Onboard guitar preamp recommendations [Archive]

Droptop

02-01-2009, 09:35 PM

Demeter MidBoost. Tyler uses them and they are great.

I have one and its good. I was thinking more in line with what Sadowsky has, but I don't know if Roger sells those independently. Also thought about pulling the guts out of a Zvex SHO and incorporating that via a mini toggle, just don't know how I would make it true bypass.

andergtr

02-01-2009, 10:02 PM

Demeter MidBoost. Tyler uses them and they are great.

another vote for the demeter. i have them on all three tylers i own.

john ou

wgs1230

02-01-2009, 10:14 PM

Also thought about pulling the guts out of a Zvex SHO and incorporating that via a mini toggle, just don't know how I would make it true bypass.

First, an on-board MOSFET device like the SHO runs the serious risk of amp device failure if it's not isolated properly- they're much more sensitive to static and eddy electricity than lower gain FETs, and if they start to fail you'll probably hear it as a big jump in S:N. You'd have an easier time with a JFET circuit, either the single-stage Stratoblaster or the dual-stage Orman mini-booster, they're just less temperamental. Second, I wouldn't expect "fat" from the SHO, if anything it adds treble presence. Better to go with something which either favors mid frequencies (the Demeter) or something with limited amp power which can by pushed into signal clipping without adding almost 30dB output volume (the Stratoblaster).

Check these out:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=6&id=15&Itemid=26

Droptop

02-01-2009, 10:29 PM

another vote for the demeter. i have them on all three tylers i own.

john ou

Its alright. I have one in my Tyler also, but actually prefer the Sadowsky preamp.

Droptop

02-01-2009, 10:31 PM

First, an on-board MOSFET device like the SHO runs the serious risk of amp device failure if it's not isolated properly- they're much more sensitive to static and eddy electricity than lower gain FETs, and if they start to fail you'll probably hear it as a big jump in S:N. You'd have an easier time with a JFET circuit, either the single-stage Stratoblaster or the dual-stage Orman mini-booster, they're just less temperamental. Second, I wouldn't expect "fat" from the SHO, if anything it adds treble presence. Better to go with something which either favors mid frequencies (the Demeter) or something with limited amp power which can by pushed into signal clipping without adding almost 30dB output volume (the Stratoblaster).

Check these out:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=6&id=15&Itemid=26

Thanks for the pointers.

andergtr

02-02-2009, 08:02 PM

Its alright. I have one in my Tyler also, but actually prefer the Sadowsky preamp.

i guess it depends on what you want. for me, the tyler midboost is great all the way off but in the circuit for that super glassy, hi-fi sound.

john ou

rob2001

02-02-2009, 08:13 PM

I have a Jackson Soloist with a Jackson JE 1200 mid boost circuit. It does what your talking about for sure. It adds a ton of output and it's very fat. BUT, it's always there. Even with the pot rolled off, it's in the circuit....can't dial it out, it can only be turned down. It's great for overdriven sounds but it's not so great if I want cleans. I don't know how other units are wired in but if they are like this one, it's a double edged sword, so to speak. Incredible for some things but not so great for other stuff. It would be cool if this circuit could be totally bypassed. I thought about trying to do that but I figured i'll just let that guitar be what it is.

Route234

02-02-2009, 08:28 PM

http://www.caesound.com/cae_prod_new.html

These guys sell some to some pretty big name people. Never tried them, just thought it was worth a mention.

stan p

02-03-2009, 09:13 AM

It sounds like your goal is a mid boost of some sort, rather than buffering for ong cable runs. I heard many good things about Demeter.

Other guys not mentioned here are Bartolini, EMG and Starrlabs.

All provide active EQ electronics. EMG equiped can probably be located in a nearest store and tested.

Droptop

02-03-2009, 12:38 PM

i guess it depends on what you want. for me, the tyler midboost is great all the way off but in the circuit for that super glassy, hi-fi sound.

john ou

As always, you hit the nail on the head. When engaged it can go glassy/hi-fi. Not what you experience with Roger's unit. I'm curious about what EMG, Bartolini and Starlabs have to offer.

Has anyone had experience with any of these units?

paulg

02-03-2009, 05:39 PM

Check Don Tillman's site. He developed a simple 3dB J-Fet boost. It's designed to be left on all the time but could be switched in and out. I believe the Clapton Strat has a 20dB boost and many complain that it's way too much.

Rod

02-03-2009, 06:04 PM

www.guitarfetish.com (http://www.guitarfetish.com) has some great onboard FX for guitar and Bass

xntrick

02-03-2009, 07:00 PM

As always, you hit the nail on the head. When engaged it can go glassy/hi-fi. Not what you experience with Roger's unit. I'm curious about what EMG, Bartolini and Starlabs have to offer.

Has anyone had experience with any of these units?

not sure if everyone considers this a pre-amp, but i have the EMG afterburner with the EMG-60 and the 18 volt mod..the one cool thing about it is being able to have controllable feedback, i just pull the knob up and slowly turn it and the amp starts to feedback as if i am turning and moving towards it..what i don't like is the spring in the switch is quite firm and it often creates noise if not engaged properly...

