What preamp for my Nordstrand pups???

[aussietc]

I have narrowed down two pickups for my current build:
Nordstrand NJ4
or Big Singles

... but which 2 band preamp to put in?
Nordstrand $192
Glockenklang $145
Delano $136

I don't have anywhere remotely near I live that I can try out basses that have these preamps so I have to rely on reviews, clips, specs and recommendations to help me decide.

Thanks

[ubado]

I've got a Nordstrand 3B-5a preamp paired with Nordstrand DC's ... great combo. Especially if you want more of the "natural" tones of your bass to come through. I'd say it's even better at a "passive" toned preamp than Audere (which is really saying something for the Nordstand pre's). No color what so ever.

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Glockenklang or Delano to make any comparison with the two. Sorry.

[maurilio]

they all are good. If you don't tell us what are you looking for in a preamp, it's difficult to help you out

[DWBass]

Audere

[aussietc]

An Audere would be $205 and from a different store. The above preamps were available from the same store that sells the pickups. I have heard a youtube clip with a bassist using NJ4s and an Audere and it has a sound I really like. I wonder how the other preamps mentioned compare?

What I'm looking for? Something to compliment the following bass:
Medium scale 32" J style
Swamp Ash body
Birdseye maple neck/fingerboard
Nordstrand pups
2 pickups, 4 knobs
I'm after a tone with with a crisp top end.
Nice lows with clarity.
Great slap tone.
Great fingerstyle tone with some bight to it, growl and punch. I believe the Nordy pickups will provide this tone.
The ability to quickly switch from a fingerstyle tone to a slap tone - boosting the lows and highs.
An active/passive option which all of the above preamps have.
9V

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by aussietc

An Audere would be $205 and from a different store. The above preamps were available from the same store that sells the pickups. I have heard a youtube clip with a bassist using NJ4s and an Audere and it has a sound I really like. I wonder how the other preamps mentioned compare?

What I'm looking for? Something to compliment the following bass:
Medium scale 32" J style
Swamp Ash body
Birdseye maple neck/fingerboard
Nordstrand pups
2 pickups, 4 knobs
I'm after a tone with with a crisp top end.
Nice lows with clarity.
Great slap tone.
Great fingerstyle tone with some bight to it, growl and punch. I believe the Nordy pickups will provide this tone.
The ability to quickly switch from a fingerstyle tone to a slap tone - boosting the lows and highs.
An active/passive option which all of the above preamps have.
9V

Would you be using a jazz style plate? Or just preamp and knobs? I didn't see anything over $179 if bought directly from the Audere website.

[aussietc]

It is rear routed with just the preamp and knobs.

Is the preamp going to make much of a difference? Is the $60 difference between the cheapest and the most expensive of the above pres worth it?

[maurilio]

prices say nothing (to a certain point).
Each preamp will sound different, even when the specs are similar...
Nord and Glock (I have no experience with Del) are virtually "invisible" when flat, but will sound different when boost/cut.
I'm not a big fun of the 2/3 band Audere (I've liked the 4 band only, so far) in true bypass the blend is not working.

If you go with Nord pups, I would start off with Nord pre and go from there...

M

[Nic.]

I'm a great fan of the nord-audere combo. Use it on two of my basses. Whenever I change strings, change playing style, use on different amps, etc., I never fail to get a sound I like with these two basses.

[bassplayer7770]

I have Big Singles in my Hanewinckel 5-string along with a Nordy 3B-5b preamp. Unfortunately, I think there's an issue with my pre because it's too noisy (everything set flat, Blend in center, etc.), and it is not a grounding issue. When I switch to Passive mode, the noise goes away. Fortunately, the guys at Nordstrand agreed to take a look at it for me, so it will either be repaired or replaced. I'm looking forward to hearing the difference.

[aussietc]

Thanks guys, but I got a great deal on a Glock to go with the NJ4s and I'm more than happy with its sound and features!