Audere preamp users - how often do you use the Z-mode switch?

[fourstringbliss]

I don't really understand.... If you have an Audere with the 3 way switch (which I do) aren't you using it everytime you play? I mean there are three modes to choose from, you have to be using one of them. What did you people all install bypasses in your basses?

Technically, if you have an Audere JZ3 or 3ZB preamp in your bass you're using the Z-mode switch every time you play because it'll be in one of the three positions.

Theoretically then, if you have an Audere Classic 4-Band preamp, the Z-mode is permanently fixed in Mid-Z mode, right?

I was really trying to figure out how often people used either the low or high Z modes. From the poll results it looks like quite a few folks change Z modes often, but most either change them occasionally or leave it in mid Z mode.

 

[smeet]

MidZ is the "normal" mode.
I rarely use HiZ, LowZ is nice on the bridge pickup, gives a growly ballsy sound that almost sounds like overdrive when I dig in.

Will the Audere drop into the Fender American Standard P5, or is it a Jazz-only setup?

 

[JustOpenYourMind]

MidZ is the "normal" mode.
I rarely use HiZ, LowZ is nice on the bridge pickup, gives a growly ballsy sound that almost sounds like overdrive when I dig in.

Will the Audere drop into the Fender American Standard P5, or is it a Jazz-only setup?

You would bassicly need to fit the preamp module, which is roughly as big as a 9v battery plus a 9v battery to power it. a safe way to know if your bass has enough room is to try to fit two 9v batteries under the pickguard in your control cavity, if it doesn't fit you'll have to rout.

The thing with jazz basses preamp is that they come pre-wired on a control plate that is specially made to fit with a 9v battery in a standard jazz bass cavity. With a P-bass you have to order a custom preamp with a separate module, pots and battery.

 

[Eublet]

One of the two Audere preamps is going to be perfect for me. I don't want to color my sound - I have outboard preamps/pedals to color my sound if I want. I like the passive sound of the MK-1 pickups in my Lakland 55-01 and I'm going to eventually replace them with USA Barts, which will sound even better. I want thickness in my low end, not boominess. I want clarity in my treble, not zinginess. The Audere sounds perfect!

The 4 band might be for you then. Personally, I find the two band to be the best for a fretted jazz because of the frequency points. I think the 3 band is better for fretless basses, and the 4 band for a modern bass.

 

[Eublet]

Will the Audere drop into the Fender American Standard P5, or is it a Jazz-only setup?

Drop in? Maybe...depends on how much routing is under the pick guard. It will certainly work, although I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble on a P bass. A P/J on the other hand would be a good candidate.

 

[fourstringbliss]

It will certainly work, although I'm not sure it would be worth the trouble on a P bass. A P/J on the other hand would be a good candidate.

I agree here. One of the centerpeices of these preamps is active blending - you need two pups to make it work, though. Otherwise you've got a nice transparent preamp with the Z-mode switch, still.

 

[Chef]

You could belnd the two halves of the P pickup I guess

 

[4Mal]

MidZ is the "normal" mode.
I rarely use HiZ, LowZ is nice on the bridge pickup, gives a growly ballsy sound that almost sounds like overdrive when I dig in.

Will the Audere drop into the Fender American Standard P5, or is it a Jazz-only setup?

You would order a 3zb, configured for 1 pickup, control's are you see fit. It's the 'module' style as opposed to the j plate style pre. The 3zb has advantages.

1. You get trim pot's for both the low and hi Z modes - the j plate only offers the low -z adjustment - and it is a very corse adjustment in comparison - hi Z is adjusted by inserting caps into sockets on the J plate style.

2. The module based pre is highly configurable no EQ, 2 band, 3 band, 4 band, passive tone control , Active/Passive switch, mid-freq switch, z-mode, vol, single knob's, stack knobs, and probably something I missed...

 

[DennyOnBass]

Low Z almost all of the time, amp usually set flat or close to it. I'll occasionally use mid mode, but never high Z.

 

[4StringTheorist]

The 4 band might be for you then. Personally, I find the two band to be the best for a fretted jazz because of the frequency points. I think the 3 band is better for fretless basses, and the 4 band for a modern bass.

That's an interesting take. I've been leaning toward the 4-band for my Warmoth Jazz. It's got a wenge neck and a korina body, plus decidedly non-vintage parts, so my goal with it was never to emulate a Fender Jazz tone-wise.

