Looking for that next great bass tone? Effects and pickups can take you far, but Sweetwater has the secret to unlocking superbly magnetic tone: a bass preamp pedal! These wonders of the modern bass world offer tone-sculpting tools and multiple capabilities for signal transference. Whether you’re a studio addict, a touring fiend, or a home studio hobbyist, bass preamps provide a lot of sonic capabilities that’ll make your low-end life easier. Though compact, preamp pedals offer you the same tone-sculpting qualities you’ll find in your favorite amplifiers but without the weight of an entire system. They are often cheaper than a bass amplifier four times the size with a smaller EQ section. In terms of signal, they make for a blissfully clean end product and can work with active or passive basses. These are just some of the positives that come with bass preamp pedals. Now, let’s dive into Sweetwater’s top 10 picks!
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
- Mesa/Boogie Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II Pedal
- Ampeg SGT-DI Bass Preamp Pedal and DI
- Darkglass Microtubes Infinity Preamp/Distortion/Audio Interface
- Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 Pedal
- Origin Effects BassRig Super Vintage Bass Preamp Pedal
- Two Notes ReVolt Bass Amp Simulator Pedal
- Darkglass Anagram Mulit-effects Bass Workstation
- Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp V2 Pedal
- MXR M81 Bass Preamp Pedal
- Gallien-Krueger PLEX Bass Preamp Pedal
Mesa/Boogie Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II Pedal
The Mesa/Boogie Subway Series amplifiers have garnered a reputation for being solid workhorses and for delivering spectacular, versatile tones. Now, you can have that sound at your feet with the Subway+ bass DI preamp II pedal. This second iteration of the Subway preamp pedal features a 4-band EQ to refine and sculpt the perfect tone. You’ll be happy to see a boost footswitch for when you need a little extra push to your amp. Additionally, a highpass filter and voicing knob allow you to cut out any unnecessary frequencies while also boosting the ones you want. Last, an XLR output makes it so you can easily run your pedal straight into a mixer to keep your tone intact. If you’re looking for a bass preamp that will improve your tone and make live shows easier, then look no further than the Mesa/Boogie Subway+ bass DI preamp II pedal.
Ampeg SGT-DI Bass Preamp Pedal and DI
The Ampeg SGT-DI bass preamp pedal and DI offers a 3-band EQ, a Super Grit Technology overdrive circuit, sweepable mid EQ, ultra-hi and 3-way ultra-lo switches, and more. The masterful overdrive circuit packs classic Ampeg amp voices, like the SVT and the B15. This pedal boasts massive tone-shaping capabilities — you can drive this pedal to the max and attenuate any overwhelming frequencies to achieve the perfect driving tone. A variable 10:1 compressor keeps your signal in line, freeing you to make aggressive tonal and EQ choices. But the true star of this Ampeg preamp show is the IR loader/cabinet-simulator section. The first of its kind in an Ampeg pedal, the SGT-DI bass preamp pedal’s IR section tucks six preloaded Ampeg factory cab IRs into the pedal digitally. When you’re ready to change it up, you can even load three of your own IRs to customize your SGT-DI experience.
Darkglass Microtubes Infinity Preamp/Distortion/Audio Interface
For serious metal and hard-rock players, the Darkglass Microtubes Infinity preamp/distortion/audio interface is calling your name. This micro-monolith of monstrous tone serves up five preloaded IRs, a 6-band graphic EQ, a footswitch-controlled compressor, Darkglass distortion circuits, and ample I/O. You can use the Microtubes Infinity in the studio, onstage, or at home, thanks to balanced L/R stereo outputs, USB-C and MIDI connection, an XLR direct out, a headphone aux, and more. The power of the Microtubes Infinity lies in its distortion circuits that deliver tones from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and more. Plus, you can pair this pedal via Bluetooth to the Darkglass Suite app to unlock IRs and fine-tune presets and settings. You can also create your own IRs and load them into the pedal to travel with your favorite amps without their cumbersome physical incarnations.
Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 Pedal
The reviews don’t lie on this bass preamp. The Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 pedal is beloved far and wide by bassists of all stripes. From bright modern slap to vintage tube tones, the SansAmp Bass Driver DI V2 can take you there with plenty of distortion in between. This little bass box has it all, including a dedicated tone-shaping section, EQ and blend controls, and plenty of I/O connections to have any recording session or gig sounding clean and sufficiently amplified. This is also a great option for bassists who play 5- and 6-string models, given its 40/80Hz switch that expands low-end control. Many bassists love this pedal for its tonal capabilities that can achieve splendid distorted tones for various playing techniques.
