LeftyBassist.com

what should I expect?

A slightly darker Alembic F-1X with a tad more versatility. They're good sounding preamps.

In what order would you rank the following with cleanest sounding first?

SLM-era pre such as IIP or SVT-CL or the BSP

Trace V-Type

SWR Grand Prix

Alembic pre

Demeter whatever

By cleanest if you mean both lacking distortion and color:

SWR Grand Prix

Demeter

Alembic

Trace

Ampeg


My favorite of this list is the Alembic, but I'm partial to the color it has. For dirtier rock tone I'd go SVP or BSP. Trace is closer to the Alembic but will sit between the Alembic and Ampeg on the color scale.

In order of inviting, pretty tube tone:

Alembic

Trace

Demeter

Ampeg

SWR

In order of gritty rock tone:

Ampeg

Trace

Alembic

Demeter

SWR

…with a waffle on the rock list between the Demeter and Alembic because it's been years since I owned either and I don't recall how much drive the demeter can give compared to the Alembic.

Of the ones in question I've owned the F-1X, Demeter 201, Ampeg SVP, Trace V-Type.

thanks so much.

How about the Trace's EQ? Specifically the one on the rack pre and not on the amps.

Is it detailed or wide acting?

Subtle or aggressive?

Useful or better to bypass?

Prefer/need something with useful EQ.

I'm familiar with Ampeg EQ. I find the post-1990 Ampeg EQ format maybe 50-75 % useful. All the push-button "Hi boost" and Lo-cut/boost" are a fail usually. That's not as bad as it may seem because truly I doubt there's an EQ I would find 100% useful. That is just asking too much I think. I could be proven wrong but would expect a scary $$$tag.

BTW, this is aimed at a recording front-end and not so much as a live amp rig.

Hope this doesn't sound crappy but with the Ampeg, Trace, or SWR I would anticipate needing some tech work done to make it "quiet". I would expect more from the others though nothing would surprise me.

My SVP-CL is dead quiet, but my SVP-PRO can be a bit hissy, especially if you dial in some more drive.
I tried the Trace Elliot, and it sounded great. It has a passive tone stack very similar to an old Fender Bassman, and actually sounds a lot like one too.
Not familiar with the other ones, unfortunately

If it is only for studio work, you should go for it only if you are getting a really good deal. Otherwise there a few other tube boxes which can be used for bass and anything else. Universal Audio Solo 610 is a good example. It sounds incredible on bass.

Progress on this front has been erratic...

I've been able to check out several Ampeg pres, an SWR, and Demeter. Still searching for opportunity to check out the Alembic & Trace but it'll take time for those to pop up. Over the years I've spotted (without actually looking) maybe 2 V-types and 1 alembic for sale in shops around here.

I've been surprised and disappointed all at the same time.

I was able to get desirable tone out of all of them. I feel like they all posses the capability to overlap one another at least somewhat or a whole lot depending on which two you compare. I'm sure it helps that the tone I'm going for is more middle-of-the-roadish and not strictly '80s modern, '90s clickity, or slappy poppity plinky.

While I was discovering all of this, by word of mouth, a Yammy PB-1 fell into my lap. I would include it into the above fold of pres. I could not say no to the Yamaha due to the deal (no-brainer price, one owner with docs.). For the money, and after listening to the other three and knowing how I plan to utilize it, I just don't see spending an additional $300 to $700+...

Maybe I'll change my mind when I get my hands on an Alembic/Trace...

So while I was surprised I could work with any of them I was let down that none of them will accomplish what I had hoped. The worst part is that I should know better.

On a tangent, I owned an SVT IIP preamp for a while, but I much preferred the Tech 21 VT bass rackmount:

http://www.tech21nyc.com/products/sansa ... srack.html

For those on a preamp mission, there's quite a few going used at GC right now for good prices..