aftermarket Stingray (SUB) 2eq preamps / pickups.

[papadesophie]

I'm having a touch of GAS at the moment, and am feeling very tempted to replace the preamp in my SUB with an aftermarket part, and maybe even a pickup too. I've seen that SD do a 2 eq preamp, and found ones from EAST (UK) and from DELANO (Germany) and am sorely tempted to check them out. That said I don't want to shell out dough on something that I can't hear, so does anyones have any experience of aftermarket MM 2 eq preamps? Is it going to be worth my while? Are there any other makers I should b checking out? Also, for the record, where am I likely to hear the biggest difference; replacing preamp or pickup? For the record, my SUB is completely stock at the moment (apart from the scratchplate, but everyone changes those right?!)

[luknfur]

FWIW:

Get a used outboard unit that colors tone like a Sans. Try it, don't like it, move it on for minimal if any loss. Most onboard pre's are quite transparent and there will be no significant variation in tone that you could probably tell. You can get the same and more from outboard units without touching the bass and you can A/B them with/without the bass so you know eactly how they affect the signal, you can't do that with an onboard. You can use an outboard with any bass, can't do that onboard. You can swap outboards for various tone, can't do that onboard. You can use an outboard as a DI, can't do that onboard.........see a pattern here?

About the only specific application that comes to mind for an onboard pre is the need for boost/cut onboard.

Pups have the largest onboard impact on tone, but in recall there's not much selection for Sub alternatives. A J bass is the one to play with pup swaps.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

like has been said, the pre amp wont make too much of a difference. Id only change it out if there was alot of hiss or other unwanted noise.

If you decide to change the pickup, Norstrand MM pups are apparently "da bomb"

[papadesophie]

thanks all. so the moral of this story is leave the bass alone. I guess it saves some cash...

cheers