With all the great outboard preamps available today, do you think the high end basses out there still need them? It just adds more to the cost. For example, I am in love with the Dingwall Super J. How much could the price be lowered if it was all passive because Dingwall could save money on the electronics and labour cost to install. Also, if you had a good outboard preamp you could use it with all your basses. Remember Dingwall fans, I just used the Super J as an example, I'm talking about all high end basses.
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Do all high end basses need preamps?
- Thread starter bassdaddy5
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why would ANY bass "need" a preamp?
however, when you're talking about a $2K+ instrument how much does $150 worth of electronics and $75 worth of additional construction get yet in savings ? 10%...
that would be FANTASTIC savings for an automobile, but who would buy a Porshe without keyless entry? if you know what I mean.
however, when you're talking about a $2K+ instrument how much does $150 worth of electronics and $75 worth of additional construction get yet in savings ? 10%...
that would be FANTASTIC savings for an automobile, but who would buy a Porshe without keyless entry? if you know what I mean.
Good point, But you say 10%. 10% of a $3000 bass is $300 better left in my pocket rather than buying something I can live without.
Who says because they don't put a preamp in that it will save you money? It will save them money, but it doesnt mean the price will come down 
I usually play in passive mode, even when I have a good onboard preamp. I don't think any bass needs a preamp. If you like the tone of passive basses, then most builders would build you a passive bass. Richard Bona has a passive Fodera. I have a passive Alleva Coppolo. Ask yourself why you're looking for a high end bass, and work backwards. Is it because you played a certain bass and loved the tone? Did you play it in passive mode? Did it sound as good or better?
I would guess it's basically just like having another option to make the bass more attractive to potential buyers. I mean, technically you don't have to use the preamp...
Heh.
All basses *need* preamps to bring them up to the point where the power amp can do its magic, plus I hear rumors of needing to load the pups.
Onboard pres are just a matter of taste. Essential to, for example, the Music Man sound, less so for a good Fender P. Sadowsky make an outboard pre, does that mean all basses played through the Sadowsky pre are Sadowsky basses?
If one is of the disposition to be buying a *custom* bass, then I think that most of that time that means said person is of the same disposition that it should have all the bells and whistles.
If someone wants a simple, no-frills bass wit a passive setup, why go custom at all?
If someone wants a simple, no-frills bass wit a passive setup, why go custom at all?
when forking out $3K for a bass...one of the things I would look for is resale value (I'm not going to be forking out $3K no wishbass)...and the electronics has a LOT to do with resale...even IF all you do is play it in passive mode.
another excellent point, however, fit and finish are two major points not to overlook...many custom builders can and do offer some sweet basses that are passive (valenti, and lecompte jump in my head, and I'm sure that many others can do the same).
What exactly are you looking to do? If you're simply hoping to save a few bucks, ya might as well wait a little longer and get what you want when the funds are there.
I thought you could buy a super J without the onboard pre.
According to the bass gallery website, it's a saving of almost £300.
According to the bass gallery website, it's a saving of almost £300.
I think most people like a nice build quality. Not everyone likes active basses.
I know I don't.
If I were having a custom built, it's not going to have anything on it that I don't want. That would include an on board pre, or a bridge p/u. I have no use for those, and wouldn't want them on my bass. If a builder won't build it without that stuff, they're not going to get my business. I would think that most custom builders would acomodate what the customer wants, within reason anyway. I've been kicking the idea of some kind of Super Precision for a while, and spoke with a couple of builders that didn't offer anything with a P p/u, but would do it for a slight upcharge. I'm sure if you wanted to delete an onboard pre, most custom builders would work with you.
If I were considering resale, I might have that stuff put in it, but honestly, I don't buy basses with selling them in mind.
I know I don't.
