The Sadowsky SPB-1 is a bass preamp stompbox: Sadowsky's instrument preamp electronics loaded into an effects pedal enclosure. Announced in March 2020 alongside the SPB-2, it can be used in front of an amp to beef up tone or as a DI box, and it carries an XLR direct out for feeding a PA or recording interface directly1.
What it does
The SPB-1 gives a passive or vintage-style bass the tone-shaping Sadowsky builds into its instruments. Guitar World described the SPB-1 and SPB-2 as pedals that "essentially load the same electronics built into the company's instruments into an effects pedal enclosure"1. In practice that means a player can add the preamp's EQ boost in front of any amp, or bypass the amp entirely and run the pedal as a DI box through its XLR direct out1.
The pedal sits in the same family as Sadowsky's earlier floor units, including the Outboard Bass Preamp/DI and the SBP-1, which brought the company's preamp into pedal form before the SPB series1.
Controls and connections
The SPB-1 keeps things simple, with three controls and a footswitch:
| Control or connection | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Output level1 |
| Bass | Bass EQ1 |
| Treble | Treble EQ1 |
| Footswitch | Switchable mute1 |
| XLR direct out | DI output for PA or recording1 |
| Tuner out | Feed for a tuner1 |
The switchable mute is useful for silent tuning or instrument changes on a gig: one press silences the outputs while the XLR direct out and tuner out remain wired for when the mute is lifted1.
Power
The SPB-1 runs on a 9V battery or an optional 9V DC adapter1. Battery operation means it can be used without a power supply, and the 9V DC option lets it share a standard pedalboard supply.
Price and availability
Guitar World reported the SPB-1 as offered for $299 at its March 2020 launch1.
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Questions
Can the Sadowsky SPB-1 be used as a DI box?
Yes. Guitar World reports that the SPB-1 can be used in front of an amp to beef up tone or as a DI box, and it carries an XLR direct out for that purpose. It also has a tuner out and a switchable mute, so it can sit at the end of a pedalboard and feed the amp, the PA and a tuner at the same time.
How is the Sadowsky SPB-1 powered?
The SPB-1 runs on a 9V battery or an optional 9V DC adapter, according to Guitar World's report on the pedal's launch. That makes it straightforward to fit into an existing pedalboard power setup or to run standalone on battery power.
Sources (1)
- Get classic Sadowsky bass tone in a pedal with the company's new preamp stompboxes, Guitar World, 2020-03-02
