Marcus Miller......what pre amp do I need?

[FronTowardEnemy]

Here's the thing. I have a Fender Marcus Miller jazz bass and want to upgrade the pre in it. I swapped out the pickups to MIA 75 RI's after a year of not digging the stock ones and really like the tone of the 75 RI's. I have a MIJ 75 RI that I A/B against.

I am not interested in sounding like Marcus, I play in a Foo Fighter cover band, but I love this bass and I don't want to play a P bass. I play 100% in passive mode fingers only, and only goof around with the pre while at home jamming alone. I play rock and metal, I do not slap at all. I do like the passive sound of this bass a lot.

I would like something that definitely has an active/passive switch, sounds punchy and an option to go bright if I wanted. My favorite player is Justin Chancellor if that matters.

My rigs are: Genz Benz ShuttleMax 9.2 with an Avatar 2x12 for live gigs
Tech 21 LM 300 and Tech 21 B410 for rehearsals
Gallien Krueger 400 RB III 2x10 combo at home practice

My board signal chain is this...Bass>Line6 G30>BBE Opto Stomp>Polish Love>Tech 21 Para Driver DI>Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe>Effects loop to Boss CB3>Back to the VT Deluxe out to my rig.

I have researched the East M Retro, Aguilar, Bartolini, and such but am asking you guys with knowledge what pre do you think would suit my needs best as not to particularly sound like Marcus but more like me in a hard rock setting.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I'd say your best bet is the Audere Pro-Z. Amazingly good price, the Z-Mode switch is RIDICULOUSLY useful, 4-band EQ for lots of flexibility, and it's a drop in with no soldering needed. Totally flat and Z-Mode in the middle position is your passive tone, so it's a good way to establish a "benchmark" for yourself if you want to EQ to the room or what have you. Even with the EQ/Z-Mode, it's a very transparent preamp that doesn't over-color your tone...it's your pickups sound just with "more of" if you want it. I have a more detailed review I can post a link to if you are interested. I put one in my Squier VM 70's RI with Dimarzio Model Js. VERY satisfied with this setup.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

VanillaThundah
Thank you for your response. I was on my phone and accidentally hit the reply while I wasn't done with my post so there is a little more detail there now. I would love a link to your Audere review if possible.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

BTW price is not a factor.

 

[mmbongo]

I normally would recommend a Bart, but in this case I think you would love the Z-modes of the Audere like Vanilla said.

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

If I´m not mistaking, Marcus changed the original pre with a Sadowsky.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I am going to research the Audere pre a little more. Have to say that I really didn't even consider it.

Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[Jared Lash]

If I´m not mistaking, Marcus changed the original pre with a Sadowsky.

While the preamp was installed by Roger Sadowsky it was actually a Stars Guitars preamp which was what Roger used before moving to the Bartolini pre and then finally developing his own pre around 1990.

That said, for the OP's style & genre I'd recommend the Sadowsky pre or the Aguilar OBP-3.

 

[bass12]

A Sadowsky pre will make your bass sound like a Sadowsky more than it will give you "the Marcus Miller" sound. As for Aguilar, the Aguilar OBP-3 that was in my Lull Jazz did nothing for me in a live setting. It got completely lost in the mix. Switched it for a Sadowsky pre and the bass came alive.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Can you only order a Sadowsky from the Sadowsky web site? I checked it out but they were out of stock.

 

[Jools4001]

I would go for one of these Invalid Link Removed but then I'm a little biased because I already have some East pre-amps in a couple of my basses and I'm on a mission to fit them into every bass I have.

 

[bass12]

Can you only order a Sadowsky from the Sadowsky web site? I checked it out but they were out of stock.

Those preamps are in pretty high demand, I think. If you want one then email the company and tell them you'd like to be added to the waiting list. In the meantime, keep your eye on the TB classifieds (it's not uncommon that a Sadowsky preamp comes up for sale there).

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I found one here Invalid Link Removed

 

[SirMjac28]

Here's my choice

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251519516575

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Here's my choice

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251519516575

Yeah, I've been looking at that a lot. Does anyone know if the battery drains while in passive mode on these?

 

[SirMjac28]

Yeah, I've been looking at that a lot. Does anyone know if the battery drains while in passive mode on these?

That's a good question I'm curious also?

 

[bigdavid]

I would say any pre with a mid control. The problem with stock pre for rock is the scooped mids and no way to control it. A stacked OBP-3 or the East MM would be my choice money no object. Or leave it stock and add an Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal.

Does the Sadowsky have a mid control? If not, I wouldn't consider it. I think it is a mid scoop one similar to the stock MM one.

 

[bass12]

I would say any pre with a mid control. The problem with stock pre for rock is the scooped mids and no way to control it. A stacked OBP-3 or the East MM would be my choice money no object. Or leave it stock and add an Aguilar Tone Hammer pedal.

Does the Sadowsky have a mid control? If not, I wouldn't consider it. I think it is a mid scoop one similar to the stock MM one.

The Sadowsky does not have a mid control (but it still works a lot better than the Aguilar OBP-3 that I had - which had even less going on in the mids than the Sadowsky).

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Great info guys, I am leaning between the East and Audere. I contacted Sadowsky and they said that they are waiting on a part from a supplier. Shouldn't be long before the Sadowsky pres are back in stock.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I am going to try and find out if the East has a passive battery drain. Might have to call BestBassGear and talk to a tech. Didn't seem to find anything on the sight.