Any feedback on DiCosimo Audio 800RB Bass Preamp Pedal?

thedovewarlord

thedovewarlord

Dec 29, 2010
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#1
Hi All --

Are there any TB users who owned DiCosimo Audio 800RB Bass Preamp Pedal and can share their experience?

I did see one older post, but not a lot of responses I could sink my teeth into. There's one YouTube demo clip, but there wasn't any context on how it was used, i.e., into the front of the amp vs effect return or what amp...

I'm intrigued if this pedal would be for me. If you have used it, Im interested in where in your chain, what amp, what bass, strings and the results.

Thank you!
 
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#2
I'm a huge fan of the 800 RB amp and played one exclusively for about five years. Now that I'm ampless the Dicosimo is a faithful likeness. Plenty of GK grunt.
I run the DI out direct to the board for live gigs. It's close enough that I don't miss carrying an amp anymore. I do wish it had the option to run on phantom power though.
It doesn't feel as solidly built as some other preamps like my Sansamps, but it's held up so far over forty gigs plus rehearsals this year.
B.
 
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#3
BLDavis said:
I'm a huge fan of the 800 RB amp and played one exclusively for about five years. Now that I'm ampless the Dicosimo is a faithful likeness. Plenty of GK grunt.
I run the DI out direct to the board for live gigs. It's close enough that I don't miss carrying an amp anymore. I do wish it had the option to run on phantom power though.
It doesn't feel as solidly built as some other preamps like my Sansamps, but it's held up so far over forty gigs plus rehearsals this year.
B.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the great reply!

I'm not a road-warrior, far from going ampless, and have very limited experience with preamp pedals in general (other than my Tech 21 VT Bass w/ character knob).

I imagine my first uses would be at the commercial rehearsal studio where they have an Ampeg SVT-350H that I just dont like at all. When we play long sessions, I bring my GK700RBII and plug it into the studio's Ampeg 810. I'm thinking of putting the DiCosimo into the effects return of their Ampeg - do you think that would work well?

Also, wondering what the DiCosimo would sound like into the front of my Aguilar DB751. I have the Tech 21 VT bass and I use it for sometimes for a little fur (drive at 9.5) and tweak the character knob for tonal variety (from as low as 7 up to around noon) and leave my Amp EQ fixed. Do you know or have any idea what to expect with the DiCosimo into the front of the Aguilar?
 
#5
Thx @Parzival
Parzival said:
If you want that GK sound in a pedal, this one does it. I would choose it over the ME version and the GK Plex. I only sold mine because I got a GK amp.
Click to expand...

Just a bump on a few questions, can you or anyone in the TB world answer or share more info perhaps:

I'm not a road-warrior, far from going ampless, and have very limited experience with preamp pedals in general (other than my Tech 21 VT Bass w/ character knob).

a.) I imagine my first uses would be at the commercial rehearsal studio where they have an Ampeg SVT-350H that I just dont like at all. When we play long sessions, I bring my GK700RBII and plug it into the studio's Ampeg 810. I'm thinking of putting the DiCosimo into the effects return of their Ampeg - do you think that would work well?

b.) Also, wondering what the DiCosimo would sound like into the front of my Aguilar DB751. I have the Tech 21 VT bass and I use it for sometimes for a little fur (drive at 9.5) and tweak the character knob for tonal variety (from as low as 7 up to around noon) and leave my Amp EQ fixed. Do you know or have any idea what to expect with the DiCosimo into the front of the Aguilar?
 
#10
Parzival said:
Same here.

When I had mine I ran into front of a Mesa D800, but that’s probably not as voiced as the AG. The Mesa was not totally transparent but pretty transparent when set flat.
Click to expand...

Ah, makes sense. Could be wrong, but I dont think anyone would consider the Aguilar DB751 as transparent either.

I suppose the only way to tell is to take the plunge and get the pedal and try it. As long as I know it's possible to use it that way.

I use my Tech 21 VT bass character pedal into the front of my Aguilar & GK, and I have my amps set the way I really like them, as is, and then I set my Tech 21 pedal EQ "flat-ish" with a little drive and overall level to unity, so I just dial the character knob depending on what Im looking flavor-wise or trying to cop the same tone from one album to another or vibe Im after. I'll go from fully counter clock and rarely go beyond noon which is neighborhood of when the pedal is off. My guess or perhaps what I hope is the DiCosimo 800RB pedal will give me a that GK liveliness & growl but warmed-up and a bit more wooly from the Aguilar. If anything, there's plenty of EQ to experiment with.
 
#11
thedovewarlord said:
Ah, makes sense. Could be wrong, but I dont think anyone would consider the Aguilar DB751 as transparent either.

I suppose the only way to tell is to take the plunge and get the pedal and try it. As long as I know it's possible to use it that way.

