The Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors is an Electro-Harmonix preamp pedal, currently around $135.75. Close alternatives include the Electro-Harmonix Battalion Bass Preamp/DI and the Ampeg F17-1. It pairs well with the EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas and the Greer Black Mountain.
Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors
Electro-Harmonix · pedal
The Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors is a multi-effect bass preamp pedal from Electro-Harmonix, combining a compressor, overdrive, and three-band EQ in a single unit designed for live bass players who want complete bass tone control in one pedal. Controls include Comp (compression), Drive (overdrive), Blend (dry/overdrive mix), Bass, Mid, and Treble EQ plus a Volume control. Provides comprehensive bass signal chain in a single stompbox.
- eq
- bass
- compressor
- live
- overdrive
- preamp
- drive
- compression
Good for
- Live
- Silent Recording
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors is commonly used in
- Country
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - 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. - Gospel
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Funk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors
EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas
EarthQuaker Devices
24% matchInto a transparent tone, EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas brings the high gain it's missing
Greer Black Mountain
Greer
24% matchRun Greer Black Mountain into that transparent platform and it finally gets some fuzzy
Walrus Audio Monument CS
Walrus Audio
21% matchPut Walrus Audio Monument CS after Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors's own gain stage
Vox Valvenergy Silk Drive
Vox
17% matchVox Valvenergy Silk Drive leans toward smooth, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Eventide Modulated Delay
Eventide
11% matchRun Eventide Modulated Delay after Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors in the signal chain, clear of Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
FoxGear EchoSex
Foxgear
11% matchFoxGear EchoSex's ambient voice goes after Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors's own compressed character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchInto Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors, Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Crazy Tube Circuits Heatseeker Pre-Amp
Crazy Tube Circuits
tonal matchInto Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors, Crazy Tube Circuits Heatseeker Pre-Amp is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Cheaper alternatives
Sonicake B Factory Analog Bass Preamp Comp and Overdrive
Sonicake
72% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, pedal
Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord
Electro-Harmonix
72% similarityShared character: treble, mix, middle
Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal
Ampeg
71% similarityShared character: pedal, treble, compression
Ashdown James LoMenzo HyperDrive
Ashdown
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp
Orange
75% similarityShared character: pedal, signal, compression
Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Pre-Amp
Walrus Audio
68% similarityShared character: pedal, compressor, preamp
Source Audio SA250-US
Source Audio
68% similarityShared character: compressor, compression, pedal
Shins Music Shin's Music BMP1 Bass Master Preamp
Shins Music
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Electro-Harmonix Battalion Bass Preamp/DI
Electro-Harmonix
76% similarityShared character: blend, pedal, treble
Ampeg F17-1
Ampeg
73% similarityShared character: volume_control, pedal, treble
1977 Marshall 2203 JMP Master Volume
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on 1977 Marshall 2203 JMP Master Volume's tone
Marshall Jmp Master Volume 1970s
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on Marshall Jmp Master Volume 1970s's tone
Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on Marshall Superlead Guitar Amplifier Head's tone
Marshall Super Lead 1970s
Marshall
72% similarityAn amp-in-a-box take on Marshall Super Lead 1970s's tone
See all alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors?+
The closest matches in character are the Electro-Harmonix Battalion Bass Preamp/DI, the Ampeg F17-1, the 1977 Marshall 2203 JMP Master Volume. Budget picks: Sonicake B Factory Analog Bass Preamp Comp and Overdrive, Electro-Harmonix Nano Operation Overlord, Ampeg Classic Analog Bass Preamp pedal. Boutique upgrades: Orange Bass Butler Bi-Amp Bass Preamp, Walrus Audio Badwater Bass Pre-Amp, Source Audio SA250-US.
What pairs well with the Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas, Greer Black Mountain, Walrus Audio Monument CS — Into a transparent tone, EarthQuaker Devices Hizumitas brings the high gain it's missing.
How much does the Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors cost?+
Around $135.75 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs EarthQuaker Devices Scrolls V1
- vs Shins Music Shin's Music BMP1 Bass Master Preamp
- vs Ashdown James LoMenzo HyperDrive