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Average Price: $320

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$70

$201+

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Description

The Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier is a versatile and powerful tool for bass guitarists seeking to elevate their sound to professional levels. This multi-functional bass preamp integrates a comprehensive array of features designed to shape and enhance your tone with precision. At the heart of this pedal is its all-analog signal path, ensuring that your bass retains its natural warmth and character throughout your signal chain.

The Vintage Ultra boasts a 4-band EQ, allowing precise tonal adjustments to suit various musical styles. Its dedicated distortion circuit provides the ability to add anything from subtle grit to aggressive overdrive, making it an ideal choice for diverse genres. The unique Blend control allows you to mix the clean and overdriven signals seamlessly, giving you total control over your sound. Additionally, the built-in cabinet simulation offers the convenience of direct recording with realistic amp characteristics.

Engineered with the modern bassist in mind, this preamplifier also features a balanced XLR output and a ground lift switch, making it easy to integrate into any live or studio setting. The pedal's robust construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of both the road and the stage, while its compact design conserves valuable pedalboard real estate. With its combination of analog warmth and digital flexibility, the Vintage Ultra is a compelling choice for bassists who demand both quality and versatility.

Key Features:

  • All-analog signal path
  • 4-band EQ for precise tonal control
  • Dedicated distortion circuit with Blend control
  • Built-in cabinet simulation for direct recording
  • Balanced XLR output with ground lift switch
  • Robust construction for durability and reliability

Product specs

Brand Darkglass Electronics
Model Vintage Ultra
Finish Silver
Year 2010s
Made In Finland
Categories Distortion Pedals, Preamps
Color Family Silver
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra for bass guitar?

The Darkglass Vintage Ultra offers a wide range of tones from warm, vintage tube-like distortion to modern, aggressive overdrive, making it versatile for various music styles from rock to metal.

Does the Darkglass Vintage Ultra work well with a 5-string bass guitar?

Yes, the Vintage Ultra is designed to handle a wide frequency range, making it suitable for 5-string bass guitars and providing clear, articulate low-end response.

Can the Darkglass Vintage Ultra be used as a standalone preamp for live performances?

Absolutely, the Vintage Ultra functions as a high-quality standalone preamp with direct output options, making it ideal for live performances without needing an additional amplifier.

What power supply does the Darkglass Vintage Ultra require?

The Darkglass Vintage Ultra requires a standard 9V DC power supply with a minimum of 30mA current, which is typical for most pedalboards.

How does the Darkglass Vintage Ultra compare to other Darkglass pedals like the B7K?

The Vintage Ultra focuses on delivering more classic, warm tones compared to the modern, aggressive distortion of the B7K, catering to different stylistic preferences.

The Bass Channel

The Bass Channel

Darkglass Vintage Ultra Bass Demo

Video thumbnail for Darkglass Vintage Ultra Bass Demo by The Bass Channel

Darkglass Vintage Ultra Bass Demo

The Bass Channel

The Bass Channel

Video thumbnail for Darkglass Vintage Ultra - Bassline Pedal Review by Antonio Capra

Darkglass Vintage Ultra - Bassline Pedal Review

Antonio Capra

Antonio Capra

Reviews

PROS

  • Offers both clean and overdrive channels with independent stomp buttons

  • Flexible tone shaping with precise parametric EQ capabilities

  • Excellent DI with XLR and 1/4" TRS outputs for versatile routing

  • Delivers unique and vintage tone options for bassists

  • High-quality build and aesthetically pleasing design

  • Provides a smooth, non-overpowering overdrive perfect for rock genres

  • Compact size suitable for portable pedal boards

CONS

  • The sound may be too nasally for some users

  • Cab sim can introduce unwanted noise to the signal

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier.

Use cases and applications

  • The B7K Ultra has been successfully used in pop punk and worship music, showing its versatility beyond just metal.

    Source
  • It's noted that the Vintage Ultra excels at emulating Ampeg and TubeScreamer tones, ideal for achieving classic tube amp sounds.

    Source
  • The Vintage Ultra is noted for being less suitable for always-on amp simulation in genres like disco and funk, where a smoother tone might be preferred.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Despite the similar EQ settings, the B7K Ultra is noted for having more versatility compared to the Vintage Ultra.

    Source
  • The Vintage Ultra is compared to MXR bass preamps for tone shaping, suggesting an alternative setup for heavy distortion needs.

    Source
  • Owners describe the Mesa Subway DI as more versatile than the Darkglass Vintage Ultra, suggesting it better accommodates a broader range of music styles.

    Source
  • The Darkglass Vintage Ultra is perceived to have a more modern sound compared to the Mesa, which is considered reliable for traditional sound profiles.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have reported that both Vintage and B7K models can handle clean and dirty tones exceptionally well, making them adaptable for various genres.

    Source
  • Owners find placing preamps like the Vintage Ultra at the end of the signal chain problematic with pre-placed reverb/delay, leading to muddier bass tones.

