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Carvin SB5000 / SB4000 Roll Call...Part 6!

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#461
Freddels said:
You can buy the SB preamp from Carvin.
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I actually purchased the preamp and ran it in my Marcus Miller Jazz. I recently sold the body from that, purchased a warmoth p-bass body, put the marcus miller neck on it, and put the carvin preamp in that. I really like this preamp, and the price on them is pretty decent. The only real downside to it is that it is 18v and it can be a pain to find a place to tuck two 9v batteries in a bass that wasn't made for it.
I can see someone not wanting to spend a huge amount to rout a squire, drop in a couple battery boxes, and wire up a carvin preamp.
 
#462
basswave said:
Jarret have you thought about putting an Audere in VM?

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All my other J basses use the Audere and I think its core tonal center is very similar to the Audere, (that is the only reason why I never changed the Carvin pre, which is what I thought I was going to do when I received my first one).
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Freddels said:
You can buy the SB preamp from Carvin.
Click to expand...
temmrich said:
I can see someone not wanting to spend a huge amount to rout a squire, drop in a couple battery boxes, and wire up a carvin preamp.
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Yes, I have been thinking a lot about different preamps for the VMJ. Carvin was the first that came to mind since I know and like it, but like temmrich said I don't want to mess with routing for two 9 volts. The Audere seems like and easy way to go I just worry about not having a passive option. I'd have nightmares of the battery dying in the middle of a gig. IF I can get past that, the Audere sounds like a viable option. Thanks for the info guys.
 
#464
Freddels said:
Jarrett, Did you install the J99's in the VM? I would think that those pickups, even passive, would cut through the mix.
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Yeah I was thinking about trying that as well since I haven't had too many hits on my fretless SB. I've got another audition tonight and a gig tomorrow. I want to give the VMJ another chance in stock for for those and then make my decision after that. Thanks for all the good ideas.
 
#465
Jarrett said:
Yeah I was thinking about trying that as well since I haven't had too many hits on my fretless SB. I've got another audition tonight and a gig tomorrow. I want to give the VMJ another chance in stock for for those and then make my decision after that. Thanks for all the good ideas.
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The only thing is that the J99's are all the same width (bridge pickup) and you'd probably have to route the VMJ for the J99 to fit in the neck position.
 
#467
Jarrett said:
Ah, then pass on that option.
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You would be surprised how similar the Nordstrand 60s wind/Audere sound is to the J99s/SB pre.

If you looking for a simpler upgrade I would suggest that.

I know your concerned on Battery life and here is the quote from Audere on this.

"A single 9 volt battery should provide 200 hours of playing time in a 3ZB and a little over 250 hours in a JZ3 preamp. This assumes normal room temperature, quality alkaline batteries and constant operation. In reality batteries have some recovery capability when not used so the life should increase beyond that when you play the bass for several hours a day."

I have owed several of this and still have 4 basses with them.
No issues what so ever (I only use the Low Z mode with them).

Cheers
 
#473
Well, I had to do some surgery on my beautiful new bass today. 2nd set of batteries in less than a month. The switch in the input jack wasn't disconnecting. Did anyone else have that problem?

Oh well, it's fixed now.

Also after I fixed that I had no output in active mode. Traced it back to the battery boxes. Put a little piece of cardboard in each of them, and it works like a charm now. (Thanks for the tip Freddels, IIRC)

While I was already into it, I adjusted the trim pot to balance the output.

It would have been nice to not have these issues, but I love this thing! It was worth the extra effort.
 
#474
While I was already into it, I adjusted the trim pot to balance the output.

It would have been nice to not have these issues, but I love this thing! It was worth the extra effort.[/QUOTE]

How do I know if I need my trim pot adjusted?
 
#477
Jarrett said:
Are they sold together?
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No they are separate companies, that just work really well together.

You can get Nordstrands from Best Bass Gear.
Aguilar Preamps (This link says Aguilar Preamps but its really Nordstrand pickups)

I know those guys over there. Chris the manager is friend of mine if you have any questions give them a call, they are knowledgeable folks and are very helpful.

Audere are sold directly through their website.
Another great thing about them is no soldering is needed, its really simple, You just need 2 screwdrivers (one small one).
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#478
bass4worship said:
The volume should be the same in active and passive mode.
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I can see why folks where want to have them the same, however I prefer the active be slightly boosted (for I set it to match the output of my others basses, it makes live using the same DI easy for the FOH).
 
#479
basswave said:
I can see why folks where want to have them the same, however I prefer the active be slightly boosted (for I set it to match the output of my others basses, it makes live using the same DI easy for the FOH).
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Yeah... Different strokes for different folks. Ultimately you have to use your bass how it works best for you. This is my only bass, so I want to be able to switch back and forth and not tweak any knobs.
 
#480
JeffLieby said:
Yeah... Different strokes for different folks. Ultimately you have to use your bass how it works best for you. This is my only bass, so I want to be able to switch back and forth and not tweak any knobs.
Click to expand...

If I was done to one gigging bass I probably set it up the same way.

I'm pretty sure if I lowered output bass and switched to my Stingray next live the sound people I work with would have words with me :hiding:;)
 
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