The Benson Amps BA-Pre is a Benson Amps preamp pedal, currently around $249. Close alternatives include the Benson Amps Chimera Preamp Pedal and the Benson Amps Preamp. It pairs well with the Fender Bubbler Chorus and the Catalinbread SFT.
Benson Amps BA-Pre
Benson Amps · pedal
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.
- treble
- preamp
- gain
- fet
- touch
- bass
- pick attack
- drive
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Benson Amps BA-Pre is commonly used in
- Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Indie Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Blues
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Benson Amps BA-Pre
Fender Bubbler Chorus
Fender
21% matchFender Bubbler Chorus's modulated voice goes after Benson Amps BA-Pre in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Benson Amps BA-Pre's own bright character
Catalinbread SFT
Catalinbread
19% matchWhere this leans bright, Catalinbread SFT answers back warm
Caroline Guitar Company Icarus
Caroline Guitar Company
19% matchWhere this leans bright, Caroline Guitar Company Icarus answers back warm
Donner Lax Comp
Donner
17% matchDonner Lax Comp leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
13% matchKeep Benson Amps BA-Pre's bright voice out front: Eventide Modulated Delay goes after Benson Amps BA-Pre in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Suhr Discovery
Suhr
13% matchKeep Benson Amps BA-Pre's bright voice out front: Suhr Discovery goes after Benson Amps BA-Pre in the signal chain so its transparent voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City King of Blues
Tone City
tonal matchTone City King of Blues's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Benson Amps BA-Pre delivers it
J. Rockett .45 Caliber Overdrive
J Rockett
tonal matchJ. Rockett .45 Caliber Overdrive's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Benson Amps BA-Pre delivers it
Cheaper alternatives
Xotic BB Preamp V1.5
Xotic
74% similarityShared character: circuit, treble, response
67Audio Harry Balz
67audio
72% similarityShared character: volume, treble, response
Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive
Walrus Audio
72% similarityShared character: pick_attack, volume, treble
Xotic BB Preamp
Xotic
71% similarityShared character: pick_attack, treble, preamp
DOD 250 Overdrive Preamp 50th Anniversary
Digitech
61% similarityShared character: touch, preamp
JHS Clover
JHS Pedals
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Benson Amps Chimera Preamp Pedal
Benson Amps
92% similarityShared character: extended_use, significant_investment, effect
Benson Amps Preamp
Benson Amps
73% similarityShared character: treble, fuzz, response
Strymon Riverside
Strymon
72% similarityShared character: pick_attack, touch, stage
Colorsound Power Boost
Colorsound
72% similarityShared character: volume, treble, touch
Electronic Audio Experiments Model feT V3.8
Electronic Audio Experiments
72% similarityShared character: circuit, treble, stage
MXR M264 FET Driver
MXR
71% similarityShared character: effect, touch, response
See all alternatives to the Benson Amps BA-Pre (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Benson Amps BA-Pre?+
The closest matches in character are the Benson Amps Chimera Preamp Pedal, the Benson Amps Preamp, the Strymon Riverside. Budget picks: Xotic BB Preamp V1.5, 67Audio Harry Balz, Walrus Audio Ages Five-State Overdrive.
What pairs well with the Benson Amps BA-Pre?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Fender Bubbler Chorus, Catalinbread SFT, Caroline Guitar Company Icarus — Fender Bubbler Chorus's modulated voice goes after Benson Amps BA-Pre in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Benson Amps BA-Pre's own bright character.
How much does the Benson Amps BA-Pre cost?+
Around $249 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).