Origin Effects BassRig Super Vintage Bass Preamp Pedal
Vintage-tone lovers, this one’s for you. The Origin Effects BassRig Super Vintage bass preamp pedal packs sublime low-end tones in its all-analog circuitry. Through this analog design, Origin Effects re-creates the sound of a beloved Ampeg amp, blending vintage sound with modern controls. You can easily fine-tune your frequencies, set your EQ levels, and go direct into any PA system or recording gear. The drive circuit, DI cab-simulation section, EQ sections, and more give you access to warm, gnarly tones you only thought were possible in an actual amp from the era. You can get surgically precise with the BassRig Super Vintage pedal and create tones for different basses, genres, and techniques.
Two Notes ReVolt Bass Amp Simulator Pedal
If you’re a knob twiddler, then you will revel in hands-on control with the Two Notes ReVolt Bass amp simulator pedal. At first glance, you’ll probably notice the tube nestled in the middle of the pedal. Just as your bass is your band’s powerhouse, so is this 12AX7 preamp tube power in this thunderous pedal — plus, it just looks cool. Plug this preamp pedal in and nail down your EQ in three sections: classic clean, vintage dirt, and modern drive. This pedal also brandishes connections like a 4-cable mode, an effects loop, MIDI I/O, balanced output, and a headphone jack for silent practice. The ReVolt Bass utilizes an analog speaker simulation when you go direct in to keep your bass sounding natural and focused at every venue and studio.
Darkglass Anagram Multi-effects Bass Workstation
The Darkglass Anagram Multi-effects Bass Workstation might just be the last effects pedal you need. With its incredible low-end modeling technology, you are able to conjure up incredible tones. This compact unit revolutionizes how bassists approach their rigs, boasting forward-thinking features such as Neural Amp Modeling integration and a supremely powerful hexacore processor for real-time low-latency performance. The Anagram comes packed with more than 50 Darkglass effects loaded in, so you can tone stack to your heart’s desire. The preamp tones in particular are one of the finest you will hear. From clean and pristine to crunchy and overdriven preamp tones, the Darkglass Anagrama workstation can deliver just about any and every preamp sound imaginable.
Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp V2 Pedal
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use yet highly effective bass preamp pedal, then the Aguilar Tone Hammer Preamp V2 pedal may just need to be on your board. The standout features of this pedal are the dedicated mid-range section that allows you to fine-tune your tone and its drive control that delivers tube-like saturation that bassists here at Sweetwater love. Additional features include a 3-band EQ, a mix control, a ground-lift switch, a Pre/Post switch, and more. So, what are you waiting for? The Tone Hammer Preamp V2 gives you everything a tone chaser would want in a small and practical enclosure.
MXR M81 Bass Preamp Pedal
Simple, trustworthy, and effective — that’s what you get with the MXR M81 bass preamp pedal. This no-frills pedal gets right down to it with a 3-band EQ for tone shaping and a sweepable midrange to search and destroy any frequencies that mess with your mojo. This MXR pedal leverages the power of its Constant Headroom Technology to keep your bass sounding super clean, whether you position the pedal pre- or post-EQ. You also get a studio-quality DI and ground-lift switch to keep your signal clear and ready for recording. MXR has long been revered for its pedals by such bands as the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, and more. Why not add a pro-beloved pedal to your board?
Gallien-Krueger PLEX Bass Preamp Pedal
The Gallien-Krueger PLEX bass preamp pedal presents bassists with a comprehensive tone-tweaking paradise with everything they need and a chromatic tuner. You can dial in the perfect tone through the 4-band active EQ, explore the overdrive section, and send the signal wherever you need — even through headphones. The eight knobs on the PLEX are just the start. Pressing each knob down yields access to another layer of controls. PLEX’s interface features backlit knobs that let you know what parameters are currently engaged — the backlighting and numerical display are helpful on a dark stage.
Find Your Bass Tone & Record It, Too
And so, we arrive at the end of our 10-stop preamp journey. Preamp pedals are excellent tools that every bassist should take advantage of. Whether you want to color your sound, achieve some righteous distortion, or utilize the I/O for recording and performance, preamp pedals encase it all and more inside roadworthy, tour-tested packages. With loadable IRs taking the musical world by storm, you can also find preamp pedals that load your dream rig! If one of these pedals caught your eye, then please call one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700. They can suggest a pedal for precise tonal control or nudge you toward the best pedal for your applications.
