LMB-3 or Bass Preacher or something else

[SlowlyButSurely]

I used a Marshall amp with an internal compressor for many years until I recently downsized my rig. Now I have an amp without a compressor I have discovered just how good the Marshall was and I feel the need for a pedal. Budget is £100. 

 

Does anybody have any views on the LMB3 vs the Bass Preacher?

[BassAdder60]

The Boss LMB-3 is a fine low cost pedal and does the job well 

 

I would look for a second hand MXR M87 as they are a nice step up 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Thanks for the reply. I think you are right. I don't know much about compressors, didn't know I needed one until I didn't have one. The MXR seems to be favourite but I haven't come across one secondhand at the right price yet.

[jimbobothy]

.... I'd go for a TC Electronic Spectracomp tbh. Many different compressors in a one control box. Use it in a very simple manner, or with the tone prints go a bit deeper, then edit the tone prints to go really deep. All things to all men type of compressor for around £50ish used.

[MrDinsdale]

I’ve seen a few folks on here who’ve ditched high end compressors like the Cali76 in favour of the LMB. Never tried it but keen to pick one up one day it out, I’m sure it’ll do nicely 🙌

[VTypeV4]

I've had my LMB-3 for many years and it quietly just gets on with it - I wouldn't want to be without it as I feel it's part of my sound when using the V-Type rig. I also have a Digitech Bass Squeeze Dual Band pedal which is a good tool and seems to work really well with my vintage Bassman setup although on balance, I still prefer the Boss.

 

 

[fretmeister]

You might get a used Boss BC-1X for that.

 

That compressor is so good I no longer own a Cali76, Super Symmetry, Keeley Pro, Empress etc.

It's just perfect. No tone colouration, no annoying dip and swell that a lot of Ross based compressors suffer with on bass.

It just works with every bass.

[Rob Bisby]

http://www.ovnilab.com/

 

Nuff said

[tobiewharton]

The Boss can be a little noisy but is very capable and imo unbeatable in its (new) price range. Spectracomp is incredible value but a different beast in terms of having to became au fait with the TC ecosystem in order to get the most out of it.

I'm not a pedal deep dive guy and have personally found the Keeley Bassist to be the most intuitive, really effective and nearly noise-free compressor; I always found the MXR more finicky, though it's very popular for good reasons. Both of the latter options can be had s/h for around your budget although admittedly the Keeley is harder to find. 

All the best in the search!

[SlowlyButSurely]

Ok, thanks for all the comments guys.

 

After a lot fruitless of searching for a used pedal I bought a new LMB-3. Partly because my other pedals are Boss and also there were no comments about the Bass Preacher. I played a gig with it on Saturday and I have found that it does exactly what I wanted, ie it doesn't affect the tone and produces a nice consistent sound with good presence in the mix. The enhance knob doesn't seem to produce any hiss at all so quite pleased about that. 

[uk_lefty]

On 20/09/2023 at 10:12, SlowlyButSurely said:

Ok, thanks for all the comments guys.

 

After a lot fruitless of searching for a used pedal I bought a new LMB-3. Partly because my other pedals are Boss and also there were no comments about the Bass Preacher. I played a gig with it on Saturday and I have found that it does exactly what I wanted, ie it doesn't affect the tone and produces a nice consistent sound with good presence in the mix. The enhance knob doesn't seem to produce any hiss at all so quite pleased about that. 

I've used a few but come back to the LMB-3, it just works and it's subtle. I tend to stick to the recommended settings in the manual, using the Enhance setting for fretless and one of the limiter settings for fretted.