LeftyBassist.com

Searching for a small preamp like the Rusty Box or Meatsmoke preamp pedal or rackmount unit to pair with a power amp.

Thanks!

I had never heard of either unit. That Meatsmoke sure is an expensive pedal, at 699 USD new! How can they justify such a pricetag for a fairly basic preamp pedal? Also, odd choice to not include a balanced recording output. There's a recording output, but it's a regular unbalanced jack. The Rusty Box does have a balanced output, but it's a jack and not an XLR. Unusual! I'd say that's a very desirable feature if you're going to use it live

What are you looking for in a preamp? What kind of tone are you after, and what features should it have?

I've tried the 90lb version of the Meatsmoke and the pedal and they're both fantastic. The pedal is not just a stompbox. It's the Meatsmoke preamp, with smaller transformers and preamp tubes. I work at a place that has carried Verellen before, but I don't think we're getting anything anytime soon.

I have an SVT, but I'd like a really small and efficient practical rig as an alternative.

Or, I'm pondering the VT Bass Rackmount from Tech 21. I just haven't gotten to try that out yet and we don't have any in stock.

Those look great! I just wish they were programmable, like the VT Bass Deluxe pedal.
I use an Ampeg SVP-CL, which is basically the preamp section of the SVT Classic in a 1 HE rack unit, and an SVP-PRO which is derived from the preamp section of the SVT-2 PRO. If that SVT tone is what you're after, the SVP-CL might do a great job at what you're looking for too. They don't make them anymore, but they can be found used for fair prices