do I upgrade the pups or the preamp first?

thefunkelastic · #1 01-24-2008, 08:10 PM

So I have a Squier VM Jazz, killer bass, I love it, but that is besides the point, I've only upgraded one thing on it so far that's the bridge, but now I have a few dollars in my pocket and I can afford to do one of two things, either upgrade to an audere preamp, or get new pickups? Which will give me more variation within my sound? Which would you reccomend I do first?

projectMalamute · #2 01-24-2008, 08:21 PM

I'd start with pickups and I'd get that pre out of there. Good pickups will probably sound better without a cheap pre in the way.

Siegy · #3 01-24-2008, 08:39 PM

pretty sure the VM jazz doesn't have active electronics. Unless of course by preamp you mean the pots and capacitor.

jady · #4 01-24-2008, 08:44 PM

A good pre won't do much for crappy pups. Get a pair of used DM Ultra Jazzs or Model Js. Both can be found used for around $90.

I actually saw a Sadowsy set on TB for $85 not to long ago.

blowabs · #5 01-24-2008, 08:56 PM

I am in a similar situation ( i put a Gotoh 201 on and blacked it out)... I am a newbie.....but i like the SD- like pups... & feel new pots will help out the pups...; and they are cheap too.

From learning from the guys here i think i am gonna try and change the strings first.

JMTC

kerryg · #6 01-24-2008, 09:14 PM

I put a PJ set in a JV Squier that was suffering from the "muds". Didn't do as much for the fundamental sound of the bass as much as I'd hoped; Sadowsky magic seems to live elsewhere in his basses.

But absolutely, address the pickups first. Good pickups sound great already, without a pre. Mediocre pickups with a good pre and you're just t*rdpolishing.

DanRJBrasil · #7 01-24-2008, 09:45 PM

the pups are the heart of the eletronics in a bass, a good preamp cannot do much good with bad pups, good pups even wired passive direct will sound good. the preamp only will enhance the natural sound of the pups+ bass body. Audere seem to be a very good preamp and that impedence feature sold me out, and is on my list as I am planning to do a custom, but preamps are not that important, unless you are using in ear monitors and only uses a D.i.
If the upgrade costs more then the bass itself maybe would be better to invest that money in a better instrument. let the squier be another choice, transform it in a fretless or put it just as backup.

thefunkelastic · #8 01-25-2008, 04:43 AM

it sounds great as is guys, the VM squier has duncan pickups which actually aren't bad, that's why I'm asking whether I should upgrade from good to better pickups first or passive with crappy pots to a decent preamp

Gintaras · #9 01-25-2008, 05:01 AM

I have used Dimarzio J's and thought they were really great pups and the price is great.

BassoP · #10 01-25-2008, 08:35 PM

FWIW, the audere is reputed to be pretty neutral (the bass I have it in has only ever had the pre, so I can't compare it to passive). If you want more versatility, the audere will do it, especially the JZ5. If you want a better tone, the pickups would probably be the place to start, as the audere doesn't do a huge manipulaiton to what goes into it, except at pretty extreme eq settings.

**WoodyG3** · #11 01-25-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefunkelastic

it sounds great as is guys, the VM squier has duncan pickups which actually aren't bad, that's why I'm asking whether I should upgrade from good to better pickups first or passive with crappy pots to a decent preamp

Okay, so I have to ask. If it sounds great, why are you wanting to mess with it?