Sharkfinger

That's all the encouragement I need . Will start another thread, rather than introducing noise into yours but will have to wait till I have time tomorrow.

Great stuff this. Got it on my roasted maple neck on my bitsa FengRay. FWIW, I used 0000 steel wool to rub it down before application, but then it was already finely sanded by Warmoth. Took some pics of the process but never posted them anywhere. Want to see?

I had it made for me, to a much higher standard than I could have managed. The GUMA Antique is based on the DG vintage microtubes, isn't it? Might give that a try, might get on better with the EQ.

It does a little, yes. Mainly just that 'dynamic grit' that I like. I just don't like the EQ, makes it sound muddy to my ear. Perhaps with the treble up, it rolls off frequencies above it? Is that a real thing or am I imagining it?

I was wondering about that pedal and did think about buying it. If I see one come up second hand, will give it a whirl. See if it will replace my Ampegulator and not have to use the EQ on my amp.

Bingo! Got something I'm (at least temporary) happy with. I'm using just the enhance/harmonics on the BSS (unity gain), but I've rolled off the bass and treble from my ampegulator (running at 9v) to get a flat as possible response, so just using its gain. Never liked it's EQ for some reason. Using the contour and deep EQ buttons on my amp. Also, I've taken my amp out of the Mesa combo. The weight has just tipped it over the edge of being easily manageable. The amp is now in a rack case, so could have had that Hughes and kettner preamp @Beedster. Kicking myself now. Will lookout for one in the future

Yes, that 'blend'/'intensity' knob only operates on the EQ, Which is not immediately obvious. The enhance and gain knob are unaffected by it an can be used separately.

Well, it turns out that the BSS and Ampegulator together are enough to have me not bid on that SVT-7 pro on eBay! Working for me right now, a satisfying sound. Although I'm giving an Ampgeg Classic Analog preamp pedal a go, if I see one cheap enough...

Will check it out, thanks. 9v too...

I've used the BSS at a gig and a rehearsal my thoughts so far are this: while it adds the overtones I'm after, it doesn't quite have the EQ or 'low end grunt' I'm looking for. Was fiddling with the pedal's EQ but as it just scoops and 'moves' that scoop around, wasn't quite getting what I want, so tweaked the EQ on my amp. Getting there.... I'm going to use it in combination with my ampegulator pedal, see where that goes.

In two parts: https://www.rack-magic.com/epages/10067278.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/10067278/Products/FB-2 https://www.rack-magic.com/epages/10067278.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/10067278/Products/FBT-W It's in German but you get the idea. Great English speaking support too. Of if you fancy paying a fiver extra, it's on amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/482-6mm-Transportable-Cabinet-Tray-Ventilated/dp/B00AJMWONK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1548232435&sr=8-5&keywords=rack+magic+2U

I wish they'd made their dual tube preamp into a pedal. Would have thought that would have had a wider appeal than that preamp pedal. I'm sure that signature tone has it's fan-base but I sure wouldn't mind a full featured all-valve preamp in a stomp-box format. SansAmp? Who would need tube emulation when you have the real thing?

Yeah, not sure about those compressors. Bassics do a very similar (dbx based) compressor for less (which is also made in UK) that has an internal voltage pump to 18v.

May be old news to some of you but came across this when trying to find a way to rack mount my bass head. It's an EA iAmp800 and although it is rack mountable (2U high), I didn't get the rack ears with it. Contacted EA but as it's discontinued, they couldn't provide me with rack ears. First of all, bought 1U a rack shelf and bodged it to fit. After a few weeks of gigging, it started to come loose. Then I bought a Mesa Boogie PH212 combo (with no head), which has a 2 unit rack space built in, with the intention of integrating my amp into it. While looking for a 2U rack shelf, I came across this ingenious solution transporting non-rack mountable equipment in a rack. I think it's mainly for computer equipment but it seems to work. The only proviso is that whatever you want to rack mount must be obviously be narrower than 19" , will fit into a 1, 2, 3 or 4U height and has a flat bottom, so it can be held by the brackets. Edit: a word of warning: it adds a few millimetres of height. Before, the amp only just fit a 2U rack case when i bodged it before but now it doesn't. Luckily, I have a 3U and 4U rack cases. Anyway, enough talking: cue the gratuitous pic fest.

Well, got my BSS and initial impression through just my in-ears are good. This is just going through my Tascam GB-10, not my main amp. Will gig it a few times and have a play and see how I get on. I'm surprise no-one has mentioned the Darkglass Vintage Microtubes. @Bigwan don't you have a clone of it?

Bought my SansAmp BDDI Deluxe. Smooth transaction. Recommended. 👍

Looks good but want to stick with the convenience of a combo right now. Think I'd go super bassman for the clean headroom if I went that way....

Can't wait for mine to arrive. Another option for this is the Dr J. Sparrow. I had one a while ago but (again) stupidly sold it. From memory, does much the same thing as Hartke Bass attack (harmonics knob) but with fewer options. Cheap enough for me to experiment with, if I see one come up.

Tried flats, yes.

Had a zoom B3 and it sounded a bit artificial, even through headphones. Hard to describe, a bit 'glitchy'. Same with the COSM preamp in my otherwise marvellous Roland 2x10 combo. Really wish I'd kept the speaker cab part of that when the Amp gave out. Anyway have a Mesa PH 212 combo, as stated in the OP, which is a little coloured, in a nice way. I really wish Ashdown did their dual tube preamp in a stand-alone format. Still on the lookout for a Spyder head for sale on its own. If I can find one used, might give it a go. If it's got the tone and headroom, could work.