pre-amp, 2 or 3 band EQ?

[chump stain]

I was reading in the latest issue of Bass Player about the Sadowsky DI pre-amp. in the article Roger said he actually prefers a 2 band over a 3 band. he also said something like "I've never heard a 3 band I like".

does anyone else feel this way?
and I was wondering if the same holds true for onboard pre-amps?

I have a 2 band Bartolini NTMB in my DP custom because I couldn't afford the 3 band at the time. but now I'm starting to think it may be better than the 3. what do you guys think?

[ganttbos]

Here's my 2 cents regarding onboard preamps.

I built a Warmoth jazz some time ago with bassline soaps and Roger installed electronics including his signature 2-band pre. Impeccable workmanship and the bass has the most massive bottom end I've ever heard. In fact, I sometimes have to back off the lows a bit. The highs are sizzling. I get very useful tonal variation by bumping the PU selector to either side of center (favoring either bridge or neck PU).

Then I bought an MTD 535 and it has been my baby for several years. The addition of a mid boost/cut with selectable frequency changed everything. I usually run it with bass and treble cranked and achieve my tonal variation with the mid pot and PU selector. Pulling mids at 1000 Hz yields a smooth deep traditional tone for finger style and is a great slap tone (this is tonal advice given by Mike on his site). By flattening mids or boosting a little at 250 Hz I can punch and cut to my heart's content. I get good growl this way by slightly favoring the bridge pickup.

I think I have tended in the past to go for what sounds good outside of the mix. I now feel that prominent mid presence (and having good control over mids) is central to achieving a good sound IN THE MIX. I recently bought a second MTD with an ash body (the other is poplar) and it gets even better mid-definition. I WILL get a Sadowsky and I believe that Roger is a tone genius - but this is where I'm at for now.

Gantt