Aguilar obp-2 or EMG BTS

[JeanBG]

I have an older washburn (RB4000) bass that I love to play, but the sound ain't that good so I want to upgrade the pickups and the preamp. I was thinking of going with the EMG 35DC but don't know what preamp to get.

What do you guys think?

Aguilar obp-2 or the EMG BTS?

The Aguilar costs a bit more, but the difference isn't that big.
I read a few threads about it and most people seem to like the aguilar best, but I'm aksing again just to know if they match well with the EMG pickups.

Thanks for helping a bass brother out ;-)

[SGD Lutherie]

Lets compare...

The OBP-2 has its center frequencies at 40Hz for the bass and 6.5kHz for the treble. It does +/- 18 dB for the bass and +/- 16 dB for the highs. Some people think the bass control is too sensitive. They list battery life as 324 hours.

The EMG BTS lets you select the treble frequency between 2.1, 3.5, 4.5, and 7.0 kHz. They don't list what the bass frequency is. It does +/- 10 dB bass and 12 dB treble. They list the battery life as 625 hours.

Both can run at 9 or 18V.

Either should work with the EMG-DC. The Aguilar's extra bass boost might be good since it's kind of an edgy sounding pickup.

Both are fine sounding preamps.

[malicous]

IMO, the OBP-2 is not the best way to go. I think you would be better off with an obp-1 or obp-3 (or stick with the EMG system). Seymour Duncan's 2 and 3 band pre also works well with EMG DC pickups, and should be in the same price range.

[JeanBG]

what's the difference between the obp-1 -2 and -3??? Aren't they the same? except for boost only 2-band, 2-band cut/boost and 3-band cut/boost ????

oh and thanks for the replies!!

[SGD Lutherie]

OBP-1: Two bands of boost
Maximum amount of boost: 18db, occuring at 40 Hz for the bass, and 4kHz for the treble.

OBP-2: Bass control: plus/minus 18 dB @ 40 Hz.
Treble control: plus/minus 16 dB @ 6.5 KHz.

OBP-3: Bass control: plus/minus 18 dB @ 40 Hz.
Mid control: plus/minus 16 dB @ 400Hz or 800 Hz. User selectable frequency center.
Treble control: plus/minus 16 dB @ 6.5 KHz.

So the treble band on the OBP-1 is lower than the other two. That's more upper midrange.

[FunkMetalBass]

EMG will be easier to wire, but I'd suggest a 3-band EQ like the OBP-3. I have it and love it. The DCs are very aggressive pickups, so a 3rd band around 600/800 Hz would help you tame them a bit. I'm also just a fan of mid controls in general, so I'm a bit biased.

[malicous]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

the treble band on the OBP-1 is lower than the other two. That's more upper midrange.

+ 1

The higher treble seems to work well with the 3 band, but with the 2 band, the lower 4K center worked better for me.

[JehuJava]

The obp-1 is based on the DB924 outboard preamp. That thing sounds warm and fat. That little box changed my outlook on tone forever. The obp-1 gets my vote, but ymmv!! The obp-3 sounds good but a little more active, if ya know what I mean.

[Reynoldbot]

OBP-2 is the choice if you have a nine-volt system. I've got it in my Fender Jaguar and it sounds great!

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Reynoldbot

OBP-2 is the choice if you have a nine-volt system. I've got it in my Fender Jaguar and it sounds great!

The EMG runs fine on 9 volts also.

I used BTC preamps in my basses for years.

You can hear one on this clip. The first part is passive, then I switch the preamp in and mess with the controls.

http://sgd-lutherie.com/media/neo_pi...ive-active.mp3

[JeanBG]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

The EMG runs fine on 9 volts also.

I used BTC preamps in my basses for years.

You can hear one on this clip. The first part is passive, then I switch the preamp in and mess with the controls.

http://sgd-lutherie.com/media/neo_pi...ive-active.mp3

What pickups do you use in that bass? And does the BTS circuit sound similar to the BTC?

[Rano Bass]

Originally Posted by JeanBG

And does the BTS circuit sound similar to the BTC?

Its exactly the same preamp, the BTC has a concentric bass and treble control, and the BTS has separate pots for bass and treble.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by JeanBG

What pickups do you use in that bass? And does the BTS circuit sound similar to the BTC?

Those are my neodymium humbuckers.

And what Rano Bass said. Same preamp.