Need a pre amp/EQ for an acoustic/electric with no built in controls

[Wilmywood]

So I bought an acoustic guitar with a pickup, type unknown, and a cable plug in the body strap button, but no controls. Anyone got any recommendations on a pre amp/EQ/volume and tone control I could plug inline between the guitar and amp for control?

Thanks.

 

[portsider]

I have a Baggs Para Acoustic DI. It works fine, though I don't need it much. I have controls on my Guilds.

 

[Nuuska]

Hello

If you have a tube amp w usual high-impedance input - you don't need any external preamp.

If your present amp does not make it = the sound is inferiour w this guitar - then you need something.

If the minimum is to get good sound and you're ok w tweaking the knobs @ amp - then someting like MXR micro-amp fills the bill. It has high-enough input impedance to be fine w any pup - plus it has adjustable gain.

Any volume pedal between that and amp will do.

 

[fronobulax]

If you have a tube amp w usual high-impedance input - you don't need any external preamp.

Maybe but I would buy a preamp with a volume control so I could hook it to my belt and have one more tool in my toolbox when the B50 starts feeding back. I can't always get to the amp's controls and I can't always change my position. And I almost never have a sound engineer or even a roadie to move a knob for me.

What I have to have is a volume control that I can adjust without changing position while playing. I'll ask for a preamp because a preamp will do that and it will serve other purposes as well.

 

[Nuuska]

Maybe but I would buy a preamp with a volume control so I could hook it to my belt and have one more tool in my toolbox when the B50 starts feeding back. I can't always get to the amp's controls and I can't always change my position. And I almost never have a sound engineer or even a roadie to move a knob for me.

What I have to have is a volume control that I can adjust without changing position while playing. I'll ask for a preamp because a preamp will do that and it will serve other purposes as well.

We might quite well mean the same thing.

Although the MXR does not come w belt clip - it has the volume knob - and like I wrote - ANY volume pedal between it and the amp will do the job - because the output impedance of MXR is low enough.

Also - there seems to be a + version w added bass and treble controls.

Belt clip - if needed - should not be a problem.

 

[Wilmywood]

I have a Baggs Para Acoustic DI. It works fine, though I don't need it much. I have controls on my Guilds.

That one was recommended to me by a friend, thanks.

 

[Wilmywood]

Maybe but I would buy a preamp with a volume control so I could hook it to my belt and have one more tool in my toolbox when the B50 starts feeding back. I can't always get to the amp's controls and I can't always change my position. And I almost never have a sound engineer or even a roadie to move a knob for me.

What I have to have is a volume control that I can adjust without changing position while playing. I'll ask for a preamp because a preamp will do that and it will serve other purposes as well.

That's exactly what I'm after, It's not suffering from low volume at all, just trying to be able to turn down in case of feedback and adjust tone some. I saw that MXR micro amp and MXR micro amp+ on Amazon, considering them.

 

[fronobulax]

If you have a tube amp w usual high-impedance input - you don't need any external preamp.

That doesn't solve the feedback control issue when the amp is out of reach.

 

[Nuuska]

My idea was/is - first have the MXR to take care of impedance mismatch and associated problems - then have a volume pedal.

OR - clip the MXR on your belt - and have the volume control there.

 

[fronobulax]

My idea was/is - first have the MXR to take care of impedance mismatch and associated problems - then have a volume pedal.

OR - clip the MXR on your belt - and have the volume control there.

OK. I feel like there subtleties of the language that are being missed. I read the request as a request for a single piece of gear that could go between the guitar and amp. The MXR and volume pedal are two pieces. Since the MXR can also control levels there really is no need for the MXR and the pedal unless the performance setup does does not allow it to be accessed. This also seems like a case where the problem and solutions look different between the stage and the front of the house

 

[Wilmywood]

OK. I feel like there subtleties of the language that are being missed. I read the request as a request for a single piece of gear that could go between the guitar and amp. The MXR and volume pedal are two pieces. Since the MXR can also control levels there really is no need for the MXR and the pedal unless the performance setup does does not allow it to be accessed. This also seems like a case where the problem and solutions look different between the stage and the front of the house

Frono you've got it right, I think.

 

[MLBob]

Fire-eye.com

 

[RVBASS]

Grace Design makes some excellent preamps for acoustic instruments…

Grace Design - High Fidelity Professional Audio Products

Globally recognized professional and consumer audio brand, known for superlative audio performance, reliability, and the finest customer service.

gracedesign.com

 

[plaidseason]

I use a Fishman Platinum Pro. My main sales pitch is that this the third one I've owned. I bought one when they first came out, and then at some point sold it to try something else out, and then went and bought another. Later, Fishman releases an updated version and I went and bought one of those. I've had multiple turns of trying to find something I like better, but always end up back with the Fishman. A huge part of that is the built in compressor, which is pure magic on an acoustic guitar. But also, low-noise, an easy to use EQ, an effects loop, a built in tuner, and a boost. The Baggs Venue is similarly great.

On the cheap though, the Behringer ADI 21, which is a flat-out rip-off of the Tech 21 acoustic DI, is one of the better $35 values you'll find. I regularly use mine at gigs where I bring along my mandolin, dulcimer and 12 string. Or if I'm running off to an open mic type thing, where I want to just plug and play (as the Fishman is part of my regular pedal board).

 

[mavuser]

did not read any of the replies, but highly recommend the Baggs Para DI external pre amp

 

[HeyMikey]

I have an LR Baggs Gigpro belt clip, which is a basic device good for open mic quick hookups. I have the Beringer stomp box which is cheap but does a decent job.

To upgrade I’ve been looking at these two. The Session has great reviews and the Voiceprint sounds intriguing, but is a bit pricey.

LR Baggs Session DI Acoustic Guitar Preamp / DI

Acoustic Preamp/DI Pedal with Analog Saturation, Filtering, and Multiband Compression,

www.sweetwater.com

LR Baggs Voiceprint Acoustic DI

Acoustic DI with Voiceprint Technology, Full-parametric EQ, and Feedback Control

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Br1ck]

If you want onboard controls, I highly recommend SunnAudio products. The box on a floor Stage DI might not be handy enough for you. A sunnAudio circuit will make any piezo pickup sound way better than other pres I've heard. I just replaced an Element pickup with my seventh set of Dazzos, and it was instant heaven. I don't need any EQ whatsoever. I run my SunnAudio pre flat. The Element tone controls could not begin to do that.

I've learned all the bells and whistles on pres are there to compensate for non linear pickups and non linear gain stages. Give me a good design and quality parts any day. I first learned this concept talking to the designer of the RedEye, when I asked him why only one tone control. He said poor gain stage design was a big reason for all the EQ.

 

[markus]

I use a Fishman Platinum Pro.

I have three of the old model, which also works with phantom power. (the new model doesn’t afaik)
I’m sure you can get them for small money in then US.

markus

 

[plaidseason]

I have three of the old model, which also works with phantom power. (the new model doesn’t afaik)
I’m sure you can get them for small money in then US.

markus

Good point on the phantom power. And I believe you're correct on the current version - likely due to the tuner and boost functions.

The original version is also maybe seemed more durable.

 

[markus]

If I remember correctly I paid about between 40 and 60 USD for mine. So not much $ at risk if you get one and try it out …

markus