Bartolini, Audere, or Ken Smith preamp??

[bongostealth]

Hello everyone,

I finally found and purchased a used Yamaha TRB JP2, and although I hoped it had the stock pickups and preamp, the previous owner installed Bartolini G6 pickups and a Bartolini 3-band preamp. I don't dislike Bartolini but I've always had a love/hate relationship with them. What I do like is that this preamp puts out some nice and powerful lows.

However, I am contemplating changing preamps. I'm thinking about an Audere 4-band, Ken Smith preamp, or just sticking with the Bartolini. My thoughts with the Ken Smith preamp was not to seek to make this bass sound like a Ken Smith but just for the preamp itself, which I've always felt is pretty good.

Any thoughts or opinions?? Or perhaps suggestions on different preamps that would perhaps be better than what I've thought about?

 

[T. Alan Smith]

I've always been quite fond of the Aggie pre with Nordy pups.

 

[bongostealth]

any other thoughts?

 

[mmbongo]

My two favorite pre's are the Aguilar OBP-3 and the EMG BQS.

The Aggie is just massive. Tons of adjustment available.

The EMG sounds great, has a shelving type EQ, and the mid sweep control is awesome. It sells for just over $100, too. EMG's are way overlooked preamps.

 

[MindRise]

any other thoughts?

You may want to check the Glockenklang preamps [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] I have no experience with their products but I'm curious as I have read many good things about the company. Here's a clip with the pre fitted in a bass Human Base Roxy B5 - YouTube

 

[rockosocko]

I've always been partial to Audere, especially with the Z mode switch. In fact, I have Audere preamps in most of my basses.

 

[DWBass]

Don't spend money if you don't have to. If the bass sounds good, leave it alone!

 

[Jimmy Stump]

#1 - leave the existing pre-amp if you like it enough.

#2 - Aguilar OBP-3

 

[Rickett Customs]

One of my favorites, by far is the Audere "Classic" 4 band. David Meadows (the proprietor of Audere), definitely put alot of thought into the frequencies of each EQ band and the overall design (only have to solder the pickups, if using the supplied jack) .

 

[Lincoln]

truly depends on your needs. I've used Barts, Aggie 3-band, Glockenklang and Audere...

All of them had a mid-range adjustments, but I found I don't use them that much other than to find a way to get a passive tone sound. Which is basically to boost the mids and roll off all the treble.

The Glock had the most flexibility because of the active/passive option with the tone roll off. It was also extremely transparent in both modes.

The Audere is very transparent as well— and the most bang for your buck but mine didn't have a passive option.

The Barts are very good I like them again I didn't have them with a passive option...

The Aggie for me was good, but I didn't care for it's mid range. Just my personal taste though...

 

[Rickett Customs]

Linc,
If you configure the "3zb" pre from Audere, this one has a "passive/active" option, just does not work very well for "active" pickups, such as EMG's and Blackouts. True, the classic 4 band does not, but it also works fantastic for "active" pickups.

truly depends on your needs. I've used Barts, Aggie 3-band, Glockenklang and Audere...

All of them had a mid-range adjustments, but I found I don't use them that much other than to find a way to get a passive tone sound. Which is basically to boost the mids and roll off all the treble.

The Glock had the most flexibility because of the active/passive option with the tone roll off. It was also extremely transparent in both modes.

The Audere is very transparent as well— and the most bang for your buck but mine didn't have a passive option.

The Barts are very good I like them again I didn't have them with a passive option...

The Aggie for me was good, but I didn't care for it's mid range. Just my personal taste though...

 

[Lincoln]

At the time that I had it I didn't realize how much I really like the passive option for dialing in that Richard Bona fingerstyle tone. So I didn't think to have that configuration when I ordered it.

So to be clear for the OP— the Audere is an even bigger bang for your buck than I originally stated. And frankly the whole drop in and play module was a HUGE selling point for me. And can't believe more company's don't make that an option to their aftermarket preamps...

 

[bongostealth]

At the time that I had it I didn't realize how much I really like the passive option for dialing in that Richard Bona fingerstyle tone. So I didn't think to have that configuration when I ordered it.

So to be clear for the OP— the Audere is an even bigger bang for your buck than I originally stated. And frankly the whole drop in and play module was a HUGE selling point for me. And can't believe more company's don't make that an option to their aftermarket preamps...

Yeah, I'm really starting to see the value in the Audere. I once had their JZB6 but I didn't know what I had and couldn't appreciate it. I regret having sold it.

 

[DWBass]

At the time that I had it I didn't realize how much I really like the passive option for dialing in that Richard Bona fingerstyle tone. So I didn't think to have that configuration when I ordered it.

So to be clear for the OP— the Audere is an even bigger bang for your buck than I originally stated. And frankly the whole drop in and play module was a HUGE selling point for me. And can't believe more company's don't make that an option to their aftermarket preamps...

Would be nice if more companies did that but it's not hard to do yourself if all the pots come with the preamp all wired up already. My wish is that all aftermarket pups & preamps were modular like the EMG's. I also dig the Brubaker plug in preamp modules!

 

[TonyP-]

Ok first things first

I love the Audere and think its the most 'musical' pre on the market because its subtle and not extreme.

However if you want really big lows then the Aggie is probably your best choice. I'm no fan of it but it does have more gain at 40 hz then most if not all other bass pres.

 

[randysmojo]

I like the Audere for it's subtle adjustments. If you want more than subtle, the Aguilar OBP3 has a huge range!!

 

[phishaholik]

Personally, if I were you I would think about changing the pickups over the preamp. Bart pickups have a very distinct sound that you can't dial out with a preamp. Their preamp however colours your tone a lot less than the pickups and can be a good match with a variety of pickups.


If you want to try a new preamp, I can't recommend the Mike Pope Flexcore enough. I have two Foderas with this preamp and it's simply amazing; it's very flexible and musical.



Michael

 

[DWBass]

Personally, if I were you I would think about changing the pickups over the preamp. Bart pickups have a very distinct sound that you can't dial out with a preamp. Their preamp however colours your tone a lot less than the pickups and can be a good match with a variety of pickups.


If you want to try a new preamp, I can't recommend the Mike Pope Flexcore enough. I have two Foderas with this preamp and it's simply amazing; it's very flexible and musical.



Michael

Just a heads up.....the Pope pre is pricey!

 

[DWBass]

I like the Audere for it's subtle adjustments. If you want more than subtle, the Aguilar OBP3 has a huge range!!

Bart pres are also subtle which is what I like in a preamp. I don't see a need for huge boost from an on-board pre-amp unless you run your amps eq flats!

 

[thepontif]

Flex Core isn't really that pricey. Just so you know.