    Source
  • Some owners use the Vintage Ultra primarily for its cab sim and EQ at the end of their chain, indicating its effectiveness when not the core tone provider.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Vintage Ultra v2 allows for separate footswitches to control preamp and distortion independently, enhancing live performance flexibility.

    Source
  • The Darkglass Vintage Ultra's aux in and headphone amp are highlighted for their practice utility, despite not being essential for live performance.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Darkglass Vintage Ultra review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier delivers rich, versatile tones that cater to a range of styles from warm tube grit to thunderous fuzz. Its robust construction and user-friendly interface with a comprehensive EQ and blend controls enhance its appeal. However, the hefty price tag of £300 makes it a significant investment, especially when many alternatives provide decent quality at a fraction of the cost. While it excels in sound quality, potential buyers should weigh their budget against the feature set and performance to ensure it aligns with their needs.

positive

Darkglass Vintage Ultra bass pre-amp

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

The Darkglass Vintage Ultra Preamplifier delivers a compelling mix of vintage warmth and modern aggression, making it a standout for bassists seeking rich tones. Its analog circuitry captures the essence of classic valve amps while providing versatile EQ control and the ability to blend clean and driven signals. However, the interaction between the drive and EQ settings can be tricky, potentially requiring extensive tweaking to achieve the desired sound. Despite this minor drawback, the build quality and aesthetic appeal make it a worthy addition to any rig. If you're after punchy lows and a touch of grit, this preamp deserves a spot on your wishlist.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Nate Mendel uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Nate Mendel

Bassist

Foo Fighters

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo shared by Darkglass on their Facebook account, an unlabelled pedal can be seen in the bottom left corner. Based on the number of knobs and switches visible, it is identified as the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier used by bassist Nate Mendel.

See how Amos Williams uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Amos Williams

Bassist

TesseracT

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "Chris Schiermann - 'Technical Disabilities' - Bass Playthrough by Amos Williams," Amos Williams utilizes the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra bass effects pedal. This video, authored by Williams himself, showcases his use of the pedal alongside other gear, including the Kiesel AW5 Vader Bass and MXR Compressor, to deliver a dynamic bass performance.

See how Matt McJunkins uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Matt McJunkins

Guitarist, Bassist

A Perfect Circle

...
Verified via Photo

The Vintage Ultra! Threw this lovely piece of sonic engineering on the front of my pedal chain for this tour! Really helped take things up a notch.

See how Fil Thorpe-Evans uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Fil Thorpe-Evans

Bassist

Neck Deep

...
Verified via Photo

Fil Thorpe-Evans uses the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra bass effects pedal to achieve his signature tone. According to a post by techdeep_ on Instagram, this pedal, along with Music Man Sterling and Stingray basses, is integral to his sound and has been in constant use since its acquisition earlier this year.

See how Jonathan Hischke uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Jonathan Hischke

Bassist

Hella

...
Verified via TalkBass.com

Jonathan Hischke uses the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier while performing with The Sound of Animals Fighting, as confirmed by a discussion on TalkBass.com.

See how Conner Green uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Conner Green

Bassist

Haken

...
Verified via Photo

This is essentially my entire live rig now: the Darkglass B7K Ultra, Vintage Ultra, and Microtubes 900 amp. I'll be using all of these on upcoming Haken tours and Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress shows, and darn it, I'm excited! Perhaps a couple demos are in order. Thank you, @darkglasselectronics

See how Kyle Konkiel uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Kyle Konkiel

Bassist

Bad Wolves

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Verified via Photo

Pedalboard setup for Facebook live tomorrow!! @darkglasselectronics super symmetry comp, Vintage Ultra ,B7k, Korg pitch black and MXR DC brick! All patched with Planet waves cables! Kinda messy but does the job!

See how Marcelo Corvalán uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Marcelo Corvalán

Singer, Bassist

Carajo

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Verified via YouTube

Marcelo Corvalán uses the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier as his main preamp for live performances with Arde La Sangre. This information is confirmed in a video by Doble Bobina on YouTube titled "Arde la sangre nos muestra su set up (Parte 2): 'Corvex' Corvalán y 'Nacho' Benavides," where "Corvex" discusses his equipment.

N

Noah Harmon

Bassist

Poison the Well

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Verified via Premier Guitar

Noah Harmon uses the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier on his pedalboard. According to his statement in the Premier Guitar's "Poison the Well Rig Rundown" with Perry Bean, the signal from the Vintage Ultra goes directly to the front-of-house, accounting for approximately half of what the audience hears during performances.

See how Brandon Michael uses Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier

Brandon Michael

Bassist

...
Verified via Instagram

Brandon Michael uses the Darkglass Electronics Vintage Microtubes V2, as evidenced by his Instagram post, where he states, "This pedalboard is sick!"

Album Usage

The Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

3 alternative and related items for Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra Preamplifier, curated by the Equipboard community.

Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra V2

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It’s the same pedal with some small adjustments taking it to version 2

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