Bass preamp/amp pedal suggestions

strtdv · May 31

When I'm playing the bass I like to keep things as simple/grab and go as possible. I've a Markbass amp but to be honest it lives under the stairs and basically never comes out.
I generally run my bass straight into a DI box which goes to the mixing desk, or occasionally use a bass amp model on my Helix.

I've noticed a few "amp in a pedal" type effects pedals for bass, and I'd like a bass distortion or fuzz anyway, so was wondering if anyone used a similar setup or had any recommendations?

Ideally there would be an always on clean channel and then a blendable distortion/fuzz channel that could be mixed in.

rze99 · May 31

I use two.

An old line 6 Pod X3 with Ampeg setting which I think sounds excellent. You can get these dead cheap. I have used this for recording bass on albums (sometimes in tandem with another signal) and it works briliantly.

here's one for £100!

https://www.kennysmusic.co.uk/line-6-pod-x3-pedal-pre-owned-p10363/s10375?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=line-6-pod-x3-pedal-pre-owned-p2369794&utm_campaign=product+listing+ads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21825145897&gbraid=0AAAAAD3NJNhNjevunx-K9cCdTLao3AnxY&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0erBBhDTARIsAKO8iqRNbJUgUKppRqJh1c4QQlOeUYuSOMatbBl5DxZca09FQcsElkuAtvYaAkWJEALw_wcB

I also use the Leeds pedal (HiWatt analogue sim) GREAT for guitar or bass. Bloody pricey to get now. Discontinued but I got mine for about 100.

Entwistletastic

Tech 21 Leeds Hiwatt type pedal image 1

Revolutions · May 31

Another sansamp fan here. My little brother always has incredible tone & he uses a vt bass deluxe when without his amp.

I picked up the little version that I use for demos etc. sounds awesome if you like that lively kinda bass tone.

LionAquaLooper · May 31

Dr J Sparrow.

UnclePsychosis · May 31

All the Sansamp stuff is good in my experience.

That said these days I like the Boss stuff. ME-90B for plug and playability and the GT-1000-CORE for faffing about at home.

fretmeister · May 31

Mark Bass Vintage Preamp is very good.

ICBM · May 31

I use a Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz and a Behringer BDI21 amp simulator. You can buy *both together* for about £50 - but they're perfectly good. The SF300 is a copy of the Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz, which itself is a derivative of the classic Univox/Shin Ei FY-6 Super Fuzz, and the BDI21 is a copy of the Tech21 Bass Driver DI (original version).

NB... don't DI the SF300 directly into the PA without going through an amp simulator, the speakers (and the soundman) won't like it. Use the BDI21 as an always-on amp substitute after the fuzz and before the DI - or DI from the XLR output on the pedal.

Bork · June 1

I've used an EBS Microbass II live on stage. With no monitoring, had to listen to myself from reflections off the back of the hall about 60 metres away. Bass stuff just needs to be clean and not get in the way, although if you like a bit of grind the Joyo JF14 American sound goes nicely with bass. You could probably stick one in the effects loop of a Microbass II and adjust the mix to taste.

pintspiller · October 22

I used a Behringer BDI21 with my last band. Worked great.

Kebabkid · October 22

Another +1 for Behringer BDI21 but I also use the Zoom B1OnX (amps and fx) and if you go one up to the Zoom B1, it has more footswitch options but also has an XLR out.