What is your process for evaluating a preamp?
What do you look for when deciding whether to upgrade or not?
I recently purchased a used 90's era Ibanez SR400. The pickups had been upgraded to SD QP's - its a PJ with a reversed P. The rest of the electronics are stock. I have used these pickups in the past in passive basses, so I kind of know what to expect. The preamp on the SR seems to work - if I want more bass, it adds bass, etc. FYI - the controls are V/B with bass, mid and treble.
I am having a really tough time verbalizing what I think of the sound though - it seems like something is lacking/wrong...but I cannot put my finger on it. I have thought about an Audere, which I have used in Jazz basses before - but I don't want to spend money just to spend it. I wish I had more experience with preamps - admittedly I have spent more time playing passive basses in the past.
What do you look for when deciding whether to upgrade or not?
I recently purchased a used 90's era Ibanez SR400. The pickups had been upgraded to SD QP's - its a PJ with a reversed P. The rest of the electronics are stock. I have used these pickups in the past in passive basses, so I kind of know what to expect. The preamp on the SR seems to work - if I want more bass, it adds bass, etc. FYI - the controls are V/B with bass, mid and treble.
I am having a really tough time verbalizing what I think of the sound though - it seems like something is lacking/wrong...but I cannot put my finger on it. I have thought about an Audere, which I have used in Jazz basses before - but I don't want to spend money just to spend it. I wish I had more experience with preamps - admittedly I have spent more time playing passive basses in the past.
