Active Bass -> Outboard Preamp -> Amp

[knicknack]

Hi All,

I'm currently playing an active bass - but I'm not quite getting the tone/sound I want out of it. I have an outboard preamp on order (possibly for a different bass), and I was thinking of running the bass through this before sticking it into the Active input channel to see if the outboard pre gives me the tone I want. If I like the sound, will it damage the amp at all? Also, is this process normal?!

Ultimately I am considering replacing the current active EQ and p/ups in the bass to something else, but I simply don't have the time or money for such a project at the moment. I just wondered what your thoughts are on an Active setup into an outboard pre and then the amp?

Cheers

[Lfalex v1.1]

It's not at all unusual to have a signal chain having multiple pre-amp (albeit in different locations) stages to modify the overall sound/tone
as well as adding gain (and / or boost / drive / distortion, too)

For example, at practice, I may well use this set-up;

Status Streamline >> MXR M-80 >> 12 channel mixer >> QSC PLX1202 power amp >> Trace 1048h

which equates to;

Bass/Treble >> Vol, 3Band EQ, OD, Pre-shape >> Gain, Bass, Mid, Treble, level and Master fader >> about 750w into 8ohms >> 4x10" 8ohm cabinet.

Lots of tone-shaping options there, and 3 pre-amps! Sounds superb.