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Best Pre-Amp for Modulus Q5?

L

LP75

Aug 29, 2006
363
3
Seattle
#1
Hi bassfolks - I'm new around here. I've been a gigging bassist for a little over a decade now, and I have just recently placed an order for a new Modulus Quantum 5 with the Barts, and 3-band Bart EQ. My present amp rig has all separate components. The pre-amp I have now is a simple Trace-Elliott V-Type with the signal being split to use 2-channels of power amplification. There is also a DBX 2-ch studio type compressor between the pre-amp and power amp.

When I get this new Modulus Q5, I want to pair it up with a pre-amp that compliments it well. Preferrably something that is readily available and not too expensive at a bass specialty shop (mine is Bass Northwest). I will likely work with Chad in person to help me decide, but since I have a few weeks to wait, i thought I'd ask you fine people for any opinions.
Alembic? Demeter? Something else? Stick with my old Trace?

Thanks,
LP
 
#2
I have tried my Q5 with a few different pre amps(Sansamp, Alembic, SWR) I ended up goint with an Eden Navigator. This bass is easy to dial in when I use this pre. I pretty much run the eq section flat with the 'enhance' dial at 9:00. Sometimes I subtract some mids (600hz) if I have too. But give your trace a try, you might not have to spend any money at all.
 
#3
For me it was the ampeg SVP-Pro. The Alembic is good as well, but the ampeg adds the juice that the Q5 is missing, and tames its high mids a bit.

Trace should work just fine as well ... give it a shot.
 
#5
Right! Don't count out the trace.

I personally would recommend a tube preamp that offers a bit of wool, because the Q5 is such a clean and clear-sounding bass. The SVP-Pro is a good choice, as is Alembic (F2B or F1X). But that's just me! Maybe you'll want to keep it clean. :)
 
#6
wow,

lives near bass northwest? problem solved! :p

but the modulus' i've played are pretty hifi'ish and accurate. if you want to counter balance that as i tried to do, i'd go w/ an alembic pre. nice fat smooth sound. wanna take the hifi to the next level, try the demeter.

again, being able to utilize BNW as a resource is head and shoulders above what most of us can tell you here. :cool:
 
#7
LP75 said:
Thanks for the opinions!
It would be funny if the Trace ended up serving it the best!

LP
Click to expand...


Funny you should say that, I've found out that my Q sounds best with my trace...Really surpising, but I used it last night and I didn't have to do alot of tweaking like I have to do with this bass and my DB680... go figure??:eyebrow:
 
#8
i've played a modulus thru swr, eden, alembic, demeter, and aguilar at gigs. i've also played it thru a variety of other preamps in stores. Overall i woudl choose an alembic over anything as it really warms up the modulus tone and gets rid of a lot of the harsh "clanky" sound that many find objectionable. Second would go to eden as it is a warmer sounding version of the russ allee style preamp also found in AMP, SWR, and thunderfunk. Probably thrid place would tie with demeter and AMP/thunderfunk.
 
#9
One thing to keep in mind for all the Modulus users. When I picked the options for my Q5, one of the factors was the pups. I found the EMG pups to be a little more brittle and sizzley hi-fi ish. The Barts sounded much warmer and seemed to tame the bass a little. As a result a Modulus with Barts might sound better thru a cleaner head. A Modulus with EMG's might sound better thru a warmer head.
 
#10
Fuzzbass said:
...........because the Q5 is such a clean and clear-sounding bass. . :)
Click to expand...
I have owned and almost exclusively used a Q5 with Barts & the 3 band for the past 5 years and I get so tired of hearing this crap. My Q5 is as ballsy and in your face as anything I've ever heard. If your Modulus sounds as wonderful (and ballsy) as mine does, you won't want to do anything to spoil the sound of it, especially by using a pre that colors the sound very much. I'd suggest the cleanest, most faithful preamp you can find and use that because trust me, you'll hate yourself for spoiling the sound of that instrument. My $0.02
 
#11
lneal said:
I have owned and almost exclusively used a Q5 with Barts & the 3 band for the past 5 years and I get so tired of hearing this crap. My Q5 is as ballsy and in your face as anything I've ever heard. If your Modulus sounds as wonderful (and ballsy) as mine does, you won't want to do anything to spoil the sound of it, especially by using a pre that colors the sound very much. I'd suggest the cleanest, most faithful preamp you can find and use that because trust me, you'll hate yourself for spoiling the sound of that instrument. My $0.02
Click to expand...
So what is your recomendation?
 
#12
Well, since I haven't been of a mind to look for one lately, I don't really know what's out there now that would be clean. I have used my recently retired Trace GP12SMX pre for the past 13 years until I started using a preamp that I designed and built myself. Unlike the Trace the new preamp is clear and uncongested and I'm just realizing how great the bass sounds without a bunch of crap in the way of it. So, I would say that he may have to look outside the bass gear world and maybe look into something like an Avalon or maybe Eden. Sorry to say, but he won't get anything "not too expensive" that'll do that instrument any justice. I mean, he just dropped a load on a bass, why get a "not too expensive" preamp??
Here are some pics of the pre I built.
 
#15
lneal said:
Well, since I haven't been of a mind to look for one lately, I don't really know what's out there now that would be clean. I have used my recently retired Trace GP12SMX pre for the past 13 years until I started using a preamp that I designed and built myself. Unlike the Trace the new preamp is clear and uncongested and I'm just realizing how great the bass sounds without a bunch of crap in the way of it. So, I would say that he may have to look outside the bass gear world and maybe look into something like an Avalon or maybe Eden. Sorry to say, but he won't get anything "not too expensive" that'll do that instrument any justice. I mean, he just dropped a load on a bass, why get a "not too expensive" preamp??
Here are some pics of the pre I built.
Click to expand...
Wow, that things chock full of tubes.
 
#16
seansbrew said:
One thing to keep in mind for all the Modulus users. When I picked the options for my Q5, one of the factors was the pups. I found the EMG pups to be a little more brittle and sizzley hi-fi ish. The Barts sounded much warmer and seemed to tame the bass a little. As a result a Modulus with Barts might sound better thru a cleaner head. A Modulus with EMG's might sound better thru a warmer head.
Click to expand...

+1 good call. The bart basses are way mellow in the highs.
 
#19
Yeah, the Avalon U5 should sound good with the Bart Q5.

If you want to add more of a tube-ish organic vibe try the Alembic F-1X.

The Demeter VTBP-201S will give you a lot of fast, punchy tube goodness.

If you can get your hands on a used Read Purity, that is a very versatile and great sounding preamp.

Good luck.
 
#20
I use an Aguilar DB-680 preamp for my Modulus Flea 4 w/a Bartolini 2 Band on-board preamp and it ALWAYS sounds great. Sorry I know it is not exactly the same equipment but I just think you need to give the DB-680 a Good Long Listen To :) It is a very versatile piece of gear . .
 

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