Husky

02-03-2009, 07:58 PM

Does anyone know of any good onboard guitar preamps so I can fatten my tone or add a touch of gain with the flick of a switch?

I just finished ours today, great natural tone with no flub, excellent for a solo boost and still sounds correct for any chord work, It is a broad band midboost adjustable with trim pot which could be replaced with a pot. The Trim/Pot adjust the amount of Midrange bump up to 12db. I find a set and forget switch to be more useful. It is similar to our new KokoBoost mid but in the guitar. They will be available within 4 weeks. On our guitars the switch is a short mini switch not in the way and with no mounting nut, looks very clean, it takes minimal internal space. We actually mount it to the 5way so it is one assembly, true bypass and all :banana

Jim S

02-03-2009, 09:34 PM

The Sadowsky is pretty sweet but I don't think Roger sells it as a stand alone unit. I have it and have nothing but praise and no complaints.

andergtr

02-03-2009, 09:49 PM

As always, you hit the nail on the head. When engaged it can go glassy/hi-fi. Not what you experience with Roger's unit. I'm curious about what EMG, Bartolini and Starlabs have to offer.

Has anyone had experience with any of these units?

yeah, i use the demeter midboost pretty much mostly for that hi-fi thing, so i'm not the best proxy here.

john ou

Droptop

02-04-2009, 05:47 AM

The Sadowsky is pretty sweet but I don't think Roger sells it as a stand alone unit. I have it and have nothing but praise and no complaints.

Its official, he does not sell it separately, maybe with time. He does sell his bass preamp separately.

John Suhr's new boost sounds promising. May just be what the doctor ordered.

arnie65

03-04-2009, 12:49 PM

Call Sadowsky guitars and speak to "Kevin", they don't sell their pre amps by themselves but I think if you ship them the guitar they'll sell it to you and install it. A friend of mine has a Fender Strat with a Sadowsky preamp and I think that's how he did it. He lives in NYC so he didn't have to ship the guitar. Is bar none the best preamp outhere, it'll boost your mids in the second position of the switch and your mids + gain on the third and all is controlled by your 2nd tone knob.

zzzezums

03-05-2009, 05:42 PM

I really like my Alembic Blaster (formerly called Stratoblaster)

nek

03-05-2009, 06:02 PM

another vote for the demeter. i have them on all three tylers i own.
I like the demeter, its in my Tyler as well. I suggest a switcheable bypass. The demeter has trouble driving a low impedance input pedal. A vintage ff or vox style wah will load down the demeter making is noisey and distorted. Not a problem with modern effects. Fuller versions of vintage effects work great, too.

Chrome Dinette

03-05-2009, 08:15 PM

I have used the EMG PA2, with good results. It has a trim pot, that can, if one is careful, be desoldered and replaced with a pot on the guitar for variable boost.

redgold

03-07-2009, 09:05 AM

I just finished ours today, great natural tone with no flub, excellent for a solo boost and still sounds correct for any chord work, It is a broad band midboost adjustable with trim pot which could be replaced with a pot. The Trim/Pot adjust the amount of Midrange bump up to 12db. I find a set and forget switch to be more useful. It is similar to our new KokoBoost mid but in the guitar. They will be available within 4 weeks. On our guitars the switch is a short mini switch not in the way and with no mounting nut, looks very clean, it takes minimal internal space. We actually mount it to the 5way so it is one assembly, true bypass and all :banana

Hi John, Couple of questions about your midboost, if you please:

I had a variable midboost built into my custom Suhr about a year ago (maybe it was a Demeter?)... how does the new one compare?

Can I have it installed in my Suhr Classic S (that already has the SCC)?

Does battery access require lifting the pickguard, or can it be placed in the Trem cavity or have a separate compartment in the back?

Thanks, Ray

Husky

03-07-2009, 11:10 AM

Hi John, Couple of questions about your midboost, if you please:

I had a variable midboost built into my custom Suhr about a year ago (maybe it was a Demeter?)... how does the new one compare?

Can I have it installed in my Suhr Classic S (that already has the SCC)?

Does battery access require lifting the pickguard, or can it be placed in the Trem cavity or have a separate compartment in the back?

Thanks, Ray

You could send me an email so I could look it up.
It would only be a demeter if you supplied it.
My new boost is less dark and more open sounding, more like a gain /midboost good for solo and still works great for clean. The standard setup is just a short mini switch and an internal trim for the amount of boost. I like things real simple. Tru Bypass when off. The battery can be put under the trem plate. or a separate compartment, your choice.
Sure we could put it in the classic

matte

03-07-2009, 11:17 AM

another demeter mid boost fan here. 3 of my jgs and my green 7 string lj are demeter mid boost equipped. all are on push/push tone control pots for absolute bypass.

redgold

03-07-2009, 06:28 PM

You could send me an email so I could look it up.
It would only be a demeter if you supplied it.
My new boost is less dark and more open sounding, more like a gain /midboost good for solo and still works great for clean. The standard setup is just a short mini switch and an internal trim for the amount of boost. I like things real simple. Tru Bypass when off. The battery can be put under the trem plate. or a separate compartment, your choice.
Sure we could put it in the classic

That sounds just like what I'm looking for... I'm sure it's first rate, as is all your gear.