An old SansAmp Bassdriver DI is my weapon of choice. It feeds a DIY build Compressor from Musikding.de - The Engineers Thumb - and if I play with headphones at home into a Mooer RADAR on the 8 x 10” Ampeg setting. If I use an amp, into my Eden Wt 300 and Mesa Powerhouse 2 x 10”.
I am now using a DSM Humboldt Bass Simplifier and I couldn't be happier. It is very flexible and achieves the goal perfectly. I am playing mostly at church and the engineers are really happy. I am doing some recording at the moment, call it pre-production. The tone through this unit is fantastic.
The key elements for me were having a drive channel and an FX loop so the drive could be early in the chain, before any modulations etc, but after comp and pitch effects. I was seeking this kind of layout due to space on my small board, but it can come with caveats.
I also tried an Ampeg SGT DI. This is a great unit, but not really my flavour. It is an Ampeg, so if you like that sound, that's what you get. The drive channel was good, albeit a little inflexible. It also doesn't have an FX loop, so the drive section is always at end of chain.
So now I am running the MXR M-80 still, as my grit/drive - DSM as the end of chain DI/cabsim etc.
Sadly, my bass gear mostly collects dust or is a staging area for folded laundry, these days.
My Ampeg B-15R hasn't had it's cover off in a couple of years.
JackTheRipper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:11 pm
I just started using a Master Effects Super FORTY. It's a clone of an Ashly SC-40 - I have a couple of those as well.
jps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:24 pmI had a SC-40 in the early '80s. Shoulda kept it.
I have a few that I've acquired within the last couple of years. A couple of months ago, I contacted Tim at Master Effects and he created the Super FORTY. It's a nice option and very close clone.
I used to run a Sans Amp straight into my Harkt System (which I ran flat) back in the 90s.
I'm moving to IEMs which I intend to run from the same Sans Amp - built to last.
JackTheRipper wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:11 pm
I just started using a Master Effects Super FORTY. It's a clone of an Ashly SC-40 - I have a couple of those as well.