Anyone Audere w/ mid-z only?

If all you want is a buffered blend circuit you could use a Bartolini AGDB (Adjustable Gain Dual Buffer) or, if you want more gain, one of the dual channel TC series.

http://bartolini.net/information/electronics/electronics_a.htm

 

You could use a simple gain buffer for each pickup, wired before the balance pot, and add a tone control. Simple an efficient. =)
I think Bartolini has a dual-channel buffer just for that purpose.

// edit: BruceWane got that before me.

 

I ran a 3ZB with Vol/Vol, z-mode and Active/Passive for a bit. It was an experiment. I sent it back to Dave and had him add a second module with the EQ later. The experiment proved 'un-interesting' and also that I really do like having some EQ options.

If I were to do that again, I would order the standard module but have only the Vol/Blend configured - all the other functions would be included in the pre but with the wires stubbed out - later should I cnhange my mind, I'd be able to re-configure by adding the switches / pots...

I run a Jz3 on one of my J's and I use the z-mode a fair amount.

 

Nothing wrong with getting one wired up like that. At any later date, you could attach the switch to the leads from the preamp (if we're talking the 3ZB module preamp, at least) if you wanted the Z-mode options.

Better yet, get the pre with the Z-mode switch wired up, play through it long enough to decide which Z-mode you like best, then tuck the switch into the control cavity.

The Z-mode thing isn't an EQ circuit in the technical sense. It changes the impedance loading of the pickup. The tone is different in each mode, the frequency response is different so I guess it is an EQ in the functional sense, but without the sort of phase distortion that an EQ circuit imparts by design.

• High-Z - like your pickup(s) into the a high-impedance input. i.e. like many classic tube amps
  
• Mid-Z - your pickups, unaltered impedance loading
  
• Low-Z - your pickups into a low-impedance input. I don't know what the analogue is for this. It's a sweet, sweet sound though. I played at church recently with a guitarist, a harp (harmonica) player and my wife and mother-in-law singing; Neck pickup, Low-Z, no EQ. A sweet and supportive sound.

 

I only use the gain boost of the z-switch occasionally when I run out of volume. My bass is on the treble side of neutral so I never use the trebly Z setting.

Davo