Preamp question

[Axmanjr]

If I was to build a pre-amp module, would I need an amplifier at all?  I mean, if I was to have my guitar feed into a pre-amp (then into my effects)- right into a sound board (via a direct box), would that be sufficient enough to provide a good amount of volume for like a small gig?  I'm just curious!  Also, would it be able to provide a good clean sound at high volumes?

[Paul Marossy]

You probably wouldn't even need a preamp, as long as the signal out of any one of your effects was equivalent to line level. All you would need is a monitor in front of you so you could hear yourself. Acoustic guitar players that have built in preamps do this sort of thing all the time.

I know some guitarists like Manuel Gottsching (Ashra, Ashra Temple) used MXR pedals plugged straight into the board for some of the albums he recorded, and it sounded quite good actually. (I know, most people never heard of this guy, but he's good. He sent me an email once in response to a question I had for him about what he used to record a specific album called "Blackouts")

[Axmanjr]

But what if I had all of the pedals bypassed (turned off)?  Wouldn't I get a super weak signal?  I played bass guitar last week through a direct box and used a pedal (Boss DS1 with dist at 0 and level at about 1:00- I know it's not the greatest pedal to use for a bass booster, but I was amp-less) to boost the signal (since it was real weak and the mixing board couldn't turn it up any higher), but the pedal caused it to distort a bit. Did any of that make sense? :?

[Paul Marossy]

Oh duh. I forgot about the bypassed scenario...
I understand what you are saying. Using a distortion pedal to boost the signal will introduce some distortion, even with the levels set low.

I guess a preamp is probably required. Maybe you could try building the LPB-1 clone at GGG. It might give you enough of a boost to do what you want to do. You could also maybe build an on-board preamp in your guitar similar to the one I built a little while ago, but modifed for a little bit more gain and tailored to bass. This one is on my website under "Guitar Stuff".

Anyone else have any ideas on this one?

[Ansil]

uh why not make a lm386 based pedal at the end of the chain before the di box set it up for clean..  it has enough drive to drive a line level signal. cost less than 10 bucks to do..

[Paul Marossy]

Hey, that's a good idea, ansil. That would probably work pretty well...

[Paul Marossy]

Just FYI,

The LM386 data sheet shows you how to make one "amplifier" with a gain of 20 and one with a gain of 200.

http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LM386.pdf

This would be pretty simple to build and should be fairly quiet. I guess I have something to goof around with this weekend...

[bwanasonic]

The AMZ Mosfet Booster is a good clean boost that I've used with good results going direct. The Tech 21 Sansamp GT2 is great for this, but seems like a PITA build to me. But then again I have one already. There is also the Line 6 POD. You might want to consider mic'ing a small amp instead. I have heard some decent results with people going direct thru the board, but I have also heard plenty of people sound like ass doing it.

Good luck

Kerry M

[Axmanjr]

Thanks everyone!  I'll look into those schems.  I did think about a Line6 POD, but I'm a little short on cash right now :cry:

Also, I'm currently building the EA trem- so I'll give you guys a report when I finish (I'm at work right now).