Benson Amps BA-Pre vs Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box

The Benson Amps BA-Pre and the Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box are both pedals sharing transparent. The Benson Amps BA-Pre leans bright and dynamic. The Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box leans tight and high gain. Current prices: $249 vs $226.26.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

33% somewhat different

Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • transparent
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
0%
Price

$249via Reverb

$226.26via Reverb

Description

The Benson Amps Preamp Pedal is a FET-based preamp pedal based on the circuit of the Benson Chimera 30-watt guitar amplifier, substituting FET transistors for the original vacuum tubes. Controls include Gain, Volume, Treble, and Bass. The Treble and Bass controls significantly affect the type of gain generated, producing more tonal versatility than typical passive EQ sections. 9V DC or battery, 50mA. Priced at $249 from Benson Amps, Portland, Oregon. Described by multiple reviewers as the most amp-like gain pedal, with hypersensitive response to touch and pick attack through both tube amplifiers and amp modeling systems.

The Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box is a signature overdrive and preamp pedal created in collaboration with fusion guitarist Greg Howe, designed to deliver the high-gain, articulate preamp character needed for Greg Howe's fast, technique-driven fusion guitar style. Provides high-headroom, clarity-preserving overdrive character that maintains note definition and pick attack at high gain settings. Designed for players demanding studio-quality clarity and harmonic precision alongside significant gain. Made in Denmark by Carl Martin.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • alternative
  • indie rock
  • blues
  • Progressive Rock
Tonal lean
  • bright
  • dynamic
  • saturated
  • fuzzy
  • tight
  • high gain
  • sustaining

Related searches

Benson Amps BA-Pre vs Carl Martin Greg Howe Lick Box — Shared Character & Differences — NodeTone