I use my Tech 21 VT bass character pedal into the front of my Aguilar & GK, and I have my amps set the way I really like them, as is, and then I set my Tech 21 pedal EQ "flat-ish" with a little drive and overall level to unity, so I just dial the character knob depending on what Im looking flavor-wise or trying to cop the same tone from one album to another or vibe Im after. I'll go from fully counter clock and rarely go beyond noon which is neighborhood of when the pedal is off. My guess or perhaps what I hope is the DiCosimo 800RB pedal will give me a that GK liveliness & growl but warmed-up and a bit more wooly from the Aguilar. If anything, there's plenty of EQ to experiment with.
Click to expand...

I think you’ll really like the Dicosimo.
 
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#13
I love it- works and sounds exactly the same as my 82 800RB. I like turning the volume up just until it starts to break up then setting the master to unity, sounds killer. Its not as heavy handed with the EQ knobs but neither is the real one. The built in FX loop is very cool but I don't use it. It looks the part much more than the Master Effects version which is why I got it. Great guy and pedal can't reccomend enough
 
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#14
sloppy_phil said:
Paging Dr. @superheavyfunk!
Click to expand...

thedovewarlord said:
Thank you!


Cool, thanks for calling out, standing by for your wisdom @superheavyfunk
Click to expand...
Yeah, I dig the 800rb pedal a lot. I had been looking at it a long time and used to own the Dicosimo rails pedal too back in the day. I had a Mesa Subway+ and this guy replaced it.

If you like the GK sound, then this is absolutely the pedal preamp that you want. It not only looks the part but sounds it too. Just about the same size as a sansamp (but just a bit taller), it fits nicely onto any size board unlike the Subway DI or the Ampeg stuff or most other pedal preamps.

I get the most use out of my 800RB pedal at rehearsals. I usually plug it into the return of whatever amp is at the space so that I have “my sound” wherever I go, no matter what it at the rehearsal space. I’m currently using it for some recordings which will be the first time I’ve used it in this capacity. Live, it’s perfect but I definitely would like to have a cab sim, especially when using IEMs.

I dunno what else to say. I think it’s a great pedal, for sure! If anyone has a specific question about it, I’ll do my best to answer :thumbsup:
 
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#15
Hello, I have one of the first, if not the first, versions of this pedal built. Mine is a different form factor than what was settled on in the newer revisions. It’s an 800rb in a box, no question. There are only two pedals I can’t live without, and this thing is one of them. It doesn’t just sound like an 800rb, it IS an 800rb minus the power section. It doesn’t get any closer than that!

I keep mine with the boost maxed, and gives the low end some bloom and the high end a just a tiny bit of drive. If GK is the sound you want, look no further. I’ve had other pedals claiming to be the same thing, but they didn’t even come close compared to this.
 
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#16
Just found this thread. How you use the pedal will come completely down to personal taste. Some people run it into the front of the amp. Some through the FX loop. Some run it into a clean PA power amp. If you want to bypass the amps preamp, running the pedal into the FX return will do that.
 
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#17
poochiecheeks said:
I love it- works and sounds exactly the same as my 82 800RB. I like turning the volume up just until it starts to break up then setting the master to unity, sounds killer. It's not as heavy handed with the EQ knobs but neither is the real one. The built in FX loop is very cool but I don't use it. It looks the part much more than the Master Effects version which is why I got it. Great guy and pedal can't reccomend enough
Click to expand...
. Awesome tip, sounds similar to what I would go after (slight breakup instead of melt your face).

superheavyfunk said:
Yeah, I dig the 800rb pedal a lot. I had been looking at it a long time and used to own the Dicosimo rails pedal too back in the day. I had a Mesa Subway+ and this guy replaced it.

If you like the GK sound, then this is absolutely the pedal preamp that you want. It not only looks the part but sounds it too. Just about the same size as a sansamp (but just a bit taller), it fits nicely onto any size board unlike the Subway DI or the Ampeg stuff or most other pedal preamps.

I get the most use out of my 800RB pedal at rehearsals. I usually plug it into the return of whatever amp is at the space so that I have “my sound” wherever I go, no matter what it at the rehearsal space. I’m currently using it for some recordings which will be the first time I’ve used it in this capacity. Live, it’s perfect but I definitely would like to have a cab sim, especially when using IEMs.

I dunno what else to say. I think it’s a great pedal, for sure! If anyone has a specific question about it, I’ll do my best to answer :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
. Thank you for the in-depth reply, I'm getting highly interested in acquiring one as soon as funds & the item is available.

bigsnack said:
Hello, I have one of the first, if not the first, versions of this pedal built. Mine is a different form factor than what was settled on in the newer revisions. It’s an 800rb in a box, no question. There are only two pedals I can’t live without, and this thing is one of them. It doesn’t just sound like an 800rb, it IS an 800rb minus the power section. It doesn’t get any closer than that!
Click to expand...
. High praise here, thanks for the confirmation.
Dominic D said:
Just found this thread. How you use the pedal will come completely down to personal taste. Some people run it into the front of the amp. Some through the FX loop. Some run it into a clean PA power amp. If you want to bypass the amps preamp, running the pedal into the FX return will do that.
Click to expand...
. Thank you for reaching out, I will keep in contact and work on getting one soon!
 
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