Damage Control Womanizer

[Reverend Sunrise]

What's up guys. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Womanizer/

Have used the Damage Control Liquid Blues overdrive with my Wurlitzer electric piano and Ampeg bass combo and think that it sounds f**k amazing in terms of really bringing some pleasant crunch and presence, but I was also curious about the Womanizer distortion/preamp pedal and it's more "evolved" features." The Ampeg has a tube preamp, and I record with a UA 2-610, so would it be entirely f**k redundant and essentially negating to use another preamp such as the Womanizer, with this Ampeg and UA, or would there be additional sonic benefits from a preamplification standpoint? I apologize if this question is obvious...I'm really more interested in warming the sound of my Wurly with some tube overdrive, and was just wondering if there was any point in spending an additional $100 on the Womanizer, when the Liquid Blues sounds good. Thanks for your time.

[tallowwaters]

Guitar player uses the Demonizer to good effect. I think the Womanizer is the step between the Blues and the Demon, and the Demon can get pretty raunchy. Always sounds fuzzy (not fizzy), actually a little bassy. I love the sound of the Demonizer.

i can say that Damage Control has great customer service. Try emailing them and asking what they think...?

[Reverend Sunrise]

Thanks for your response Tallow Waters. I contacted Damage Control, so hopefully they'll enlighten me regarding my query. Not too beat a dead horse, but a question for you, or for anyone else for that matter: is there some general rule of thumb against using more than one preamp, like say a Womanizer before the Universal Audio in the studio or before the Ampeg live? I thought that a good tech buddy of mine, who passed away this year, told me a few years back that I shouldn't do this, but I can't recall why. Maybe more unnecessary noise and electronical jive to deal with from tubes,etc., or maybe just not having gratuitous gear to f**k with the flow...(but what fun would that be?)

[tallowwaters]

No set rules for anything really. Chaining premaps can make more noise, but not if you control your levels. I sometimes chain up to 3 preamps with a compressor in between each for my bass sounds.

[Reverend Sunrise]

Right on, appreciate the response. Ever do any experimenting with the Demonizer on vocals, or for that matter have another particular favorite distortion unit for this application, especially for live use?

[tallowwaters]

Right on, appreciate the response. Ever do any experimenting with the Demonizer on vocals, or for that matter have another particular favorite distortion unit for this application, especially for live use?

I used to use the Demonizer and a ProTone Body Rot on vocals, but here are my 2 favorites-

Amp Modeling on Vocals. I use the Boss VF-1 amp models with distortion constantly. A great way to dial in a custom distorted sound.

A crystal element mic (think old CB radio) into a PAIA tube rack with the output 1 fed into input 2. A great form of natural compression and clipping so the vocals sit better in the mix.

[Reverend Sunrise]

No need to create another topic, so I'll use this one for a related question: what are you guys' experience with inexpensive, stomp box/compact tube preamps? (have some nice s**t for studio use, but don't want to break out live.) Not super keen on the idea of a spacey rack unit. Rather than invest in a Womanizer/Demonizer on my Wurlitzer electric piano, I once again have the service of a Liquid Blues overdrive, which is currently being used in conjunction with a nano small stone, and a cheapo ART MP, which I have the GAS itch to replace. I am intrigued by the Electro-Harmonix LPB2ube, with it's 2 channel operation, so I'd have the option of running my Pro One through it (my only other live axe.). I've traditionally had alright luck with EH quality control, though I've talked to others who have not. On the slightly more expensive front is the single SIB Fatdrive, which sounds like a f**k bad-a*s preamp pedal. These are currently unavailable, though it sounds like more are being made. Also, there's the Presonus Blue tube 2 channel, etc. I'm really looking for some boost and additional cracklin' good tube love for my Wurly, and possibly a little maple syrup for my Sequential, at a cost of less than $300. If anybody can make any suggestions regarding this matter, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Reverend Sunrise]

To answer my own question previously posted, in case anyone checks this out, I have settled upon the Electro-Harmonix LPB2ube preamp to run my s**t live. (s**t being Wurly and Pro One). No need for pricier Womanizer or use of Liquid Blues overdrive anymore either, as the Tungsol 12ax7's I put in the EH overdrive nicely with minimal noise action. Good boost to the Wurly as well, whereas the Pro One is hot and touchy even without. Still ain't no shame having a little butter on my biscuits. Overall, the EH sounds really good and is relatively quiet. Seems sturdy as well. Highly recommended for keys if you're looking for an economical and versatile pre.