Pope? U-Retro? OBP-3? Glock? - deciding on a preamp

Jared Lash · #1 12-08-2010, 03:13 PM

My next Stambaugh will be a fan fret six string with custom Aero pickups and I'm trying to decide on a preamp if I go active with this bass.

Obviously flexibility is nice, but what I want most of all is a very even and rich tone. I don't want the zingy highs or scooped mids that many associate with modern or hi-fi tones. What I'd really like is for the high notes to still be full and thick sounding

The four preamps in the title are the ones that I thought of and I'd love to hear any thoughts on them and especially how they compare to one another though additional suggestions are certainly welcome and appreciated. The only one I've personally used is the OBP-3.

Thanks!

scotts42 · #2 12-08-2010, 03:28 PM

I have a Stambaugh with Aero pickups and a 4 band Pope and love it. The Aeros are really going to take the tone of the bass (wood choice, mine's Mahogany) and I think the Pope adds a very clear and tasteful way to EQ. I think the Pope is the ultimate in versatility and I think his new pres can even be be customize by the user in each frequency.

I have played through the OP-3 and find it to be almost too aggressive to handle.
The Glocks I have played are similar to the Pope but with maybe a little more low end depth, but they give up a little focus to get that in my opinion.
I have not played the U-Retro's but they look very interesting.

That's just my opinion and I would try to try them all out through a clean power amp with no EQ if possible.

Jared Lash · #3 12-08-2010, 03:42 PM

I had the same experience with the Aguilar. That pre could get very aggressive and I felt the possible boost/cut was too extreme. I never used anywhere near the max available but the range I DID use was made too narrow for my liking because of it.

On the other hand, I am still considering it because it was capable of a hugely thick tone.

Thanks for the info on the Pope pre. My fear with a pre that is too transparent is getting more of a "woody" sound than I want. I'd rather have piano like clarity and evenness if that makes any sense.

One issue I have with the glock is that it's treble control is centered at 18 kHz (I think) and for a guy with tweeterless cabs that makes it all but useless for me.

Right now the Pope and U-Retro are the ones I'm looking hardest at with the OBP-3 and Glock (and maybe Audere as in my first Stambaugh) as darkhorses.

DaveAceofBass · #4 12-08-2010, 03:55 PM

Get a U-retro! East preamps rule!

scotts42 · #5 12-08-2010, 04:55 PM

The Pope can give you some "color" you just have to ask it to. But yes, set flat it is very transparent.

P_bass · #6 12-08-2010, 07:54 PM

All I can speak to is the Pope. I have a 2nd generation Pope 3 band in my Jazz with Bartolini split coil 9J1's, I hope to get some Aero's too but honestly I am very happy with this pairing.

The Barts and the Pope work very well together very clean and no colorization when passive. When you go to active as Scott said it is very versatile but transparent when set flat.

You can dial in that “woody” sound or piano clarity you are speaking of, and then you can blend between the two. It is very even and clean, I have been very impressed with the way this pre is so flexible and sounds terrific.

The latest generation of Pope preamps are even more flexible, hopefully someone else can speak to what all they have to offer.

Here is what it looks like in my Jazz

PeterF · #7 12-08-2010, 08:23 PM

Or, NOT. My main bass is a Cliff Bordwell fanned fret with a passive set up. If I understand what you are looking for in a tone, I get that in buckets from the CB. I think the Scale length (mine is 34-37") gives you tremendous piano-like clarity and focus, also great depth in the bottom. Mine has the Dingwall FD3 pickups, no pre. It kills. What scale lengths are you looking at?

Maybe get Chris to set it up passive for you and see IF you want to add a pre later.......

My 2 cents

dpbass66 · #8 12-08-2010, 09:19 PM

Just curious guys...how do you get a Pope pre standalone without buying a Fodera? I thought they had an exclusive on his pre.

m.oreilly · #9 12-08-2010, 09:31 PM

the pope sounds great, though have you checked out the acg/east pre?

P_bass · #10 12-08-2010, 09:34 PM

You can buy directly from Mike Pope, Fodera or as I did and bought one that was removed from a Fodera. You see them listed here on occasion or on the bay.

scotts42 · #11 12-09-2010, 05:57 AM

You can not buy a Fodera Pre anywhere but in a Fodera. Mike makes a little different version that he will sell direct. Personally I like having the 4 band over the 3 in a Fodera any day.
http://www.michaelpopedesign.com/

Jared Lash · #12 12-09-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P_bass

All I can speak to is the Pope. I have a 2nd generation Pope 3 band in my Jazz with Bartolini split coil 9J1's, I hope to get some Aero's too but honestly I am very happy with this pairing.

The Barts and the Pope work very well together very clean and no colorization when passive. When you go to active as Scott said it is very versatile but transparent when set flat.

You can dial in that “woody” sound or piano clarity you are speaking of, and then you can blend between the two. It is very even and clean, I have been very impressed with the way this pre is so flexible and sounds terrific.

The latest generation of Pope preamps are even more flexible, hopefully someone else can speak to what all they have to offer.

Lots of good info there. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterF

Or, NOT. My main bass is a Cliff Bordwell fanned fret with a passive set up. If I understand what you are looking for in a tone, I get that in buckets from the CB. I think the Scale length (mine is 34-37") gives you tremendous piano-like clarity and focus, also great depth in the bottom. Mine has the Dingwall FD3 pickups, no pre. It kills. What scale lengths are you looking at?

Maybe get Chris to set it up passive for you and see IF you want to add a pre later.......

My 2 cents

And it's certainly something I'm considering. In fact I think I'd prefer passive but there's some comfort to having the ability to tweak. Especially since I'm moving to an amp with a very simple EQ section.

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.oreilly

the pope sounds great, though have you checked out the acg/east pre?

Yep. I have the ACG pre in my fretless. Great preamp, especially for fretless bass but not what I want for this one.

P_bass · #13 12-09-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotts42

You can not buy a Fodera Pre anywhere but in a Fodera. Mike makes a little different version that he will sell direct. Personally I like having the 4 band over the 3 in a Fodera any day.
http://www.michaelpopedesign.com/

Sorry Scott you seemed to take my post different than I meant it, so I just wanted to clarify my original posting intention.

You can by a POPE pre directly from Mike Pope which is what the OP was inquiring about.

I mentioned the Fodera pre was available directly from Fodera, althought I did not make it clear they are not the same preamps, sorry for this no disrespect meant.

scotts42 · #14 12-09-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P_bass

Sorry Scott you seemed to take my post different than I meant it, so I just wanted to clarify my original posting intention.

You can by a POPE pre directly from Mike Pope which is what the OP was inquiring about.

I mentioned the Fodera pre was available directly from Fodera, althought I did not make it clear they are not the same preamps, sorry for this no disrespect meant.

I just wanted to make sure no one thought that Mike was selling the Foderas out of the trunk of his car. I have seen some show up on Ebay as well.

You are not disrespecting me, they're Mike's PREs. And don't really think he cares too much about which one you buy, just that you buy them.