If I were having a custom built, it's not going to have anything on it that I don't want. That would include an on board pre, or a bridge p/u. I have no use for those, and wouldn't want them on my bass. If a builder won't build it without that stuff, they're not going to get my business. I would think that most custom builders would acomodate what the customer wants, within reason anyway. I've been kicking the idea of some kind of Super Precision for a while, and spoke with a couple of builders that didn't offer anything with a P p/u, but would do it for a slight upcharge. I'm sure if you wanted to delete an onboard pre, most custom builders would work with you.
If I were considering resale, I might have that stuff put in it, but honestly, I don't buy basses with selling them in mind.
According to my experiences, one can live happily without a $3000 bass. I, however, don't like to live without a preamp.
bongomania
Commercial User
Because sometimes the particular look, feel, and features a person may want on their passive bass are not available "off the shelf". Up until very recently there was no passive P5 that looked like a Fender P, so people had to have their passive P5's custom made. The Rob Allen Mouse is passive. His customers don't seem to have any problem with that.
More particularly, not all instances of "high end" are tied to that whole "fully custom with bells and whistles" thing you mentioned. "Passive" does not necessarily mean "simple, no-frills".
Before this dissolves into the inevitable active vs. passive debate, very few people differentiate between a GOOD active system and passive bass. Yes, a cheapo active bass will sound tinny. Yes, a passive bass will sound warmer than a cheap active bass.
A higher end active bass with the right construction can sound about very nice. Having the right frequency boost/cut, headroom, and a little know how will go a long way. The willingness to experiment is a must. With the Bartolini pre on my Conklin, I have a bunch of nice and vintage tones, as well as a bunch of nice zingy high end tones.
The fretless CB I received on Friday has Bartolini PJ pickups has amazingly warm tones. The bridge J mimics Jaco's tone very well.
A higher end active bass with the right construction can sound about very nice. Having the right frequency boost/cut, headroom, and a little know how will go a long way. The willingness to experiment is a must. With the Bartolini pre on my Conklin, I have a bunch of nice and vintage tones, as well as a bunch of nice zingy high end tones.
The fretless CB I received on Friday has Bartolini PJ pickups has amazingly warm tones. The bridge J mimics Jaco's tone very well.
Ok Let put it this way. Again, I'll use the Dingwall super J as as example. If I could walk into a music store (lets forget about custum orders for a minute) and choose between 2 identicle super J's. One with an aguilar preamp and one without. It only makes sence that the one without the preamp would be a little cheaper. Let's say a year later I buy another super j 5 string without a preamp again saving some money. If I decided later I wanted a little more tone control I could buy one aguilar outboard preamp and use it with as many basses as I want since I can only play one at a time. I agree that an onboard preamp is very convenient, but to me it isn't what makes a high end bass. Construction, beautiful woods, exotic tops are things I personnally like and I'm sure the passive bass would also have killer tone.
The Dingwall Super J is cheaper without a preamp.
And, no, high-end basses do not necessarily need preamps. It's just one of those things to better have than not have. If they're not intrusive, such on the Dingwalls, where you can just turn it off if you want the passive tone, there's no harm. You're already forking over a lot of money for a high end bass anyway, so being thrifty probably isn't a primary concern. Plus the body is already routed for the batteries, so if you ever want something like an Audere in there, it'll be easy to do without too much modification.
If you consider a Rickenbacker high end, then there's an example of an excellent passive bass.
And, no, high-end basses do not necessarily need preamps. It's just one of those things to better have than not have. If they're not intrusive, such on the Dingwalls, where you can just turn it off if you want the passive tone, there's no harm. You're already forking over a lot of money for a high end bass anyway, so being thrifty probably isn't a primary concern. Plus the body is already routed for the batteries, so if you ever want something like an Audere in there, it'll be easy to do without too much modification.
If you consider a Rickenbacker high end, then there's an example of an excellent passive bass.
Even if you had an active bass that sounded EXACTLY the same as the best passive bass, that would only cover one of the three major reasons I personaly don't want an active bass.
I think active basses are GREAT for those who want or need what they do.
They still aren't for everyone. Definitly not for me.
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