Roscoe with Pope Flexcore preamp (from Roscoe Forum)

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by LightGroove

I cant say Im unbiased as I dont like the wood knob look...I say go with the original black

But you've got to love these LG ....

[JoelFT]

I just finished installing the Flex Core in my SKB. Man, it was a lot more of chore than I though that it would be. Not because of the design of the preamp but, that it was a tight fit and I had to do quite a bit of routing to get the boards to sit flush.

I got the preamp with a four band EQ, coil tap switch, single mid switch and push-pull volume without passive tone. The mid switch is hooked to the high mid and the low mid has the jumpers installed. I also installed the jumper on the highs.

So far, I can tell that this pre has opened up the bass in a way that the Aggie could not. There is more airiness to it now. The weird thing (and best surprise so far) is that single coil mode is so much better now. It always sounded very thin before but, now it is much more like a nice jazz bass.

It's going to take a while to get used to everything but, so far I am impressed. I might try changing jumpers around so, this will probably be a work in progress. And, the best part is, no more radio interference!

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by JoelFT

I just finished installing the Flex Core in my SKB. Man, it was a lot more of chore than I though that it would be. Not because of the design of the preamp but, that it was a tight fit and I had to do quite a bit of routing to get the boards to sit flush.

I got the preamp with a four band EQ, coil tap switch, single mid switch and push-pull volume without passive tone. The mid switch is hooked to the high mid and the low mid has the jumpers installed. I also installed the jumper on the highs.

So far, I can tell that this pre has opened up the bass in a way that the Aggie could not. There is more airiness to it now. The weird thing (and best surprise so far) is that single coil mode is so much better now. It always sounded very thin before but, now it is much more like a nice jazz bass.

It's going to take a while to get used to everything but, so far I am impressed. I might try changing jumpers around so, this will probably be a work in progress. And, the best part is, no more radio interference!

Attachment 319264Attachment 319265

Which pups are in your bass? looks like Nord DCs. That's what I've got.

[JoelFT]

Yup, Nord DCs.

[JOME77]

Looks like you did an excellent job Joel! The cavity looks very neatly done.

I can't wait to hear that bass with the Pope installed.

I'm surprised that you had to route in order to get the PCB's to fit flush though. I didn't have any issues with that. I did have to install one of the switches without the star washer in order for the threaded shaft to extend through the hole enough to engage the nut.

[Robin Ruscio]

I'm interested to hear more as well since i would do the Nord DCs+ Pope. I'm glad you like the SC sound as I suspect that would be a nice tone with both pickups on. I actually love the DC near the bridge for a fatter yet classic Jaco bridge tone tone.

[JoelFT]

Originally Posted by JOME77

Looks like you did an excellent job Joel! The cavity looks very neatly done.

I can't wait to hear that bass with the Pope installed.

I'm surprised that you had to route in order to get the PCB's to fit flush though. I didn't have any issues with that. I did have to install one of the switches without the star washer in order for the threaded shaft to extend through the hole enough to engage the nut.

The recesses for the original pots were very small. The PCBs for the blend and eq were a lot wider than the original route. No problem though. Just a couple of minutes with the Dremel is all that was needed. The most nerve racking thing though was drilling the hole for the extra switch and not screwing up the finish.

I'm not a big fan of the Allparts concentric knobs. I need to find a better solution. I would love to get some THG knobs but, I doubt they could match the top.

[Gard]

...this is getting PERSONAL here, and I'm going to clean it all up.



Mike, you do great stuff, it's not for everyone, but then again neither is what Bartolini or Aguilar do, anymore than what we do or Fodera does is. You are welcome to discuss your preamps here anytime you wish, but if you feel you are being "targeted" in the future, please PM me to handle it instead of letting it turn into what at least on the surface appears to be a flame war on our board.

The others involved in this mess - try to remember what your mom probably told you when you were a kid:

"If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything."

In other words, play nice, or don't play, hmmkay?



For the record, I'm going back and DELETING everything that is not directly about THE PREAMP and how it works or how to best install it. If you are offended because I have deleted something that you posted, consider WHY I'm doing it. If you have a problem with it, I'm easy as pie to reach via PM, FB, e-mail, or the phone number that is plastered all over the internet - which connects you to a phone not 2 feet from where my hands are typing this right now. DO NOT POST ABOUT IT HERE, or else...forum rules exist for a reason, and I agree with that reason.

[Jeff Moote]

Thanks Gard

[JoelFT]

Wow, the conversation flows so much nicer now! 😋

Mike, I am loving the Flex Core. I can't believe how much better the Nords sound in single coil mode now. And, in DC mode I can dial out some of the high mids to get the honk out that I was never able to do before except at the amp. I much prefer controlling it at the bass. Thanks.

Edit: I just reread your post about high mids and how they relate to the treble. I'm going to have to rethink the way I EQ. Good stuff!

[Bipslapper]

Gard droppin' the hammer, i like it!

Joel, nice work- very clean and professional looking. Cavity reminded me of my favorite Lo Mein dish!

I am curious about tweaking preamps but too chicken to do so myself. What are your (or anyone's) thoughts about jazz Bart pickups and a Aggie OB3 pre? I have seen a good deal of discussion on Aggie preamps and soapbars, curious as to the combo with jazz pups. Thanks in advance.

