Nordstrand Pre Amp Vs. Audere JZ3

mikey ii V I · #1 11-25-2009, 01:45 PM

I am new to the preamp thing. I have used the aguilar OBP3
and was not that convinced.
I am trying to decide between these two pre amps nordstrand or audere.
I have been hearing alot of buzz about the Audere JZ3. I have not heard that much buzz about the Nordstrand 3B series.
i am after a transparent tone.
can any one clarify or recomend..... help?

narud · #2 11-25-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey ii V I

I am new to the preamp thing. I have used the aguilar OBP3
and was not that convinced.
I am trying to decide between these two pre amps nordstrand or audere.
I have been hearing alot of buzz about the Audere JZ3. I have not heard that much buzz about the Nordstrand 3B series.
i am after a transparent tone.
can any one clarify or recomend..... help?

id get the nordstrand. really useful controls. doesnt overly boost anything. the range is a lot more sensible than on something like an ag.

emjazz · #3 11-25-2009, 03:11 PM

Both are very transparent. I just got the Nordstrand 3 band preamp and I've had a couple of Audere pre's. I really wanted to like the Audere, but I just couldn't get into it. That's not to say I haven't played basses with Audere preamps that I've liked, but in my own basses they haven't done it for me. The Nordstrand I just got seems like a good preamp. I like the chosen eq points and there is a lot of range that can be used, unlike the Aguilar, which I do think has it's place. The Aguilar will be more aggressive sounding while the Nordstrand will have less of it's own character.

basswave · #4 11-25-2009, 06:17 PM

To me and to my ears that have a similar qualities. The Norstrand a touch more open sounding and the Audere a touch tamer so to speak. Sounds more passive like almost.

Note: When I'm describing the differences between the two I'm talking shades of gray, very very subtle and slight.

I just started playing around with Norstrand pre so its quite new to me.

I think both pres are very subtle and I'm not fan of the Aggie at all, (but that's just my ears)

I'm a big fan of the Audere to me I love the layout and the drop in plate.

I personally don't think you can go wrong with either one.

depalm · #5 11-25-2009, 06:52 PM

IMHO Nord preamp is more subtle on Boost/Cut.
Audere has 3 Zmodes (please do a serach) which Nord doesn't.
I found mids on Audere very well voiced for my taste.
Both are very transparent.

emjazz · #6 11-25-2009, 11:56 PM

I just had one first gig outing with the Nordstrand preamp.....very, very nice preamp. I wasn't sure about the bass boost being effective but it was wonderful. It thickened everything up nicely without getting out of control....and the mid boost was perfect for a solo spot or to be a little more present in the mix...very nice all around.

maurilio · #7 11-26-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjazz

I just had one first gig outing with the Nordstrand preamp.....very, very nice preamp. I wasn't sure about the bass boost being effective but it was wonderful. It thickened everything up nicely without getting out of control....and the mid boost was perfect for a solo spot or to be a little more present in the mix...very nice all around.

Andy, glad you like the Nord pre, it is a nice and usable pre. The boost and cut was intentionally built with "only" 12db so the whole range is still musical without going out of control.
I love the mid ctrl 400hz for boosting and the 1khz for cutting, mostly for slap (when needed).

M

LightGroove · #8 11-26-2009, 06:13 PM

Isnt the aggie mid point set at these points to? Why the Aggie hate.. I love mine??

maurilio · #9 11-26-2009, 10:56 PM

aguilar hate??? where, who???

The mids on the Aguilar are set at 400hz and 800hz. The Nordstrand pre was designed with the OBP3 in mind as some kind of a reference. Carey's been using the Aguilar for a long time, but (and I'm with him 100%) the bass ctrl has a big bump on the low freq. The specs shows the bass ctrl at 40hz, but if you scan it (with a spectrum analyzer or such) you'll see that the ctrl start way heigher, around 200hz with a peak around 80hz. That's why on the OBP3 the bass ctrl seems so big even with a little turn, it bumps a large low freq Q.
Plus, the range +/- is way too much on the Aguilar (18db???)
I also feel that the heighs are more natural (organic?) on the Nord compared to the Aguilar.... IMO/E.

Granted, I love both (been using both on my basses). They just have two different flavors.

M

basswave · #10 11-27-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

That's why on the OBP3 the bass ctrl seems so big even with a little turn, it bumps a large low freq Q.
Plus, the range +/- is way too much on the Aguilar (18db???)
I also feel that the heighs are more natural (organic?) on the Nord compared to the Aguilar.... IMO/E.

Granted, I love both (been using both on my basses). They just have two different flavors.

M

+1 to me as well.

I had the Aggie's in a couple of basses and I did not really find it all the usable. (For me, I'm sure others love it).

The Nordstrand might be based after the Aggie, but much more subtle which so nice.

emjazz · #11 11-27-2009, 01:00 PM

I have to say that I have an OBP-3 in my other six and it's great in that particular bass. That bass has the pickups pushed further back by the bridge and the big, thick bass boost of the OBP-3 is perfect for that bass. It also has a more dramatic high end that works well with the Bartolini dual coils that are in that bass...the setup just works in that particular instrument...so really, it depends on the bass. I do think the Nordstrand is more usable in it's range though.

basswave · #12 11-27-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjazz

I have to say that I have an OBP-3 in my other six and it's great in that particular bass. That bass has the pickups pushed further back by the bridge and the big, thick bass boost of the OBP-3 is perfect for that bass. It also has a more dramatic high end that works well with the Bartolini dual coils that are in that bass...the setup just works in that particular instrument...so really, it depends on the bass. I do think the Nordstrand is more usable in it's range though.

Hey A
When your free sometime you come check out what I'm playing on.
Then again I'm just playing mostly J basses which is worlds apart from your latest Ristola but I think you would find it interesting.

Cheers

emjazz · #13 11-27-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basswave

Hey A
When your free sometime you come check out what I'm playing on.
Then again I'm just playing mostly J basses which is worlds apart from your latest Ristola but I think you would find it interesting.

Cheers

Yeah man, I'd love to check out what you've got....I'm out until after school is done on the 18th, but after that would be great...you don't have any 5 string J's do you?

basswave · #14 11-29-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjazz

Yeah man, I'd love to check out what you've got....I'm out until after school is done on the 18th, but after that would be great...you don't have any 5 string J's do you?

Yeah we will have to touch base when you can (pun partially intended

I have 2 Q5s but not any J5s.
Funny you ask, my next bass (when ever that would be) will either will have NJ5s in it.

Either a Nordy with a native Norstrand pre or a Modulus funk 5 with an Audere pre.