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Recommend a preamp

J

Jamsesh

Aug 27, 2008
37
0
Victoria BC, Canada
#1
A while back I had nordstrand NJ5S pickups put in my squire DAJV bass and now im trying to figure out what preamp would compliment these pickups. Im finding recently that the stock preamp sounds too..... preampy? i think that makes sense.

I was thinking aguilar or audere (not the jazz plate, the module instead).

I am looking for something that can provide me with a good slap tone, as well as an option to go passive.

I live in Canada so i would prefer not to pay any border, or international fees, but if i have to its not completely out of the question.

Thanks for your help!
 
#3
If you're looking for a very natural sounding preamp then I think the Audere is your best bet. When set flat it is truly flat. I've had a few other pres (and right now I have an 18V Aguilar OPB-3 and the ACG filter pre) and each has had its pros and cons but the Audere was the most transparent sounding.

Not extreme boosts and cuts (my Aguilar has a HUGE range that the Audere doesn't have) but plenty of tone shaping and the Low Z mode is great if you want to add some extra bottom end.

I've got mine paired up with Nordstrand Fat Stacks and I love the tone.

Hope that helps.
 
#5
thanks BigO that was helpful, just the answer i was looking for (no sarcasm). I would still like more input/opinions from others.

Play4zero, i never heard of demeter, unless i am misunderstanding, are they worth checking out or should i stick with what i know and what is more "popular" to others like audere?
 
#7
TheBigO said:
If you're looking for a very natural sounding preamp then I think the Audere is your best bet. When set flat it is truly flat. I've had a few other pres (and right now I have an 18V Aguilar OPB-3 and the ACG filter pre) and each has had its pros and cons but the Audere was the most transparent sounding.

Not extreme boosts and cuts (my Aguilar has a HUGE range that the Audere doesn't have) but plenty of tone shaping and the Low Z mode is great if you want to add some extra bottom end.

I've got mine paired up with Nordstrand Fat Stacks and I love the tone.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

+1 to both preamps (I own a bass with each)

However for a jazz bass ... IMO. John East is the way to go. Since you're not looking for a control plate ... I'd suggest a U-Retro or U-Retro deluxe. I had a J-Retro in my old Fender '75RI jazz, and it smoked! Very versatile ... and the sweepable mids is a huge bonus, especially if you're looking to get a nice slap tone.

Downside is they are a bit pricey (in comparison to the Audere and Aguilar). However if your interested ... I got a PM from a TB'er who is looking to sell their U-Retro Deluxe 4-knob unit for an excellent price ... close to the price of a Audere or Aguilar, new. (I'm gonna pass on it ... since I'm really looking or a 5-knob unit).


Shoot me a PM if interest in getting in contact with the TB'er.
 
#12
+ 1 on the Demeter BEQP-1. It is the most neutral, least "active" sounding preamp I've tried. On the minus side, it doesn't have a ton of output - barely more than the pickups passively, and it eats batteries more quickly than most. Also, no active/passive switch, but it is very close to the passive sound when set flat. However, you don't have the ability to defeat the active circuit in the event of battery failure.
 
#14
don't dismiss a plain ol' EMG BTS control, which is a nice transparent two-band preamp. i've upgraded a few of these basses, as well as the fancier 4-string quilt-top jazz 24s with these preamps, and they just sound better, especially when run at 18v.

i turn the mini-toggle into a passive/active switch, and with the EQ set flat, there's almost no difference between the switch settings, except for a slight increase in clarity in "active" due to the cable no longer affecting things.
 

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