Gallien-Krueger PLEX Bass Preamp Pedal

Retailing in the region of £519.00

On the menu for January 2026 are the Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Guitar Pedals today.


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On the menu for January 2026 are the Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Guitar Pedals today.

Sculpt your perfect Bass tone with the Plex Bass preamp with a 4-band EQ and footswitchable Overdrive and Compressor. With a built-in effects loop, you can run this straight into a power amp or direct to desk with a dedicated XLR output. Whatever your setup, the Plex has all the features you'll need – featuring AUX, headphone and Micro USB outputs. It also has a ground lift switch so you can be sure you never experience annoying ground hum issues. Whether you're looking for an addition to your live rig, studio setup or practice tool, the Plex has you covered!

Here's what Gallien-Kruger say about the Plex Bass Preamp Pedal

The Plex preamp combines 47 years of amp design experience with state of the art technology to deliver the flexibility today's musicians require. The heart of every GK product is the active 4 band “variable Q” equalizer and contour circuit that set the standard for bass tone shaping over 30 years ago. Building on this proven foundation, the PLEX features expanded filter options that allow you to further dial in your instruments unique voice. Foot switchable Compressor and Overdrive ensure your performance blends seamlessly into the band or cuts through a crowded mix and the Chromatic Tuner makes sure it’s all in tune. The ¼” output drives the front of your instrument amp or power amplifier while the DI output sends it all to the PA or recording console. Aux IN and Phones Out make the PLEX ideal for jamming along silently with your favorite tunes and the USB input/output allows pristine digital recording and re-amping capability when used with your favorite recording software.

Expanded Voicing Options

Every knob of the PLEX features push activated functions that allow the user to tailor every nuance of their sound beyond the range of traditional tone controls. As each knob is pressed, the indicator is lit blue to signify that an option is engaged and the readout displays the current option level that is active. Need more low end thump? Push the bass/ bump knob to engage multiple levels of bass enhancement. Scooping out some mids for the ultimate slap tone is as easy pressing the low-mid/contour knob until you find just the right notch. Get rid of excessive pick noise and click by pressing the hi-mid/ hi-cut knob. Add just the right amount of “air” to a dark instrument or speaker via the presence function accessed by pressing the treble/presence knob.

No amp? No Worries!

Obviously, the pedal board friendly format, distortion, compressor and chromatic tuner with large LED display make PLEX an “all in one” extension of your existing live amp rig. But let’s face it, not every session or live performance has the need or capacity to allow for your favourite GK rig running at gig volume. The convenience of tracking direct and the use of in-ear monitors on stage has many players leaving their amps at home. With its world class preamp and virtually unlimited tone shaping, wide range of analog and digital input/output options, PLEX allows you to have your GK sound even when an amp is not in the cards.

Features

  • Four band active EQ and Contour
  • Selectable Voicing options for expanded tone shaping
  • Compressor with variable level, threshold, ratio, attack/release and gain reduction indicator
  • Chromatic Tuner with large LED display
  • Overdrive with variable volume and drive level with multiple symmetry and voicing options
  • Aux Input
  • Phones output
  • Direct XLR output with ground lift and Pre/Post selector
  • USB in/out for direct recording and re-amp capability
  • Supports GK MBP powered enclosures
  • Effects send/return
  • 1/4" line output
  • Power: 9V DC Centre Negative PSU
  • Power Consumption: 500mA

Additional information

Weight 1.82 kg

Category

Guitar Pedals

Tags

Compressor

DI

Distortion

Distortion pedals take your clean guitar signal and transform it into something bigger, bolder, and full of attitude. By clipping the waveform, they add sustain, bite, and aggression, creating that thick, compressed tone that’s powered rock music for decades. From the growling crunch of classic hard rock to the tight, saturated roar of modern metal, distortion is all about energy and presence. It gives every note weight and authority, pushing your amp to its limits and beyond.

