Audere Pro JZ3 Preamp

[Musicman_00]

I recently purchased a SX Ursa 2 5 string jazz bass. Ash body, maple neck. Installed the audere with 4 band eq, new DR Fat Beams, and a new bridge.

Awesome bass. Fat tone. Possibly the best sounding and feeling bass I have ever owned (Maybe)
Warning: don't turn the gain on the preamp too high! This thing is hot!

My setup is vov/vol, hi mid/low mid, bass/treble.

Between this SX and my Ibanez that has a BassMods 3 band A/P, so far I've been able to get all the tone/sound I've been looking for with the exception of fretless. Before and after pics to come on the SX.

[Musicman_00]

Here's the old and the new.

[Musicman_00]

Close up of upgrades

[Rip Topaz]

I've got the four string sunburst version of this bass, so I'm very much interested in your review. I'm also planning on adding the Audere preamp. Got any sound clips?

I really dig the SX pickups but they distort a bit too easily when you dig in. I'm hoping the Audere will help with that a little plus the tone shaping is awesome. I'm planning on getting the same configuration as you.

[Musicman_00]

Don't really have a way to record.

[Rip Topaz]

That figures. Well, the more info you can share, the better!!

[Neek]

Looks great! I had been eyeing the JZ3 for a while, I'd be interested in any more infor you could share as well. Is it possible to remove the preamp from the control plate? The bass I want to install this on has all the controls in a rear-routed cavity, and I'd prefer to keep the 'naked' top without pickguard and control plate.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by Neek

Looks great! I had been eyeing the JZ3 for a while, I'd be interested in any more infor you could share as well. Is it possible to remove the preamp from the control plate? The bass I want to install this on has all the controls in a rear-routed cavity, and I'd prefer to keep the 'naked' top without pickguard and control plate.

They sell the preamp without the control plate, too.

[Neek]

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

They sell the preamp without the control plate, too.

I missed that option when browsing their site (more than once ). How embarrassing. Thanks Rip!

[Musicman_00]

Well I'll do my best to describe the sound.

Hi Z Mode is really beefy. It sounds good flat. Very easy to get a Marcus Millerish tone while thumping. It doesn't take much volume to get punch out of it! I prefer a hifi tone when playing finger style and this mode doesn't disappoint.

Mid Z is very subtle. Extremely clean. I could play in this mode with my eq flat on the bass and the amp. It's kinda like passive tone but its not. Sounds almost like a filter system. Didn't use it as much Sunday as High Z but when i did use it I liked it for worship kinda music.

Low Z Mode. Didn't use it enough to really dig into the in's and outs.

Hope this helps.