The Darkglass Electronics Microtubes B7K2 is a bass preamp pedal with overdrive, built around the Finnish maker's Microtubes circuit. It sits in the preamp pedal category: it shapes the core tone of a bass and adds drive, from a light grind to the heavier saturation Darkglass is known for among players of modern rock and metal. Premier Guitar's buying guide puts the street price at $349 as of its September 2024 guide1.
What it does
The B7K2 combines two jobs in one box. As a preamp, it shapes the fundamental tone of the instrument; as an overdrive, it adds the Microtubes distortion that gives the pedal its name. Premier Guitar describes the character plainly: "Tone-crushing overdrive and super transparent modern sound is the essence of the Microtubes B7K."1
That combination is the point of the design. The drive section delivers the aggressive, saturated sound the Microtubes line is known for, while the preamp side is built to keep the instrument's own voice intact underneath it. As Premier Guitar's reviewer put it: "There's no compromise of the original sound of the instrument: It enhances presence in the mix."1
For a player, that means the B7K2 is aimed at cutting through a band rather than coloring everything heavily. The transparent quality the reviewer describes suits players who want the drive to sit on top of their core tone instead of replacing it, which is why the Microtubes design has been a common sight on modern bass rigs1.
Where it fits on a board
As a preamp with drive built in, the B7K2 can cover ground that would otherwise take two pedals: a dedicated overdrive pedal for the grit and a separate preamp for tone shaping. Darkglass has since built a wider range of bass-oriented gear around the same family of ideas, from distortion and fuzz pedals to compressors and multi-effects platforms, all covered on the Darkglass brand page. For a broader look at the category, see the site's guide to bass pedals1.
Questions
What kind of pedal is the Microtubes B7K2?
It is a bass preamp pedal with overdrive, made by Darkglass Electronics. Premier Guitar's buying guide describes its character as tone-crushing overdrive combined with a super transparent modern sound, which the publication calls the essence of the Microtubes B7K.
How much does the Microtubes B7K2 cost?
Premier Guitar's 2024 buying guide lists the Microtubes B7K2 at a street price of $349. Street prices vary by retailer and over time, so the figure reflects what the guide reported at the time it was published.
Will the B7K2 change my bass's core tone?
Premier Guitar's reviewer found that it does not compromise the original sound of the instrument, writing that it enhances presence in the mix. That makes it a preamp aimed at players who want drive and clarity together rather than a full tonal overhaul.
Sources (1)
- Tools for the Task: 6 Peamp Pedals for Bass, Premier Guitar, 2024-08-22
