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For my school, I just bought a Line6 Spider IV 75-watt amp. It is solid state. What would happen if I put the Groovetubes Brick in front of it as a tube pre-amp?

I use a dimarzio acoustic pickup on the inside of my acoustic uke. I plugged my baby into the amp, and there was LOTS of feedback at even low levels on the amp. would using a DI box help remedy this or no?

If I used said Brick from said uke to said amp (without DI), would this reduce or increase feedback? What about with DI?

Remotely related: I like ukes better because there are less strings.

Thanks!

Comments

dvdhawk Fri, 05/14/2010 - 21:42

I'm not sure how you visualize the Brick connecting to the input of the Spider.

I assume the DiMarzio ends with a common 1/4" plug. Which you would then plug into the 1/4" input on the Brick. The Brick's tube tone and Gain (with a capital G), would come out the XLR output - while the 1/4" output is just an unamplified "thru". So I'm not sure how that would help.

Mr. Brick can give you up to 55dB of gain via the XLR, which to me - sounds like the last thing you need anyway.

I think you gotta check the settings on the amp, and/or the position of the pickup. Using a DI into a PA might give you more control than using a guitar amp.

Do you know anyone with an LR Baggs pre-amp / DI for an acoustic guitar? Something like that with EQ, plus a notch filter might be useful.

Good luck!

dvdhawk Sat, 05/15/2010 - 09:55

I can dig it. Doesn't sound stupid at all.

Unfortunately, it will be an uphill battle all the way with short nylon strings and a hollow-body. Those soundhole plugs JG linked to look interesting, I might have to get one for my acoustic. I don't like the rubber plug I have now. I only use it in rare and extreme circumstances. It definitely tames feedback on a high-volume stage - but takes a lot of the tone with it. (not unlike an aggressive notch-filter would). Those carved plugs might be a happy medium.

If you want to wail on 4 strings, you could take the http://en.wikipedia… PUSA approach and just put any random number of strings on a solidbody electric. Those two guys didn't have more than 5 strings between them, but had some quirky catchy songs.

Or you might consider one of those 16-1-4_size_GL_Mini_Electric_Guitar mini solidbodies

Either way sounds like fun.