The Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp is an Ampeg preamp pedal, currently around $116.29. Close alternatives include the Ampeg F17-1 and the Electro-Harmonix Nano Battalion. It pairs well with the Walrus Audio Eons and the EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Reaper.
Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp
Ampeg · pedal
The Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp is an all-analog bass effects pedal replicating the preamp circuit of the iconic Ampeg SVT amplifier in compact pedal format. A three-band EQ provides Bass at +7/-20 dB at 40 Hz, Mid at +5/-11 dB at 500 Hz, and Treble at +10/-10 dB at 4 kHz, with a preamp gain stage capable of +18 dB boost. Ultra-Hi and Ultra-Lo passive tone switches shape the frequency response for classic SVT character. True bypass, 9V DC at 20mA, internal -15 dB pad for active basses. Matte black die-cast zinc chassis measuring 2.2 by 2.4 by 4.5 inches, weighing 0.6 lb.
What stands out
“A three-band EQ provides Bass at +7/-20 dB at 40 Hz, Mid at +5/-11 dB at 500 Hz, and Treble at +10/-10 dB at 4 kHz, with a preamp gain stage capable of +18 dB boost”
— from the listing
“True bypass, 9V DC at 20mA, internal -15 dB pad for active basses”
— from the listing
“Tone: warm all-analog Ampeg SVT-derived character with punchy low-mids; the EQ section responds naturally and the preamp adds subtle saturation density when driven”
— from the community notes
“Second strength: 20mA draw is extremely efficient, leaving headroom on any standard power supply”
— from the reviews
“Third strength: rugged die-cast zinc chassis is road-worthy”
— from the reviews
- bass
- mids
- eq
- frequency response
- punchy
- stage
- mid
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
- Studio
Price updated Oct 23, 2026
Genres the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp is commonly used in
- Rock
- Funk
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Electronic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp
Walrus Audio Eons
Walrus Audio
21% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
Put Walrus Audio Eons in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Comes earlier in the signal chain
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Reaper
EarthQuaker Devices
20% matchgain stackingStacks two gain stages for more saturation than either produces alone. (mid-forward → fuzzy)
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Reaper layers fuzzy onto an already mid-forward signal
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Boss BF-2 Flanger
Boss
12% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Put Boss BF-2 Flanger after Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp in the signal chain, clear of Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp's own gain stage
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Ampeg Opto Comp Compressor
Ampeg
10% matchshapes the dynamic responseShapes how the tone responds to picking dynamics rather than its frequency or gain.
Run the Opto Comp's smooth, peak-tamed compression ahead of the Classic Analog Bass Preamp for even dynamics before the preamp's own mid-forward EQ reacts.
Comes earlier in the signal chain
Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay
Dunlop
7% matchsits in the right chain slotPlaced for where it does its job cleanly in the chain, not for a tonal interaction with the anchor.
Dunlop - MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe Analog Delay's analog warmth voice goes after Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp's own mid-forward character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte
Caroline Guitar Company
7% 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 Caroline Guitar Company Kilobyte after Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp in the signal chain, clear of Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Comes later in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp gives it exactly that
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchComes earlier in the signal chain
Put Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion
Dunlop
47% similarityShared character: middle, bass, studio
Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp
Orange
46% similarityShared character: compression, headroom, bass
Ashdown Triple Shot
Ashdown
45% similarityShared character: treble, middle, bass
Similar character
Ampeg F17-1
Ampeg
63% similarityShared character: true bypass, treble, compression
Electro-Harmonix Nano Battalion
Electro-Harmonix
57% similarityShared character: tone shaping, bass, treble
Master Effects Manta Ray 3-band Bass Preamp
Master Effects
55% similarityShared character: treble, middle, gain
Dunlop MXR M282 Dyna Comp Bass
Dunlop
50% similarityShared character: compression, bass
Aguilar - OBP-1TK On-Board Bass Preamp
Aguilar
48% similarityShared character: treble, headroom, middle
Aguilar OBP-2TK
Aguilar
47% similarityShared character: treble, middle, bass
See all alternatives to the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp?+
The closest matches in character are the Ampeg F17-1, the Electro-Harmonix Nano Battalion, the Master Effects Manta Ray 3-band Bass Preamp. Budget picks: Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord. Boutique upgrades: Dunlop MXR M85 Bass Distortion, Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp, Ashdown Triple Shot.
What pairs well with the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Walrus Audio Eons, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof Reaper, Boss BF-2 Flanger — Put Walrus Audio Eons in front and the mid-forward tone leans further toward fuzzy.
How much does the Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp cost?+
Around $116.29 (live listing price, updated Oct 23, 2026).