Conference napalm::guitar

    The bassist in my band is thinking of putting together a component
    system and has everything settled except the preamp. The only preamps
    he knows of are the Ashley BP40 and one by either Hartke or Trace Elliot.
    The latter is high priced, and being on a budget the Ashley seems
    like a good buy at around 260. Do any of you bass players out there
    know of any similarly priced preamps? 
    
    How effective would a guitar preamp be?

    Any comments on Ashley?

    Dan

    
    I was in a band with a guy that used an Ashly preamp into a Peavey
    CS-800.  It really thumped.  From what I've seen, and read in this
    conference, Trace Elliot is very overpriced.
    
    I also like the name.
    
    Ashley

    
    Two new bass preamps that have just come out:
    
    ADA MB-1
    
    As you might guess, this is a modified MP-1 preamp.  Has on-baord
    compression, 5-band EQ, crossover, stereo chorus, all programmable and
    stored in up to 128 presets which can be recalled via MIDI.  Choice of
    tube or solid-state signal paths.
    
    Blue Tube II
    
    An update on the existing Blue Tube (which remains in production). 
    Basically it now has two switchable channels and an effects loop,
    making it a bit more versatile when used as a preamp.
    
    							Brian

      Hey - I'm "only" a guitar player but I betcha the new
    H & K Fortress bass preamp is a killer. No I haven't heard
    it but it looks like the design is solid , tube circuitry
    and built in DBX compressor. It even looks good!
    
    					-BoOm-
    					

    Musician's Friend now carries the Bass version of ADA's MP1, the MB1. 
    It lists for $999.95, but they offer it for $799.88.  Features:
    
    - 256 programmable sounds (128 factory loaded, 128 user defined)
    - 12AX7A tubes
    - 5 band parametric EQ
    - stereo chorus, limiter, crossover, biamp outputs
    - single rack space
    - MC1 foot controller is optional
    
    Mike
    

    Metaltronix/Perfect Connection offers the Bass version of their GP-1000
    preamp called the BP-1000.  It lists for $599. new, but can be had
    around the lower 5's.  It matches up with their SP-1000, dual mono
    125wpc solid state power amp (with tube emulation).  Features:
    
    - 12AX7 preamp tubes
    - 4 band active EQ with a 6 position mid freq switch
    - pull boost frequency pots
    - dual gain controls with pull-boost function (from clean to obscene)
    - dual master volumes
    - Single rack space (as is the SP-1000 power amp)
    
    Buck
    

    A couple of other preamps for bass include the following:
    
    Ashley SC40 - This solid state preamp is not made exclusively for
    Bass, and does not include any type of overdrive. However, it is
    still a good preamp for bassists that do not require overdrive. It
    features a parametric eq (I believe something in the order of 5 or 6
    bands) which provides a great deal of tone control, it is built
    very rugged in a single rack space package, and is very modestly 
    priced at ~$175.00. Ashley is known for their high quality cross-
    over networks and I understand this unit is pretty much noise-free.
    
    Peavey has a new bass preamp in their rack series, but I don't know
    the model number off-hand. It too is very attractively priced under
    $200.
    
    I have seen the Hughes and Kettner "Fortress" bass preamp advertized
    in guitar player magazine, and Bass player magazine. I have no idea
    what the price is, or how good the sound quality/ruggedness is. One
    good thing about this unit is that it has built-in DBX compression.
    This unit is housed in a single space rack package.
    
    I am pretty sure that Trace Elliot makes a bass preamp, as bass ampli-
    fication is their specialty. Anyone know for sure ? My guess is that
    Trace Elliot equipment is high-priced, and I am not sure what the
    price/performance ratio is.
    
    I am surprised that Mesa Boogie has not introduced a Bass preamp yet.
    Hopefully they will eventually. Their bass 400 head is a real strong
    contendor, and I would like to see them incorporate the same basic
    design into a preamp. Mesa Boogie claims their studio (guitar) preamp 
    preamp works great for bass. It would be nice if this were true, as
    I really don't have room in my budget to buy two separate preamps.
    I plan to demo this unit with both a bass and a guitar to see how
    true this claim is.
     
