Sho-Bud Single Channel Preamp

The single channel preamp does three things.

1. It provides preamp gain when playing through a powered-speaker, while shaping tone exactly like the original Sho-Bud single channel amp from the golden era of pedal steel tone.
2. It features world-class three knob reverb, designed with pedal steel in mind, but provides a beautiful three-dimensional, rich tone to other instruments such as 6-string electric guitars.
3. Small and compact, it allows the player to keep the preamp close for easy-to-access adjustments.

We recommend a self-powered speaker, or a Full Range, Flat Response (FRFR) cabinet. An FRFR cabinet typically includes an Impulse Response Loader feature to reintroduce the raw speaker response into the sound.

A self-powered speaker typically does not have a preamp or tone controls. An amp does.

Yes, by turning down the MASTER control, you can achieve “unity gain,” which in this case, would supply instrument level to a combo amp. PRO TIP: Adjust the tone controls on the amp to sound the most neutral before inserting the Single Channel Pedal. Most players report that it helps achieve a rich 3D and balanced tone.

Yes. We believe that any pedal steel can benefit from the sound of this pedal. For clean lap steel, yes. For lap steels leaning more towards a distorted tone, the preamp can be quite helpful although it does not have a distortion feature. Typically a distortion pedal or a combo amp can help provide that sound.

Yes. Clean six string guitar players such as jazz players and traditional country players love the sound of a Single Channel Preamp Pedal.

Yes.the output can be plugged directly into a mixing console or some players like adding an Impulse Response Loader.

The reverb in the Single Channel Preamp is digital. Please note that the signal path of the instrument does NOT go through the digital reverb. Rather, it is 100% wet reverb that is “blended” on top of the analog signal path thereby retaining the sound of the original Single Channel circuit.

We recommend a fully regulated power supply. One is provided in the box with each Single Channel Preamp Pedal.

There is no bypass as it is a preamp. Because the original Sho-Bud Single Channel circuit is faithfully recreated, there is no buffer. The input impedance is the same as the original combo amp.

Warranty is one year full replacement. If anything goes wrong, Sho-Bud will replace the unit. After one year, Sho-Bud will repair or replace the unit for a pre-determined service charge.

The Sho-Bud Single Channel Preamp Pedal is proudly hand-built in the United States using only the highest grade components.