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Brubaker Brute Club, Part 2

#1,041
Roger that.

Update: today I installed a standard length Switchcraft stereo jack and all is well. There's one with a longer 3/8" threaded shaft but that was not necessary. Just three wires to connect, and I also cleaned up the bridge ground wire solder connection.

Glad to have my MJX5 back in service. And yes I will be looking at options from Nordstrand, Bartolini, Audere. Just need a setup that's not dark.
 
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#1,043
JJX-4 owner here who seconds your opinion. I wanted more "aggressive cleanliness". I opted for an EMG solution and glad I did. The JX pups and BQC preamp were a super easy install and a wonderful hi-fi upgrade. I host weekly jams and this bass seems to see the most playtime. Among many fine basses including Warwick, Hamer, Fender and even a Bordwell... the bassists all seem to enjoy it very much.
 
#1,046
I'd like to upgrade the electronics in my 2011 Brubaker Brute MJX-5, but up here in the great white north the falling Canadian dollar is putting a dent in my pocket. I'd like to do this in stages if I can, statring with the pre-amp. My bass has the new style pick-ups (logo) but does not have the series/parallel switch. I'd like to add in the s/p switch on the mm pu - can it be done? If I just upgrade the pre will I notice much of a difference? Thanks
 
#1,047
Bassometer said:
I'd like to upgrade the electronics in my 2011 Brubaker Brute MJX-5, but up here in the great white north the falling Canadian dollar is putting a dent in my pocket. I'd like to do this in stages if I can, statring with the pre-amp. My bass has the new style pick-ups (logo) but does not have the series/parallel switch. I'd like to add in the s/p switch on the mm pu - can it be done? If I just upgrade the pre will I notice much of a difference? Thanks
Click to expand...
The short answer is yes, as long as the pickup itself has 4 leads. If you have a humbucker with only two leads , and the joining wire for the two coils in just hanging out, you can also cut and solder two other leads at that point.
 
#1,049
Bassometer said:
I guess I won't know until I get in there and see. I assume it is wired in parallel from the factory (like a stingray), but it has so much more power over the single coil so maybe it is wired in series? /QUOTE]

It's actually wired in series/single between the 2-way switch. Hence the big volume difference, especially when panning the blend pot. I almost always left it in series until I redid the guts on mine. (Aguilar pups, Sadowsky preamp)
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#1,050
Time for new pups and preamp for my MJX-5 as well. I play funk (mostly fingerstyle). I'm thinking passive Barts, 76DL5C and 59CBJD-S1. Not quite sure about what preamp to get. Is it recommended to match the brand for the pups and preamp? Any recommendations for different pickups or a good preamp for my style?
 
#1,051
Bassometer said:
. . . Any thoughts on a good low cost preamp?
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Your best bet is to keep an eye on the TB Classifieds and grab a high quality used one. Over the years that I was playing around modifying a couple different Brutes, I think I tried a few different brands ... Audere, Bart, Aguilar, Delano, and Glockenklang. All were great, and had something unique to offer, but I found that any 3-band preamp with Mid-select options worked best for me. My JJX-5 has Delano pups and 3 band w/ mid-select. My MJX-5 is Aguilar pups and 3-band pre w/ mid-select. I also had an MJX with Bart pups and 3-band w/ mid-select. I love being able to dial in a nice, fat, lo-mids boost as needed.
 
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#1,052
Hi
Newly purchased Brubaker MJX5 Brute - Looking for a Brubaker case (hard or soft) appreciate if anyone can give me a lead on where to look - no dealers here in Edmonton Alberta.

b-2.jpg
 
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#1,053
robl said:
Hi
Newly purchased Brubaker MJX5 Brute - Looking for a Brubaker case (hard or soft) appreciate if anyone can give me a lead on where to look - no dealers here in Edmonton Alberta.

View attachment 817869
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Heyooooooo Alberta represent :D I can't find anything locally either, but my JJX5 fits fine in my Levi's gig bag and generic case, if that's of any help to you. Nice bass!!
 
#1,057
I don't think there is any well designed, one size fits most, gig bag that won't work with the Brute. I use either a Mono M80 bag, or a thick padded Levy's bag with mine. I also had a Gator, generic/fits-all, hard shell case that held the Brute safely. The Brutes are not wider, thicker or longer than the average J or P bass, in fact they're probably an inch or two shorter. So you shouldn't have any troubles finding a bag that will work.
 
#1,059
a2zbassman said:
Your best bet is to keep an eye on the TB Classifieds and grab a high quality used one. Over the years that I was playing around modifying a couple different Brutes, I think I tried a few different brands ... Audere, Bart, Aguilar, Delano, and Glockenklang. All were great, and had something unique to offer, but I found that any 3-band preamp with Mid-select options worked best for me. My JJX-5 has Delano pups and 3 band w/ mid-select. My MJX-5 is Aguilar pups and 3-band pre w/ mid-select. I also had an MJX with Bart pups and 3-band w/ mid-select. I love being able to dial in a nice, fat, lo-mids boost as needed.
Click to expand...

I agree.. 3 band with adjustable mids is the way to go.. My modded JJX has switchable Bart quad soaps on it instead of regular Jazz pups and a Bart NTMB3 pre on it and it sounds great. I put a delano Sonar pre on my Heir the one with the switch on the mids and it sounds great. I also have two Peaveys with Millenium pres.. I had a Jazz with a 4 band EQ and I alsao have a 55-01 with 4 band EQ .. nd it is good.. but I have discivered that the 3 band with flex mids is all I really need to cover any situation.


a2zbassman said:
robl said:
Hi
Newly purchased Brubaker MJX5 Brute - Looking for a Brubaker case (hard or soft) appreciate if anyone can give me a lead on where to look - no dealers here in Edmonton Alberta.
Click to expand...
I don't think there is any well designed, one size fits most, gig bag that won't work with the Brute. I use either a Mono M80 bag, or a thick padded Levy's bag with mine. I also had a Gator, generic/fits-all, hard shell case that held the Brute safely. The Brutes are not wider, thicker or longer than the average J or P bass, in fact they're probably an inch or two shorter. So you shouldn't have any troubles finding a bag that will work.
Click to expand...

I do not know what this will translate into as far as Canadian dollars go but these bags are great at full price. In my opinion they are the best bang for the buck mosr versatile prtection option out there especially when on sale.

Protec Contego Bass bag $118 @Amazon
 
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#1,060
Thanks for the pickup / pre-amp suggestions!

My Brute came with a Brubaker gig-bag. Rather I should say it came with a cheap mass-produced gig bag that says Brubaker on it, and both doesn't fit around the headstock area and just generally sucks. The zipper breaks all the time and you can barely zip it up around the tuners. One of the shoudler straps broke. In short--do not get a "Brubaker" gig bag, as they are nowhere near the quality of the basses.
 

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