    Bluetube by Realtube. This unit is attractively priced under $200.00
    but suffers from the "you get what you pay for" syndrome. The metal
    chassis is relatively flimsy, and the sound quality is not great 
    because it is designed with only one 12AX7 tube.
    
    I know that a lot of people out there like units like the ADA MP1
    (or in this case the BP1), but quite frankly I have no use for 128
    differant sounds, and I prefer to tweak pots rather than step through
    programming sequences.
    
    Getta go earn a living,
    Mark

    I forgot to mention that many of these units include a built-in
    cross over network for bi-amping. I'll track down more info and
    add it in later.
    
    Mark

    
    A couple you missed:
    
    Pearce
    
    Don't know much about these except they offer channel switching, are
    solid-state and Billy Sheehan uses them.
    
    Groove Tubes
    
    The GT Bass Preamp is actually the front end of the big SWR heads, sold
    through GT for some reason (SWR also builds the GT Guitar Preamp).  One
    12AX7, six band EQ (four bands parametric), aural exciter, limiter,
    crossover.
    
    Peavey
    
    There are two bass preamps, the TB Raxx which is tube and pretty simple
    and the ProBass which is solid-state and has more features.  Tom Gallo
    has owned both and has commented on these in various notes strewn
    around this conference.  The TB Raxx is the new one that sells for
    about $175.
    
    AMP
    
    Their preamp is discontinued, but you might find one used.  Solid
    stsate, and except for the aural exciter, just about identical to the
    SWR preamp.  See note #104 for discussion of the BH420 amp head, this
    has the same preamp integrated with a 400 watt power stage.
    
    							Brian

    
    
    Peavey Bass Preamps
    
    	ProBass 1000
    
    	 Basically this is the same front end as the MegaBass head. 
    Features Include:
    
    	o Single Input (switchable Hi/Lo gain)
    	o Pre/Post Gain
    	o Punch and Bright Switches
    	o 7 Band Graphic Eq
    	o Electronic Crossover 
    	o Lo-Z out for direct out
    	o Headphone out with control
    	o Aux input (Hi-Z) (probably so you can plug a walkman in for practice)
    	o Adjustable crossover frequency 
    	o Solid State
    	o Costs around $200
    
    	Impression:
    
    	Good, but not outstanding bass preamp. Lots of features in a 
    	reasonably priced package. IMHO, it's a little to noisy for DI
    	in recording situations. Works great DI live. 
    
    	T.B. Raxx Tube Bass Preamp
    
    	I'm currently using this model. A solid tube preamp at a really
    	good price ($150). Not too many features, no crossover, no DI out.
    	Really only good for live performance. I'm very pleased with it.
    	
    	Features:
    
    	o Two input (Hi/Lo gain)
    	o Gain Boost Switch
    	o Bright Switch
    	o Pre/Post Gain
    	o 3 Band (before post gain) EQ W/Shelving control
    	o 3 Band (after post gain) EQ
    	o Two Outputs (1Vrms and 3Vrms)
    
    	As you can see not too many features, but it sounds great.
    
    	Alpha Bass Preamp
    
    	Saw one at Daddy's last week, but didn't get a chance to check it 
    	out. Price tag was $199 and it had a 7 band graphic EQ. More info
    	when I get it.
    
    -Tom
    
    

    
    
    Re: Peavey Preamps
    
    	I forgot to mention that the TB Raxx has 2 12AX7A tubes.
    
    -Tom
    

    Another question for any seasoned session bassist. I have heard
    that lot's of bass players plug their bass directly into a recording
    mixer, with nothing in series, except possibly a compressor. Has
    anyone tried this? If so, what kind of results did you get ? 
    
    In this Scenario, would a Fender bass (or other bass with single
    coils) be excessively noisy ? Would a noise gate help ?
    
    Mark

>    ... lot's of bass players plug their bass directly into a recording
>    mixer, with nothing in series, except possibly a compressor ...

