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Recommend me a beefy preamp!

Basstovsky

Basstovsky

Stuck on those 4-strings
Feb 29, 2008
3,144
1,005
Massachusetts
www.last.fm
#1
I have a Peavey Millennium 5 BXP(import) which has single coil jazz pups wired VVT. I'm not a big single coil fan, and am looking for an active EQ to beef up my sound.

I'm looking for a 3-band EQ that would fit into the existing 3 holes for two pickups, any recommendations for something that would fit this AND allow me to get a thicker more punchy (similar to humbuckers maybe?) tone?
 
#2
Basstovsky said:
I have a Peavey Millennium 5 BXP(import) which has single coil jazz pups wired VVT. I'm not a big single coil fan, and am looking for an active EQ to beef up my sound.

I'm looking for a 3-band EQ that would fit into the existing 3 holes for two pickups, any recommendations for something that would fit this AND allow me to get a thicker more punchy (similar to humbuckers maybe?) tone?
Click to expand...

Hey Basstovsky! One of the better preamps out there is the Aguilar OPB-3 preamp. It's a 3 band EQ and comes in about 4 or 5 different configs. It is EXTREMELY beefy and punchy. I had one installed in my Squier Deluxe Active Jazz, and I could barely boost the bass before the ceiling and windows started rumbling (I'm not exaggerating either!)! And for $140-150, I don't think it's too expensive an upgrade. It also has a selectable mid frequency, which can be activated via push/pull mid knob or switch.

You'll probably get quite a few recommendations for the Aggies, I mean, they use them in a lot of high-end basses too!
Hope this helps!
 
#4
I'm not a fan of humbuckers. I dig the edgy single coil thing. I also find the Aguillar and Bart preamps to be too colored and overstated - which I expect meant that you might actually like those. I would probably try the OPB-3 mentioned above if I were looking to achiece your goals.

While I did not like them at all, the Dimarzio Ultra Jazz pickp might not be a bad bet either.

I have a set of Vintage Vibe split coils in my 75 Ri J that I like a lot. Not high output. They still have some edge but they are hum cancelling. Tonally they lean in a P Bass direction. That's about as fat as I can take in a J before I want to get back towards edgy grind. Something in that vein might work for you as well.
 
#5
Basstovsky said:
.... AND allow me to get a thicker more punchy (similar to humbuckers maybe?) tone?
Click to expand...
Sorry, not gonna happen. Single-coils sound the way they do because of what they are, and you can't really change that. I suggest: 1) give it more time. I was a HH guy forever and switched to a J bass. Took a long time for me to get comfortable with it, and my sound. But I got there. 2) consider the series mod. Fattens the sound of a J type bass considerably. But it doesn't sound like a J any more. This is good or bad depending on your point of view.

EDIT: if you haven't already, try running the volumes at less than wide open. This fattens up the tone, sometimes a lot, on a bass like yours. Try about 60-70% open, then increase amp input gain to compensate. On a V/V/T J style setup, the volumes function less like volume controls as they do tone controls.
 
#8
My only complaint about the OBP-3's I've had is that in my opinion the low end can get a bit muddy or boomy when boosted much. I rarely boost the low end so it hasn't been a big issue for me.

I'll have a custom bass delivered Thursday that has a Nordstrand 3-band and I'll compare it's low end to the OBP-3's.
 
#10
Thanks for all the recommendations gonna start reading up on them, leaning to the OBP-3 because I've always heard great things about them, but not ready to decide on anything till I've gathered enough info.

I know I can't get it to sound just like a humbucker bass but I want to get as close as possible to my Jazz with Dimarzio Model J's, I wish they made a 5-string version. The tone isnt terrible but theres only one sound I can get out of it that I find ok sounding, a preamp or tone circuit will allow me to dial in more of what I'm looking for. I've had the bass for years (one of my first) but I've dug it out of the closet because the band wanted to do a song with a 5er, and my guitarist loves that it is fretless.
 
#11
Any other recomendations? Got a line on an OBP-3 for a great price so unless there's anything better than that I'm gonna jump on it.

It will require adding 2 holes, but the control cavity for the BXP is massive, looks like they route it out the same size as the USA millenniums that have the 5 knob 3-band preamp, so it should be a cakewalk to fit in there.
 
#12
I put some Bartolini split coil pickups in my MIM jazz and could not be any happier. My roommate put the Ultra Jazz in his American Jazz and he has not been the happy with them, there is a hole in the lower mid range.

The Aguilar pre-amp is very nice, I have one in my lakland, I am considering changing the Audere in my jazz to an Aquilar.
 
#13
Rather than drilling two extra holes for the OBP-3, you should look into some stacked pots. That way you can have volume/volume, bass/treble, and mid in three pots. If that is what you'd prefer than to drill extra holes.

Also have a look around for the Dimarzio Model J's rather than the Ultra J's. I heard they have a more ballsy sound and are often preferred over the Ultra J's... (from what I remember hearing anyhow).
 

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