg in a pedal

[Clarky]

Might interest folks on here. Lots of competition now

 

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/solidgoldfx-beta-v-bass-preamp

[krispn]

I was gonna start a thread in this but didn’t think folk would be interested. I see Anderson’s have a couple in stock and could be interested. Looks like it irons out some of the baked in lows of the original and still sounds great in the low gain realms. 

Bass the World have a good demo up just now. 
 

I’ve too much dirt atm but if I can shift some I might grab one. 

[Al Krow]

Looks interesting. Shame that manufacturers making preamps don't think to add a DI out in addition to a normal 1/4" out as standard in the way that the comparably sized MXR M81 does.

[krispn]

33 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Looks interesting. Shame that manufacturers making preamps don't think to add a DI out in addition to a normal 1/4" out as standard in the way that the comparably sized MXR M81 does.

Don’t think it’s that kinda unit and most of us have DI options these days. I have three pedals with di’s on my board just now and don’t really need all three. Might take a punt on the mkV if some other stuff shifts.

[Bagman]

I would definitely like to try this pedal out. 

[Bagman]

It has arrived and first impressions are very positive 

 

cool unit

[krispn]

Any further thoughts and did you have. An earlier version to compare it to? I had my beta (not a MkV) on last nights gig and did enjoy it but it was more as an always on unit for the last set. Sounds great but the added versatility of the MkV is drawing me in! 

[Bigguy2017]

Just got one of these and it's very good.

Into my Rumble 200 it adds some convincing Ampeg grit.

[krispn]

16 minutes ago, Bigguy2017 said:

Just got one of these and it's very good.

Into my Rumble 200 it adds some convincing Ampeg grit.

Same basic set up me. Great wee combo the Rumble. I have a Beta but think I’ll get the MkV. Did you try any of the original versions 

[dannybuoy]

I'm looking at this also... I have the Mk2 and LM308 Custom Shop at present.

[Bagman]

I’ve got the Beta Germanium the Beta V is considerably better for me

 

Flats or Rounds

Active or Passive 

Fingers, Thumb Plectrum 

 

all useable. 
 

probably my favourite Is flats , precision with light drive

[dannybuoy]

On 06/06/2023 at 04:19, Bagman said:

I’ve got the Beta Germanium the Beta V is considerably better for me

 

Flats or Rounds

Active or Passive 

Fingers, Thumb Plectrum 

 

all useable. 
 

probably my favourite Is flats , precision with light drive

 

I’ve not tried the Germanium, let me know if you fancy swapsies for the LM308!

[Bagman]

I’m in Aotearoa so trade postage might be a thing. 

[krispn]

Nabbed one and now I’ve had some time with it I really like it. Never tried the DLX which I was very keen to try but did dig my OG Beta. The MkV does all the things I’d want this type of preamp/drive to do. I was joking earlier it’s like a cross between the original Beta/Bass Soul Food/Spark booster only with better components and dialled in for the bassist. I’m not sure what else is out there but my low gain drive box is well and truly ticked! No need for a clean blend and having the ability for do 9, 12 or 18v just opens up the headroom while retaining that great tone. Top job SGFX! 
 

[Supernaut]

Sounds great but no DI so I'll have to stick with the VT Bass. 

[krispn]

Well I’m sorted for DI’s on my board so it was never an issue. Good pedal though. 

[Supernaut]

On 16/06/2023 at 22:50, krispn said:

Well I’m sorted for DI’s on my board so it was never an issue. Good pedal though. 

Good for you. 
 

I have a Polytune and my only other pedal need is a low gain OD with EQ options. To have a DI on that would be a bonus hence why the Tech 21 VT Bass covers so much ground. I'm going to stick with that. 

[Bagman]

I really like this pedal. If you get a chance to try one then give it a go

 

With an Optical Compressor in front or a VCA Compressor behind it can cover a lot of ground on different types of Basses

 

I don’t believe it is “dark” but I definitely want low gain not fuzzy or fuzzy 

[Bagman]

So a SGFX Beta DLX is available here in Aotearoa 

 

anyone have this and the Beta V ?

 

I'm sort of interested in the boost switch options. I certainly don’t need another Bass Overdrive but it looks in good condition and ok price 

[tayste_2000]

This has recently piqued my interest if anyone wants to sell or lend me one 😅😇

 

I got a mk1 Beta and love it, even or maybe be because of the baked in lows. 

[Osiris]

2 hours ago, tayste_2000 said:

This has recently piqued my interest if anyone wants to sell or lend me one 😅😇

 

I got a mk1 Beta and love it, even or maybe be because of the baked in lows. 

 

This is purely anecdotal and probably no use to you whatsoever, but here goes anyway...

 

A while ago, Krispn very generously loaned me his Beta mkV for a while and I liked it so much that I bought one. While I had his mkV on loan I tried it against the mk2 and found that I preferred the latter. Now, this is where things get a little convoluted, the mkV I bought was higher gain than Krispn's pedal even at minimum gain. Not hugely so but even at minimum gain it was more driven than I was looking for, it wouldn't clean up enough for my tastes whereas Krispn's did 🤷

 

I like a saturated tone, not obviously distorted but the fattening of the the tone from the additional harmonics and the mk2 does this brilliantly, I seem to be in the majority of users who like its inherent darkness and fat low end. Ooh err. There's no denying that the mkV is the more versatile of the two but if you're happy with your mk1 (my understanding is the mk2 is the same circuit but with the gain bypass switch) then the mkV may not really bring anything new depending on what you're looking for.

[tayste_2000]

That’s very interesting, as I’m also into it as very very low gain drive.

 

I’m in the process of getting a second Mojo Hand Cream Pie which does the same thing but is even lower gain and fattens up the tone a bit more pleasantly (to my ear).

 

It was specifically the lpf and body controls that interested me on these V (not to mention the top mounted jacks for tighter spacing on a board).

 

Thank you for the info, very useful indeed.

[Osiris]

As far as I could tell, the LPF is something of a misnomer as it appeared work more on the mids rather than the highs. The user manual was a bit vague as to exactly what it's supposed to be doing. The body controls the lows but there's something about the way the mk2 fattens things up which that is more pleasing to my ears. But obviously the only way to know if the Mk5 is for you is to scratch the itch. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts compared with the MK1.

[fretmeister]

4 hours ago, tayste_2000 said:

This has recently piqued my interest if anyone wants to sell or lend me one 😅😇

 

I got a mk1 Beta and love it, even or maybe be because of the baked in lows. 

 

I've got one that I might be tempted to move on. I don't seem to be using dirt at all these days, just some compression and the odd bit of envelope filter.

 

@tayste_2000

 

 

[krispn]

https://www.taurusamps.pl/shop-2#!/BASS-SERVO/p/706266085

20% off on the website with the code in the top link. 

 

 

Edited March 14 by krispn