Programmable preamp?

I've played a few Marleaux basses. I love them...really beautifully crafted! Mostly, they use their programmable EQ on their Consat models.

The way I understand it is that you have 3 different frequencies for each band on your 3-band EQ and you can boost and cut any one of the 3 frequencies at a time and switch between the frequencies while playing. They've been doing it for about a decade now and it is a great way to really control your tone...very innovative.

Check out http://www.marleaux-bass.com/eng/ for more info...it seems that the only place to get them in the states is at Joey G Music in New York (http://www.joeygmusic.com/bass.htm).

 

The way some of the TB'rs are around here, I could see a bassist between sets running back stage and connecting their computers to their bass to run a full diagnostic and tweak just as they do at autoraces

Seriously, the programmable preamp seems like a good idea provided they can keep the operation simple and easy to use and maintain good tone with the computer chips.

 

I'm not sure exactly how the technical side of the programmable EQ works, but it is very simple to operate. there is a three position switch on the bass and basically...when in the down position, the bass is in active mode and you can boost/cut the frequencies you've selected.

when the switch is in the middle position, you are passive and can select any of the three frequencies (per band) for boost/cut by turning the respective tone pot to either fully open, fully closed, or the middle (click) position.

once you've selected which frequency you'd like for each band, you push the switch into the up position and hold it for about 2 seconds...then when you switch back to active mode, your frequencies are available for boosting and cutting (just be mindful that your knobs are still in position for frequency selection and you should adjust them before kicking into active mode to avoid a very drastic change in your sound).

it is pretty innovative and it seems that the luthiers out there take far more chances on basses then guitars, which...as a bassist, i LOVE!

i'm one of the crazy gear-freaks so i HAD to check out a Marleaux. they are pretty pricey, but in my opinion very worth it. I had the opportunity to meet the builders at the Musik Messe in Frankfurt Germany this year and they were showing a video of how they build basses...you don't get much more hand-made and professional then that team of two! Real nice guys too! Stunning instruments...i'm saving my cash for one. They are the Fodera of Europe (but they are TRULY handmade...unlike Fodera's which pass through a machine or two before they get in your hands).

 

Vigiers have been available with a programmable preamp for 15 years now!

My friend owned one, it was very cool. But you couldn't use batteries with it so you had to have a power supply following you round on stage.

 

I played a Marleaux that had the programmable eq. It was very cool & very useful. Pretty easy to use too. I had it down after playing with it for 15 min in the store.

These are expensive basses though. However, they are flawlessly constructed & play great.