Stanley Clarke Signature Preamp

The EBS Stanley Clarke Signature Acoustic Preamp is designed to overcome the challenges of amplifying acoustic instruments like the upright bass, offering superior sound quality, powerful filters, and essential features.

Engineered and designed by EBS in collaboration with legendary bass player and composer Stanley Clarke, this 2-channel preamp is built exclusively with premium components.
Operating at a professional mixing console signal level, the preamp provides ample headroom and superior signal quality, making it ideal for use with any power amp. Its design is perfectly suited to handle the complex sonic characteristics of an upright bass.

Each of the two channels features an input gain control and a versatile EQ strip with bass, mids (where you select the frequency range with one knob and boost or cut with another), and treble. Both channels include a unique control knob that acts as either a high-pass or notch filter, selectable by a switch, to prevent unwanted feedback and tailor the sound to your instrument and room acoustics.

With 10 MΩ input impedance on both channels, the preamp works with passive, active, or high-impedance piezo pickups. The A channel supports Electret pickups via a dedicated switch. The B channel accepts a 48V phantom-powered or passive dynamic/condenser microphone through an XLR input, with a switch to select between XLR and 1/4″ inputs. You can switch between channels or blend them, for example, to mix bow and pizzicato playing styles. To address possible phase issues when blending inputs, a Phase Inverter switch is included on channel A.

Important: Newer models have a phantom power on/off switch. On original versions, phantom power is always on. Do not connect microphones sensitive to 48V, such as passive ribbon mics, to the XLR input on older models. Instead, use the 1/4″ input on channel B to avoid damage.

Additional features include an effects loop (serial or parallel, requiring a Y-split insert cable), a tuner output, and a balanced XLR output for studio-quality signal to front-of-house or recording devices. The balanced output works with a speaker simulator and includes a ground lift to eliminate hum. The aux input and professional-grade headphone output make practicing and learning easier.

This pedal is also suitable for other acoustic or electric instruments, covering a wide and complex frequency range. Electric bass players may benefit from the dual channels for individual EQ settings and smooth switching between instruments during gigs.