Aguilar vs Sadowsky pres....

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jacove

Kjung, what I'm trying to say is:...let's say you got a DB750 would you then bypass the outboard pre-amp or on-board, let's say a db924, and instead use the pre-amp section of the amp...I assume the pre-amp in the amp is better, tube circuit etc...

Sorry... still not sure I'm following you.... I don't know what a db924 is. However, I'll take a stab at it from what I think you are saying. For example, I have a Sadowsky bass with a Sadowsky preamp that I then plug into a Thunderfunk amp (which is similar in layout to the DB750). I use the tone controls on the Thunderfunk to get my basic sound, and then use the on-board preamp to tweek it through the evening.... i.e., back off the bass and treble a little for fingerstyle jazz-type playing... turn up the treble a little to add sizzle to a funk/slap tune, etc. So, I primarily use the amp's preamp to drive the power amp and to get my basic tone, and the on-board preamp to tweak and to allow for a 'better' signal into the amp's preamp.

If I'm still not getting you.... hopefully another TBer will be less dense than I am and will answer your question

[jacove]

Hehe, Ok, Kjung, that was pretty much what I was looking for....In other words if it would be better to use the amps pre-amp than the on-board asuming that the amps pre-amp is "better", for example a tube driven pre-amp...the db924 is the Aguilar outboard An outboard/onboard would probably give a more active sound, I think...but if you're just looking for a bass boost for example, I was wondering if there are any advantages to use a outboard instead of tweaking the amps preamp.

[Dan1099]

There's nothing that says you can't use both. Each control will lend a slightly different "character" to the sound. Even the two "bass" or "treble" knobs will sound different. It's just a matter of preference.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jacove

Hehe, Ok, Kjung, that was pretty much what I was looking for....In other words if it would be better to use the amps pre-amp than the on-board asuming that the amps pre-amp is "better", for example a tube driven pre-amp...the db924 is the Aguilar outboard An outboard/onboard would probably give a more active sound, I think...but if you're just looking for a bass boost for example, I was wondering if there are any advantages to use a outboard instead of tweaking the amps preamp.

I think we are all saying the same thing..... you are really talking about an active/passive issue, not an either or with an onboard or outboard battery operated preamp VERSUS either a high quality rack mount preamp or the preamp that is part of an amp head. So... you are correct... an on-board preamp is pretty much the definition of an 'active' sound... although a true, totally active bass would also have active pickups like EMG's or the Bartolini's that come in the MTD basses, for example.

So.... no reason the think of it as an either/or.... you will always have some sort of preamp associated with your amp... either built into an amp head or as part of a pre/power amp modular system. This will be your primary EQ source (in most cases) and will provide a high quality and powerful signal to drive the power amp.

I really, really like to use both.... it's great to have a littel extra tone sculpting capability right on your bass, and there are some other advantages regarding pickup-loading and the ability to run longer cable lengths with less loss of tone and signal.

One of the things that on-board preamp designers are trying to do is get the preamp to be very transparent... so that when you have the tone controls 'flat', the bass sounds like it is really passive. Most on-board preamps come with an 'active/passive switch that takes them out of the circuit altogether... although 'passive purists' claim that you can still hear the difference.

So.... as the previous poster said... unless you are a fanatic for a passive sound, there's very little disadvantage to using both.

[jokerjkny]

Originally Posted by Dan1099

There's nothing that says you can't use both. Each control will lend a slightly different "character" to the sound. Even the two "bass" or "treble" knobs will sound different. It's just a matter of preference.

honestly, IMHO, putting aguilar upon aguilar would be redundant, i.e. using the DB924 (outboard preamp box) into the DB750, who's preamp EQ is most likely shaped similarly. and yes, i've tried this.

IMHO, i'd use the DB924 only if i totally love the aguilar sound and want that w/ another amp or rental rig i maybe forced to use.

as for aguilar and sadowsky preamp tones, yes, they are very different. the aguilar does sound more muscular, while the sadowsky is more glossy sounding. both are terrific, just different.

[Dan1099]

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

honestly, IMHO, putting aguilar upon aguilar would be redundant, i.e. using the DB924 (outboard preamp box) into the DB750, who's preamp EQ is most likely shaped similarly. and yes, i've tried this.

IMHO, i'd use the DB924 only if i totally love the aguilar sound and want that w/ another amp or rental rig i maybe forced to use.

as for aguilar and sadowsky preamp tones, yes, they are very different. the aguilar does sound more muscular, while the sadowsky is more glossy sounding. both are terrific, just different.

Of course. It's only worth doing if the two preamp sections could impart significantly different tones.