On-board mid-boost for J-bass ?

[Fathand]

Ok, let's say that from time to time, I want to widen/boost the midrange of my J-bass and bring it closer to a P-bass sound. I've done this in the past by using EMG's and favouring the neck PU with about 70/30 split. But if I've got a passive bass with barts and want to do the same, do I have any on-board options? Basically an active, 1-band mid boost(/cut) that can be bypassed. E.g, would this do the job? http://www.bestbassgear.com/bartolini-preamps-tc3.htm

The easiest choice would be to use an EQ-pedal, but I really don't want to add anything to my board, which is pretty much set up for a P-bass PU/tone..

[joelb79]

The TC-3 is not an EQ but a signal boost. Your tone will stay the same only get louder with it.

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by joelb79

The TC-3 is not an EQ but a signal boost. Your tone will stay the same only get louder with it.

That's what I understood at first, but then I read this: "It also can be wired so that different parts of the spectrum are boosted using a potentiometer and it will boost up to 40dB. "

I didn't really get from those schematics actually what parts of the spectrum we're talking about...

[Hobobob]

Just wire your pickups to a series/parallel switch. I'm sure someone here could post a schematic for such a procedure. I'm thinking of doing this myself.

[jobo4]

Originally Posted by Fathand

That's what I understood at first, but then I read this: "It also can be wired so that different parts of the spectrum are boosted using a potentiometer and it will boost up to 40dB. "

I didn't really get from those schematics actually what parts of the spectrum we're talking about...

I read it the same way. I'd check with Bartolini and see if they have more information for this item. I for one would be very interested in a one band parametric eq which is how I understand their text to read.

[razboinikoff]

Blade B-1 and B-15 J bass models have active mid boost which sounds very good IMHO
http://www.bladeguitars.com/basses/b1-series/b1/


You can check at your local dealer - maybe can be bought separately.

[Fathand]

Originally Posted by Hobobob

Just wire your pickups to a series/parallel switch. I'm sure someone here could post a schematic for such a procedure. I'm thinking of doing this myself.

Actually, I have done that to one of my basses (with DiMarzio J's) previously and it's still on the table as an option. The series mode with those pickups was almost too much though, serious "ooomph" and punch. I reckon that with the Bartolini's it would be a bit more tamed soundwise, but still a good way to "Presicionize" the J-bass.

The original question came in mind when I was searching for a preamp, looking for something to tweak the mids with. There is a lot of Hi/Mid/Bass & Hi/Bass -preamps, but no "mid-only". With all of this sound customization going on, I'm surprised no-one would want a sweepable mid or just a certain mid cut/boost -pre.

[Hobobob]

Originally Posted by Fathand

Actually, I have done that to one of my basses (with DiMarzio J's) previously and it's still on the table as an option. The series mode with those pickups was almost too much though, serious "ooomph" and punch. I reckon that with the Bartolini's it would be a bit more tamed soundwise, but still a good way to "Presicionize" the J-bass.

It would probably be the most cost-effective solution, and you could always just reverse it if you ended up not liking it.

[Ric5]

my choice is an Audere 4 band onboard preamp

[ctmullins]

Villex PRTB.

John East Mid-Sweep control.

Artec QTA.

And a big +1 to the series wiring option.

[wcriley]

EMG VMC.
http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wi...0230-0220A.pdf
Variable frequency. Designed for passive pickups. No need for a bypass, assuming the center detent is truly "flat".

[dmusic148]

Just back off the bridge pickup a little. Or the neck.

[Fathand]

These..

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Villex PRTB.

John East Mid-Sweep control.

Artec QTA.

And a big +1 to the series wiring option.

and this..

Originally Posted by wcriley

EMG VMC.
http://www.emgpickups.com/content/wi...0230-0220A.pdf
Variable frequency. Designed for passive pickups. No need for a bypass, assuming the center detent is truly "flat".

..exactly what I was looking for. Thanks people, TB never fails. Now I just have to figure out which of these would suit my needs best.

EDIT: Looks like the EMG would have the best price/application ratio for me.. the wiring will be something else though, mixing passive non-EMG PU's with their solderless system (not surprisingly, they have no prepared instructions for that). Looks like it shouldn't be that hard though, keeping the wiring passive until the VMC pot and bypassing the battery bus by connecting the red cables directly (mainly for space issues, I don't want to make any new routing in the bass and the cavity in a J-bass can get a bit crowded..)

[razboinikoff]

I will repeat my recommendation for Blade mid boost - it's designed to work with J-bass and you can hear it installed on every B-1 or B-15 in shops around before you buy

[wcriley]

I'm a fan of EMG's onboard EQs, but it's been a couple years since I've bought one.
Do they only come with solderless connections now? After reading about JimmyM possibly destroying one while soldering to it, I think that's a bad move on EMG's part.