aguilar vs bartolini? + pickup questions

[ugo]

im thinking about maybe changing the preamps in a few of my basses (mostly my japanese tune's) and i've been trying to figure out which to go for. i know i like bartolini, but i've been curious about the aguilar obp-3. i had the chance to a/b bart to aguilar once but that was a good chunk of years ago, so i really dont remember it clearly enough. my memory is only that i think i liked it and that it may have been more punchy than the bartolini pre.

can anyone offer some opinions on what the aguilar tone is like and how it compares/contrasts to bartolini?

also, are there any 5 string pickups out there that will be a direct replacement for soapbars that are 1 3/32" wide by 4 9/16" long? i might be able to push an extra 32nd on the width and a 16th on the length, but thats cutting it very close to the rout, which i do not want to enlarge.

it looks like bartolini's X5 set will fit, but they are so thin that the gap in the width might be a bit unsightly.

thanks for the info.

[ugo]

bump
....anyone?

[ugo]

one more bump, just in case anyone feels like sharing some info.

btw, im open to other preamp brand suggestions too. i guess it might help if i offered a bit more info on the basses i'd be adding them into though.

one is a japanese tune 8 string that is currently loaded with bartolini jazz pickups. its got a tune preamp in there now, which sounds good but i think the bass could be richer and more lively with a different preamp. its a maple neck through, with an ebony board, mahogany wings, and a koa top.

the other tune (also made in japan) is a bolt on 5 string. maple neck, ebony board, ash body. thats the one im also considering replacing the pickups in. right now, its got the stock tune pickups and preamp. this one is already punchy by nature (which i really like about it), but the tone is a bit sterile and could stand to be a bit more textured and flavorful. im totally open to pickup and preamp suggestions on this one. i'd just rather not widen the routs (as mentioned above), and i know that will limit my options.

i had thought about changing the electronics in a few other of my basses too, but i think i'll leave those as is now and just contemplate making a few changes to those two tunes.

[JWBass]

I'm a Modulus player and have been searching the sotres and web for a new instrument. The Quantum 5's come with either the Aguilar OBP series (3 or 1 ) or the Bartolini NTBM preamps. Now, I've played both, side by side, one after another, etc. In my opinion, the Aguilar OPB-3 is the best of the preamps I've heard. In fact, I'm considering puttting one in my '93 Modulus M-92 5 string now because I can't really afford a new Quantum bass for another couple of years or so.

Anyway, the tones are richer and the options available with the OBP-3 are far greater than anything else I've seen. Go to www.bestbassgear.com to find out more about the available options and the like. They offer different configurations, prewiring and tech support. Hope this helps.

[Dragonlord]

The NTBM preamp in my bass won't be there for long either. FWIW, it will be replaced by an Aguilar OBP-3 or a Glockenklang preamp (unless I decide to go passive with Villex).

[JWBass]

Dragonlord,

The Aguilar works for passive or active electronics...

[ugo]

many thanks for the responses. i figure if the preamp change goes over well in one of my other basses, i may consider swapping out the bartolini preamp in my modulus too.

JW, when A/B'ing between the two you mentioned the tones were richer in the aguilar one. by any chance, can you describe that in any more detail? for example, was it better across the spectrum, or was just the low end deeper? were the highs more or less sweet? did the growl change? (for the better or worse.) did you notice one or the other being more punchy?

also, was this a night and day difference, or a relatively subtle change?

thanks for the info.

[Dragonlord]

Originally Posted by JWBass

Dragonlord,

The Aguilar works for passive or active electronics...

Yeah, I know, but the Villex system has passive mid and treble controls so a preamp isn't needed, actually it would probably make things far too complicated...

[JWBass]

Originally Posted by ugo

many thanks for the responses. i figure if the preamp change goes over well in one of my other basses, i may consider swapping out the bartolini preamp in my modulus too.

JW, when A/B'ing between the two you mentioned the tones were richer in the aguilar one. by any chance, can you describe that in any more detail? for example, was it better across the spectrum, or was just the low end deeper? were the highs more or less sweet? did the growl change? (for the better or worse.) did you notice one or the other being more punchy?

also, was this a night and day difference, or a relatively subtle change?

thanks for the info.

The OBP-3 just had a "richer" tone quality to it. The Bart's were "thin" sounding, even on the B string. I was able to do more with the Aguilar than with the Bart. More growl was able to be dialed in, less growl; more punch was available to me it I wanted it. The Aguilar is just a better preamp. In fact, I just bought one to install in my current Modulus M-92 5 string as it only has a bass and treble cut/boost configuration withthe single pickup. That's how impressed I was with it. I will now be able to get the tones I want, including the mid boosts I've been missing.

[basswave]

Originally Posted by JWBass

I'm a Modulus player and have been searching the sotres and web for a new instrument. The Quantum 5's come with either the Aguilar OBP series (3 or 1 ) or the Bartolini NTBM preamps. Now, I've played both, side by side, one after another, etc. In my opinion, the Aguilar OPB-3 is the best of the preamps I've heard. In fact, I'm considering puttting one in my '93 Modulus M-92 5 string now because I can't really afford a new Quantum bass for another couple of years or so.

Hey JW
I'm a Mostly a Mod player myself but have a ear had a different opinion than you, But that can be a good thing.
I would trade you a OPB1 for your NTBM.

I tried the OPB1 in a Mongrel Jazz and it did not do it for me.

[JWBass]

Originally Posted by basswave

Hey JW
I'm a Mostly a Mod player myself but have a ear had a different opinion than you, But that can be a good thing.
I would trade you a OPB1 for your NTBM.

I tried the OPB1 in a Mongrel Jazz and it did not do it for me.

That's fine, I won't refute your findings, but I'm referring to the OBP-3, not the OBP-1. I haven't compared the NTBM to an OBP-1; only the OBP-3. Try the OBP-3; compare it to the Bart NTMB and you'll hear the difference. I don't like the NTMB at all. It would be a deal breaker on a new instrument. I won't settle for anything less that an Aguilar OBP-3 at this point. Of course, this is only my opinion, but from what I've been reading, that seems to be the concensus among the low end community.

[basswave]

Originally Posted by JWBass

That's fine, I won't refute your findings, but I'm referring to the OBP-3, not the OBP-1. I haven't compared the NTBM to an OBP-1; only the OBP-3. Try the OBP-3; compare it to the Bart NTMB and you'll hear the difference. I don't like the NTMB at all. It would be a deal breaker on a new instrument. I won't settle for anything less that an Aguilar OBP-3 at this point. Of course, this is only my opinion, but from what I've been reading, that seems to be the concensus among the low end community.

Intresting...I have to admit that in a pre I'm listing for its flat tone. (I'm not a tweaker) So to be honest I'm not as intrested in what the mids can and cannot do. However, If you say that the flat tone is noticibly differnt than the NTBM than that would be a different story...

I do relize that I'm in the minority with the opinion on the Aguilar on boards pre's. Don't get me wrong I think some of the other products are great like the DB750.
Just not into the onboards
It just is what it is.

I'm curious about trying one of my Q5's with a one with the Aguilar.

Cheers