I bought a new P bass and installed some EMGs (18v config). The tone is great, but I'm thinking about adding an onboard preamp.
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Best onboard pre for Fender Precision?
- Thread starter bassworx1975
- Start date
Since it's a Precision, I might just replace the tone knob with this:
http://www.bestbassgear.com/emg-btc-control.htm
And you can get stacked knob P knobs that don't look out of place.
http://www.bestbassgear.com/emg-btc-control.htm
And you can get stacked knob P knobs that don't look out of place.
I put a combination of Nord NP5F pups and a Bartolini TC1 preamp without the EQ boost points, just a flat boost.
Turns out the sound is great, but the output is SMOKIN' hot. I just bought a trim pot that I'm about to install internally to back down the output since I use one wireless belt pack for 3 basses. But it does sound REALLY good.
Jimmy's advice is solid, as well. Probably less complicated, too.
Turns out the sound is great, but the output is SMOKIN' hot. I just bought a trim pot that I'm about to install internally to back down the output since I use one wireless belt pack for 3 basses. But it does sound REALLY good.
Jimmy's advice is solid, as well. Probably less complicated, too.
Considering that you already have the emg pickups I also,would vote for the btc.
That said I just installed an Aguilar obp-1stk with dimarzio model p in my friends bass and it is really great. Super loud and meaty. Topped it off with a set of sadowsky style knobs for some class.
That said I just installed an Aguilar obp-1stk with dimarzio model p in my friends bass and it is really great. Super loud and meaty. Topped it off with a set of sadowsky style knobs for some class.
The J East P-Retro would get my vote. I had one in my P last year and its very versatile. It run off a rechargeable system (via the jack socket) and is very comprehensive.
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I'll be the difficult one: To what end? The nice thing about a P-bass is that a good pair of pickups and a tone knob is really all you need - so why make your life difficult with a preamp (that will need a pick-guard removing battery!)?
Yep, thats why i sold my P-Retro. Too many knobs and dials for a P bass.
On a side note, the P-Retro has the battery cell incorporated on the circuit board. You plug the charger in to the jack socket on the bass to charge it. Very clever. Generally no need to make any external modifications.
Because, to quote my friend who just got the operation done to his P. "it sounds like a musicman raping a p bass. So angry". This mod got him to exactly the sound that he has been searching for for a long time and the straight p sound is still in there too.
We installed a battery box and I know for sure that its not for everyone, or me even, but it was a pretty night and day mod and really does sound good.
I wouldn't call it being difficult at all. It's a good point to bring up, which brings me to my counter-point...
It's a bad idea to just stick in a pre-amp without planning for a battery box on the backside (unless you can easily remove the pickguard and there's plenty of room in the electronics compartment) of the bass a la my 98 Music Man, and now, having added the same box to my Precision and fretless Jazz. It's some effort to have the back of the bass routed out and have the box installed, then placing the battery level LED in an inconspicuous place. And if there's any reservations about routing out a vintage or sentimental instrument, I wouldn't do this at all. But I have instruments that aren't particularly valuable to collectors or vintage freaks, they are just very solid workhorse instruments. And I had no hesitation at all about routing the body for the battery box and other mods that make the instruments work well for me. Which is the idea all along.
I'm happy with my sadowsky preamp in mine. Its cavity is rear routed so I don't to take the pickguard off. I don't use it all the time, but it's nice to have it when if feel I need it.
