NBD

[jVilla76]

Didn't really need another guitar but just couldn't pass on this LTD B-4E . Really like the aesthetics and she plays like a dream. Only thing the electronics are in need of an upgrade. It's been a long while since I've owned an active bass. I'm thinking of upgrading the pups with some nordstrands very soon. I would also like to upgrade the preamp and would like to add a passive option as well. Any recommendations for a good value 3 band preamp that won't break the bank that will play nice with some nordys? Looking for a pre that's clean and transparent with a passive bypass. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

[funkinbottom]

Nice bass. As far as preamps go, I absolutely love my John East pre. I have the 4 knob. The 5knob is same except mine has stacked vol/blend.

 

[jVilla76]

Nice bass. As far as preamps go, I absolutely love my John East pre. I have the 4 knob. The 5knob is same except mine has stacked vol/blend.

View attachment 7491325

That looks like what I'm after. Thanks for the recommendation funkinbottom.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Nice bass. As far as preamps go, I absolutely love my John East pre. I have the 4 knob. The 5knob is same except mine has stacked vol/blend.

View attachment 7491325

Yes! ^^^^. This is what I have except 5 knob. Very versatile.

 

[Artman]

What's wrong with the original equipment?

 

[Wyvern]

What's wrong with the original equipment?

I had one.

The Pre-amp only boosts/cuts volume, it doesn't shape the tone very well.

But those are solid basses.

 

[Dincrest]

I used to have an LTD D-5 and, except for it being a heavy beast, I loved it. I loved the stock electronics. ESP's in-house passive soapbars are kinda their take on EMG-HZs... except the ESP ones are infinitely better! And I much prefer ESP's preamps over, say, Ibanez's preamps. The right strings made a huge difference on that bass. With a set of steel DR Lo-Riders, it had the nastiest (in a good way) metal tone. But a set of GHS PressureWounds would probably give the tone a blooming fatness.

If you're insistent on upgrading electronics, try a new preamp first since the pickups are already good.

I know a lot of bassists would see stock ESP electronics and immediately want to swap them out, but I say try 'em out for a month or 2 or 3 or 4-ever. See if you don't like them just as much (if not more) than the brand name stuff.

 

[jVilla76]

I used to have an LTD D-5 and, except for it being a heavy beast, I loved it. I loved the stock electronics. ESP's in-house passive soapbars are kinda their take on EMG-HZs... except the ESP ones are infinitely better! And I much prefer ESP's preamps over, say, Ibanez's preamps. The right strings made a huge difference on that bass. With a set of steel DR Lo-Riders, it had the nastiest (in a good way) metal tone. But a set of GHS PressureWounds would probably give the tone a blooming fatness.

If you're insistent on upgrading electronics, try a new preamp first since the pickups are already good.

I know a lot of bassists would see stock ESP electronics and immediately want to swap them out, but I say try 'em out for a month or 2 or 3 or 4-ever. See if you don't like them just as much (if not more) than the brand name stuff.

I'll definitely take your advice and see what the pups sound like once I put the new pre in. 95% of the time I'll be running passive into my mesa subway+ preamp then into my amp. The least I could do is give the ESP pups an audition for the job before I throw something else in there.

 

[Dincrest]

Either way, that's a good bass you have there. ESP/LTD basses are definitely overlooked, and it's too bad because their current bass lineup is a shell of what it used to be... and they had some really cool basses in the past (e.g. the RB line designed by Rocco Prestia).

 

[Wicked G]

Didn't really need another guitar but just couldn't pass on this LTD B-4E . Really like the aesthetics and she plays like a dream. Only thing the electronics are in need of an upgrade. It's been a long while since I've owned an active bass. I'm thinking of upgrading the pups with some nordstrands very soon. I would also like to upgrade the preamp and would like to add a passive option as well. Any recommendations for a good value 3 band preamp that won't break the bank that will play nice with some nordys? Looking for a pre that's clean and transparent with a passive bypass. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!View attachment 7491153

Nice bass. I have the F-4e version and I also wasn't too impressed with the pickups and preamp at first, but after taking the time to make really small adjustments on the EQ I found it to be quite versatile. I've owned it now since 2009 so that should go to show that it is a keeper in my eyes.