Preamp Change for Yamaha TRB

[MrWalker]

I need to replace the pickups of my Trb, and will use the Bartolini G6 pickups. They are available in two different flavours, deep tone and classic bass. From the description, it sound like the classic bass version will keep most of the Yamaha's tone and character, which is bright and clear... Think Patitucci. any opinions on this?

However, I was considering swapping the preamp, too, to get a less noisy electronics package in there. Been visiting Brian's bestbassgear shop, and narrowed the selection down to either the Glockenklang, Aguilar or Bartolini 3- band preamps. I want to retain some of the "piano"-like sound of the bass. I have experience with the Aggie, and some with the Bartolini, but the Glock is unknown to me.

Anyone can describe the difference and suggest a recommendation for me? thanks for your time!

 

[captainhaddock]

If it`s any help to you I`ve changed the pre in my 6 string TRB 1006 to a Audere classic 4 band using the stock pickups.
It has given me a greater range of tone!

 

[MrWalker]

Thanks
I was considering the Audere yesterday, but found that it was a little too expensive at the moment. Besides, I had to order new pickups, too. So after discussing it with Evan at bestbassgear, I decided on the Bartolini G6 Classic Bass and the Glockenklang preamp.

 

[captainhaddock]

No worries,
Sounds like ya gonna have a great set up.
Let me know how it all goes would be interested in your opinions of ya new set up.

 

[citobass]

If it`s any help to you I`ve changed the pre in my 6 string TRB 1006 to a Audere classic 4 band using the stock pickups.
It has given me a greater range of tone!

I’m looking to do this to my 1005 TRB. I know it’s been a long time but any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[ad9000]

I think the Glockenklang is a good choice from what I know about their stuff. With the TRB's I've owned (1990 TRB-6P and 2012 JP2) I found the pickups not to be the weak link as much the preamp. I tried the Bartolini narrow soapbars in both and ended up going back to the original pickups - the Bartolinis were better in some ways (especially in correcting the Yamaha p.u's somewhat weak output on the C string) but for me they didn't have as much character or sweetness and were not as tight in the low end. The best sounding pickups that I had in the 6P were Lane Poors, but I unfortunately had to send them back because they had a hum problem. I had EMG's in the 6P for a short time and didn't like them at all.

Preamp-wise, I went through a few in the 6P before ending up with a Demeter. It was neutral sounding and very musical at any setting, but maybe a bit lacking in output and a bit of a battery eater. With the JP2 I put in an Aguilar OBP-3 (with passive tone control in the circuit) and that was the bomb. It got rid of all the mud of the Yamaha preamp while retaining what seemed to me to be the characteristic sound of the bass, and it had a lot of tonal versatility without sounding "hyped". If the Aguilar preamps had been available when I had the 6P I probably would have gone that way.

Preamps I've used in other basses include Audere, Bartolini, John East, Delano and EMG. Out of those I liked the Delano best because it was the most neutral, which is my preference with onboard electronics.