	Use something better than a guitar stomp box type of compressor, as
	they add a lot of noise. I've been recording (on my 4 track) like
	this for quite a while, and it makes a big differance in the
	sound quality of the bass tracks.
							Jens

    
    I'm not exactly seasoned, just fried  8^)  8^)
    
    I have recorded a couple of times in pro studios.  In all cases I ran
    straight to the board and compression was added there.  Most common was
    a dbx 166, which does compression and noise gating, in stereo or dual
    mono.  
    
    IMHO the results were excellent.  My bass never sounded so good.  The
    engineer did *not* add any EQ when doing the tracks, but tweaked a bit
    on mixdown.  
    
    Suprisingly, while I get a bit of buzz from my bass when *I* record at
    home or play live, it was dead quiet in the studio setting; then again,
    any pro studio is going to be properly wired so that the usual sources
    of buzzes wouldn't be present.  I've tried a (cheap) noise gate at home
    and was underimpressed, but have switched over to a Hush-like hiss
    filter which cleans up the noises handily, for guitar as well.
    
    As far as basses, I have used both a Fender P-bass with single coils
    and active electronics and a Peavey T40 with humbuckers and passive
    electronics, neither was a problem.  I did think that fret noise was a
    bit noticeable, but this gets lost in the mix.
    
    The biggest hassle was working without an amplifier...luckily the last
    studio I was in had very good phones (AKG 240s) and these had a lot of
    bottom so I felt comfortable.  We were recording the drums live in the
    room, guitar amps in an isolation both and bass direct.  This allowed
    us to get a good live rhythm track without a lot of bleed in the mikes;
    we also used this method on an earlier project where some of the bass
    and guitar tracks were used only as guides to be replaced by "guests"
    on guitar and tuba (awesome!!!).  By going direct we didn't have to
    worry about my licks bleeding into the drum overheads after the bass
    track was wiped.
    
    One neat advantage of going direct was that I did all my punch-ins in
    the control room with the monitors blasting....wotta sound!!!
    
    So what else do you wanna know?
    
    
    							Brian

    I've also run straight into the board with very good results.
    The bass was a Fender Jazz, which although it has single coils,
    seems to get a hum cancelling effect with both pickups full on.
    P-basses also get a hum cancelling effect by virtue of the split
    pickup design.
    
    /rick

    Maybe I'll find I can do without a bass preamp. I'll certainly try
    before spending any money. I have a DBX166 "clone" at home. It is
    an AudioLogic MT66 which uses the DBX VCA chip.
    
    I'm no bass player, just a guitarist that wants to hack out bass
    tracks. My tastes are simple....I like to have the best !! I don't
    buy musical instruments very often, and when I do, I keep them 
    forever. That's why I'm so focused on getting a genuine American-
    made Fender Jazz Bass. I was in Kurlan's music last night, and they
    had the ultamate JB, Sunburst '62 re-issue. I would've grabed it on 
    the spot, but they were demanding nearly $900 for it with case. 
    OUCH !! Even Sam Ash is getting over $750 for this model. I'll guess
    I'll have to do quite a bit of looking for a nice used one. 
    
    Mark
    
    

    Re: .12
    
    Forget the sunburst, Foam Green is the color you need  8^)  8^)
    
    Actually, the reissue JB is overpriced in that it has archaic hardware
    and electronics (although it sounds nice).   Take a good look at a
    Precision Plus.....Lace Sensor pickups in a PJ setup, extended fret
    range (22? 24?), fine tuners on the bridge, heavy duty tuning machines.
    EUW sells them for about $750 new.  US made, of course.
    
    							Brian 

Hi there !

Just for the record, Hughes & Kettner recently introduced a new Bass Master
tupe preamp with DI capability. The price is about 500DM, that's about 300$.

	Richard

    Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with the ART Nightbass SE
    preamp/effects unit? Seems expensive, but it's only money.
    
    Theo

    HAd a band in my studio recently who had one of these in a rack with a 
    GK800...  I didn't care for it..especially since it said "Studio
    Edition" on it, and all these cool line-outs....  We ended up using the
    GK line out and not using the SGX at all...
    
    jc (Who thinks this one if for sale now...)

    I was fairly impressed with Sam's BBE bass preamp.  Doesn't have
    effects, but it's a lot less money and you could add exactly what you
    want to it rather then taking what you get.
    
    Greg