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Budget 3 band preamp recommendations?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Jamesemt, Jan 6, 2009.

  1. Jan 6, 2009 #1
    Jamesemt

    Jamesemt

    Jan 6, 2006
    Hull, UK
    I've got an OLP Levin which plays really well, but the preamp will easily distort if I dial in too much boost. I'm presuming this isn't normal ? (Never played an active before).

    Can anyone recommend a cheap upgrade? (Don't want to spend a lot as it's not in keeping with the bass!!)

    Any ideas?
     
  2. Jan 6, 2009 #2
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
    Honestly, IMO unless you are prepared to shell out for a good one, you're better off with none.
     
  3. Jan 6, 2009 #3
    Jamesemt

    Jamesemt

    Jan 6, 2006
    Hull, UK
    OK, so what's the cheapest 'good' one out there?
     
  4. Jan 6, 2009 #4
    john_g

    john_g Supporting Member

    Sep 14, 2007
    Pennsylvania
    what about an Audere? $150 (US)
     
  5. Jan 6, 2009 #5
    3506string

    3506string

    Nov 18, 2004
    Lawton, OK
    I've got one of these for my rogue lx406-pro because i used up my budget on the pickups with bartolini's so I didn't have a lot to spend on a pre. I am not sure how it sounds to some of the higher $$ preamps but it sounds worlds better that the stock rogue one. It is very clean, transparent, hi-fi sounding. For the price its not a costly mistake
     
  6. Jan 6, 2009 #6
    mr sprocket

    mr sprocket

    Jul 31, 2006
    Dallas
  7. Jan 8, 2009 #7
    molotovshake

    molotovshake Guest

    Dec 9, 2008
    Ossining, N.Y.
    Spend some time on EBAY. I got a Bart NTMB 3 way for 90 bucks and they always have aguilars for cheap.
     
  8. Jan 10, 2009 #8
    Jamesemt

    Jamesemt

    Jan 6, 2006
    Hull, UK
    Thanks for all the replies. Will keep a lookout on ebay and on here.
     
  9. Jan 10, 2009 #9
    bassmanrocke

    bassmanrocke

    Jun 22, 2007
    Altamonte Springs, Florida
    Are you sure it's your preamp. Are you running into a padded input on your amp. If you are running into the passive input you may be overdriving the preamp which is causing distortion. If this isn't the problem, I would second the recommendation of 3506string. I have used the 2-band version of that preamp in two budget builds, and it has impressed me in both basses.