What pickups/preamp?

[TimBosby]

I am designing a custom bass (in my head for now) and am thinking about a Nordstrand PJ configuration with a 3-band Bartolini NTMB preamp with this configuration:

2 Pickup - 4 knob configuration

Controls:
- Volume (with Active/Passive push-pull)
- Blend
- Mid (push pull freq selector)
- Treble/Bass Stack.

I generally prefer vintage warmer tone (I really despise clackity bass sounds) with a little bit of punch and bite. But I want to be able to create as many tones as possible. Will this configuration be able to pull it off? I have two Fender Jazz basses with Audere preamps, and I love them, but want to try something different for this baby...hence the Bartolini. I've thought about Aguilar, too, but I don't think it has the push-pull active/passive switch, which I definitely want. Will that switch on the Bartolini allow me to completely disengage the active circuit and play the bass in purely passive mode at the push of a button? Because that's what I'd like.

[joeyl]

OBPs have the option of passive/active push pull, you just have to wire it in.

[TimBosby]

The only preamps I'm familiar with are the drop in J replacement kind ala Audere (I have two.) I would think Aguilar would provide more of a vintage vibe than Bartolini but I'm not sure. The Glockenlang is another intriguing option but I imagine it's more of a modern sound. While I generally prefer a more vintage sound (with a slight bit of modern punch), I would ultimately like something that provides as many tonal options as possible.

[spade2you]

I think Glockenlang has a true bypass, although I think they only boost the high mids. I've become a big fan of boosting low mids on basses with P pickups and adding high mid to the bridge pickup.

[joeyl]

as far as I am concerned I am staying away from "modern" preamps that do "dc" coupling of the pickups, in this sytem the pickups' common leads are separated from the ground, it works well but I am wondering if it is what's causing my problems with hiss! I think Glockenlang has that design.. please correct me if I am wrong