Anyone tried the Xotic BB preamp as actual preamp?

[crdpa]

I am short on budget and am working towards an "ampless" pedalboard rig.

I have a superb overdrive/distortion pedal that gives me marshall hot rodded sound, a 100w solid state power amp and 1x12 V30 cab.

I am looking for a budget preamp pedal to sit between the OD and the power amp that can give me clean and edge of breakup sounds that matches well.

Anybody used the Xotic BB preamp as an actual preamp? I always see it pushing an amp like an usual boost.

There are always those mooer micro pedals, but they are digital. Not a problem per se, but I want to try simpler and analog this time.

 

[newholland]

i havent used a bb- but what i have used are the tech21 pedals- ive used a leeds myself- but the general amp in a box flavor is super useful, and they definitely work as theyre supposed to! id throw them in a loop or straight into a power amp.

 

[Frankencat]

It will do it. Another good one for this is the Rockett Animal.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Check out the Vox Valvenergy line of preamp pedals. I have all of them and they're fantastic. Price is a steal for one.

 

[crdpa]

Check out the Vox Valvenergy line of preamp pedals. I have all of them and they're fantastic. Price is a steal for one.

I live in Brazil so when I find the valvenergy it is used and super pricey. I'm stuck with the more traditional ones that everyone clones (BB Preamp can be bought as Joyo Zip Amp or Mosky B-Box) or local boutique pedals.

There is a boutique Marshall JTM 45 preamp pedal that is really good, but pricey for now.

If I manage to sell my Ampero I'll probaby go for it, but for now I think I'll go the BB Preamp route so after I get a better preamp I can use it as a boost.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I live in Brazil so when I find the valvenergy it is used and super pricey. I'm stuck with the more traditional ones that everyone clones (BB Preamp can be bought as Joyo Zip Amp or Mosky B-Box) or local boutique pedals.

There is a boutique Marshall JTM 45 preamp pedal that is really good, but pricey for now.

If I manage to sell my Ampero I'll probaby go for it, but for now I think I'll go the BB Preamp route so after I get a better preamp I can use it as a boost.

Oh ok, understandable. Maybe if one pops up super cheap you can check out.
As far as the BB preamp, I've never tried one so can't say how effective it would be for what you're trying to do, but I have tried that setup with other normal drive pedals and the tone is usually darker. Could be tricky to dial in unless they have a really flexible eq and gain range and/or your power amp has some eq adjustments. Most drive pedals are voiced to be in a pedal chain running into a guitar amp that has a brighter preamp itself.

 

[crdpa]

Oh ok, understandable. Maybe if one pops up super cheap you can check out.
As far as the BB preamp, I've never tried one so can't say how effective it would be for what you're trying to do, but I have tried that setup with other normal drive pedals and the tone is usually darker. Could be tricky to dial in unless they have a really flexible eq and gain range and/or your power amp has some eq adjustments. Most drive pedals are voiced to be in a pedal chain running into a guitar amp that has a brighter preamp itself.

The bb preamp has bass and treble knobs. There is a mosky version that has a mid boost as well.

There is the Joyo Rigel which is a Revv G4 clone, but it is super high gain. It does not do any clean at all.

The Joyo American sound is another popular choice, but unfortunately you can't disable the cab simulation without modding the pedal.

My power amp does not have eq. Just ouput level.

 

[FuzzyAce]

The bb preamp has bass and treble knobs. There is a mosky version that has a mid boost as well.

There is the Joyo Rigel which is a Revv G4 clone, but it is super high gain. It does not do any clean at all.

The Joyo American sound is another popular choice, but unfortunately you can't disable the cab simulation without modding the pedal.

My power amp does not have eq. Just ouput level.

I did have a Joyo American a long time ago, and it was a very flexible pedal being based on Tech 21 circuit. But I never quite liked it enough, just a bit dull imo, not enough spank in the high end.

 

[Desertdweller]

I am short on budget and am working towards an "ampless" pedalboard rig.

I have a superb overdrive/distortion pedal that gives me marshall hot rodded sound, a 100w solid state power amp and 1x12 V30 cab.

I am looking for a budget preamp pedal to sit between the OD and the power amp that can give me clean and edge of breakup sounds that matches well.

Anybody used the Xotic BB preamp as an actual preamp? I always see it pushing an amp like an usual boost.

There are always those mooer micro pedals, but they are digital. Not a problem per se, but I want to try simpler and analog this time.

Have you considered the AMT pedals? I’ve had the P2 (5150 style) and the R2 (rectifier) and found them to be exceptional. You get 2 channels, a clean and a heavy, and 3 types of outputs. Actual preamp pedals, not just overdrives calling themselves preamps.

 

[crdpa]

Have you considered the AMT pedals? I’ve had the P2 (5150 style) and the R2 (rectifier) and found them to be exceptional. You get 2 channels, a clean and a heavy, and 3 types of outputs. Actual preamp pedals, not just overdrives calling themselves preamps.

I'll check some videos. Never heard of AMT, it's not sold here in Brazil directly, but I might find some used. Thanks!

 

[itchyfingers]

I seem to recall an episode of That Pedal Show where they put several "preamp" pedals into the effect return, so effectively bypassing the amp's preamp and just using the pedal as the preamp. I seem to recall that only the tube driven preamps (Tube Driver, Kingsleys, etc) sounded decent.

 

[Desertdweller]

I'll check some videos. Never heard of AMT, it's not sold here in Brazil directly, but I might find some used. Thanks!

They’re kinda good:

 

[crdpa]

I seem to recall an episode of That Pedal Show where they put several "preamp" pedals into the effect return, so effectively bypassing the amp's preamp and just using the pedal as the preamp. I seem to recall that only the tube driven preamps (Tube Driver, Kingsleys, etc) sounded decent.

I had a mooer 005 (digital) for quite some time and it sounded really good. Took pedals well too.

I am searching for something non digital this time, but if it doesn't go well i'll probably circle back to the mooer mini preamps. I think they are from 2017 or something. Almost 10 years have passed, technology has evolved, and they are still well regarded.

Don't know if tubes are the answer, i don't want to play loud.