Preamps suggestions?

HENERGY · #1 11-01-2009, 05:08 PM

Hey guys, I just bought a used Martin 000-28EC (Eric Clapton) yesterday. I am absolutely thrilled with it! It came with a pretty basic, passive K&K bridge plate pickup. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for on the floor preamps in a $100-$250 price range. I am a worship leader, so I play on stage with a band quite often. I don't have much experience with preamps, so if you have any advice to offer, let me have it!

Thanks for your time,

Henry

donh · #2 11-01-2009, 06:56 PM

Henry,

The best preamp I have ever enjoyed is this:

http://www.fire-eye.com/

It sounds great straight out of the box (most other preamps I have tweaked to get them usable), the battery doesn't run down when phantom power is present, and the boost button is PERFECT when you are playing in groups and it's Your Turn! I also have a K&K, and it makes it come alive. It's just plain fun.

The price on the website is good, or I can get you in touch with the guy that sold me mine ....

keyshore · #3 11-03-2009, 10:08 PM

I have a pz-pre by Radial engineering.

It's fantastic!!

Keyshore

TwinandTwang · #4 11-03-2009, 10:47 PM

interesting I sent a PM donh

HENERGY · #5 11-05-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donh

Henry,

The best preamp I have ever enjoyed is this:

http://www.fire-eye.com/

It sounds great straight out of the box (most other preamps I have tweaked to get them usable), the battery doesn't run down when phantom power is present, and the boost button is PERFECT when you are playing in groups and it's Your Turn! I also have a K&K, and it makes it come alive. It's just plain fun.

The price on the website is good, or I can get you in touch with the guy that sold me mine ....

That is cool. I have never heard of Fire-Eye. It looks like a simple preamp, which i like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by keyshore

I have a pz-pre by Radial engineering.

It's fantastic!!

Keyshore

I borrowed a friend's Radial Tonebone this weekend when I was playing on stage, it wasn't the same pre amp, but it was nice. I feel pretty confident about the quality of their stuff. This one seems to fit my needs very well.

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

ljguitar · #6 11-05-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HENERGY

Hey guys, I just bought a used Martin 000-28EC (Eric Clapton) yesterday. I am absolutely thrilled with it! It came with a pretty basic, passive K&K bridge plate pickup. I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for on the floor preamps in a $100-$250 price range. I am a worship leader, so I play on stage with a band quite often. I don't have much experience with preamps, so if you have any advice to offer, let me have it!

Hi Henry...
We have three K&K equipped players at our church with a total of 7 K&K rigs between us, and we use quite a variety of preamps...though none are on-the-floor preamps.

If I were buying new today, I'd get one of the new Baggs Venue - it's $50 above your price range, but super-capable (highly adjustable).

Any preamp of any decent quality will make K&K Pure Western Mini pickups sound great...it's not like you have to have an exact match. And K&K tend to be fat, full, warm and natural sounding through a preamp.

BoB/335 · #7 11-07-2009, 06:30 AM

I hope that this isn't considered a hijack.

I'm new to the world of acoustics. I recently bought a used Collings D2H that has a Fishman Matrix 2 that has a pre-amp end jack. A friend gets a great sound with a Baggs Dual Source and a para DI. I was reading a lot about the Fishman Aura pedals and specifically the new Spectrum working great with just a UST to get a natural sound. (The Sectrum IS considered a pre-amp isn't it?) I am not in a rush to spend more money right now (still recuperatin from my Collings purchase) but I am trying to get my options straight without changing my current pickup (or should I change it?) OK maybe it is a hijack.