Pensa/Suhr/Pensa-Suhr preamp info

Hollow Man · #1 01-29-2007, 01:05 PM

Alright, lately I've been looking at various semi-obscure preamps that have been popular in Jazz-style basses, and some of the basses that Rudy Pensa and John Suhr have made individually as well as jointly have come up.

The problem is, I can't find much specific information regarding preamp models made by either of these guys. I saw a 2-band Pensa preamp on his website and a 2-band preamp on John Suhr's site, but I have no idea if they're the same thing that was used during their collaboration some time ago, or if John and Rudy have since come up with their own design after parting ways. I also heard that John Suhr designed the 2-band preamp that Jimmy at Alleva-Coppola uses... any truth to that? Same preamp, or yet another? I've also heard of a three-band Suhr... anyone know anything about that?

Basically, here's what I want to know: What preamps did each of these guys use in their basses, both while building together and then as individual luthiers? Are they currently using the same stuff that they've always used, or have their preamp designs changed over time?

People always talk about how they love Pensas, Suhrs, and older Pensa-Suhrs, in large part due to the preamps. I just want some idea of what exists out there, both in their old basses as well as in their current lines.

Thanks for any information you more knowledgeable folks can provide!

James Hart · #2 01-29-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Alright, lately I've been looking at various semi-obscure preamps that have been popular in Jazz-style basses, and some of the basses that Rudy Pensa and John Suhr have made individually as well as jointly have come up.

The problem is, I can't find much specific information regarding preamp models made by either of these guys. I saw a 2-band Pensa preamp on his website and a 2-band preamp on John Suhr's site, but I have no idea if they're the same thing that was used during their collaboration some time ago, or if John and Rudy have since come up with their own design after parting ways. I also heard that John Suhr designed the 2-band preamp that Jimmy at Alleva-Coppola uses... any truth to that? Same preamp, or yet another? I've also heard of a three-band Suhr... anyone know anything about that?

Basically, here's what I want to know: What preamps did each of these guys use in their basses, both while building together and then as individual luthiers? Are they currently using the same stuff that they've always used, or have their preamp designs changed over time?

People always talk about how they love Pensas, Suhrs, and older Pensa-Suhrs, in large part due to the preamps. I just want some idea of what exists out there, both in their old basses as well as in their current lines.

Thanks for any information you more knowledgeable folks can provide!

prior to Benavente hiring out there own pickups and preamps, John Suhr made both. I have Suhr 3 band pres in both my Benaventes... and my 6 has a Suhr pickup as well.

Hollow Man · #3 01-29-2007, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

prior to Benavente hiring out there own pickups and preamps, John Suhr made both. I have Suhr 3 band pres in both my Benaventes... and my 6 has a Suhr pickup as well.

So a three-band Suhr exists. That's one check mark I can put down. Despite not seeing it on the website, can I assume it exists (or at least could be made to exist if I ordered it)?

Anyone else? More information on different Suhr preamp designs, information on what Rudy Pensa offers, and how all of that has changed over time since the Pensa-Suhr collaboration days would be fantastic.

Thanks for a solid start James!

Hollow Man · #4 02-02-2007, 09:17 AM

No one knows anything?

mgmadian · #5 02-02-2007, 09:45 AM

I picked up my 71 Jazz bass at Rudy's back in 1990, and got an outboard John Suhr 2-band pre to go along with it. Still have the pre, though don't use it much now since I generally go passive these days, and my active basses have onboards. It's housed in a small black metal box, controls are boost-only bass, boost/cut treble, and an on/off switch.

Don't know how it differs from other Suhr pres, 2- or 3-band, but it sounds great! Used to mount it on my strap with a loop of velcro, I'd flick it on for instant Marcus... I need to use that thing more often!

Hollow Man · #6 02-02-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgmadian

I picked up my 71 Jazz bass at Rudy's back in 1990, and got an outboard John Suhr 2-band pre to go along with it. Still have the pre, though don't use it much now since I generally go passive these days, and my active basses have onboards. It's housed in a small black metal box, controls are boost-only bass, boost/cut treble, and an on/off switch.

Don't know how it differs from other Suhr pres, 2- or 3-band, but it sounds great! Used to mount it on my strap with a loop of velcro, I'd flick it on for instant Marcus... I need to use that thing more often!

Thanks Greg, that's useful information.

Keep it coming guys!

pyrohr · #7 02-03-2007, 05:12 AM

John Suhr worked in R&D for Fender between 96 and 98, he is the one behind the dlx jazz bass at the time. That bass contains Suhr electronics and pup design in it, it's the MIA dlx jazz with the 1/4 inch slug pups. And by the way John and Jimmy worked at Rudy Pensa's shop together before branching out.

emjazz · #8 02-03-2007, 05:06 PM

I've had a 3 band Suhr pre in a bass before. It was one of the only pre's that I've absolutely loved that I've tried before. Great pre. You can get them if you contact Suhr. I'd love to get another.

Hollow Man · #9 02-03-2007, 08:24 PM

Thanks Andy. Do you have any idea if the three-band that you used is the same as what John and Rudy used in the Pensa-Suhr days or what Rudy uses nowadays?

I'm GASing for a Nordy with a Suhr three-band...

Keep the historical info coming guys!

emjazz · #10 02-03-2007, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

Thanks Andy. Do you have any idea if the three-band that you used is the same as what John and Rudy used in the Pensa-Suhr days or what Rudy uses nowadays?

I'm GASing for a Nordy with a Suhr three-band...

Keep the historical info coming guys!

The one that I had was from John Suhr. It's the same one he'd sell now. It was in the Nordstrand single cut that I had a while back. I think Carey still has that preamp so you should ask him about it. He took the Suhr pre and put an Aguilar in the bass to replace it......I never was happy with the Aguilar and was a little frustrated that he snagged the Suhr back. That Suhr was a fabulous preamp. I want to get another for myself but I don't have a bass to put it in right now.

James Hart · #11 02-04-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollow Man

I'm GASing for a Nordy with a Suhr three-band...

Keep the historical info coming guys!

I believe Carey was John's employee in the period just prior to "Nordstrand" becoming it's own brand.

Hollow Man · #12 02-04-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I believe Carey was John's employee in the period just prior to "Nordstrand" becoming it's own brand.

I think you're right... maybe I'd get a little extra mojo with that combination...

emjazz · #13 02-04-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I believe Carey was John's employee in the period just prior to "Nordstrand" becoming it's own brand.

When Carey started my six string he was still working for John.

jazzenfunk · #14 02-07-2007, 12:03 AM

I have a Wilkins 5 string bass I bought a few months ago with a Suhr 3 band. I really like it. I am thinking about taking it out and switching it with the obp-3 that is in the Ken Lawrence I just got from Adrian. I'm not a big fan of the Aggie pre's and think that the Suhr matched up with the Nordie singles on my new KL would be killer!

emjazz · #15 02-07-2007, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzenfunk

I have a Wilkins 5 string bass I bought a few months ago with a Suhr 3 band. I really like it. I am thinking about taking it out and switching it with the obp-3 that is in the Ken Lawrence I just got from Adrian. I'm not a big fan of the Aggie pre's and think that the Suhr matched up with the Nordie singles on my new KL would be killer!

Oh man! A Suhr 3 band in that Ken Lawrence would be unreal!!!! Do it, do it!