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Preamps: Aguilar vs East vs ?

B

brianh

Aug 19, 2005
809
94
42
NYC
Disclosures
Endorsing: Epifani Amplification
#1
I'm looking for a preamp to put in my jazz bass and not sure what to try. My main basses have Suhr preamps, but it appears I can't order one for this bass and I'm looking for something similar. Only looking for a 2-band. How does the East pre compare to the Aguilar?

Thanks!
 
#2
I Don't have experience with Jhon East preamps, but i can tell you for sure that Aguilar is one of the best in the market, by the way days ago i installed one in a Mexican Made Fender Jazz Bass Deluxe, and the result is just great!
 
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#4
I own both of these preamps. The John East is expensive but it has 2 distinct features most preamps don't. It has sweepable mids, and a bright function. Lot's of flexibility there, I think its the best pre on the market. I've owned 3 of the models he offers, I've loved all of them.

The aguilar is also a nice pre, I find it to be less transparent than the east but I like that. You can configure the modules a ton of different ways. The mids can be selectable, the bass boost is strong. You can get extreme with it but I like the the fact a little goes along way.

I had a sadowsky metro with the VTC. The pre is great, I like it with their single coils. Sadowsky has their sound, if u like it, get the pre and pups.The VTC gives u a lot of tonal options.

If your only looking for a 2 band in a jazz bass I would probably do the aguilar.
 
#7
They're both good choices, but if you're looking for a two-band, I'd recommend the John East BTB-01. Bass is boost-only (which I love), treble is boost/cut (with a lower freq for cut than boost, which I love) and pull-for-bright (which I love). Price is comparable to the Aguilar, and installation is a breeze!
 
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#10
Aguilar > East. I have OBP-3s in two basses (Drozd and LeCompte) and an East J-Retro in another (Lakland JO5). While the East has a lot of versatility due to its semi-parametric mid control, I prefer the overall sound of the Aguilar. However, I like the Pope Flex Core over both of them. Sadowsky makes a mighty fine preamp too, but I'm a 3-band guy and theirs is 2-band.
 
#13
mystic38 said:
or...Audere?..

Certainly the easiest preamp to put into a jazz bass
Click to expand...

Yes indeed. When I was shopping for an aftermarket Jazz plate preamp for my Carvin SB5000 J-style bass, I narrowed it down to John East & Audere. I chose the Audere JZ6D - and have no regrets whatsoever.

It's a 3-band preamp with pickup balance control. I would characterize its basic voice as toward the transparent end of the continuum - but with a ton of tones, thanks to the 6-position "Z" mode switch.

Audere offers Jazz plates in several configurations, however, including basic 2-band. Not only are they a breeze to install, but they're surprisingly easy on the wallet as well. A great product! :cool:

MM
 
#14
I dropped an Audere JZ3 in my Jazz V and love it, but it was a close call between that and an East preamp. In the end, the Z-mode switch (which is an awesome "secret sauce!") and better price of the Audere won out. I'd still like to try an East, but that's for another day in another bass. ;)

I had an Aggie ODB-3 in another bass for a while, and while I thought it was a good preamp, I like the JZ3 much better. There are a couple different 2-band Audere layouts to choose from. Another note if it matters to you: Switching pickups with the Audere is a breeze... It has screw in connectors. :)

5sg.
 
#16
I don't know how you'd ever find one, but the Moon Blackbird drop-in pre has been going strong in my J for over 15 years. ...very smooth and transparent, and sips power. If you locate one, just grab it!
 
#17
A student of mine pulled the Aguilar out of a bass he bought in favor of the Audere. He regretted it. I have had experience with East Aguilar Bartolini Sadowsky and many others. I was actually disappointed with the the Audere in his bass. I was excited to try the Z-mode switch, but in the end wasn't impressed. To each his own, if you love it great, but I personally like the East Aguilar and Sadowsky preamps, depending on the bass and the pickups. The East or Sadowsky is great on a J bass. I think the Aguilar may be better suited to other pickup configs like J/MM or soaps. That's just my opinion though, so take it or leave it.
 
#19
East - Lots of coloration (high and low freq boost) when preamp is engaged, very "hifi" tone, very versatile, mid freq sweep is unique, bass freq is boost only, on bypass mode you have only the volume knob working and bridge or both pickups selection only. Definitely not a purist preamp dedicated.

Aguilar - Lots of boost/cut, very aggressive preamp, allows multiple configuration possibilities, nice voicing.

Audere - Very transparent, beautifully voiced, very versatile, no bypass mode, Hi and Lo Z modes are quite unusable in my experience.
 

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