which preamp for pedal steel

Kevin Ruddell · Post by **Kevin Ruddell** » 10 Apr 2005 7:40 am

I have 2 nice cabs loaded with 12" Eminence 400 watt full range speakers and a really nice Carver single space 300 watt amp in a rack case with a Urei EQ and I am thinking about getting a preamp to play my Fender 1000 through . I was thinking about getting a Tech 21 Sansamp Classic as they're in the vicinity of $200 and my Sansamp Bass Driver and Acoustic DI work so well with Fender and Acoustic instrument applications. I tried the Tubeworks Blue Tube but it was just too boxey and midrangey sounding. Anyone have any suggestions for an affordable preamp that would match up with my setup they're willing to share ?
thanks in advance

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 10 Apr 2005 7:51 am

Kevin, you might try any of the ProFexII- TranstubeFex- TubeFex Peavey pres, a lot of us have had good luck with them. The full- range speakers may take some adjusting, I prefer something like Black Widow or JBL 15s. I used a MosValve power amp for years with that rig and really liked it.

------------------
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 10 Apr 2005 7:53 am

The first thought that popped into my head was that you have a strong, clean, but sort of personality-less rig, so far (except, of course for the steel, itself) and a nice front end might be an Alembic F2B---this is, I understand, basically the preamp of the Fender Showman (and Twin, etc). Match up a Fender vibe with that 1000. Not real cheap, though.
Just a quick thought---many options out there.

Jack Shults · Post by **Jack Shults** » 10 Apr 2005 9:01 am

I have been using the Stereo Steel preamp for several years and have been completely satisfied with it.

Made by a steel player for steel players.

Check them out at: Stereosteel.com

------------------
Jack Shults
MSA U-12
Evans Amps
Stereo Steel

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 10 Apr 2005 9:40 am

If you get a Profex 2 you might need to add the output mod to raise the output level. it is a simple two resistor add. I should have 3 Profex and a Bassfex ready soon. All will have the batteryless mod and Burr Brown audio chips. If you need one let me know and I can mod the output, making it more suitable for a power amp application.[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 10 April 2005 at 01:36 PM.]

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 10 Apr 2005 11:23 am

Hey Kevin, use your Peavey Classic 30 as the preamp. Either buy an line out box like the H&K Redbox, or something like the THD Hotplate, or have the amp modified with a line out (post power amp). This would sound pretty cool, and very flexible, if you wanted to play guitar through it.

------------------
www.tyack.com

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 10 Apr 2005 12:16 pm

So you've tried a Line 6 PODxt then? If you
haven't, then give it a shot. I've been using
one with my rig for a couple months now.
See this <a href=http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum11/HTM ... l>topic</a>.
[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 10 April 2005 at 01:18 PM.]

Gary Jones · Post by **Gary Jones** » 10 Apr 2005 12:51 pm

Has anyone tried the new Fender TBP-1 tube bass pre-amp for steel guitar? I am wondering how these compare to the Alembic F2B units, which were also sold as a bass pre-amp.
While the Fender units are a bit on the pricey side ($599 through Musicians Friend) they might be a good unit to use as a front-end in a rack set-up.

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 10 Apr 2005 3:44 pm

the Digitech Genesis 3 should work, and with all the effects you would ever need, nice and small as well, very affordable, I'm really sold on these units

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 11 Apr 2005 2:28 pm

I'm currently using a Rocktron "Sidewinder" preamp in my rack system.

At the time, I was looking for a cheap interim preamp and found this used Rocktron dirt cheap ($35) at a Sam Ash (the Sidewinder is a discontinued product). I thought if it works I can use it temporarily until I find what I want. I connected it and after getting the EQ set I decided it was all I needed. I've also done some recording with it and it performed well there too.

A plus is it has three different preamp sections, "Clean" (I use this for steel), "Crunch" which is great for my Telecaster and "Lead" which is the overdrive channel with the "Hush" circuit.[This message was edited by Jack Stoner on 13 April 2005 at 06:33 AM.]

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 11 Apr 2005 7:28 pm

I use the Mesa V-Twin rack mount preamp. No effects, but great tone!

Robert Parent · Post by **Robert Parent** » 13 Apr 2005 3:28 am

Check out the Roland GP-100. I don't believe they are available new these days but can be found on the used market for $200-$300.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 13 Apr 2005 5:49 am

It's hard to beat the Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp. I have two of them and absolutely love them. Nothing like a tube front end. They seem to go for about $300 on the used market these days...

Paul Honeycutt · Post by **Paul Honeycutt** » 14 Apr 2005 10:12 am

Something I've used for mandolin is an Ashly Bass Preamp. It's a single rack space preamp with semi paramentric eq on the mids, an effects loop and XLR and 1/4" outs. No tubes, though.
Another thought is a Presonus Acousti-Q preamp. It's a half rack space blender with a tube section. It has a loop, a tuner out and a good EQ section. with an optional pedal you can preset the output to swbetween a "rhythm" and "lead" volume settings. you can also mute for tuning. I got it on ebay for around $300.
And for the quick and dirty, try an Awards/Sessions JD-10 preamp.
Have fun!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 14 Apr 2005 1:12 pm

If you are looking strictly for a preamp, try to locate a Tube Works Blue Tube II. They are no longer in production but oft times you can find them used. This is a two channel or stereo preamp and Tube Works even had a steel mod that was available for this unit. Quite a few of the steelers, including myself, are using this preamp.
Erv