(Sorry - I accidentally put this in For Sale -- this is a repost from there)
Amplifying a banjo is sometimes more trouble than it's worth (I know, I know... why do you want it louder?). I'm using a passive magnetic pickup (made by Jones, similar to the original Fishman). It goes to an MXR micro-amp for lead boosts, then a Boss chorus, then to a DI to the PA mixer.
Problem -- we need to crank the fader on the mixer to just about maximum to keep me balanced with the rest of the band. I'm thinking a simple, clean pre-amp -- something I can wear on my strap -- will give me enough gain for playing rhythm. All I need is a volume knob and 2 jacks.
Any ideas on what would do the trick -- should I build another microamp, or is there something even simpler that could do it?
Thanks in advance,
Peter
Try an LPB-2 for a good clean boost. Jack Orman's MOSFET booster is good aswell ;)
:mrgreen: lol
Can you get the two levels you need out of the microamp? maybe you could switch between two gain pots. If modding the microamp is not an option then maybe a switchable volume control (a la "the pot") after the microamp.
What I'm trying to say: Having 2 preamp levels only reqiures one preamp and a way to switch between levels.
Having said that, building a clean boost will be more fun and will probably have other uses in the future so take your pick,
Darren
Disclaimer: the contents of this post should not be taken as implication of the author's endorsement of the use of a volume boost with a banjo
Ben, Darren --
Thanks, these are both good ideas. I've been toying with building an LPB-1, so this is a good excuse. It also means that I can always have it in my case for occasions when I sit in with other groups and don't have my pedal board (I keep the pedals for my lap steel on the same board).
Darren -- the volume control idea is a good one - very simple and elegant, which is probably why I didn't think of it. I may do it anyway - put that on the board and build the LPB-1 for use without the pedals.
QuoteDisclaimer: the contents of this post should not be taken as implication of the author's endorsement of the use of a volume boost with a banjo
Hey! Waitaminute...
Peter