Do Onboard Preamps Improve Output on a Passive?

[CurryHalfndHalf]

Hey, I've just purchased an Audere JZ3 onboard preamp for my passive MIM Jazz. I bought it primarily for tonal control, but will it improve the power of the output?

It's just so depressing switching to it at gigs from my powerhouse of a Musicman!

Should I invest in some active pups? Or can I keep my stock ones?

[Rickett Customs]

Try it with your stock ones first. Yes, compared to a passive circuit (tone pot and capacitor), you will notice quite a difference. If you are installing it yourself, be sure to insulate your pickup cavities and control cavities, the audere will also bring extra noise in with the signal, if you don't. Enjoy.

[Jazz Ad]

It depends on what you mean with power.
A preamp doesn't always increase gain, sometimes it even lowers it.
On the other hand, it really lowers impedance, preventing your signal from degradation through long cables.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

It depends on what you mean with power.
A preamp doesn't always increase gain, sometimes it even lowers it.
On the other hand, it really lowers impedance, preventing your signal from degradation through long cables.

100% true! Also, just FYI, the Audere is one of the ones that actually lowers the output level of your signal a tiny bit.

[BrandonBass]

if ur worried about the output just get an xotic rc booster. 15db of extra clean boost.

Actually, if you tons of pedals can provide clean boost. outboard preamp, compressor, eq pedal etc.

[darkstorm]

In my experience yes it improves the sound. This is from the conversion to lowZ. I think it gives little more detail and little bit of extension to bass and treble in the sound as though your hearing the pups full potential.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by CurryHalfndHalf

Hey, I've just purchased an Audere JZ3 onboard preamp for my passive MIM Jazz. I bought it primarily for tonal control, but will it improve the power of the output?

It's just so depressing switching to it at gigs from my powerhouse of a Musicman!

Should I invest in some active pups? Or can I keep my stock ones?

Are you talking about the difference between the levels?

First, you shouldn't invest in active pickups, because your preamp has to specifically allow their use. I don't think you can use that Audere with active pickups.

The preamp you bought should allow you to control the gain (pots that are initially set and stay inside the cavity). Perhaps you could try to set the gain to match your other bass.

[CurryHalfndHalf]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Are you talking about the difference between the levels?

First, you shouldn't invest in active pickups, because your preamp has to specifically allow their use. I don't think you can use that Audere with active pickups.

The preamp you bought should allow you to control the gain (pots that are initially set and stay inside the cavity). Perhaps you could try to set the gain to match your other bass.

Thanks guys! I'm still waiting for the preamp, as it's coming from America to the UK, USPS says that it's in customs now.

^Could you explain your last paragraph there drpepper? cheers

[line6man]

Originally Posted by drpepper

First, you shouldn't invest in active pickups, because your preamp has to specifically allow their use. I don't think you can use that Audere with active pickups.

The only difference between active and passive pickups is output impedance.
If the preamp's input impedance is high enough for a passive pickup, it won't matter if you lower the pickup's output impedance, just so long as the voltage stays high enough to be audible.

Or did you mean the variable impedance load feature on the Audere? That feature probably won't do very much with a low impedance pickup.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by line6man

The only difference between active and passive pickups is output impedance.

I'm not sure what confuses you about my statement.

Are you saying that the op can use active pickups with his preamp???

[line6man]

Originally Posted by drpepper

I'm not sure what confuses you about my statement.

Are you saying that the op can use active pickups with his preamp???

I'm confused by your statement that a preamp "has to specifically allow for" the use of active pickups, when a high impedance input doesn't care what's plugged into it.

Yes and no.
You could use active pickups with an Audere, the Z modes just wouldn't do much.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by CurryHalfndHalf

Thanks guys! I'm still waiting for the preamp, as it's coming from America to the UK, USPS says that it's in customs now.

^Could you explain your last paragraph there drpepper? cheers

Well, I wasn't completely sure what you were saying in the initial post, but I took you to mean by "power" that you hadn't been happy switching between basses because of the difference in "volume" between the two.

