Help me decide: Pickups or Preamp?

[rojo412]

Just bought a cool bass (Hamer Cruisebass 5 2Tek USA) and I want to upgrade. No, scratch that... I NEED to upgrade, as that is why I bought the bass! Plus, I need something hotter and more versatile.
Just having trouble deciding, and I need that proverbial "push over the cliff."

So please, vote and help me decide.

 

[Jaco D]

Maybe you could start by asking yourself what you don't like about the bass that you'd want to upgrade it. Who knows, maybe it isn't the preamp or the pups? Upgrading without knowing why will send you on a wild goose chase and you could end up throwing good money after bad.

 

[rojo412]

No, it's not that. I'm a tinkerer. I have 2 other basses that I use for tones that I know I'll need.
This is a bass that I bought for the specific purpose of trying new things. It's the best way to find out what else I may like.

The bass itself is great! The construction is top notch, it has a great feel, but the VVT setup and single coil pickups just aren't doing it for me. They never really have, which is why I like to upgrade.

 

[PSPookie]

All are good choices, but I have a soft spot for Delano's.

 

[Handyman]

Which pickups are in there now? Those basses usually either came with EMG jazz pickups, or a set of Basslines SJB-5 pickups. Mine had the Basslines, and I was never wild about how they sounded.

 

[rojo412]

Mine had the Basslines, and I was never wild about how they sounded.

+1. They sound OK, but not as good as I want.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I wouldn't put money into that bass. It seems (to me) to be throwing good money after bad.

 

[rojo412]

The bass is good. The weak link is the pickups. Everything else is really nice.

I've put crazy amounts of upgrades into Squiers and been thrilled with the results, so I figured a quality, US made piece such as this would be a good move for me.

 

[fourfinger]

Subscribed. I have 2 USA Cruises, a 4 and a 5. They are both amazing to play.

I will be trying new pickups in the 4, looking for something hotter than the passive DiMarzio Ultra Jazz currently in it.

The 5 has had a Duncan STC 2 active pre added to the stock basslines, and its sounds are very versatile, but I haven't found my idea of the perfect settings for it yet. Mostly it sounds "deep" and "smooth" by nature, with the other tones in there waiting to be coaxed out.

Thanks for starting this thread!!

 

[rojo412]

If the Dimarzios or Sadowskys would have fit, I'd have never even bothered! I had the Sadowskys in the Squier that was replaced by this and loved them.

But then again, I have been wanting to try new things (like the 3 things in the poll) and this is a great opportunity to do so.
For some reason, Hamer chose the most common FOUR string dimensions to use for this FIVE string bass. That knocked out the stock NJ5S, Sadowsky, Dimarzio, etc.

Nordstrand lead time is 4-6 weeks for a custom size order. Not the end of the world, but it really makes the Delanos (currently available and instant fit, as well as similar price point) quite tempting.

If anyone reading this had tried other pickups, feel free to let us know what it did for the sound.