I'd say my main desire tone wise isn't "vintage" or "modern" so much as "versatile". To that end I've gotten a set of Nordstrand NJ4SV pickups (with the inherent tone of this bass, I don't need any more mid-emphasis than I've already got, so I went with the SVs over the SEs) and have been planning on a 4 band Audere.

It's cool to know that the 4 band might properly fit my goals with this bass.

 

[fourstringbliss]

Any last thoughts?

 

[4StringTheorist]

Any last thoughts?

I think you said it best here:

The more I think about it the less comfortable I am with the idea of drilling holes in my bass for a switch I might only use a little. Even though I'm 99.9% sure this bass is a keeper that I want to make even better with a new pre and pups, I trade basses so often I'd hate to make a permanent change (like drilling holes) only to regret it later. I'm also a bit of a klutz so I think I'll pass on the whole drill thing.

If you're not 100% sure you're keeping the bass, and you think that drilling holes in it will be an impediment to selling it on down the line, I think you've got your answer here.

To play devil's advocate though... you can always tuck the Z switch in the control cavity.. and if you do decide that you are never ever going to part with that bass, then just drill the hole and be happy.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I think you said it best here:



If you're not 100% sure you're keeping the bass, and you think that drilling holes in it will be an impediment to selling it on down the line, I think you've got your answer here.

To play devil's advocate though... you can always tuck the Z switch in the control cavity.. and if you do decide that you are never ever going to part with that bass, then just drill the hole and be happy.

I guess we'll see. I won't be buying one until close to summer's end. My main concern about the switches is my own ability to drill a straight hole in the front of my bass! If I had the Z-mode switch I'd probably use it enough to make it worth it. I might just go for simplicity and the Classic 4-band.

 

[jerry]

Bookmarked...........

 

[fourstringbliss]

Bookmarked...........

Curious to see how things go? I also plan on installing a set of USA Bartolini's.

 

[neurotictim]

I've got the JZ3 in my SX Geddy clone, and I use it only rarely - but I have the gain on Low Z turned pretty much all the way up, so I can get a nice warm overdriven sound out of it. Of course, I have to turn the amp down, and the switch is noticeable, but if I want something close to the Ricky sound, it's not bad.

 

[Davo-London]

I use the Z-switch for increased gain, when my volume is full-on. I always try to have a bit of volume spare, but even that runs out occasionally.

Davo

 

[Showdown]

How much I use it depends on the band I'm playing in. In a band I used to be in that played a variety of music, from country to classic rock to hard rock to punk to reggae, I used it a lot. Mid Z for classic rock and hard rock, Low Z for reggae and country, Hi Z for punk. It was very handy. In the two bands I play in now, a hard rock band, and an acoustic band that plays acoustic rock, country, and blues, I leave it on one setting all the time. In the hard rock band I use it on Mid Z, in the acoustic band Low Z.

I have two basses with Audere pres, a Lakland Skyline JO4, and a 44-01. On the 44-01 I haven't drilled a hole for the switch yet, so it is tucked in the cavity set on Low Z. I used it with the acoustic band Sunday and it killed.

 

[fourstringbliss]

How much I use it depends on the band I'm playing in. In a band I used to be in that played a variety of music, from country to classic rock to hard rock to punk to reggae, I used it a lot. Mid Z for classic rock and hard rock, Low Z for reggae and country, Hi Z for punk. It was very handy. In the two bands I play in now, a hard rock band, and an acoustic band that plays acoustic rock, country, and blues, I leave it on one setting all the time. In the hard rock band I use it on Mid Z, in the acoustic band Low Z.

I have two basses with Audere pres, a Lakland Skyline JO4, and a 44-01. On the 44-01 I haven't drilled a hole for the switch yet, so it is tucked in the cavity set on Low Z. I used it with the acoustic band Sunday and it killed.

I'm definitely going for the 3ZB. I'm just going to take my time and improve this bass the right way - USA Barts and a 3ZB with three way mids. I'm sure I'll find plenty of use for it. This bass is a keeper and I want to make it all it can be.

 

[4StringTheorist]

I'm definitely going for the 3ZB. I'm just going to take my time and improve this bass the right way - USA Barts and a 3ZB with three way mids. I'm sure I'll find plenty of use for it. This bass is a keeper and I want to make it all it can be.

Cheers!

Less than an hour ago I finally placed my order for a 4-band 3ZB. I'm excited!

Give me about two or three weeks, and I might be able to answer the poll on this thread finally.

Have fun dialing that bass in to be the best it can be for you.