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Topic: Reso PreAmp/DI Recommendations? |
Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2014 5:00 pm |
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I'm putting together a small pedalboard for reso and can use some input on preamps/DIs...
I know that the Radial PZ-Pre has gotten good reviews in many places but then I have also read a lot of comments from folks who don't like its sound. So, what are you all using and what has your experience been?
I'm using the Fishman Nashville pickup and JD Aura pedal and don't need to to have a rig where I can use more than one instrument. What I do need is for it to play well with effects pedals and, ideally, have both a pre and post effects low Z send. A dedicated tuner out would also be helpful. Most important to me, though, will be the combination of sound quality and durability.
What have you all been using and how's your experience been? Recommendations on preamp/DIs to check out or avoid? |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 15 Jun 2014 5:47 pm
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Moved to Electronics from Steel Without Pedals.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 5:04 am
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The working mans DI seems to be the Baggs paracoustic DI. They are like the ubiquitous sm57 . I see them scattered across most every touring bands stage. I have one and it has never let me down. I am sure there are better and more specialized DI's available but the Baggs seems to be the standard.
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Bob |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 6:25 am
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I would agree that both the Baggs Paracoustic and Radial ToneBone are the most common ones I see. Is there somewhere near you where you can compare the two side by side?
I know the Baggs doesn't have a separate tuner output, but it's considerably cheaper.
http://www.radialeng.com/comparing-dis.php
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 6:55 am
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I've used both the Baggs and Radial from time to time and liked them both fine. I have also seen and heard (but not used) the Fishman Aura DI and like it a lot from what I've seen so far.
That said, the Baggs and Radial use have always been a matter of plugging in to house sound and I haven't owned either one so my firsthand experience is pretty limited.
Seems like I mostly see the Baggs on house /sound company rigs and the Radial on player's boards but that may well simply be 'sampling error'.
In the end, I suspect that any of these - and probably several other as well - will work just fine for my needs. Just curious to hear from folks with more front-line experience before pulling one trigger or another on the purchase of one of these DIs. |
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Rob Anderlik
From:
Chicago, IL
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 10:18 am
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Chris:
I own both DI's and have used both for my plug-in rig which is the same as yours - Fishman Nashville series pickup/JD Aura.
From a pure sound performance perspective both units work very well. No big advantage either way. From a ease of use/live gig perspective the PZ Pre is - IMO - worth the extra $$$ and offers an effects loop/boost switch, mute switch, inputs for 2 instruments with separate volume controls, dedicated tuner out, 1/4' post eq output for stage amplifier and 2 XLR outputs - one pre-eq and post eq.
Hope this helps! |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 11:28 am
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I have both and have used both with my Aura pedal/JD system. I agree with Rob. I like the ToneBone just a tad more, due to the extra features like the boost and mute buttons.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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David Spires
From:
Millersport, OH
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 1:22 pm
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Chris,
I just go from my JD Aura to my Peterson StroboStomp Classic, and use the XLR out on it as my DI. It's been fine for everyone I have tried it with, and if they have a complaint, it is that the signal is hot. Ha.
I've recently thrown a Reverb pedal in between, and it all works nicely together. (Obviously, my solution doesn't give you any EQ, but it's simple and works for me.)
Good luck!
David Spires
_________________
2021 MSA Legend XL 10&7; Asher Electro-Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel; '79 OMI Dobro 66 w/ Scheerhorn cone and setup; '64 Hand-wired Re-issue Fender Princeton Reverb |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 2:08 pm
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I'm certainly fine with keeping things simple!  So far, I've simply used a ProCo passive DI after that JD pedal. It works great as long as there's someone who knows what they're doing at FOH. Otherwise, um, it's not always so great... |
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 3:13 pm
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| Have you tried the Baggs Venue DI? Best thing since somebody invented gravy. 6 bands of EQ, a DI output, notch filter, in/out of phase--Its all there. There's a built-in tuner, as well as a variable "boost." I love it. I like the adjustment on the boost. I've only got it turned up to the point where I can hit the string with the pick, and hear it. The tuner's nice, too. it's got a huge display, so you don't have to put your glasses on (or take 'em off) to see. Nice sturdy case, two footswitches--It's sort of expensive (About 250.00), and it has no effects---but its a real good unit.I got a Baggs soundhole pickup, too. But on my dobro, I use an old Mcintyre pickup--not a feather. Ivan Guernsey didn't recommend the Feather--so he didn'y put one on my guitar. |
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Brian McGaughey
From:
Orcas Island, WA USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2014 5:05 pm
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Another satisfied Baggs Venue user here.
Never compared it to the others mentioned. Use it with my dobro and Fishman JD nashville p/u and JD Aura pedal into Fishman Loudbox Artist.
I'm pretty picky about ease of use and tone and I bought it the day I tried at at our local music store. I think it's closer to 300 bucks. |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 19 Jun 2014 6:48 am
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| Baggs Venue is great,and I use it with the standalone Fishman dobro Aura-but when I go really compact,I use the Aura Spectrum,which has tuner,compression,eq,feedback buster,multiple guitar images that I use with Weissenborns,5 reso settings that are very usable plus a "user" section that you can load more reso images to from Fishman website. I put a BIG knob on the volume control so,even though it has no boost button,I can easily kick it up for solos if just playing harder doesn't do the trick[it usually does for me].It also has an effects loop. |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2014 8:15 am
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I looked at the Spectrum and it looked like a great 'one stop shopping' option. I couldn't tell if the JD pedal is redundant with it and, if so, whether or not you can download the JD images into the user settings. Any idea?
Also, I'm wary of anything that claims to automatically tame feedback but I'd love it to be functional. Any thoughts on how well that part of the system works?
Baggs Venue looks to be great as well. |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 19 Jun 2014 8:20 am
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The JD images are not available for download.
fwiw
h |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 19 Jun 2014 8:33 am
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1- I never use the feedback thingy but was just being nice to mention it was in there.
2- The reso sounds are all pretty good. I am not going to sound like JD anyway,no matter what the pedal tells me. |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2014 10:33 am
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Who cares about sounding like JD? I'm still trying to sound like Kevin Maul!
For the moment, I'm going with the Fishman ProEQ-Platinum but I'm interested in still hearing more about these other options. If I continue to do more ampplified reso work, I'm sure I'll be refining the rig over time. |
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Alex Cattaneo
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 20 Jun 2014 7:30 am
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| I ordered a ZOOM A3 which I plan to use for banjo, mandolin, Reso and acoustic guitar. It has a ton of features, presets, a built-in tuner and many effects such has delay and reverb. It's also cheaper than the Fishman. Once I receive it I'll post a review, but in the meantime you might want to take a look at it. The Tonebone PZ-Deluxe is also a great choice, but the idea of having preamp, FX and tuner in the same box was just to good to pass. |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 20 Jun 2014 7:56 am
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I use a Countryman Type 85 DI. I have no complaints.
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It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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K Maul
From:
Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL
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Posted 20 Jun 2014 9:54 am
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| ZOOM AC3....hmmmmmmmmm. Please give a report asap. |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 20 Jun 2014 1:52 pm
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| A few years ago I installed a Schertler Basik pickup in my 8 string Dobro.... and I think it sounds great.... comes with it's own preamp.. but kind of pricey. |
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Alex Cattaneo
From:
Quebec, Canada
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Posted 20 Jun 2014 2:56 pm
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| The Schertler Basik comes standard in the Scheerhorn Wecther dobros. That's what I have in mine and it does sound quite good. |
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