Preamps with Rickenbackers?

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 4:52 am

I've sold my Lakland Skyline 55-02 since it didn't agree with me ergonomically, but I would still like to have an active bass option if I ever need to do some modern rock. I'm considering an outboard preamp such as an Aguilar DB924 or the Sadowsky unit. Has anyone here used one with a Ric bass and if so, how well did the combination work?

FWIW, my amp is an Ashdown ABM500 EVO II head and two Aguilar GS112 cabs.

highway_star · Post by **highway_star** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:16 am

I guess no one has tried this idea yet.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:11 am

I use the Line 6 bass pod ... it is a preamp, multi-effects, amp simulator, cabinet simulator, and tone shaper all in one ... it is better than having an active bass or a 3 band preamp in my opinion ...

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:22 am

Agreed... they do everything, and they're awesome for recording.

bob_atherton · Post by **bob_atherton** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:55 am

Ron, I've just sold every bass that did not have the word Rickenbacker on it, no regrets whatsoever.

I got rid of a Fender P, Fender J, Musicman Stingray, Overwater artisan, Ibanez fretless and a Washburn AB20 semi.

I am left with just 4 Rics,all 4001's. I've got a 72, 78, 80 and one of the first V63's. The only 2 I take to gigs are the 78 and the 80. I can get any tone from deep dub to Mark King type funk of of just those two. In the end I really started to not like the active basses that I had.

I get a lot of musicians come up to me after gigs and comment on the scale and depth of my tone, they all expected a bright clanky sound.

I use Ashdown ABM 500 amps and multiples of 10" cabs.

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:18 am

The tonal spectrum of a ric is so broad one don't need a preamp, the treble is bright without being harsh, the bass is deeper as most basses go - so why bother with a pre-amp. If you like a preamp in front of your rig you might consider a sans amp bassdriver di/pre. These sound great and bring the classic ric tone up front!!!

By the way I use the bassdriver in front of an Eden WT 300 and mesa boogie 10" cabs. (and a ric 4003)

david_schwab · Post by **david_schwab** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:31 am

I've used onboard preamps with my Ricks. I had a Hi-A/Bartolini preamp in one ("the Chip"), and the other had an FET preamp I made. That one didn't have active tone controls, but it worked as both a buffer and gave a nice volume boost. That let me keep the stock lower output pickups and sound, but gave me a more modern amount of gain.

The other good part about having a buffer amp, is the bass is deeper and tighter and the highs are cleaner sounding, without using any EQ. This is because the buffer removes the impedence loading of the potentiomiters and the cable, amp input, etc.

The hard part was finding room for the battery. I ended up routing a space for it, but you can squeeze one in if you are carefull.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:37 am

why do you need a preamp ... Rics sound good with distortion ... all basses sound good with compression ... and tone shaping is always a nice feature to add to your rig ... and for me with the Line 6 bass pod I can take my sound with me so no matter what amp or studio I am in I always have my sound ... in fact I was at a live Jam with a p-bass and they were all amazed how I got it to sound like a Ric ... a big part of my sound is in the pod ... part is the bass and part is how I play ...

david_schwab · Post by **david_schwab** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:20 am

I like having active tone controls on my basses, and I use them all the time, from song to song. My amp doesn't even have shelving tone controls, just a graphic EQ.

Also an on board preamp can give you cleaner sound from passive pickups.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:55 am

SansAmp BDDI and a Tech 21 Basscompactor...way better than an active preamp in my own humble opinion.
The basses that I have with active electonics always have their controls set to the detent position and I let the SansAmp BDDI do it's job when I gig or record with them.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:16 am

somebody should put a whole sans amp into a bass as the active electronics ... now that would be cool!!!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:02 pm

Tech 21 might be at work at that right now Jeff. Have you seen the size of the Aguilar onboard preamp? It's just slightly larger than a guitar pick.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:24 pm

Ron....I have nothing constructive to offer but would like to say that if you do give this a shot I'd like to hear your impressions since this is something I have been curious about. Good Luck !

skit · Post by **skit** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:18 am

I cant offer you any advice but as Brian said, I'd be interested to know what difference the pre-amp makes to a Ric if you actually end up getting one.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:21 am

Joey ... that would be cool ... but I would want a mid control in there ...