Preamp change for SR400

Bartolini NTMB, I like the 5.4 or 4.7, they come with all sorts including 4 knob, I lik the ones with variable midrange. Really well suited to ibanez imo.

 

Search youtube for preamp comparison ntmb, a member has several videos swapping emg, aguilar, mec, bassmods, and some others I think. I'll find the link for you later.

 

Hot much is it

 

The price is right, I have seen those all over ebay and was suspicious of them. Has anyone actually heard one in direct comparison to a "higher end" pre?

I have heard you tube clips of them, and they seem to be ok, couldn't hear really just going by the owner s response.

Since no one else has chimed in I will now talk out my butt...

These preamps seem to make an improvement in passive basses for people that want to ad an active pre.

The preamp in your sr 400 is pretty good, I think the bass mods are pretty much the same, just dressed up with the black box because they are aftermarket. I have an sr506, sr505, and the preamp s are pretty good, the bass mod from what I can see would probably be a slight if any improvement, maybe even a down grade, same family. .. Here is a bunch of people review ing the 2004:sr 400 , many love the pre
http://www.activebass.com/r303--Ibanez-SR400

If you really dislike

 

I checked more, you have this. Not what is in a sr500, but still good

EQB IIIB STYLE SWEEPER

The mid control is 1k

It's basically exactly the same as the bass mods (actually I think it is the same, they are used in many many basses in the sr 400 price range, I wonder if bassmods bought a bunch and had the pcbs epoxy ed into boxes to dress em up)

If you want to upgrade and notice an improvement, you will need something better. I an guessing. A used sr500 would be a cheap good improvement, check our classifieds.
Or Maybe use an external pre...

I kinda hope you get it anyway, be sure to record before and after clips.

So In conclusion , I'm sorry, but you have a pretty good preamp.

 

Oh, and it will fit fine. Lots of room.

 

I know the feeling,I like to change stuff too,it's a bummer when you accidentally downgrade. Lots of people swap the mk1s out of 500 series basses for mk5 ,turns out many like the mk1 better and in our case the preamp is the weak link.

Troll the classifieds for used stuff, bart mk1 setups can be had pickups preamp and all for around 75, basically turning your 400 into a 500.

I still wonder about those bass mods...

The company started by buying sx basses and improving the electronic s and setup,pleking frets etc. Then selling them as bassmod basses,they never show the breadsticks in the ebay pics,that's shady to me.
Edit,not breadsticks,headstock!!!!