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Bass Mods Preamps... Anyone use them?

someone asked about the dimensions of the module, sorry haven't got the specs for you but the whole thing does take up a bit of room, there are many wires, and probably more length of wire than absolutely needed... the preamp itself is about as wide as a 9v battery, slightly longer, slightly thinner in the center, but w/ slightly raised edges (hard to explain, i trimmed the edges of mine w/ a hobby knife, just plastic). still enjoying the sounds of the preamp, btw.
 
I just installed the 3 band/4 pot BassMods pre in a new Chinese Warwick Corvette fretless. It took all of an hour, from releasing the passive gear to road testing the pre. Yessir, it took every cubic mm of cavity to fit it all in, but I did not have to force the cover back on.

I have nothing to add to the good things said about this pre. Very quiet, very versatile, and the mid boost/cut is a monster.

On the eyebrow-raising column though, I was a bit unimpressed with the lack of virtually ANY tone control in the passive mode.
 
On the eyebrow-raising column though, I was a bit unimpressed with the lack of virtually ANY tone control in the passive mode.

the tone controls are "off" in passive mode, isn't that normal? of course it would be nice to have a passive tone pot.... i think Sadowsky offers that as an option, but his preamps are ususally 2 band, right? I had a F Bass once that had 3 band, as well as Vol-Vol-Tone. but that was 6 knobs on front of the bass!
 
the tone controls are "off" in passive mode, isn't that normal? of course it would be nice to have a passive tone pot.... i think Sadowsky offers that as an option, but his preamps are ususally 2 band, right? I had a F Bass once that had 3 band, as well as Vol-Vol-Tone. but that was 6 knobs on front of the bass!

I actually wasn't aware of that. I guess I've been out of the new gear game too long.

The tone can be tweaked in passive mode using the blend pot, but when I get down to it, I guess the only time I'd really care to play in passive mode is when I practice or when a batt dies.
 
After having this pre in my bass for a while, it seems to me that it's very bright, even with the treble turned all the way down... has anyone else experienced this? I'm used to pre's that allow me to cut the treble and almost mimic a passive tone control being turned down, but not with this thing. Now that I type this, I may need to double check that the wiring is still attached correctly! lol
 
After having this pre in my bass for a while, it seems to me that it's very bright, even with the treble turned all the way down... has anyone else experienced this? I'm used to pre's that allow me to cut the treble and almost mimic a passive tone control being turned down, but not with this thing. Now that I type this, I may need to double check that the wiring is still attached correctly! lol

i have not had that experience, my bassmods pre works great, the boost and cut both give me a noticeable effect, and i can get a good range of sounds. sounds like your situation may be unique to your bass, your pickups, the wiring, etc..... good luck!
 
Today I ordered a BEQ12 with controls and plate. This is for a jazz bass Im building and I'll match the pre with Aguilar 4J-60 Pups. I think this will be a nice match and unclouded. True tone of the bass and very little voicing if any at all from what Im reading with these pre's. I should have the build complete in a couple weeks once I find a neck. I'll report back with results.
 
I finally had the oppurtunity to complete my build. This was a ground up build so it took a little while to get all componants together to do it right.

I will first disclose all compononats and equipment. And I should also state that I am not endorsed by Bass Mods, nor am I affiliated in any way with this product. I a simple consumer making an honest evaluation of a product.

My equipment:

MIM Jazz Body
Teak neck with Ovankal board by Warmoth
Gotoh Bridge
Aguilar 4J60 Jazz Pups
BEQ12 Bass Mods Preamp
Standard Fender Tuners
DR Sunbeams 45-105 (Nickel rounds)
All Cavities Shielded with ground jumpers (complete grounded system.)

Playing Through a Ampeg SVT810E, and Fender Bassman 300 Pro, using monstor cables.

So on with the review...

First Impression (9 of 10) - Im pretty blown away by the transparent sound of the BEQ12 Bass Mods Preamp. Its really just a clean boost with tone controls. It reminds me very much of the Aggie OBP3 I have in another build. The Bass Mods Pre has Clean Highs, can get rumbly lows, and punchy mids. Its very impressive for this price point I paid $80.00 with controls new on the Bay.

Controls (9 of 10) - The first pot is the volume with push/pull active passive control. A BIG PLUS is there was not an audible click or pop sound when engaging the active/passive push pull. Its nice and quiet due to the prewired resistor on the pot.

