This is probably an extremely stupid question but I have an ART tube preamp that I have been using for recording with an acoustic/sound hole pickup and was wondering if it could be used in front of a bass combo?
I have an old Ampeg BA115 combo which just needs a slight increase in volume in some situations and was actually thinking of replacing it with a more powerful combo but then thought I might possibly be able to use it in front of the Ampeg?
I've never used the preamp for anything other than mikes or the acoustic and so wasn't sure if it was a good idea. I tried it today and it certainly seems to give me the boost I need but wasn't too sure if it might damage the Ampeg or................?
Comments
Either way, if the output of the ART box is set to above unity gain, the signal reaching the power amp stage of the BA115 should be increased. Begin with the Flat/Neutral preset. Experiment with the other options later.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I always use the flat preset and that's how I tried the preamp. With the 'volume' and 'master' on the amp at around 12 o'clock and the ART set to maybe 2 o'clock. This seems to work really well. However, unsure as to whether this may cause damage to the amp.
I am not quite sure what the unity gain is?
If you want to use the preamp just because you get a better tone that way without pushing the amp harder it's also fine.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I agree, these Ampeg combos are really very under-powered but even in light of that I love the sound of them. Before this one I had a B3 and just loved the sound but it was similarly under-powered.
I definitely won't run the amp with the 'volume' or 'master' above 12 o'clock, I don't need to given the boost that the ART provides. Interestingly I am getting no distortion at all from the amp whether or not I use the ART. Really clean and smooth signal all the way up.
Do you think it would be safe to use the ART in front of the amp but keep the ART's 'input' and 'output' between 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock and the 'volume' and the 'master' on the amp at around 11-12 o'clock? This isn't particularly loud but definitely gives just that boost in volume that I need. Or.......should I ditch the idea altogether?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
No, definitely not using the preamp to change the tone, simply to give the amp a volume boost. I love the tone of the amp as it is but just not quite enough volume. The ART doesn't seem to change the tone that much although I haven't really used it enough to be 100% sure.
It's great to know that as long as I'm not getting distortion its probably safe to use the ART. Thanks once again for the great advice!
The EQ is active.
Somewhere within the travel of each EQ control, there should be a detent. Above that detent is boost. Below is cut. Theoretically, the detent indicates unity gain for its frequency band.