Which preamp pedal should I buy?

Which preamp should I buy?

  • Aguilar Tone Hammer

    Votes: 24 14.0%

  • Ampeg Classic Analog

    Votes: 8 4.7%

  • Sansamp BDDI / Bass Driver

    Votes: 38 22.2%

  • Sansamp Steve Harris Signature

    Votes: 4 2.3%

  • Sansamp Frank Bello Signature

    Votes: 2 1.2%

  • Something Else

    Votes: 85 49.7%

  • Carrots / Don't Buy a Preamp

    Votes: 10 5.8%
  • Total voters
    171
  • Poll closed .
MrAB4003

MrAB4003

Feb 17, 2023
1,601
2,408
2,820
Orange County, CA
#1
So I'm thinking about adding a preamp to my small, but growing pedal collection. I currently have an Aguilar Agro and an Aguilar TLC Compressor, but I feel like a preamp pedal is necessary to further sculpt my tone and to take on the role of a traditional amp when I'm recording with my DI.

After doing some research and listening to sound samples, I'm leaning towards the five options in the poll. I'm also open to further suggestions from you all. Here are my pros and cons about the five options:

1) Aguilar Tone Hammer:
Pros: Excellent build quality, sweepable mids, same brand as my other pedals, runs on batteries
Cons: AGS / Distortion features are redundant

2) Ampeg Classic Analog
Pros: Very simple layout, inexpensive, runs on batteries
Cons: I'm not a fan of the baked in Ampeg sound

3) Sansamp BDDI / Bass Driver
Pros: Excellent build quality, excellent sound, runs on batteries
Cons: Distortion features are redundant, very complex layout

4) Sansamp Steve Harris Signature
Pros: Built in tuner, intuitive layout, high and low mid controls, excellent build quality, I'm an Iron Maiden / Steve Harris fan
Cons: Large in size, does not run on batteries (but a 9V power supply is included)

5) Sansamp Frank Bello Signature
Pros: Simple layout (thank you Frank for designing it that way! :D), excellent build quality, cool design, I'm an Anthrax / Frank Bello fan
Cons: No mid controls, distortion features are redundant, does not run on batteries (but a 9V power supply is included)

Please let me know your thoughts.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: oren and salmon256
#2
I voted Tone Hammer. I would argue that AGS feature is not redundant. If one keeps gain settings low (as many players do), AGS does additional tone-shaping without adding distortion. Have a look at the post No. 1825 in the following thread:

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ag...mer-500-3-8lbs-500w-megathread.717712/page-92

(third chart)

The frequency curve with AGS on is similar to what would using a (tweeterless) cab sound like.

In other words, AGS on provides (kind of) cab simulation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Angry Mob With Pitchfork, Jason Schulhz, MrAB4003 and 1 other person
#6
If this is for recording purposes only, have you tried any VST’s? I’m using Trackion’s free version and the vst’s that it comes with sound great on my mono basses, but for my Rickenbacker I still love my Ashly SC-40’s first then into the computer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MattZilla
#7
Sadowsky SBP-1 has a permanent place at the end of my pedal board. It’s an onboard bass pre pedal. But it works like a charm and the DI is great. Has a latching mute button that comes in handy. I usually run the treble a little past noon and a little bass bump. Anything on my board comes alive and that little bass bump adds back some low end that may have been lost along the way. Simple but effective, I never turn it off!
 
  • Like
Reactions: squeally dan, Jason Hollar, Poke and 4 others
#9
I voted "BDDI" although I'm scratching my head over the "complex layout" reference. Certainly not everybody's favorite but, in a fashion, it's almost become the gold standard by which others are measured. Bonus points if you can find a 3 channel programmable model. I upgraded to a Fly Rig ( VT voicing) because I needed the extra features in a compact footprint.

Riis
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty, bassfran, RattleSnack and 2 others
#10
MrAB4003 said:
So I'm thinking about adding a preamp to my small, but growing pedal collection. I currently have an Aguilar Agro and an Aguilar TLC Compressor, but I feel like a preamp pedal is necessary to further sculpt my tone and to take on the role of a traditional amp when I'm recording with my DI.

After doing some research and listening to sound samples, I'm leaning towards the five options in the poll. I'm also open to further suggestions from you all. Here are my pros and cons about the five options:

1) Aguilar Tone Hammer:
Pros: Excellent build quality, sweepable mids, same brand as my other pedals, runs on batteries
Cons: AGS / Distortion features are redundant

2) Ampeg Classic Analog
Pros: Very simple layout, inexpensive, runs on batteries
Cons: I'm not a fan of the baked in Ampeg sound

3) Sansamp BDDI / Bass Driver
Pros: Excellent build quality, excellent sound, runs on batteries
Cons: Distortion features are redundant, very complex layout

4) Sansamp Steve Harris Signature
Pros: Built in tuner, intuitive layout, high and low mid controls, excellent build quality, I'm an Iron Maiden / Steve Harris fan
Cons: Large in size, does not run on batteries (but a 9V power supply is included)

5) Sansamp Frank Bello Signature
Pros: Simple layout (thank you Frank for designing it that way! :D), excellent build quality, cool design, I'm an Anthrax / Frank Bello fan
Cons: No mid controls, distortion features are redundant, does not run on batteries (but a 9V power supply is included)

Please let me know your thoughts.
Click to expand...
What is your opinion of the "ampeg sound?"
 
#11
1) Stay away from pedals that have a baked-in sound that you don’t care for (as you noted above.)
2) Consider eliminating OD/distortion from your ‘con’ list as this is a feature that most preamp pedals include. And there’s no rule that says you have to engage the feature.
3) Check out the demo video for the Tech 21 XB Driver.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: amper, Bassdirty, kbarboza4 and 4 others
#15
MrAB4003 said:
So I'm thinking about adding a preamp to my small, but growing pedal collection.
Click to expand...

Chris Chong said:
You may wanna state your tone goals
Click to expand...
Lots of preamps with lots of different sounds. What sound are you going for? Clanky big bottom death metal, burpy fusion jazz, mellow new-age contemporary lounge acid?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eric Mull and sheesh
#16
The BDDI v2 can be phantom powered and with the blend down you just have an active EQ. I have one that is my backup “all else fails” DI and lives in my case/bag.

but yeah, tone goals could be helpful? Have you considered a multi fx unit of some sort since you already have a DI? I use a line 6 HX stomp for my heavy lifting. That and a tube DI. But like I said, my BDDI v2 is always lurking in bag or bass case if something happens.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back