SansAmp type suggestions..?

[HeadlessBassist]

Hi everyone,

 

In addition to the 40-odd live multiple tribute shows at Warner's Resorts and Theatres I do annually, we are ramping up our trio and have been offered a load of duo gigs. With the duo we're planning to travel light, so I'm looking at an Amplifier-free solution.

 

So what preamps do people use these days? I'd guess things have moved on from the early SansAmps. What do you all recommend for great live sound straight into the PA? I usually have a very clean Fender Jazz sound through either TC Electronic or MarkBass rigs.

 

Thanks in advance 😎👍

[Burns-bass]

I use the EBS Stanley Clarke for both electric and upright gigs and it’s great.

[Lozz196]

The Sansamp Q-Strip is worth checking out, very versatile eq but no drive so fits the bill. For travelling light gigs it’s a pedal that runs on batteries, just one more little thing that makes life easier.

 

I do similar on gigs where an amp isn’t provided - Mono M80 with bass, a Behringer BDI21, and my BOSS WL20 wireless kit (plus a lead just in case). Really does make gigging easy.

Edited 18 hours ago by Lozz196

[Merton]

Laney Digbeth, with just the FET channel. Lovely sounding thing.

[Downunderwonder]

Trace Elliot Transit-B.

[Linus27]

I still use the Sansamp BDDI v2 and love it. Clean punching sound and a great DI. I don't use the drive on it either.

[ezbass]

Tech21 VTDI, everything from clean to filth in an Ampeg style. Really flexible EQ.

Edited 5 hours ago by ezbass

[Rodders]

Fishman Platinum Stage - I use it for rehearsals when I don't have the time or energy to lug a rig. Simple but clean, EQ, low cut options, built in boost, can run on battery and clip on your belt if needed. 

[lemmywinks]

I use a Fishman Platinum Pro. Has a great DI, excellent one knob compressor, adjustable boost (triggered by footswitch), accurate tuner, mute function (on a footswitch) and a very nice EQ with HPF, plus some other useful features. There's one for sale here:

 

The Platinum Stage is also excellent if you just need the eq, DI and boost features in a tiny package. 

 

There's tons of bass preamps available nowadays, not many have all the features I need but the Platinum Pro ticked all the boxes. Eliminated the need for a pedalboard with separate tuner and compression and I just take that one single box to gigs now.

 

 

Bass Direct also have a used Genzler Magellan in at the moment:

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/genzler-magellan-preamp-di-pedal-pre-owned/?gQT=1

[HeadlessBassist]

Many thanks guys for some great suggestions there and several Preamps/DI's I'd already considered. The Fishman in particular looked really versatile.

 

From the videos I watched (and listened acutely with earphones to) I really liked the clean sound of the Melvin Lee Davis signature NUX NBP-5 MLD and there was one left at Andertons for £140, so I plumped for that one and got some further discount with my Andertons Points. Will report back when I've gigged it with the Duo and tested it fully...

 

 

 

[Burns-bass]

56 minutes ago, lemmywinks said:

I use a Fishman Platinum Pro. Has a great DI, excellent one knob compressor, adjustable boost (triggered by footswitch), accurate tuner, mute function (on a footswitch) and a very nice EQ with HPF, plus some other useful features. There's one for sale here:

 

The Platinum Stage is also excellent if you just need the eq, DI and boost features in a tiny package. 

 

There's tons of bass preamps available nowadays, not many have all the features I need but the Platinum Pro ticked all the boxes. Eliminated the need for a pedalboard with separate tuner and compression and I just take that one single box to gigs now.

 

 

Bass Direct also have a used Genzler Magellan in at the moment:

https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/genzler-magellan-preamp-di-pedal-pre-owned/?gQT=1

 

These are brilliant, agreed.