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Add active electronics to passive Bass
- Thread starter deirfloo
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- add actice circuit
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Welcome to the forum!
Completely possible, yes. In fact, this is how most factory active basses are configured - a passive pickup into an active preamp.
You didn't say what your budget is, or whether you are comfortable with soldering. There are compatible preamps available from a number of manufacturers; I'm a big fan of John East units, and he makes a drop-in two-band and three-band unit.
Completely possible, yes. In fact, this is how most factory active basses are configured - a passive pickup into an active preamp.
You didn't say what your budget is, or whether you are comfortable with soldering. There are compatible preamps available from a number of manufacturers; I'm a big fan of John East units, and he makes a drop-in two-band and three-band unit.
One consideration on a conversion like this is space - you will need room in a control cavity for the new electronics and a battery. Usually not a problem on a Stingray style bass but something to keep in mind.
I do a lot of soldering and even the routing is no problem, if I need more space.
I was hoping to find something basic and affordable.
You need to define what this means to you as it may not mean that to others. It also helps to know where in the world you are.
The Tone Monster brand sold on eBay is good among cheaper stuff. They're between $50-100 in different configurations. Not sure what it would take to get one to Europe though.
The cheapest option, while still retaining quality, would be DIY. You can make your own version of a multitude of common designs for maybe $5-$15 in parts depending on the design.
The cheapest option, while still retaining quality, would be DIY. You can make your own version of a multitude of common designs for maybe $5-$15 in parts depending on the design.
Oh, I didn't think about making one myself.
Where are the sources of schematics and designs?
I am very interested in learning new skills, so i would invest quite some time in learning how to do it, just don't know, where to search for data and "how to"s.
There are a bunch of threads on here from over the years, if you search DIY preamp you'll probably find them. There's a long thread about a DIY version of the three band unit that MM used to use in the real Stingrays, that might be a good place the start.
Yep, John East! Put a 3 band with sweepable mids in my SubRay, remained 3 knob. Not exactly cheap but you get what you pay for. John East is very good quality.
Just found these cheap preamps at aliexpress at abot 10 bucks.
Anyone knows how this stuff performs?
The all have a balance pot, which i dont need, just want to solder the stingray pickup in parallel directly to the volume pot, so it woul be possible to wire and have 3 pots.
I know, this is cjeap stuff, but this is basically, what I need, to turn a passive bass into an active one, no?
€ 12,23 | Belcat 2 Band Aktive EQ Preamp Schaltung für Bass Pickup 1 Volumen 2 Ton Töpfe
10.99US $ |Belcat 2 Band Active EQ Preamp Circuit for Bass Pickup 1 Volume 2 Tone Pots|eq preamp|preamp eqbass preamp circuit - AliExpress
Anyone knows how this stuff performs?
The all have a balance pot, which i dont need, just want to solder the stingray pickup in parallel directly to the volume pot, so it woul be possible to wire and have 3 pots.
I know, this is cjeap stuff, but this is basically, what I need, to turn a passive bass into an active one, no?
€ 12,23 | Belcat 2 Band Aktive EQ Preamp Schaltung für Bass Pickup 1 Volumen 2 Ton Töpfe
10.99US $ |Belcat 2 Band Active EQ Preamp Circuit for Bass Pickup 1 Volume 2 Tone Pots|eq preamp|preamp eqbass preamp circuit - AliExpress
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Welcome to the forum!!!
Opinions as to whether or not that cheap preamp will sound good are subjective. One person my love it. Others may hate it. For that little bit of money, it's worth a shot.
You can also look at the wiring of your pickup. If it is wired such that each coil has its own "hot" wire, you can still use the blend knob. That way you can blend from single inner coil to both coils to single outer coil. That may add some versatility.
Good luck with your project.
Opinions as to whether or not that cheap preamp will sound good are subjective. One person my love it. Others may hate it. For that little bit of money, it's worth a shot.
You can also look at the wiring of your pickup. If it is wired such that each coil has its own "hot" wire, you can still use the blend knob. That way you can blend from single inner coil to both coils to single outer coil. That may add some versatility.
Good luck with your project.
Yes I have those 2 hot wires, but I have only 3 pot knobs at my bass, so I will have to sacrifice the balance knob....
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
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- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Thanks for the shoutout as always, but I'd recommend this one as the classic entree to DIY onboard preamps: PCBs for DIY clone 2-band Preamps
@UncleFluffy is no longer active here, but near the end of that thread there are links to a current source for these boards done to original spec, or this redux version from another TB'er looks really well done too: MM Stingray 2 band shared pcb design
I do have a simpler open source DIY one in the works as well, but it may well be a few months out.
The Audere line of preamps is fairly inexpensive compared to most and can be configured any way you want for any number of available holes. Since they also do stacked controls its possible to fit more than one preamp function into each hole.
For a regular style of active onboard preamp I can recommend an Audere pretty highly. I've installed them into some of my own instruments as well as for friends.
For a regular style of active onboard preamp I can recommend an Audere pretty highly. I've installed them into some of my own instruments as well as for friends.
Welcome.
There are a lot of solid options. I agree with the comments above that East and Audere are great, I am a huge East fan, but these violate your "affordable" constraint likely. What's a good budget? That will help us throw a mountain of choices at you.
There are a lot of solid options. I agree with the comments above that East and Audere are great, I am a huge East fan, but these violate your "affordable" constraint likely. What's a good budget? That will help us throw a mountain of choices at you.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Yeah. Buy a preamp with three knobs. Battery will go in the the control cavity.
I suggest the Duncan stingray pre amp. It's pretty perfect.
