Alternative to Audere for Zon fretless

greiswig · #1 05-01-2008, 04:35 PM

Reading up on this forum (very useful!), I made the choice to replace the Bartolini preamp in my Zon fretless with an Audere 3ZB system. While I do like the sound (very transparent, flexible tone, and a very cool Z-mode switch), this seems to be one of those guitars that just doesn't like the Audere. I have white noise all the time. I rewired the Bart pickups to be balanced for the Audere preamp, and did a couple of other things that David recommended for the Audere. I'd like to like it, but I just can't.

I also kind of felt like the Zon lost a little Zing without the coloration of the Bartolini preamp. It's hard to tell, though, whether that was due to my distraction at the noise or what. I'm tempted to put the Bartolini system back in. But I'm also interested in other opinions like "If you liked that Bartolini and want low noise, you've got to try the ______! For fretless, that's the hot ticket." I've got three knob holes and two switch holes that can be filled. Any suggestions (without getting vulgar)?

The ACG system looks intere$ting, but I don't know if it is any quieter than what I have, and is it worth that much more?

And, if you're interested in a slightly used Audere, PM me. Thanks in advance!

MaHei · #2 05-02-2008, 12:01 AM

Don't know if this will help you with your search but I run my Zon Sonus Custom passive (VBT) with Nordstrand Big Singles. Like it better than the Barts with the Polyfusion pre. The bass used to have a weird chorusing effect going on that was driving me nuts, now it sounds great.

**Pacman** · #3 05-02-2008, 04:59 AM

Try the East preamp - a little more color than the Audere, but also a lot more zing.

greiswig · #4 05-02-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Try the East preamp - a little more color than the Audere, but also a lot more zing.

Pacman, thanks. Can you comment on the relative noise levels? I guess the Audere is noisy in some guitars and not in others, so maybe it's not possible to make a general statement. But when I contacted Audere directly, he "didn't have time to listen to my bass," (I'm local to him) and said that the "Bartolini system is definitely quieter."

**Pacman** · #5 05-02-2008, 11:03 AM

I'm using the Audere in a Jazz bass now, and it was very noisy with the stock pickups. I put in Sadowsky humcanceling, and it's fine. I never had a noise issues at all with the JRetro.