Platinum Pro-EQ Analog Preamplifier with Tuner, Boost

For many years, Fishman's Pro-EQ Platinum Preamps have been very solid, feature-laden performers for upright bassists and other acoustic instrumentalists. Bob himself has used (and often recommended!) a Pro-EQ Platinum Bass for quite some time. And the Pro-EQ Platinum "regular" model has been great for folks playing guitar, mandolin, and other "thinner-stringed" instruments.
But it was time for a facelift. With other, high-quality preamps coming on the scene, Fishman decided that now was the time to strike. And strike hard they did.

Here you see the new Platinum Pro-EQ Analog Preamp. No longer split into two different models, it's now ONE model that allows you to SWITCH THE EQ MODE, depending on whether you're playing a bass instrument or a more "treble-some" one. Frodo would say, "One Preamp to Rule Them All."

How does it sound? This new model sounds even better than the last one did, to our ears. It has a 10 megohm input impedance, which should provide more than adequate buffering for most any piezo pickup. It's easy to add a bit of "heft" in its low mids that can give the bass tone some extra thickness, like the "signature sound" of the old Platinum Bass preamp -- but if you run the controls "flat," what you get is flat response. Regardless, if you liked the old Pro-EQ Platinum Bass model, you'll probably LOVE this one.

The new model also combines all of the cool features that you might previously only find on one or the other - for instance, the old bass model had an optical compressor (but the "regular" model did not) and the regular model had a phase switch (but the bass model did not.) BOTH features are incorporated into the new preamp.

But wait, there's more!

The unit also has these great NEW features:

• Foot-Switchable BOOST with adjustable level (+12dB)
• Input Level/Gain Control
• Low Cut Filter
• Sweepable Notch Filter
• Effects Loop
• Built-In Electronic Chromatic Tuner
• Attractive New Cosmetics with Brushed Metal Face and Small Footprint

In addition, some of the great features from the previous models are still there:

• High-Quality DI with Ground Lift and Pre/Post Switch
• Separate ¼" Output for Stage Amp
• Optical Soft-Knee Compressor
• Four-Band EQ with Sweepable Midrange Control
• Battery or Optional AC Power

You can see to the right how they packed all these great features into this small (6.2” x 5.6” x 2.2” or 158mm x 143mm x 54mm) chassis, which would fit easily onto most any pedalboard. An optional 110v power adaptor is available and can be purchased separately (below) or at a discount when ordered with the preamp. Fishman does not offer a 220v mains adaptor.

Should I get the Platinum Stage or the Platinum Pro?

Both of the Platinum series preamps from Fishman are an excellent choice, with both having transparent sound and lots of useful features. If you're struggling with the decision, though, here's a quick list of (most of) the meaningful differences between the two units.