Bongo with sansamp

[Jimmyb]

I would have thought it would be a little detrimental running the sansamp through the fx loop. As far as I'm aware, it's a pre-amp type of pedal, so should really be in front of the amp.

Having said that, it might be possible to use just the return of the loop (ie don't have the send side plugged in) so that you're just hitting the pre-amp section and using the Sansamp for all of the tone shaping. So you'd plug the bass directly into the Sansamp and the output plugged into the return of the amp.

*Disclaimer*

This might not work with your amp, if you've any doubt, get it checked by someone.

 

[Bass Control]

Well, in the past I've always run the BDDI as an overdrive unit. I never used the EQ controls. Would it be practical for this approach or should I look at another pedal?

 

[Jimmyb]

To be honest, I don't know the pedal well enough.

I've not really played around with bass fx, but usually with guitar fx the drive and distortion boxes tend to go in front of the amp, with time-based fx placed in the loop.

 

[Sting]

Well, in the past I've always run the BDDI as an overdrive unit. I never used the EQ controls. Would it be practical for this approach or should I look at another pedal?

The effects loop on most amps is between the preamp and the power amp stages. The SansAmp is very sensitive to input signal level and is designed to have a bass plugged straight into it. Some active basses put out a strong enough signal that can overdrive the SansAmp input so that you get distortion no matter where you have the drive knob set. My Stingray is fine but I have a couple friends that have active 18v basses made by other manufacturers that have this problem with the SansAmp. I have also used effects units in front of the SansAmp and I've had to be very careful with gain levels to avoid unwanted distortion. I believe if you insert the SansAmp into the effects loop essentially the same thing will happen, the preamp section on your amp will overdrive the SansAmp.

 

[dmarotta]

I agree with Oilbass, get the programmable Sans Amp. Besides the great overdrive , it is a great direct box.

 

[Powman]

I sold my Sansamp when I got my MM bass. To be honest, I don't really miss it. I loved it when I had a passive J bass. The Sansamp massively improved the tone. But not really missing it now with my Sterling.

 

[mfallmann]

... same with me; I do also have the impression that the Sansamp makes every bass sound similar ... no situation the Bongo alone couldn't handle.

 

[shakinbacon]

sold mine too

Couldn't handle the hot signal (at least the pedal version). I found I had to put the volume down on the instrument to prevent distortion even when turning the unit off. The rackmount version would have been better in that regard (30V headroom vs 9V)

Good gear but with the Bongo I don't miss it.

 

[MadMatt]

The Markbass Super Booster might be an alternative to the Sansamp.

MARKBASS

I'm personal looking at that to replace my Bass Pod. I did not like the sound of the 25th though the Bass Pod or Sansamp. Too be honest I think the 25th sounds best going straight and clean into the PA but thats only my opinion.

 

[Bassmedic14]

i had one in the past and it was really really nice. I had no problem to get a sound like Geddy Lee and the tone of the bass was still there, it worth every $.

Yeah i agree