Well, I installed an OBP-3 with mid select and passive option. Definitely a big improvement!
The mids have a much tighter 'q' than the stock Fender pre making the control much more useful. Cutting mids no longer means a drastic overall volume drop! Having the selectable mids isn't turning out to be a huge advantage as I tend to favor the higher band. The 400hz control may come in handy though...
I'm amazed at how transparent the Aggie pre is with the eq flat! I've read quite a few opinions that the Aguilar isn't all that transparent & adds some "booty". Honestly, with the eq flat I hear no difference (I can easily a/b on the fly with the passive switch.) I'm running it at 9volts & there is also no volume difference from passive to active! If anything (and I may well be imagining it), the active signal might be ever so slightly compressed. But it's
extremely negligible if even really there.
The passive option is a great new option for this bass! The p pup reacts much more like a traditional 4-stringer with effects and amp inputs. I definitely prefer passive electronics & I'm even more happy with the Fender's pups now! The p pup really sounds like a 'p'. Even the Bill Lawrence double-j sounds good! Unique, yes, but good.
The Aguilar's treble control is very musical, but does add appreciable hiss when boosting. It's dead-quiet set flat or when cutting, but you will get some added hiss when boosting. Its not un-usable, but worth noting. I rarely if ever boost treble, so not an issue for me.
Ditching the stock Fender pre has really 'unmasked' more of this instruments' potential! The Aggie pre has proven to be a worthwhile investment! The bass speaks better & apparently used to be a little "choked" sounding. Who knew?
Installing the Aguilar:
The bass! I love the original 5-in-line headstock!
