Should I buy an amp or a preamp- which one?

[Iheartreverb]

So here’s the story. I’ve started playing bass in a band after years playing guitar. 
At the moment I’ve got a selection of tasty drive pedals but not happy with the differences in tone and quality with the different amps I’m using in rehearsal rooms (EBS, Aguilar, Ashdown, Mark Bass, Peavey).

So I’m thinking about getting a portable amp head to improve this. I don’t want anything to complex, only very light drive but a bit of character, so far I’m thinking of,

 

Orange Terror Bass- Had one years ago, loved it

 

Orange Little Bass Thing- love the idea of the simplicity. Sounds super clean but my pedals can do the rest. 
 

Darkglass Microtubes 500- No experience but can’t not be good. Looks overkill in features

 

Aguilar Tone Hammer- Seems very well regarded. 
 

BUT….

 

Could the aim be to use a preamp pedal and the effects return? Less cost, easy to fire on my board.

When we start gigging later in year, I don’t know how much a DI will be expected or useful?  I’m so used to just turning up with a guitar amp. 
would bringing a head and sharing cabs be the idea? Would it be more realistic to share rigs (of either the venue or headlining band)- so back to the preamp being benefit? I should clarify that we’re talking about tiny toilet venues here. 
 

I have a Rusty Box and tried this and didn’t work too well.
I’ve often not understood the idea of having an amp that has a specific flavour while adding a pedal with an equally strong tone: colour on top. 

Pedal wise I’ve been considering,

 

Sansamp (maybe the programmable)- Had one before, wasn’t mad about it but love hearing other people use it so I could be wrong. I like  tactile interface 

 

Two Notes Revot- Looks really good spec for money, easy to use. 
 

Darkglass options- Again, look good, maybe Vintage Micro Tubes. 
 

I could pop the Rusty Box back on the board 
 

Yes….I’m over thinking this 

[Sibob]

My opinion on all of this is this it’s more likely an issue with all the drive pedals you have. If you’ve come from playing guitar, then those pedals may not be voiced brilliantly for bass.

What effects/drive pedals are you using?

 

Honestly, all the amps you mention are of similar quality and have the ability to get a good tone, they’ll all sound pretty similar with fairly small EQ changes. The Markbass for example, some people talk about the MB ‘character’, but with the filters off, I’ve my LM2 on an oscilloscope, and it’s basically flat.

Anyway, all that to say that a preamp pedal likely won’t resolve the issue, not least because not all FX loops are created equally, some are post EQ (great for bypassing the amps preamp and just making use of the power section), but some are pre EQ (like Markbass), meaning a preamp pedal whether in-line with the amps input, or placed in the FX loop, will simply be adding additional EQ to the amps EQ. 
 

So, my personal advice, pending knowing what other pedals you’re using, would be to buy an amp that you can take around to all rehearsal rooms, because a consistency here will help IMO. Then review all your drive pedals in the context of that one amp, and start building a tone you enjoy!

 

Si