Re: How to set Preamp/amp levels? Follow up


justanother_bassplayer@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> After following a previous thread that showed running power amps at
> full and using preamps to control volume level was the way to go, I
> re-examined my settings. I had been led to believe that you were
> supposed to run the preamp/input level high to keep the SNR down and to
> get the most power out of the amp. On my current setup I run the
> pickups at about 85%, the input level on the amp at about 75% and the
> master no more than half way. In this setup I use the volume control on
> the bass for minor adjustments. It is plenty loud with these settings
> for stage volume and small clubs with help from the mains in larger
> places.
>
> So my question is do the same general rules apply to bass heads as to
> seperate preamp/poweramp setups as far as clean power to prevent
> speaker damage go? I have not heard the speakers complain or anyone
> else for that matter but I'd like to avoid any undue wear on the cabs.

Clean is clean. Experiment, listen with a critical ear, see what you
like.

FWIW, with the old tube amps I used or heard (Music Man, Fender Bassman
10), using a lower master setting and turning up the channel volume
might give a nice warm sound, but setting the master on 10 and using
channel volume for control gave a cleaner sound that did a lot better
job carrying bottom and attack, not to mention "better tone". After
running the "soft" sound, the clean setting sounded somewhat harsh
right at first, but the advantages were obvious, especially when the
band kicked in. As for the bass, Fender, stock and rewound, Seymore
Quarter Pounder PBass PU's, and the (much) louder G&L L1000 PU (passive
only on the 1000) worked best turned up to about 9-1/2, leaving just a
little emergency power in reserve. Turning down seemed to sacrifice
punch, with no obvious loss from running almost nailed or nailed.
Again, FWIW. --D-y

.

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