What's not to like about an audere pre?

deepestend · #1 11-25-2011, 09:38 PM

For my new jazz build, im thinking of an audere. I was thinking of going all passive as i did not care for the bart pre and pickups in my last jazz--just didn't sound organic at all-- but the more i read about the audere pres, the more i think i want one. Sounds like it's pretty passive sounding, it just gives you some nice options with eq rather than taking over your sound.

I Would love to hear from some folks who dont love their audere's to get more perspective. Btw, i'll be pairing this with bill lawrence j45's.

Thanks!

fivestringgecko · #2 11-25-2011, 10:07 PM

Are you thinking about the JZ3? I put one in my Jazz V and love it. I was concerned about losing the Jazz bass mojo when I put my JZ3 in, but I shouldn't have.... it didn't mess with the sound and now my bass has all the JZ3 controls.

Possibly relevant sidenote: The JZ3 has screw in connectors for the pickup leads, so it makes swapping pickups a breeze. I dropped in a pair of Basslines Quarter Pounders in about 15 minutes.

I guess if I HAD to come up with a negative for it... changing the battery is a bit of a pain in the ass. The control cavity is tight. But considering that Audere smashed all that control into a unit that doesn't require any routing/modifying of the bass, it's a small negative.

5sg.

deepestend · #3 11-25-2011, 10:12 PM

I'm thinking of a jz3d as I have a side jack on my jazz. Does that extta tone control make much of a difference?

Ric5 · #4 11-25-2011, 10:18 PM

I like the Audere preamps a lot, but they aren't the best fit for all basses.

bongomania · #5 11-25-2011, 10:21 PM

There are a few specific instances of basses where either the pickups or the grounding are not compatible with the Audere. The result is hiss noise that can't be solved with just the directions on the Audere site. This is not a fault of the Audere per se--just something that can come up in a few odd cases, since you asked "what's not to like".

ack · #6 11-25-2011, 10:26 PM

Yeah, not too many negatives about the JZ3. I tried it with the stock pickups on an SX Jazz and it woke it up big time. I agree that changing the battery would be a pain. The ease of installation (the solder-less connectors) makes it a great platform for trying different pickup sets.

narud · #7 11-25-2011, 10:53 PM

i dont think this thing sounds very passive or organic. its still very buffered and high tech sounding when flat. i like being able to pick how much loading is going on by choosing vol/vol or blend before the pre. the 50/50 blended sound also sounded like it was still favoring one pickup more than the other. for drop in pres, i had more success with the jretro.

deepestend · #8 11-26-2011, 02:23 PM

Bump... Any other thoughts?

Anyone have a jazz plate with an external jack (in any condition) that they want to get rid of?

bikeplate · #9 11-26-2011, 02:25 PM

HI

How about not altering your bass and using a Sadowsky pre/DI pedal

Rob

deepestend · #10 11-26-2011, 02:48 PM

Definitely a consideration.

ReverseFender94 · #11 11-26-2011, 03:23 PM

I've got an Audere Classic 4 in my American Deluxe Precision, and I've never been happier with my tone. It totally kills no matter what settings I dial in.

jazzyitalian · #12 11-26-2011, 03:49 PM

Generally it's all favorable with the Audere folks.

Just a nice well-rounded, consistent and quality product. They do make these for a 9V. But you know what....The whole notion of "Passive Play" to me speaks to the sound more than whether there's a pre-amp involved. Lot's a companies make pre-amps that sound like a nice passive bass.

So I wouldn't get hung up on the fact that a battery is used. Just go with what works best for you.

If you were going to consider an electronics kit that does not use a battery, you could try looking at others out there. There are several good makers of these kinds of battery-free systems.

Here's one I installed for a guy that asked me to put one in one of our basses. I was reluctant to do it because it was not exactly off of our menu. But I wanted the project because orders just don't come as frequently as they once did.

It was made by a guy that calls his product "Varitone". I've seen these on Ebay for around $120-$150-ish....
It was a pretty nice passive set up as I recall. Nice quiet, vintage sounding. It had some pre-sets you could click over. My brother had to do a bit more hand routing in the cavity. But it was a very easy solder job.

The guy that makes them, has some sound clips: www.vimeo.com/1053204 or www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3TNkYQZ67Y

You might want to look at those as well. Made in the USA....

joebar · #13 11-26-2011, 03:57 PM

i am curious as well; i just brought my lakland darryl jones fiver home now and it has the audere preamp. can someone tell me exactly what controls are for what? the first pot is volume, the third pot is bass treble, but the middle pot is blend...and ?

depalm · #14 11-26-2011, 09:34 PM

Have one on my CAR J copy.

Pros:
Passive "vibe" combined with active EQ.
Dead quiet. No hiss, even when cranked.
Mid Eq is very well voiced, perfect when you need to cut through

Cons:
Hi and Lo Z Mode are useless IMO
Battery change is a pain if you use the control cavity for it.
(Maybe it's just me but) It seems to not work very well with some overdrive pedals.
(BJFE BlueBerryBass, Fuzzrocious Dark Driving , Tech 21 VT Bass)

fivestringgecko · #15 11-26-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joebar

...but the middle pot is blend...and ?

If it's stacked, the middle knobs are blend (bottom) and mids (top). Check out the Audere website for more detailed info. That's the one I have, it's really nice having the 3-band EQ. The LED battery meter is a very handy touch.

I generally leave my Z-mode in the middle (for the "standard" Jazz sound), but unlike Depalm, I've found the other modes to be pretty handy on a couple occasions. I've flipped to Low-Z for bigger, beefier reggae and palm mute sounds, and the High-Z has come in quite nice for a more aggressive, biting rock tone. I don't generally use them, but it's nice to have them there!

Not to derail the thread, but...... Hey Depalm, if you don't want that Blueberry since it doesn't work

, I'd be happy to buy it from you! That's the LAST overdrive I need to check out in my search for "The Perfect Overdrive!" PM me if you feel like parting ways with it.

5sg.

ubersku · #16 11-26-2011, 11:16 PM

I have used a JZ3 for about a year now on my '99 MIA. Had stock pups on it until August when I replaced those with NJ4s. Great combo thst works for me. The JZ3 is very easy to install. Battery replacement take about 3 minutes, but no biggy.

bassbenj · #17 11-28-2011, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ubersku

I have used a JZ3 for about a year now on my '99 MIA. Had stock pups on it until August when I replaced those with NJ4s. Great combo thst works for me. The JZ3 is very easy to install. Battery replacement take about 3 minutes, but no biggy.

Yes, but an external battery holder box is much better, but of course takes routing. The one thing I would suggest for any preamp with the battery in the cavity is to install threaded inserts for the control cavity cover screws. When you are taking the control cavity on and off to put in batteries pretty soon the wood screws strip out and it's toothpicks and glue etc. Treaded inserts on ANY cover where there is a battery is much better (which I suppose is a kind of negative). Personally when at all possible I just get a drop in battery holder from Carvin and go to the trouble (or expense) the routing to install it. I've never been sorry I did, even though the older model Carvin battery holders used to develop loose connections.

rimbaud · #18 11-28-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

How about not altering your bass and using a Sadowsky pre/DI pedal

Rob

I'm on too. I've been thinking for many months about that issue: how could i get better clarity and definition on a stock US Jazz Bass V with a passive tone?

I made two choices: will change the pickups for aeros and an EWS Tri-Logic preamp pedal, with an AC/DC adapter (I want no batteries

)... for mid's setup possibilities, and the way that this preamp keeps a natural passive tone to your bass.

I really think that an external preamp, pedal or rack mount (why not!) can give you satisfaction.