Warwick Electronics Makeover

[matante]

Originally Posted by melodiaopus

Since the Flexcore is an active 18volt preamp, would I not be able to get this preamp? Plus with passive pickups, don't I lose a lot of volume using them?

You don't need active pickups to use an active preamp.

Passive pickups can be just as loud or louder than active ones.

[Spfairchild]

This is true (matante's thing above). I've specifically used the Aguilar OBP-3 with great results with both active (MEC, Basslines) and passive (Jerzy Drozd, Bartolini) pickups. Sounds great either way.

[melodiaopus]

I'm pretty set on the Flexcore. I'm just looking for good high output pickups that will accomplish my tone needs. DiMarzio, SD 1/4 pounder, EMG, and Aero pickups were all the ones I have been thinking. Any suggestions?

[melodiaopus]

Sub-question. I am thinking about going with the Delano pickups, but since they are passive pickups how would that affect the active preamp?

[Spfairchild]

Not too strongly, in all likelihood. As I said above, especially in the case of Warwicks, I've used active and passive pickups with different active preamps. The only real difference I notice is active pickups tend to have a greater treble response and sound more hi-fi to my ears, but then again that's in comparison to Bartolini passives which, to my ear, sound more traditional and less hi-fi than other passive pickup options, depending on the model.

So, as a gross generalization, maybe active+active=greater treble response/more hi-fi, passive+active=still very good treble response/slightly more traditional... when compared to passive+passive=most traditional/old school, non hi-fi sounding, in my opinion.

[melodiaopus]

Any experience with the EMG X-series J pickups?

[Spfairchild]

Not personally, no.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by hamfistUK

The ACG filer pre-amp is actually made by ACG .....

http://www.acguitars.co.uk/shop/inde...iewCat&catId=2

Made for ACG, by John East........

[melodiaopus]

There are just too many options to go through. Maybe I should I just upgrade my preamp and go from there. If I need other pickups then I can decide after that. My head is spinning with all these different options.

[MPU]

I'm making a headless Thumb for myself. Wenge/bubinga, Warwick frets, Steinberger licenced headless bridge and headpiece. I made quad coil pickups in Jazz covers (like half Wal pickup inside each Jazz cover). If you want I can send you sound clip of these pickups when the bass is finished.
Marko

[brotherbassj]

Originally Posted by Spfairchild

Hey, in case you're interested, I made a Warwick preamp comparison video a little while back, comparing between the OBP-3 and the stock MEC III:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCOL-nUm-ps

If you have specific questions after watching that, let me know and I'll do my best to answer.

This was very valuable..........thanks for sharing...........ive never been able to do that direct a comparison. Great idea putting the MEC in a pedal box........obviously you prefer the OBP-3 voicing.........yes?

[brotherbassj]

Originally Posted by melodiaopus

Any experience with the EMG X-series J pickups?

Yes I have had experience with them. They are HOT.......do not run a preamp at 18 volts with them, they will clip the heck out of the front end of your amp if you are not careful! I'm not a fan..........unless you want your bass to have a natural grind to it..........a break up almost.......

[Spfairchild]

Yes, I do in general prefer the OBP-3. And thank you! I prefer the lower, more effective treble frequency point, and the lower point of the bass control. That being said, I like to modify my OPB-3s with the low mid closer to 250/300hz than the stock 400hz, but I always use 'em with the switchable mid frequency. I typically only ever boost at that low mid freq, and only ever cut at the higher 800hz high mid frequency. Obviously, as it's a 3 band preamp, you can't do both at the same time, so it just depends on what I'm looking for at that point in time.

[melodiaopus]

I think I'm going to go with a 9v system. My battery cavity would be jammed packed if I had another 9v in the cavity. Probably wouldn't work anyway. I love clarity and fat bass tones. Much like what you would find with a Victor Wooten tone.

[melodiaopus]

Modern is what I am looking for. I play mostly funk, fusion jazz. As of right now I am in a classic rock bar band that plays quite frequently. The MEC stuff just isn't doing it for me anymore, it hasn't really given me the fat bottom end that I am looking for.

[Spfairchild]

I can tell you that I thought the MEC and Basslines pickups were both very similar. IMO, the pickup choice will color your overall tone more than a preamp swap will, if you don't use very excessive EQ cuts or boosts. Unfortunately, the only real way to find out is to buy diff pickups, try em out, and sell 'em if you don't like 'em! It's a drag, I know. But it does seem like you're doing your research.

I feel like the MECs and the Basslines are also pretty hot with an active preamp, and I feel like I get a pretty modern tone out of my passive pickups with active preamp, FWIW. But I actually feel like the MECs are pretty good pickups, and a lot of folks over at Warwick's forum who have gone through this tend to agree. Try changing the pre first if you really wanna change something, and then change the PUs later if you still feel like you haven't nailed it!

[melodiaopus]

Originally Posted by Spfairchild

I can tell you that I thought the MEC and Basslines pickups were both very similar. IMO, the pickup choice will color your overall tone more than a preamp swap will, if you don't use very excessive EQ cuts or boosts. Unfortunately, the only real way to find out is to buy diff pickups, try em out, and sell 'em if you don't like 'em! It's a drag, I know. But it does seem like you're doing your research.

I feel like the MECs and the Basslines are also pretty hot with an active preamp, and I feel like I get a pretty modern tone out of my passive pickups with active preamp, FWIW. But I actually feel like the MECs are pretty good pickups, and a lot of folks over at Warwick's forum who have gone through this tend to agree. Try changing the pre first if you really wanna change something, and then change the PUs later if you still feel like you haven't nailed it!

Yeah, I think you're right. I just don't want to have to bother to buy then sale, which mean me losing money on a set of pickups. I'm interested in the EMG X-series pickups, but I'm little hesitant since I'm looking for more fat low end and crispy highs. I think these pickups might end up sounding a lot like the MEC. I'm going to change out the Preamp and go from there. I just have to get new pots probably, since I will have to cut another hole in my bass to get 4 knob preamp. Which I'm not too worried about doing. I have a very skilled tech here in my town to do this invasive surgery. I'm going to stick with the Volume P/A push/pull, tone blend, stacked B/T, stacked Hi-mid/low-mid.

[melodiaopus]

The EMG-JCSX pickups seem to be what I'm looking for, as far as how they are described on bestbassgear.com. Plus they are $179 for the pair rather than $250 for the Delano JC4 HE pickups. Maybe some of you have experience with these two pickups?