[Gard]

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Gard droppin' the hammer, i like it!

...someone's gotta try to keep order in here...



...that I'm that someone should scare the pants off all of you guys...

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

I am curious about tweaking preamps but too chicken to do so myself. What are your (or anyone's) thoughts about jazz Bart pickups and a Aggie OB3 pre? I have seen a good deal of discussion on Aggie preamps and soapbars, curious as to the combo with jazz pups. Thanks in advance.

I installed an OBP-3 in my CS5+J with the Bart pups and it kills!

It's more aggressive than the Bart, a little more open and of course the EQ points work a bit differently. I like it a lot, and have Aguilar preamps in most of my basses (as well as Ag pickups in my 4 strings, so far...)

[JoelFT]

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Gard droppin' the hammer, i like it!

Joel, nice work- very clean and professional looking. Cavity reminded me of my favorite Lo Mein dish!

Clark Griswold has nothing on this bass!

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

Gard droppin' the hammer, i like it!

Joel, nice work- very clean and professional looking. Cavity reminded me of my favorite Lo Mein dish!

I am curious about tweaking preamps but too chicken to do so myself. What are your (or anyone's) thoughts about jazz Bart pickups and a Aggie OB3 pre? I have seen a good deal of discussion on Aggie preamps and soapbars, curious as to the combo with jazz pups. Thanks in advance.

if you want to get a sense of the Aguilar sound, try out their Tone hammer outboard pre/DI. not quite the same as the onboard but it's got the same character, and you don't have to drop it in your bass first. Of course, it won't be loading with your pickups but rather whatever pre you have now (unless you can bypass it).

I used one constantly for years on ampless gigs and some where I wanted that sound, but just sold it it for a new Basswitch DI/Pre for my pedal board.

I still like the Pope better for a less colored but musical tone.

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by Robin Ruscio

Of course, it won't be loading with your pickups but rather whatever pre you have now (unless you can bypass it).

If you're trying to decide on an onboard pre that's a pretty significant difference. The Bartolini pre that's in there will already have added it's "thing" to which you'd be adding the Aguilar on top. Not an accurate representation of what it would be like if you had just one or the other.

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by Jeff Moote

If you're trying to decide on an onboard pre that's a pretty significant difference. The Bartolini pre that's in there will already have added it's "thing" to which you'd be adding the Aguilar on top. Not an accurate representation of what it would be like if you had just one or the other.

True, which is why I want to part ways with the Bart! You're stuck with that "Bart" sound all the time. I'm not sure what pre the poster has though, maybe it's something bypassable.

I keep thinking most Bart pres sound great on their own, but I can't get them to open up enough in the mix. They're polite and compressed, slight high end roll off, maybe low mid bump, which is a great "bedroom" tone but sometimes they lack presence.

I also am in love with having a passive tone knob again on my Pope pre, and of course I can turn it off with active/passive switch as well.

[RocketMusic]

Originally Posted by Robin Ruscio

True, which is why I want to part ways with the Bart! You're stuck with that "Bart" sound all the time. I'm not sure what pre the poster has though, maybe it's something bypassable.

I keep thinking most Bart pres sound great on their own, but I can't get them to open up enough in the mix. They're polite and compressed, slight high end roll off, maybe low mid bump, which is a great "bedroom" tone but sometimes they lack presence.

I also am in love with having a passive tone knob again on my Pope pre, and of course I can turn it off with active/passive switch as well.

I think you may have just pushed me over the edge. I'm going to try one of these in King Koa (my Koa-topped Century 5). I've been fighting with various preamps in that bass for a long time now. I finally this morning got to try King Koa through my DB-751 head for the first time, and even that head isn't making it work. King Koa currently has Nordstrand NJ5FS pickups, a Nordstrand pre and TI flats. The tone is plastic-y, and I'm not digging it at all. Time for a complete overhaul of the electronics, and after that perhaps a test run with rounds again.

Sigh. Here we go again.

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

I think you may have just pushed me over the edge. I'm going to try one of these in King Koa (my Koa-topped Century 5). I've been fighting with various preamps in that bass for a long time now. I finally this morning got to try King Koa through my DB-751 head for the first time, and even that head isn't making it work. King Koa currently has Nordstrand NJ5FS pickups, a Nordstrand pre and TI flats. The tone is plastic-y, and I'm not digging it at all. Time for a complete overhaul of the electronics, and after that perhaps a test run with rounds again.

Sigh. Here we go again.

Do it. DO IT!!!

I'll be having a new bass delivered shortly that will have Nord Big Splits and a Pope pre. Feeling very confident about my decision after using my Pope in the Fodera and the Nords in the roscoe.

I'm definitely putting the Pope in my roscoe when I actually need my fretless next regularly- probably before I go back in the pit for the Broadway show "Wicked" (lots of cool fretless parts) again next year when it comes through town again. Right now the bass is only getting played at home so I have other priorities gear wise.

[Jeff Moote]

Greg: knowing the kind of music you play, if you haven't already you should really try the Aguilar 5J-HC pickups and an Aguilar preamp (or even run them passive!). Leave the flats on at first. I bet it will sound amazing on that bass.