I just installed the
Audere Audio JZ-3 Bass Preamp on my Squiere V/M Jazz fretless.The procedure took about 20 mins to complete.It went fairly well and without incident. I would like to note that install on a Squire Vin Jazz Bass Mod Fretless (at least on mine) required that I drill two new holes in my bass as the plate did not line up exactly with the old mounting holes.No biggie as the plate covers the old ones anyway.
I ran through the Z-Mode switch positions.There are 3,High,Mid,and Low.Each position offers a different set of tonal coloration.
All the following test runs were done with the eq set flat.
Mode 1 gave a deep and throaty voice which was very old school.To my ears,it almost introduced a tube-like tonality.
Mode 2 gives the bass a nice growl in the mid-range with just enough highs to add a real sweetness to the upper registers.Harmonics respond well and the lows really cut through without sacrificing the bottom. This is my favorite setting.
Mode 3 is a really new tone when it comes to the Jazz bass.Most often I think of a Jazz as having that real throaty and cutting mid range tone.With the Z-Mode switch in the # 3 position I am hearing razor sharp highs with enough mids to keep it from getting a bit too harsh.Not really a tone I always go for on a fretless.If I had installed this unit on a fretted Jazz I may reach for this mode more often as it yields a nice high shimmer and very bright punch.Great for slap!
Keep in mind that all of these test runs were done without use of any of the on-board eq of the Audere (which by the way are super quiet and sensitive).The blue LED battery life indicator gets points for functionality and coolness and the pots are smooth and tight.
This has got to be the best mod I have ever added to any bass. My next Jazz will receive the same treatment. Way to go
Audere.