What I was suggesting is that since gain is adjustable/settable, it may be possible for you the match the basses. Just a thought, not something I've done.

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by line6man

I'm confused by your statement that a preamp "has to specifically allow for" the use of active pickups, when a high impedance input doesn't care what's plugged into it.

Yes and no.
You could use active pickups with an Audere, the Z modes just wouldn't do much.

Yes and no?

Within the context of the original question being "should I get active pickups to pair with this preamp in order to deal with this issue I'm having," I think it's irresponsible to answer that active pickups would be viable without regard to whether that preamp is intended for passive pickups, active pickups, or is intended to support either.

Given the question the op is asking, it seems clear to me that he's unaware of the potential limitations and restrictions on active pickups with his particular preamp.

So, I think the most helpful answer is one that suggests he should not simply run out and "invest in active pickups," but should first know what is supported by his preamp.

[line6man]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Yes and no?

Within the context of the original question being "should I get active pickups to pair with this preamp in order to deal with this issue I'm having," I think it's irresponsible to answer that active pickups would be viable without regard to whether that preamp is intended for passive pickups, active pickups, or is intended to support either.

Given the question the op is asking, it seems clear to me that he's unaware of the potential limitations and restrictions on active pickups with his particular preamp.

So, I think the most helpful answer is one that suggests he should not simply run out and "invest in active pickups," but should first know what is supported by his preamp.

I never said that the OP should get active pickups, nor that he shouldn't, because I wasn't answering the OP's question. I was speaking in regards to your assumption that the Audere could not be used with active pickups, when indeed, it can. (Albeit, with limitations to the functionality of the preamp.)

[Rickett Customs]

Yep, this is why you're better off using a classic 4band for active pickups. No limitations there

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by line6man

I never said that the OP should get active pickups, nor that he shouldn't, because I wasn't answering the OP's question. I was speaking in regards to your assumption that the Audere could not be used with active pickups, when indeed, it can. (Albeit, with limitations to the functionality of the preamp.)

Pointless

[line6man]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Pointless

What about my post was pointless, and why?

[CurryHalfndHalf]

Hey guys! I installed the preamp just this afternoon, and it's fantastic! It gives me great tonal control, made especially versatile with that snazzy lil' z-switch.

It also perfectly meets my needs mentioned above, like 'power' etc.

I've set the gain to match my MM, and there's surprisingly little distortion that comes with that. I'd recommend it any day, it only took me about fifteen minutes to install!

[drpepper]

Originally Posted by CurryHalfndHalf

Hey guys! I installed the preamp just this afternoon, and it's fantastic! It gives me great tonal control, made especially versatile with that snazzy lil' z-switch.

It also perfectly meets my needs mentioned above, like 'power' etc.

I've set the gain to match my MM, and there's surprisingly little distortion that comes with that. I'd recommend it any day, it only took me about fifteen minutes to install!

Hey, good for you!

One thing though...you seem to be saying the level that you had to go to in order to match the basses up introduced distortion? Distortion that's not there at a lower level?

You know what you're hearing and what's acceptable to you, but if that is the case, I think that means you've gone too high with the gain.

Is it that important to have them match? Maybe someone can suggest a way to get more gain without distortion.

I wouldn't think that there would be any reason for the MM to be adjustable, but you might check on that. Just a thought.

[CurryHalfndHalf]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Hey, good for you!

One thing though...you seem to be saying the level that you had to go to in order to match the basses up introduced distortion? Distortion that's not there at a lower level?

You know what you're hearing and what's acceptable to you, but if that is the case, I think that means you've gone too high with the gain.

Is it that important to have them match? Maybe someone can suggest a way to get more gain without distortion.

I wouldn't think that there would be any reason for the MM to be adjustable, but you might check on that. Just a thought.

Sorry, my bad. When I said 'distortion', I was just referring to a slight, tiny increase in the hum coming through my rig, no biggie =)