The Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal is an Ampeg preamp pedal, currently around $116.04. Close alternatives include the Ampeg F17-1 and the Master Effects Manta Ray 3-band Bass Preamp. It pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff and the Greer Black Mountain.
Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal
Ampeg · pedal
The Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal (CABP, model F17-1) is an all-analog circuit bringing vintage Ampeg SVT preamp character to a compact bass pedal. The preamp section provides up to +18 dB of gain feeding a 3-band EQ: Bass +7/-20 dB at 40 Hz, Mid +5/-11 dB at 500 Hz, Treble +10/-10 dB at 4 kHz. Ultra-Hi and Ultra-Lo passive switches add a high-frequency shelf or a simultaneous bass boost with mid cut for classic SVT fat low-end tone. True bypass, 9V DC at 20mA, internal -15 dB input pad for active basses. Housed in a matte black all-metal enclosure at approximately street price.
What stands out
“Tone: warm and punchy with Ampeg SVT-influenced low-mid character; pushing the preamp gain adds subtle harmonic density”
— from the community notes
“Ultra-Hi and Ultra-Lo passive switches add a high-frequency shelf or a simultaneous bass boost with mid cut for classic SVT fat low-end tone”
— from the listing
“The Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal (CABP, model F17-1) is an all-analog circuit bringing vintage Ampeg SVT preamp character to a compact bass pedal”
— from the listing
“Use case: ideal for bassists wanting consistent Ampeg-flavored tone shaping before or as a preamp pedal feeding a DI box to FOH”
— from the community notes
“At 20mA draw it is also an efficient pedal that will”
— from the reviews
Trade-offs
“Signal-chain interaction: most effective near the front of the bass signal chain before compression; Ultra-Lo switch complements passive basses that need low-end reinforcement and mid-scoop character”
— from the community notes
- bass
- mid
- gain
- low end
- boost
- eq
- consistent
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
- Studio
Price updated Oct 24, 2026
Genres the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal is commonly used in
- Metal
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Electronic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Gospel
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal
Electro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff
Electro-Harmonix
24% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (scooped → mid-forward)
The Green Russian's smooth, mid-forward Muff fuzz stacks with the Classic Analog Bass Preamp's own EQ for a richer, sustained push.
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Greer Black Mountain
Greer
23% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Greer Black Mountain layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator
pedal
23% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator after Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal in the signal chain, clear of Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Ashdown Velvet Compressor
Ashdown
19% matchfills a frequency gapFills in a frequency range the other side doesn't cover, instead of piling more onto what's already there. (bright → smooth)
Ashdown Velvet Compressor leans toward compressed, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Walrus Audio Fable
Walrus Audio
17% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Walrus Audio Fable's smooth voice goes after Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal's own mid-forward character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler
pedal
14% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Run the DL4's warm, vintage-voiced delay after the Classic Analog Bass Preamp's own EQ settles, so the repeats trail a defined tone. — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Caline CP-31 Hot Spice (Black)
Caline
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Caline CP-31 Hot Spice (Black) goes in front of Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal — a wah tracks picking dynamics best on the raw signal
Strymon Iridium
Strymon
tonal matchRun Strymon Iridium after it and the bright edge settles into something more warm
Cheaper alternatives
Sadowsky SBP-2 Bass Preamp
Sadowsky
52% similarityShared character: punchy, treble, boost
Ashdown Pro-FX Two-Band Boost
Ashdown
49% similarityShared character: boost, treble, middle
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
Electro-Harmonix
49% similarityShared character: treble, middle, boost
Demon FX Microtube D7K "Bass" Preamp
Demon Fx
48% similarityShared character: bass
Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors
Electro-Harmonix
48% similarityShared character: treble, compression, middle
Boutique & premium upgrades
Xotic Bass RC Booster V2
Xotic
55% similarityShared character: subtle, boost, bass
Origin Effects DCX Bass
Origin Effects
52% similarityShared character: bass, subtle, boost
Shins Music Shin's Music BMP1 Bass Master Preamp
Shins Music
51% similarityShared character: treble, warm, gain
Tech 21 Sansamp YYZ Shape-Shifter
Tech 21
48% similarityShared character: bass
Ashdown Triple Shot
Ashdown
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Dunlop
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Ampeg F17-1
Ampeg
61% similarityShared character: true bypass, treble, compression
Master Effects Manta Ray 3-band Bass Preamp
Master Effects
57% similarityShared character: treble, middle, gain
Master Effects Manta Ray 2-band Bass Preamp
Master Effects
56% similarityShared character: treble, gain, bass
Aguilar - OBP-1TK On-Board Bass Preamp
Aguilar
55% similarityShared character: treble, middle, boost
Suhr Thump Bass Preamp
Suhr
55% similarityShared character: treble, middle, boost
Sadowsky SBP-1 Bass Preamp/DI
Sadowsky
54% similarityShared character: punchy, treble, boost
See all alternatives to the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal?+
The closest matches in character are the Ampeg F17-1, the Master Effects Manta Ray 3-band Bass Preamp, the Master Effects Manta Ray 2-band Bass Preamp. Budget picks: Sadowsky SBP-2 Bass Preamp, Ashdown Pro-FX Two-Band Boost, Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord. Boutique upgrades: Xotic Bass RC Booster V2, Origin Effects DCX Bass, Shins Music Shin's Music BMP1 Bass Master Preamp.
What pairs well with the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Electro-Harmonix Green Russian Big Muff, Greer Black Mountain, Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere MKII The Analog Leslie Simulator — The Green Russian's smooth, mid-forward Muff fuzz stacks with the Classic Analog Bass Preamp's own EQ for a richer, sustained push..
How much does the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal cost?+
Around $116.04 (live listing price, updated Oct 24, 2026).