There are countless flavours of distortion, each with its own texture and edge. Some sound smooth and creamy, others raw and gnarly like tearing fabric. It’s the sonic equivalent of turning up the heat until the sound cooks — rich, sizzling, and perfectly seasoned to taste. Whether used for rhythm muscle or soaring leads, a good distortion pedal doesn’t just add volume; it adds personality, grit, and that unmistakable sense of power under your fingers.

EQ

While Ed Sheeran primarily relies on the natural sound of his acoustic guitar and vocals, he occasionally uses EQ (Equalization) to shape and enhance his tone during live performances or in the studio. EQ pedals or onboard preamps can allow him to adjust the frequency response of his guitar signal to suit the acoustics of different venues or to achieve specific tonal characteristics. Here’s how EQ might be utilized in Ed Sheeran’s setup:

1. **Tonal Shaping**: EQ can be used to adjust the balance of frequencies in the guitar signal, allowing Ed Sheeran to shape his tone to his liking. For example, he might boost the midrange frequencies to bring out the warmth and presence of his acoustic guitar, or cut certain frequencies to reduce any harshness or mud in the sound.

2. **Feedback Control**: In a live setting, EQ can help control feedback by notching out problematic frequencies that might cause the guitar signal to feed back through the amplification system. This can be particularly useful when performing in venues with challenging acoustics or high volume levels.

3. **Room Correction**: In situations where the venue’s acoustics are less than ideal, EQ can be used to compensate for any deficiencies in the sound. By adjusting the EQ settings, Ed Sheeran can tailor the guitar tone to sound more balanced and natural, regardless of the room’s acoustic properties.

4. **Matching Gear**: EQ can also be used to match the tone of Ed Sheeran’s guitar to the sound of other instruments or equipment in his setup. For example, he might adjust the EQ to complement the tonal characteristics of his vocal microphone or to blend seamlessly with backing tracks or other instruments.

Overall, while EQ may not be a central component of Ed Sheeran’s guitar effects setup, it can still play a valuable role in shaping his tone and ensuring that he achieves the desired sound in different performance environments. Whether used subtly for tonal shaping or more aggressively for feedback control, EQ allows Ed Sheeran to tailor his guitar tone to suit his musical vision and performance needs.

Filter

New

This is brand new, fresh in, and a UK warranty is included. New Gear always comes from trusted UK music retailers.

Overdrive

Like a golden layer of melted cheese — warm, gooey, and just put it all over. It adds just the right amount of richness and grit, turning a clean signal into something smooth and savoury. Designed to mimic the natural breakup of a tube amp pushed to its sweet spot, overdrive delivers the flavour of classic rock and blues in every bite. From creamy mid-gain warmth to crisp edge-of-breakup sparkle, it’s the comfort food of guitar tone — simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s a mild crunch or a full-bodied roar, overdrive is where good taste begins.

Preamp

A preamp pedal shapes and boosts your guitar’s signal before it reaches your amp or recording interface, giving you control over tone, gain, and headroom. It acts as the first stage of amplification, adding warmth, clarity, and character while preparing your signal for the next part of the chain. Some preamps emulate the response of classic valve circuits, while others offer clean, transparent tone shaping ideal for acoustic instruments or direct recording setups.

Used on its own, a preamp pedal can serve as the foundation of your tone, providing a consistent core sound wherever you play. When combined with other effects, it enhances dynamics and helps each pedal sound more defined and natural. Whether you’re looking to push your amp harder, bring life to a dull signal, or refine your sound for the studio, a good preamp pedal adds presence, punch, and musicality to any rig.

Tuner

A tuner is an essential pedal or device that helps keep your guitar perfectly in tune by detecting the pitch of each string and showing whether it’s sharp or flat. Tuners come in many forms, from simple clip-on units to advanced pedalboard models with bright displays and muting options for silent tuning on stage. They ensure accurate pitch, stable tone, and a more professional sound, making them one of the most important tools for any guitarist.

used

Volume

Volume pedals control the output level of a guitar signal using a foot-operated treadle. They allow smooth volume swells, dynamic control during playing, and easy muting between songs. Volume pedals can be placed at different points in the signal chain to either control overall loudness or adjust gain and drive behaviour when positioned before distortion or overdrive pedals.