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John East preamp with EMG pickups

Clanker

Clanker

Feb 1, 2020
22
11
#1
Hi all,

I have a Marcus Miller signature Jazz bass by Fender. I'm thinking of installing a John East preamp that is designed especially for this bass. Thing is, I replaced the original pickups with active EMGs. The bass is now without a preamp. My question is: can I install the John East preamp with the EMGs in the bass?

Many thanks,

Dave
 
#3
Yes, but you need to email East and ask them what value vol and blend pots they recommend.

Assuming 25k isn't a good idea with active pickups, I've seen people intentionally use 100k for a darker tone or to get more clank. Depends on your use case, that should be discussed with your preamp manufacturer.
 
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#4
somebrains said:
Yes, but you need to email East and ask them what value vol and blend pots they recommend.

Assuming 25k isn't a good idea with active pickups, I've seen people intentionally use 100k for a darker tone or to get more clank. Depends on your use case, that should be discussed with your preamp manufacturer.
Click to expand...
Even if the preamp is designed for my bass?
 
#8
Yes but you may want to add the passive tone control which is a must for me. Had to move the jack to the side on my old jazz bass. Best to contact them directly with all your questions. It will not operate as you think but it was a great improvement for me.
 
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#10
Clanker said:
Stupid question probably, but if I get the East preamp will I be able to switch from active to passive mode like the bass was originally?
Click to expand...

If you have active pickups then you'll be able to switch off the East, but the EMG's will still be active.

I have the East preamp on the Marcus Miller bass too. I will say the preamp has a VERY hot output and I have the internal trim controls dialed way down as it was overdriving everything I plugged into. Not sure if your active pickups will add to this problem but it's something to be aware of.

I ended up using bone stock pickups from a MIA jazz with this thing and the sound is massive. Frankly I'm spoiled now and nothing else holds up to the East. I was trying some quality basses at the store this week and couldn't find anything that sounds half as good as my ax. Whatever I get next will probably have to have another East product put in!
 
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#11
InhumanResource said:
If you have active pickups then you'll be able to switch off the East, but the EMG's will still be active.

I have the East preamp on the Marcus Miller bass too. I will say the preamp has a VERY hot output and I have the internal trim controls dialed way down as it was overdriving everything I plugged into. Not sure if your active pickups will add to this problem but it's something to be aware of.

I ended up using bone stock pickups from a MIA jazz with this thing and the sound is massive. Frankly I'm spoiled now and nothing else holds up to the East. I was trying some quality basses at the store this week and couldn't find anything that sounds half as good as my ax. Whatever I get next will probably have to have another East product put in!
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. I love the bass as it is but I was playing a G&L L2000 recently and it sounded so powerful! Hopefully the East preamp will give me a similar boost. :)
 
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#12
Clanker said:
Thanks for that. I love the bass as it is but I was playing a G&L L2000 recently and it sounded so powerful! Hopefully the East preamp will give me a similar boost. :)
Click to expand...

Well, it will get you pretty much any type of j bass tone you want from vintage to modern and everything in between with squeaky clean quality, punch and as much treble as you want. But it won't turn your bass into an L2000. Maybe just save up for one of those?
 
#13
InhumanResource said:
Well, it will get you pretty much any type of j bass tone you want from vintage to modern and everything in between with squeaky clean quality, punch and as much treble as you want. But it won't turn your bass into an L2000. Maybe just save up for one of those?
Click to expand...
Understood. I have a Tribute G&L and it just sounds so powerful with the electronics that are in it that I want to, not emulate the sound, but the power. If that makes sense? I really don't know much about electronics and preamps etc. But I have played a Marcus Jazz with East preamp and it sounded awesome. Thanks.
 
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#14
Clanker said:
Understood. I have a Tribute G&L and it just sounds so powerful with the electronics that are in it that I want to, not emulate the sound, but the power. If that makes sense? I really don't know much about electronics and preamps etc. But I have played a Marcus Jazz with East preamp and it sounded awesome. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Oh, it'll get you that for sure. Let me know how it handles those EMG's.
 
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#16
InhumanResource said:
If you have active pickups then you'll be able to switch off the East, but the EMG's will still be active.

I have the East preamp on the Marcus Miller bass too. I will say the preamp has a VERY hot output and I have the internal trim controls dialed way down as it was overdriving everything I plugged into. Not sure if your active pickups will add to this problem but it's something to be aware of.

I ended up using bone stock pickups from a MIA jazz with this thing and the sound is massive. Frankly I'm spoiled now and nothing else holds up to the East. I was trying some quality basses at the store this week and couldn't find anything that sounds half as good as my ax. Whatever I get next will probably have to have another East product put in!
Click to expand...

This is the reason why I recommended the OP contacts East.

Some preamps, like Hazlab or whatever they use in Foderas use 100k pots. Fodera used Haz, then switched to something else. I looked in a couple of them and saw 100k pots but a "not Haz" preamp.

I have also dropped in 250k pots on Nordstrand and Bartolini preamps bc they were way too bright.

OBP preamps need signal from 500k pots bc 250k sound weird.

SD stays neutral at 0 with 500k, but 250k it behaves different.

Preamp behavior is not all the same as choking off a passive tone cap.
 
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#17
somebrains said:
This is the reason why I recommended the OP contacts East.

Some preamps, like Hazlab or whatever they use in Foderas use 100k pots. Fodera used Haz, then switched to something else. I looked in a couple of them and saw 100k pots but a "not Haz" preamp.

I have also dropped in 250k pots on Nordstrand and Bartolini preamps bc they were way too bright.

OBP preamps need signal from 500k pots bc 250k sound weird.

SD stays neutral at 0 with 500k, but 250k it behaves different.

Preamp behavior is not all the same as choking off a passive tone cap.
Click to expand...
Sorry, that went way over my head but thanks anyway ;)
 
#18
You can use EMGs on John's preamps without worrying about changing values on the vol or blends. His preamps are designed to use either. By the way, EMGs and John's pre is a killer combo. Furthermore, I used EMG pickups with 500K volume pots with no issues at all. Never acted like a on/off switch.
 
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#19
Funkinthetrunk said:
You can use EMGs on John's preamps without worrying about changing values on the vol or blends. His preamps are designed to use either. By the way, EMGs and John's pre is a killer combo. Furthermore, I used EMG pickups with 500K volume pots with no issues at all. Never acted like a on/off switch.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that :) Looking forward to hearing it once installed. BTW this is a great site. I only signed up to have a question answered but I'm going to keep using it :) Cheers! Thanks all!
 

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