Early BB Preamp vs current version

[Fat Dad]

So, I just bought a BB Preamp from the emporium and when I received it I was a little taken back. The layout is very different from the one I used to have and different from my RC Booster as well. The serial number is in sharpie #097. Obviously it is a BB Preamp, no doubt, but are there differences between this and the current iteration? Here's a couple photos to show you what I mean. (Funky washer or something in the center, little holes by the knobs, LED below the logo, and tiny footswitch.)

 

[lifeinsong]

Long time BB Preamp user and I've never seen anything like that before. The earlier run of pedals had a bit more built in compression but other than that the versions are the same. Yours may be some sort of prototype before they settled on the final design. You might wanna contact Xotic and see if they can give you more info.

 

[Fat Dad]

Thanks! It doesn't sound bad, but I do notice a difference. Slight bump in compression from what I remember my other having. Maybe a little darker sounding or smoother. Quieter overall to the other I had too. Just some observations from memory. I'll have another BB Preamp coming Monday to a/b.

 

[Snottyboy]

If I'm not mistaken, the earlier versions are the equivalent of the Andy Timmons sig model, which is more compressed and quieter as you mention. There is a certain serial number where the transition was made. I believe there was discussion to this out here, worth a search. Never seen one quite like yours..pretty cool!

 

[Fat Dad]

After a google search, I found that it is quite a bit like the Andy Timmons signature. AND I even found a stock photo of an older model:

Found this at http://bigcitymusic.com/xotic-BB-Preamp as their stock photo. It's just so strange. I will have to do a side by side comparison tonight when I get my other BB Preamp (unless that one happens to be an older model, too lol)

 

[Snottyboy]

After a google search, I found that it is quite a bit like the Andy Timmons signature. I will have to do a side by side comparison tonight when I get my other BB Preamp (unless that one happens to be an older model, too lol)

I have the BB Comp, which is switchable between the current version and the Timmons version. Both different enough, and very usable depending on what you might be going for. Newer version should be less compressed with more volume. I like them both!

 

[kwd1987]

Are we sure that is a REAL BB preamp from Xotic? Why would there be little holes punched by the potentiometer holes and what's with the screw in the middle? That just doesnt seem like anything they'd put out on the market. Looks like a homebrew with screenprinting.

 

[Soothsayer]

Thats how the initial version was constructed.

 

[Fat Dad]

Thats how the initial version was constructed.

Thank you! I was starting to get worried. But, after I found that photo from Big City Music, I thought it certainly HAD to be real.

 

[Soothsayer]

They are super rare, especially in the condition that yours is in. The early AC and RC also had those cutouts by the controls.

 

[Snottyboy]

They are super rare, especially in the condition that yours is in. The early AC and RC also had those cutouts by the controls.

Right. I had an RC several years ago with the holes like that.

 

[Fat Dad]

Are these versions more desirable or is it just more of the "cool factor" of having an early serial number?

 

[Soothsayer]

Cool factor....they also had some footswitch issues that were later resolved. I like the early version because of the compression.