Tacoma Thunderchief : Fishman or Pure Bass?

[5stringwonder]

Need an opinion here.

Just bought a used Tacoma Thunderchief which needs the electronics replaced. Currently has a Fishman Prefix Plus Preamp.

Brought it to a tech to check out and was told that both the preamp and pickup may need replacing.

Thought of doing a straight replacement for the Fishman but found out from my local dealer that it has been discontinued.

Been rading about the K&K Pure Bass. From what I read, it looks like a pretty interesting option. Must say I'm more inclined to go this way.

Should I :

a. Source for a Fishman Prefix Plus to replace the existing one.

b. Leave the Prefix in/disconnected. Replace the pickup with a K&K Pure Bass (passive). Thought of using the K&K external preamp with this (is it necessary?)

Hoping for opinions from you guys, especially people who have used both.

Thanks.

[loendmaestro]

As someone who is completely ignorant in regards to Thunderchiefs please let me be the first to chime in!

Didn't some of them come with a LR Baggs preamp & such in them? I think I remember discussions where some folks had a strong opinion about which was better, the Baggs or the Fishman. Hopefully someone else can comment here, but that may provide another option for you.


But like I said before, I'm a Thunderchief novice.

I love those basses & a Thunderchief will be my next bass purchase.....

[5stringwonder]

Yep, some of them have the LR Baggs preamp.

Thing is mine already has a Fishman installed. Just that it's not working. Wasn't looking at the LR Baggs coz it isn't the same size as the Fishman.

Thanks anyways.

[Slowgypsy]

I own/play a Thunderchief. My instrument did not come with any electronics and only now am I thinking about putting some in. Check out this site: www.gollihurmusic.com and speak with Bob. The folks on the other side of this forum know Bob well. He sells several pickup options that are appropriate for your needs. Give him a call/email... he'll be a wealth of expert advice.

[Philbiker]

That's suspicious that both the pickup and the EQ would need replacing. Chances are very slim that both would fail.

If it were my bass I'd put the K+K into the Prefix Plus preamp. If the preamp does not work, just wire it directly to the output jack and use an outboard preamp if need be.

I hate the Fishman bridge pickup in my Tacoma Thundercheif. The Prefix Plus preamp however is excellent.

[joninjapan]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

That's suspicious that both the pickup and the EQ would need replacing. Chances are very slim that both would fail.

If it were my bass I'd put the K+K into the Prefix Plus preamp. If the preamp does not work, just wire it directly to the output jack and use an outboard preamp if need be.

I hate the Fishman bridge pickup in my Tacoma Thundercheif. The Prefix Plus preamp however is excellent.

I wrote and asked Bob about just what you mentioned, installing the K&K and using the Prefix... he said it should be no problem... now I just have get some money for the K&K.

might require a skinny arm for the installation....

[jibreel]

I tried a K and K pure bass on my Tacoma. It is the light colored one in the back

It did not sound good at all. The pickups worked great when I just held them on the front of the bass. But when installed, there was this " woodlike " distortion. Could have been my bad instalation but basically they are just glued on. YMMV

[Rvl]

PhilBiker
What dont you like about your piezo?

I have a Tacoma CB10 with the Prefix Plus
K&K Pure Bass is my going in my next acoustic bass
Have a Dtar in my Turner and a noname in my other acoustic

I agree with PhilBiker and think that you should bring it into another shop to get them to check again. Chances are it is a loose wire or dirty connection.

Thanks

Robert

Originally Posted by Philbiker

That's suspicious that both the pickup and the EQ would need replacing. Chances are very slim that both would fail.

If it were my bass I'd put the K+K into the Prefix Plus preamp. If the preamp does not work, just wire it directly to the output jack and use an outboard preamp if need be.

I hate the Fishman bridge pickup in my Tacoma Thundercheif. The Prefix Plus preamp however is excellent.

[5stringwonder]

Thanks guys. Did think it was unlikely that both the preamp and the pickup would fail at the same time. My hunch is that it's probably the Preamp.

Guess I'll try to the K&K with the Prefix first. If it doesn't work then I'll just bypass it.

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by Rvl

PhilBiker
What dont you like about your piezo?

Very uneven response string-to-string. Doesn't particularly sound great. The difference replacing a Fishman piezo (which had the same problems) with a K+K Pure Western Mini in my Seagull 6 string guitar was incredible.

[P_bass]

I have a Baggs in mine, it's a totally different shape and won't easily replace a Fishman.

[newfuture]

Definitely get a 2nd opinion about what the dead bit is. Very likely it's just one component. FWIW, I picked up a K&K under-bridge PU for my last URB from Bob, and it was amazing.

[5stringwonder]

Ok, so I spoke to the tech again. The pickup is ok but the preamp needs to be replaced.

Would be a good idea to disconnect the preamp and change the pickups to the Pure Bass (ie run everything passive)? Anyone tried the Matrix pickups without the preamp?

[Philbiker]

If it were my bass I'd repair or replace the Prefix Plus. That is a very nice onboard preamp!

[Rvl]

1 Pull out the preamp and spray it with contact cleaner
And try it again
My guess is the high humidtiy , we get in Asia

2 I just looked at mine and it looks like the tin insulating metal could come loose and short out ie between the circuit board and the battery

3 Make sure to check the battery contacts and clean them with a pencil eraser

4 Also have an electronics guy ie radio shop check out the preamp
Guitar guys tend to keep replacing parts until they solve the problem . An electronics will see the disconnected wire and resolder

Thanks

Robert