Bass Guitar Preamp

[Zack Brock]

I've tried a few bass guitar preamps and the one that I've kept and like the most is the Aguilar Tone Hammer. The output is both instrument and line output so you can plug into a power amp directly, or a 31Band EQ, a compressor or a multi effects unit.

For MultiFX, I like the Zoom B2.1U, works great in front of the Aguilar.

[Randall Dibble]

Well in 45 years of experience I keep coming back my Peavey Rax preamp set in front of a power amp, Ev or other bigger bass boat anchor, for me weight equals a lot of power for the dollar!

The Peavey Rax preamp either for bass or Guitar are very much same or identical. They have a fully regulated power supply and couple of preamp tubes in the circuits, a fender baseman circuit in front of a tube based parametric with both gain and master volume. I've replaced one of the tubes with a lower gain variety which has further clear up the sound. It has a low and high gain input a output, in fact I've been able drive a feed to the FOH well over 200' which was crazy but needed at one festival I've played.

I often set the controls straight up to start and adjustments following the sound check are often very small. I play clean old school sound for R&B, country and classic rock styles.

I hesitate to mention the Preamp because it's often over looked on ebay. I purchase my first one for around $60.00 with a small shipping charge. They are now commonly go for twice that after ten years.

Please don't drive the price up, I want another cheap!

Remember th old saying " whistles and bells impress impressionable people " gear for professional musicians tend to become simpler as you gain more experience. More shi~ in you signal path rarely improves sound and the chances of Fuc~ups increase beyond belief!

"KISS" or you may be kissing your own As~ at a show I know I have

Well at lease that's my experience!