Recommendations for Pre-Amps by A Former Bassist!

Hello!
It’s Kaoru the composer here!

I would like to talk about bass preamps, a topic that often comes up in the Sound House columns.
The topic of preamps runs quite deep...
They’re equipment where personal preferences and attention to detail really come into play.

I’ve read everyone’s columns, and I can agree with every opinion.
In other words, choosing a preamp is not an easy task.

So, this time, I’ll be introducing my recommended bass preamps based on my experience using many different models and my personal opinions.

If you’re considering getting one, I hope this article can serve as a helpful reference.

MXR (M80 Bass D.I.) + Classic Bass Preamp

This is a “super classic” bass preamp, so many of you might already be familiar with it.
I purchased it after seeing that my favorite bassist, IKUO, used it.

After that, I was captivated by the sound and always had it on my effects board.
At one point, I even had three of them, as I was so enamored by it.

The main point I recommend is that it makes your sound thicker in an instant!
Especially, the tone color from the COLOR button is exactly to my taste!
Moreover, it’s so natural that it works perfectly for special techniques like slap and tapping.

And let’s not forget about the distortion!
Since you can mix in the original sound, it allows for a wide range of sounds, from punchy and aggressive tones to smooth, vintage-style sounds.

This is a preamp I recommend to all bassists, regardless of genre!

TECH21 (Sansamp) / Bass Driver DI V2 Classic Preamp

This is also a "super classic" bass preamp.
Personally, I think it’s not as all-round as the M80 mentioned above, but in certain genres, it is the strongest!

It has a distinct "Sansamp sound," which makes it a preamp that people either love or hate because of its unique tone.
In my case, I used an older model, and it wasn’t as high-performance as the current one, so I sometimes felt unsatisfied with the "midrange."

However, with the latest model, it now includes a MID control, so that’s a relief.

And what’s worth noting is the addition of a switch that sets the low-frequency range!!
This caters to the growing demand from multi-string bassists in recent years!

AGUILAR / Tone Hammer Bass Preamp/DI

I've loved AGUILAR's preamps ever since I was a bassist.
In my case, I used the Tone Hammer 500 head amp.

What I think stands out about AGUILAR is its "tone-focused, smooth sound" that emphasizes the original sound and captures the subtle nuances of your playing.
It can handle everything from jazz to hard genres with ease.

Also, the EQ works really well, allowing for highly versatile sound shaping.

MARKBASS / Mark Vintage Pre

A multifunctional preamp packed into a compact chassis with handy features.
As the name suggests, it lets you easily achieve vintage sounds.

The warmth of the tube sound gives a presence that won’t get buried in the ensemble.

The control panel, with its abundant knobs and switches, allows for a wide range of sound shaping.
Additionally, the footswitches, each assigned to specific functions, will be very useful during live performances!

The unique inclusion of AUX-IN and PHONES on the front panel is great for practice sessions!

With this one unit, you can handle various situations such as:

• Live performances
• Practice
• Recording

It’s a versatile option for many different scenarios.

GALLIEN-KRUEGER / PLEX

The next-generation bass preamp that was announced at NAMM 2016 and drew a lot of attention.
It has a more subdued version of the typical GALLIEN-KRUEGER character, giving it an impression of having a user-friendly sound.

The compact body includes essential features for bassists, such as a compressor, tuner, and headphone output.

The LED display between the footswitches is highly visible, which is great for ensuring it can be seen even on a dark stage.

HAO / BASS LINER

A supreme preamp resulting from the collaboration between the well-regarded bass amplifier brand PJB (PHIL JONES BASS) and HAO.
The stylish design with its striking light blue color is really eye-catching.

It delivers a natural, tone-focused sound that doesn’t compromise the original bass tone.
This is the perfect choice for those seeking a clean and articulate sound.

It’s also useful for learning about sound shaping, making it a great option for beginners!

That’s a brief introduction to bass preamps.
From my own experience diving into the world of preamps, what I can say is that "it all depends on your preferences!"

It’s also a good idea to check out official videos for reference!
I hope you all find great gear!

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