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Preamp Suggestion

Dr. Cheese

Dr. Cheese

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
57,287
120,425
Metro St. Louis
#1
I am considering a preamp for my Yamaha BB405 with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups. The bass sounds great, but is very midrange heavy. I would like a two band preamp to boost the bass and treble. I only want two bands bcause the natural tone is already midrange heavy and I only want three pots to avoid drilling new holes in my bass. I want the tone controls to be stacked knobs.
 
#3
santucci218 said:
a lot of people like Aguilar, but they have way too much bass and they are boomy.
Click to expand...
This hasn't been my personal experience with Aguilar OBP-2 preamp. As for Aguilar preamps having too much bass, and sounding boomy, yes, they do have quite a bit of boosting/cutting capabilities. They can easily overload an amp's front end, but when the boosting/cutting is done sparingly, the Aguilar OBP-2 is a very nice, even-sounding preamp.

FWIW my Lull 5-string has an Aguilar OBP-3, which I personally think is a fantastic preamp.


santucci218 said:
hmmm....Bartolini, a lot of people seem to describe their sound as a little more dark.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. My Roscoe SKB3006 has Bartolini pickups and a 3-band Bartolini preamp. I really love Bartolini pickups. IMO they have a midrange emphasis that cuts nicely. It's sound is somewhat darker, and it's highs sound a bit compressed to my ears, -which I really like. It's downside is that the Bartolini preamp sometimes picks up unwanted noise in clubs with less-than-ideal wiring, which is pretty common here. One day I'll get around to replacing the Bartolini preamp with an Aguilar OBP-3, but it's Bartolini pickups are staying put. :bassist:

Just my two cents on the subject.
Respectfully, -Art
 
#9
If you can stand to go with an outboard, look into the Xotic Tri-Logic.
Incredible sounding, true bypass---very versatile. I prefer it to my Sadowsky now as it doesn't "color" my tone so much--just sounds like my, but with lots more EQ options. I use it on most every bass I own now.
 
#12
IMHO...a 3-band pre would be a better fit for a mid-range-heavy bass...

why? because you can pull out some of the mid range without having to boost the bass and treble (a much more sensible approach, I think)

Aggie OBP-3 because you can select between 400Hz or 800Hz (to subdue the midrange beast)...

In addition bartolini makes a few flexible pres that won't break the bank...

but if you really want to domesticate the wild midrange beast, look into an Audere...
 
#13
PilbaraBass said:
IMHO...a 3-band pre would be a better fit for a mid-range-heavy bass...

why? because you can pull out some of the mid range without having to boost the bass and treble (a much more sensible approach, I think)

Aggie OBP-3 because you can select between 400Hz or 800Hz (to subdue the midrange beast)...

In addition bartolini makes a few flexible pres that won't break the bank...

but if you really want to domesticate the wild midrange beast, look into an Audere...
Click to expand...

I see your point, but I really don't want to put another hole in my bass!:(
 
#15
I just installed the Aguilar OBP-1 with passive tone control in my fretless and really like it. Great setup and very versatile. The bass has a bartolini pickup.

I presently have (on different basses) the Aguilar OBP-1, OBP-3 and Bartolini 3-band.

I don't really like the bart as I find it very dark sounding but I love both aguilar preamps.

I'd recommend the OBP-1.

I'd still like to try the Sadowsky but cannot convince myself because of the price difference...
 

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