1st post, pre-amp help

[JacksonAerodyne]

1st Post on this forum...

OK, so here's the deal. I've done a lot of reading here but couldn't find an answer to what I needed. I have a Fender Jazz Aerodyne with a Hipshot A bridge and Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders in both the P and J positions. I want to get more out of my bass and after plenty of reading on here it sounds like an onboard pre-amp makes sense for me, the only problem is I don't know which one to get. I was thinking the Aguilar OBP-3 but I am totally down for suggestions. I'm looking for a mix between Steve Harris and Duff McKagan-ish tones. If it helps I'm running a GK RB700-II through GK Neo-212 with a Boss GEB-7, Tech 21 Sansamp BDDI and a BBE Sonic Stomp. I like the amp's tone I just want a little extra push (I've tried 4x10s also). Help, I can't decide and could use some advice, sorry for the million-th thread on this same subject.

 

[grendle]

1st Post on this forum...

If it helps I'm running a GK RB700-II through GK Neo-212 with a Boss GEB-7, Tech 21 Sansamp BDDI and a BBE Sonic Stomp. I like the amp's tone I just want a little extra push (I've tried 4x10s also). Help, I can't decide and could use some advice, sorry for the million-th thread on this same subject.

Your bass isn't the issue, you need a better / bigger cab. I believe those guys basically plug straight in. Try everything flat on the amp, and maybe bump up the mids a bit.

 

[JacksonAerodyne]

I've tried a SWR 4x10 and still wanted something more. I've tried my bass straight into the amp, and I've spent a few hours fiddling with the amp eq. I guess I just get too frustrated after a couple hours and call it quits for the day, I've done that a couple times. I suppose all I can do it keep messing with the amp settings some more. I'm also a bit of a gear junkie so sometimes I think that just buying something will help, explains my bank account . Thanks for the advice I'll mess with it some more. Cheers

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Your amp and BDDI should be more than enough EQ to get tones like either of those guys, and QP's are notoriously hot pickups, so I think you just need to play with EQing more. Also, you might want to put on a fresh set of strings or even switch to steels (I presume you're using nickel or NPS strings).

Here's a link to a guy who discusses the Duff McKagan tone:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f28/duff-mckagan-tone-397539/#post5178239

 

[SGD Lutherie]

You amp should be able to get any tone you want. I used a GK-800RB for years and they are very versatile.

I'd start by ditching some of the pedals. IMO the BDDI makes you tone small and mushy. You don't need an amp simulator, because you are playing through an amp. Using that with the amp makes it sound like your amp playing though a radio or something. It's too cartoonish.

Don't forget about the GK Boost control. This is an important part of the GK tone, and is a tube saturator emulator. Basically it's doing what the BDDI does, only without sounding like mush since it has a lot more headroom.

So try plugging right into the amp and then crank up the Boost knob a bit and see what you get. Start with the EQ flat, and then cut of boost as you see fit for the tone you want to get.

After you get a good tone from the amp, add the pedals back one at a time and work them into the tone.

 

[Dave W]

IIRC, neither of those guys run an on board preamp. Just your standard passive bass. Duff plays GK and a PJ bass, so I'd figure you could get pretty close to his tone with what you've got.

What kind of strings are you using? Nickel? Stainless? Rounds? Flats?

 

[JacksonAerodyne]

I use Rotosound swing 66s (roundwound, I tried the flats, too mellow for my tastes) they are stainless. I've been shying away from my SBBDI since I got the GK, I think I might drop it along with the BBE Sonic Max but I love my EQ pedals. I guess upgrading gear means I don't need the little stuff anymore. I'll try all of the advice, I appreciate everything guys!

 

[darkstorm]

Part of the appeal of preamps is the tone change they give with tone pots at center/flat. I rather the sound improvement to me that gives. This is do to the conversion to lowZ. Picking a preamp should be largely based on what freq centers you want for bass, treble, and if 3band, mids. And for wether it gives modern or vintage tone. I prefer modern tone. For 2band I rather like the basslines blackout preamp. Its available ion both single stacked pot and seperate pots for bass and treble and has dipswitch on circuit board for selecting treble freq center.