BBE 386 Acoustic Preamp

Very simple to use. Start by turning both the Definition and the Low Contour adjustments full CCW. Set the Gain control to mid position or any setting just out of audible distortion. Then, use the parametric EQ, and get the best sound for your rig. Finally adjust Definition and Low Contour to get the sound you want and believe me, unless your playing a shoe box, you'll get a decent sound. Finally, finally, use notch filter if you need it. On line user's manual is available but not really needed. I wouldn't print it out unless you have something against trees.

Excellent sound quality. I believe this is a perfect acoustic guitar pre-amp to have in your rack. It's able to handle passive or active pickups. I use a Yamaha silent guitar. On it's own (without any processing) it needs help. With the BBE 386, I can get a very good and uniform sound. Crystal clear highs, with even, well difine lows. It takes my $350.00 Yamaha, and gives it sound quality of a 1K Takemine signature dreadnaught. I should know, I own both.

I bought this unit from a A/V repair, rental shop. It was on consignment. I was told that it should work but if it didn't, bring it back for a refund. When I got it home, I soon figured out that the Definition control didn't work. I'm an audio bench tech by trade, so I had to troubleshoot for myself. I downloaded the schmetic and called BBE/G&L Guitars and they faxed me a test procedure. In the mean time, I cut a deal with the rental shop to refund all but $20.00 since it was broken (I originally paid $50.00). After troubleshooting, I determined that the unit had a bad resistor in the Offset circuit. After replacing it, the crystal clear high ends came back to life! I also had to replace an LED that wasn't working. I also cleaned pots with contact cleaner...they sounded dirty. With all this in mind, Keep in mind that this unit is at least 10 years old. I'm not sure how to rate reliability. Since I did a lot of repairs on it. The unit now has worked like a champ...no problem. But it was a defective unit so...you make the call.

I have to give Customer support high ratings because their support didn't blow me off and they took the time to talk with me and fax me a test procedure. The user's manual and schmetic that they have available on line is great. Easy to contact and talk to someone who at least knew something regarding service and who was familiar with a legacy product. I wish everyone had such support.

I play Christian contemporary music, perhaps that is why I am so forgiving. I have been playing for 20 years on and off. I was looking for some acoustic pre amp, that was rack mountable, for my PA. I have tried BBE products before and I gave this a try hoping not to be let down. I think this is a perfect companion for any rack PA, perhaps more if I were to have a studio application.

I agree with the review below.....Plug and Play operation. Full documentation at the BBE website. A snap to setup and use!

Using this with an Alvarez-Yari acoustic with Fishman pickup. This goes into the 386 and then feeda a Alesis Microverb 3, whicn puts out a stereo signal. This then goes into a PA through a direct box. The sound is CLEAN, and with the Sonic Maximizer, it gets stinkin' clean! Coupled with the Alesis unit, delays and reverbs as far as the eye can see......

A discontinued, used unit......

Sure, why not?

An Email to BBE gets an answer. Enough said!

I've been using a Boss AD-3, but this rack setup is significantly cleaner. The AD-3 is a great live unit, better,in my opinion, than the AD-5. This new configuration, though, will be my acoustic rig for a while. Did I say the sound is clean? I'm going to try my Strat through this too..... This is a very cool "lost" rack effect for the acoustic guitar. A solid thumbs up!

Very simple design. The manual explains everything in simple terms. Basically a plug-and-play device. Single space, rack mount effect unit. 1/4" mono in on the front, 1/4" out on the back. Gain, bass, "process," parametric gain, parametric frequency select and notch filter controls. In/out for "process" and notch system.

I have a Gibson J-100 with a Seymour Duncan Sadducer saddle transducer. A nice, hot piezo but a little tinney and harsh. This unit greatly improves the sound. I use it through the PA with a Rapco D.I. I would call it "noise free." Look at the noise and THD specs on the site, it is amazing. The notch filter is great to kill feedback and the parametric is nice to sweep out the mids. This most impressive feature is the BBE "Process." This lets you dial in a nice crisp treble and keeps the bottom super punchy and tight. It also has seperate bass boost and gain. Push buttons allow you to punch the "process" and notch filter in and out quickly. Although I use them in all of the time. This is the best unit I have ever tried for a nice, clean, crisp natural acoustic sound in a loud setting. I think it sounds as good as any Baggs or Fishman rig that I have ever heard. It is simple. There is no chorus or other effects, but that is fine with me. If I wanted effects, I would play electric.

This is an old unit. I bought it used and I don't think the exact model is still available. Although it works very well and appears to function exactly as it did new. I have no concerns about a backup, but I don't use it all of the time. I am mainly a bass player.

The people at BBE were very nice to return e-mail and I was able to get a .PDF version of the manual from the web without incident. I haven't had a great deal of need to deal with them, but they seem to be efficient. BBE owns G&L guitar, so I guess they are used to quality products and dealing with people.

I play praise and worship music. This piece has been a savior to our acoustic sound. I have tried a variety of other acoustic preamps/amps and on-board stuff and this is as good as it gets. I can't even hear a significant improvement when it is compared to duel-source rigs. I works perfect in a loud/live setting and is simple to set and play. If I had a wish list, I would add a Low Z out, so that I wouldn't need a transformer. The new one has a more variable EQ. I would buy it if I ever needed to replace the preamp.