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Music Man sound and pickups

#85
walterw said:
that's not ridiculous, especially with old-school boost-only preamps.
Click to expand...

I thought so too, until I built a MM preamp and was surprised how thick the sound was with the treble down the bass boosted.

They actually do cut as well as boost. I can go from no low end at all to a thick dub tone.

It's a nice preamp even in a different bass than a Stingray.
 
#88
bassbrutha said:
I am thinking about putting a Nordstrand 4.3 with an Aguilar OBP-3TK/PP preamp in my 98 SR4 to beef up the D & G and balance out the tone. Any objections?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking along similar lines. I want to leave the original p/up in place, but fit the same OBP to try to smooth out the tone a little. I find the MM pre a little too harsh somtimes.

Any comments, hindsight etc.. will be appreciated
 
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#89
raybass77 said:
I'm thinking along similar lines. I want to leave the original p/up in place, but fit the same OBP to try to smooth out the tone a little. I find the MM pre a little too harsh somtimes.

Any comments, hindsight etc.. will be appreciated
Click to expand...

I know someone that used the 5.2 and Aggie OBP and He basically liked it although it was not so musicman-ish.

That pre does not work for me (I like subtle pres) but it could work for you.
 
#91
I've got an SR4 HH that I'm happy with and not planning on changing. But I'm also wanting a classic 2 band ray, but the bank won't allow for a new SR classic. Does anyone think it would be worth getting a ray34ca and putting a John east pre in it? And maybe a Nordstrand pu? Seems like that's the best bet for the vintage 2 band tone, but is it really an improvement over what the ray34ca already has?
 
#92
Down_Low said:
But I'm also wanting a classic 2 band ray, but the bank won't allow for a new SR classic.
Click to expand...

Pssst, buddy. Over here.... :bassist:

Here's the real 2-band tone.

SGD_MM_pre4.jpg
 
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#93
Sorry if this was already covered- didnt see it as I skimmed through the 5 pages.
I have a passive bass with MM style pup and wondered what recommendations you guys would have for it. I was thinking Nordstrand because of its clarity and overall great sound. I play alot of progressive metal so I need something that will cut and stay articulate in heavy riffs etc. but also sing in the slower and funky stuff we play. Remember this is a passive bass and Im not looking at getting the MM sound just a good clear tone for my bass and want it to growl like a beast. My bass is a Carvin kit with a light swampash body, maple neck, ebony fretboard. I play through Ampeg 8x10 with Pro6 SVT amp. Thanks!!!
 
#95
locriansharpsec I'm a big fan of the Nordstrand, but if you are just going to rely on the pickup and want a very aggressive tone that will just come from 'it' then then I agree with SGD. I would go with a cermaic.
I could be wrong but I'm not sure who else other then Duncan does a ceramic MM style pickup.
 
#96
Thanks for reply SGD. is there a product name for the pups your recommending?
Also when you say brighter you dont mean more Treble-ly do you?
This bass is already real treble sounding.

Thanks again!

Thanks also to you BassWave you must have jumped in as I was typing:)
name of pups youre recommending??
 
#97
locriansharpsec said:
Thanks for reply SGD. is there a product name for the pups your recommending?
Also when you say brighter you dont mean more Treble-ly do you?
This bass is already real treble sounding.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

You said:

I play alot of progressive metal so I need something that will cut and stay articulate in heavy riffs etc.
Click to expand...

So I suggest a bright sounding pickup. Bright means more treble. This is assuming that the pickup you have now is not so bright. The alnico MM pickup are not as bright as the ceramics, especially when used passive. But alnico might be bright enough for you. In that case there are many on the market, such as Nordstrand and Duncan. There isn't a lot lot to a MM pickup, so either of those should sound a lot alike.

What don't you like about your current pickup? What kind is it?
 
#98
its the stock carvin alnico pup. Think its called HB4. Sounds trebley but also a little muddy. Just want to try to improve the tone. Ive used it with several different amps and just not satisfied which is why I want to experiment with something else.

Thanks

to add.... this bass also has the h50s as the neck pup. I rarely use this along with the MM since it causes more loss of clarity. So I would eventually like to replace this pup too with whatever would go along as a match with the MM pup that is recommended. I am a fingerstyle player (no pick).
 

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