Help weighing onboard preamp options

[DarrenF]

Greetings, I am building a DIY kit 5 string with dual soapbars. This is a hobby/fun project for me, and I am doing it more on the budget side. I got a pair of Schecter Diamond passive pickups. Typically, Schecter has these setup with some sort of house brand active preamp, and I would like to add a preamp to this setup. I am leery of the quality going with a $15-20 kit off ebay or amazon, so I am leaning toward paying for a lower cost name brand.

OPTION 1:

Bartolini TCT, paired with the MCT-3MC mid boost. I was planning to buy the unwired harnesses, buy some hq pots/switch/jack separately, and wire it myself. This route is the more work on my end, but I enjoy projects, so its not necessarily a bad thing. All costs included, I am estimating this to cost approx $130 bucks.

OPTION 2:

Audere Classic 4 band. I would most likely take the 4 band over the 3 band with the mid switch. This comes prewired with their pots, so not much work on my end. Cost is $129 bucks.


*One consideration*- I am thinking that once the project is complete, I may see if there is any market to sell it. It would not be for any profit, just recoup costs so I could afford to do it again haha. I am the type that I enjoy the project more than the final result. I may very well keep it, but its a consideration in selecting the preamp.

The hands on side of me thinks the Bartolini would be more fun/rewarding, but it might be nice to just be able to basically drop Audere right in and only take a few minutes. Installation aside, I am more concerned with value/tonal comparison of these 2 options. From what I have read, it sounds like the Bartolini is a more distinct sound, aggressive eq, and can be installed with push/pull A/P bypass. Most feedback on the Audere seems like its more neutral sound and subtle eq, but no bypass option.

My theory then is that while the Bartolini probably has people who absolutely love it, the Audere will probably be more appealing to a larger percentage. Any thoughts/feedback/votes are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[pepj]

The build and playability trump the preamp so I'd only put premium type gear in it if the rest of the bass was worth it.
Personally, I like Hipshot hardware but not worth spending unless the overall quality warrants it.

You could have $500 of fittings on it but not a good thing if you sell for 300.
And if getting to selling at 750/1k then people expect a lot more.
Basically you are selling a one off with no pedigree.
(Thats not to say it wont be very good, but how much can you realistically sell for..and the price parts to that)

 

[DarrenF]

Thanks for the reply pepj! I definitely agree the preamp is a lower point of consideration, but I am considering everything, so the preamp has now come up. My primary comparison is the ESP B205SM because it shares a number of characteristics to the DIY kit I got from BargainMusician model BK-009.

Same body, top, and neck wood. The fretboard is Jatoba on the ESP, Rosewood on the DIY. I am going to put Sung-il BB105 bridge on it, which from from I have gathered, is the same or very similar to the ESP. The ESP has their brand tuners, pickups, and 3B active eq. I am intending to put a pair of passive Schecter Diamond soapbar pickups that came out of a Schecter Stiletto 5, Guyker 1:20 open gear tuners, and then at least a comparable active EQ preamp to what is in the ESP. I am going to finish the body and neck myself. I am planning to do a 2 tone stain. A lighter front to accent the spalted maple top and front of headstock, then a darker stain on the sides/back/neck, and finish it with gunstock oil. Those details haven't been finalized, still brainstorming.

Ultimately, this bass is most likely intended for me. After adding it up, I am estimating my costs to be about $450 in the project, including the $130 for a preamp. I compared this to ESP B-205SM, which retails $650. I am not trying to say these are dead equal comparisons, but both are manufactured overseas. So to me, it is not worth an extra $200 bucks to have LTD finish and set it up. After receiving the kit and inspecting neck and frets, which I think were done pretty well, I am confident that I will have this bass setup every bit on par with one from the ESP LTD line.

To me, this is a better option than buying a brand name, and I can do something a little more creative with the finish and color. I fully understand the value of reputable name brands and a warranty, but I wonder if upon completion, anyone out there would find value in what I put together for $400, as opposed the the additional cost for this ESP model or a Schecter Stiletto 5 new, or a used version.

I understand the probably of finding a buyer isn't real high, but I figure it's worth a shot. Even if I sell it at a loss, its still worth being able to do the project even if I eat 50-100 bucks because I enjoy doing it. Worst case, I keep it, no harm. My interest in selling is nothing more than affording myself the opportunity to build another.

 

[pepj]

Cool.
I've thought about doing a Parts Build.
Body and neck bu named builder.
Need to add paint, plus hardware and the $ soon rack up.
I'll likely never get my money back but even looking at an extremely slow market, I'm amazed what people are asking for certain basses, so??
But, yep, might be fun project