Villex soap bar in an Ibanez GWB35..Which preamp?

[jibreel]

I am just getting an Ibanez GWB35 bass. The electronics are notoriously underwheliming and often get replaced. Due to the the routing dimensions, choices are mostly limited to a specific bart pickup. Ironically, a villex pickup that I had custom made for me for a failed parts bass is the exact same size.

Obviously, the Bart NTBT pre would be the easy preamp choice.

I really do not want to modify the electronics cavity [ although nothing has stopped me before ] .

Any other preamp recommendations for this specific bass?

Thanks

[kesslari]

I have an Ibanez GWB-1. I didn't like the Bart NTBT preamp. I went with an ACG preamp, and the whole bass came even more alive than it was. I'd strongly encourage you to check one out.

You can hear it at http://www.folkina.com/audio/06_Beau..._0-61_hifi.m3u

[trowaclown]

I have a GWB1 as well, and am too finding the NTBT slightly lacking. The treble frequency of 10k is way too high for comfort, although boosting it a little makes the harmonics leap out just fine. For normal usage, it seems to make the tone more 'brittle' than 'rich' or 'sparkly' to my ears.

I considered the ACG preamp but that will require an additional hole to be drilled, and it's rather expensive.

I'm considering the John East BTB-01 2 band EQ right now, as the frequencies are far more useable, with

-Bass boost at 50Hz, becoming progressively lower when more boost is added
-Treble boost at 3kHz, cut at 1kHz
-Bright switch with boost at 7kHz

Unless you're willing to drill more holes, choices are quite limited

[kesslari]

Originally Posted by trowaclown

Unless you're willing to drill more holes, choices are quite limited

That's true. Since the GWB1 is a keeper for me, I was willing to drill a hole. I think it turned out well. And the sound is wonderful.

[trowaclown]

Hahaha it's disgustingly beautiful!

I got the exact same bass, and it's a keeper too! As a matter of fact, it's my only bass.

[jibreel]

Ok, I AM willing to drill holes

Now the preamp decision process continues.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Wonderful sound on your bass Kesslari !!

[trowaclown]

Jibreel: Oh yeah the moment the issue of holes are irrelevant, your options open up immensely. If I drilled holes in mine I'd probably go with the Aguilar OBP-3. My happiest days were back when the bass was strung up with DR Hi-beams, running passive into a Tone Hammer, with all tonal adjustments on the TH. YMMV though.

Kesslari: Out of curiosity, what strings have you strung up the GWB1 with?

[m.oreilly]

man, i'd go with a villex passive setup if you have the villex already. the closest active thing that will really complement that villex (i love them), would be that acg. they really really shine on fretless

[eutgard]

Originally Posted by m.oreilly

man, i'd go with a villex passive setup if you have the villex already. the closest active thing that will really complement that villex (i love them), would be that acg. they really really shine on fretless

+1

[kesslari]

Originally Posted by trowaclown

Kesslari: Out of curiosity, what strings have you strung up the GWB1 with?

DR Sunbeams - love 'em!

[jibreel]

So I got the bass........

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...56#post8990756

The Villex pickup fit perfectly !!!!

I temp connected it to the existing pre. The existing pre is not very exciting for sure but it gave me a good taste of the sound of the Villex. I like is for sure.

So next up is trying the Villex passive hookup with Vol, mid-pot and tone. I still may want to use a preamp. On to the next test........

And of course I am in danger of wanting to throw in the Delano soap bar I have for sale and make it a two pickup bass. I have this modding compultion. Let's see, just pull off the ramp and cut a big hole in the middle of the bass...............................

[kesslari]

I'd suggest trying the bass as a one pickup for a bit - I've come to really appreciate it that way. Also - you may love the passive tone. I actually liked the passive tone of the GWB1 more than the tone with the NTBT pre. But I wound up staying active and putting in the ACG pre, and loving it.

[fullrangebass]

I replaced the Barts that originally were on my Warrior 5str with Villex pickups; needless to say I was over the moon. Initially I left the Bart NTBT preamp in place, but I NEVER ever found a need to use it (tone-wise). So I replaced the preamp with a Villex PRTB allowing me for 3 more levels of sonic bliss (instead of the one HUGE pallet of tones, by using the mid-control and the tone alone). My .02

[jibreel]

The stock preamp is now gone.

I am going with volume and PRTB control for now. No mid knob. I like the mids all the way on anyway.

I have contacted Fred about a BEE preamp.

[fullrangebass]

With the PRTB on (in any of the 3 levels of boost) and the use of mid-control I can get varying degrees of mid-scooped tones (very useful on quieter tones, mid-scooped tunes and acoustic simulation approach)

[ianmatth]

Audere, I'm EXTREMELY impressed with my JZ3, the low-Z mode seems to give me a Sadowsky sound. I put it in a Fender MIM alder body along with low-impedance pickups, BadAss II bridge, and a Warmoth padouk/ebony neck that my luthier did a sunburst finish on. For around $800, this Jazz Bass kills.

I don't think anything less than $200 compares to the Audere preamps. I also have a Classic 4-Band in my customized Ric 4003. Classic doesn't have the Z-modes. David Meadows from Audere said the Z-mode doesn't do so much to Rickenbacker pickups, but I wish I would have used a JZ3 instead to see for myself.

I have a Classic for a 4004L Ric 5-string conversion that I am stringing E0 (20.6 Hz), A0 (27.5 Hz), D1 (drop D), G1, C2 with a custom .175 string from www.octave4plus.com and Warwick Black Label Steel .135, .105, .85, .65. strings. I also have custom pickups from Sergio in Portrugal (Ric pickup expert), so I will be experimenting with the Audere JZ3 Vs the Classic and the custom pickups (toaster neck, low-impedance hi-gain bridge just like I have on my 4003 that is pictured with my Jazz Bass) vs the Ric humbuckers.

[ianmatth]