The Preamp itself has a output pot to adjust your Active Output Setting. Passive setting is obviously not adjustable.

2nd control knob is the blend knob. When set in passive mode, this is the only working control besides volume. Some players might want a tone control when in passive mode but did not feel like the preamp was lacking anything without a passive tone control. Plenty of tone blending from pup to pup.

3rd knob when in active mode is tone control.

4th knob when in active mode is double stacked bass/treble.

Quality (8 of 10) - Because I bought this system with the preamp already prewire to the pots with control plate included, I not completely disappointed with the pots the builder is using. I think they personally could be a little better, but they function like they are supposed to.

Sound (9 of 10) - As I stated previously. Id put this sound up against my Aggie OBP3. I also have a Sadowski preamp in my Valenti and I'd put this bassmods preamp up against it as well. I would say I have 3 top quality and top sounding preamps. I play Rock, Jazz, and Funk. This preamp allows the true sound of my bass to come out and be heard. Regardless of the tone setting I have, it sound great. I can dial in a variety of tones depending on what I playing at the moment. It lacks not in the tone department.

Overall (9 of 10) - I would buy another BEW12 Bass Mods Pre if I have another build. Period! The sound is that of preamps 2 and 3 times its price range. I am totally happy with my decision to buy this preamp, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a clean preamp with veratility.


Thanks for taking the time to read my review of this great product.
 

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I finally had the oppurtunity to complete my build. This was a ground up build so it took a little while to get all componants together to do it right.

I will first disclose all compononats and equipment. And I should also state that I am not endorsed by Bass Mods, nor am I affiliated in any way with this product. I a simple consumer making an honest evaluation of a product.

My equipment:

MIM Jazz Body
Teak neck with Ovankal board by Warmoth
Gotoh Bridge
Aguilar 4J60 Jazz Pups
BEQ12 Bass Mods Preamp
Standard Fender Tuners
DR Sunbeams 45-105 (Nickel rounds)
All Cavities Shielded with ground jumpers (complete grounded system.)

Playing Through a Ampeg SVT810E, and Fender Bassman 300 Pro, using monstor cables.

So on with the review...

First Impression (9 of 10) - Im pretty blown away by the transparent sound of the BEQ12 Bass Mods Preamp. Its really just a clean boost with tone controls. It reminds me very much of the Aggie OBP3 I have in another build. The Bass Mods Pre has Clean Highs, can get rumbly lows, and punchy mids. Its very impressive for this price point I paid $80.00 with controls new on the Bay.

Controls (9 of 10) - The first pot is the volume with push/pull active passive control. A BIG PLUS is there was not an audible click or pop sound when engaging the active/passive push pull. Its nice and quiet due to the prewired resistor on the pot.

The Preamp itself has a output pot to adjust your Active Output Setting. Passive setting is obviously not adjustable.

2nd control knob is the blend knob. When set in passive mode, this is the only working control besides volume. Some players might want a tone control when in passive mode but did not feel like the preamp was lacking anything without a passive tone control. Plenty of tone blending from pup to pup.

3rd knob when in active mode is tone control.

4th knob when in active mode is double stacked bass/treble.

Quality (8 of 10) - Because I bought this system with the preamp already prewire to the pots with control plate included, I not completely disappointed with the pots the builder is using. I think they personally could be a little better, but they function like they are supposed to.

Sound (9 of 10) - As I stated previously. Id put this sound up against my Aggie OBP3. I also have a Sadowski preamp in my Valenti and I'd put this bassmods preamp up against it as well. I would say I have 3 top quality and top sounding preamps. I play Rock, Jazz, and Funk. This preamp allows the true sound of my bass to come out and be heard. Regardless of the tone setting I have, it sound great. I can dial in a variety of tones depending on what I playing at the moment. It lacks not in the tone department.

Overall (9 of 10) - I would buy another BEW12 Bass Mods Pre if I have another build. Period! The sound is that of preamps 2 and 3 times its price range. I am totally happy with my decision to buy this preamp, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a clean preamp with veratility.


Thanks for taking the time to read my review of this great product.
Good review - My feelings are pretty much the same as your. I match it up against an OBP-3 in another of my basses. It walks on Bartolini pre. I have it in my Squier "Storm Trooper" custom.
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