Second thoughts on the Audere preamp in my Jazz.

I installed a Audere preamp in my MIA Jazz V recently.

Thought it was great, for a while.....

Realized that while being fairly transparent, it sounds nothing like the passive bass. Most notably for recording.

Sadly, I'll be re-installing the passive jack plate, adding the Audere preamp to my collection of "parts".

 

Not sure it was really even a "need".

Just experimenting.

The jazz electronics were kind of weak naturally, and I had installed a series/parallel switch to try to squeeze a little more "power" out of the thing. When really, I was just looking for a tighter lower B string all along. Electronics aren't going to help that.

I also picked up a USA Millennium to experiment with a tighter low B.....while I LOVE the millennium......it just doesn't feel like the Jazz. Which feels like home.
Also, I'm using overdrive and fuzz......and nothing sounds more natural then a passive bass. Active basses just sound...honky?

So basically, I came round full circle.

 

What didn't you like about it at first, and what do you like about it now?

It's a quality preamp that's for sure. It does sound good.

Clean, it sounds great.....maybe a little more on the treble side, then stock....but good.

With dirt it just sounds slightly processed.

 

I re-set up my Jazz last night, since I installed a set of 0.130s.....but didn't get a chance to plug it in.

Plugged in this morning after I posted......no way the preamp sounds like it does stock. It sounds good, and doesn't really sound all that "active". None the less......does not sound like stock.

At least that's what my ears hear.

 

I have tried the low Z, but I think I should adjust the internal trim pots a little more.
As is, I'm getting a mega bass boost.....almost overloads my pedals and amp. Something probably isn't right.
Maybe I just don't have them tweaked properly? That would be excellent, since I don't want to ditch the preamp and enjoy it's functionality.

EDIT: I just noticed that Audere ships the preamp preset for Fender jazz basses? Shouldn't be too far off then, eh?

Otherwise, I've been using the mid Z mostly. I agree. There is a bump in the upper mids, and highs. Which I think makes it sound a little more "modern" or less passive.
I've dialed back the highs in efforts to try to get back that passive tone, but the feel just isn't there. Backing off the mids a bit helps too, but just isn't the same.

Thanks for the info!

 

Well, got home and tweaked a bunch of stuff....the internal trim pots.

I don't know. It still doesn't sound passive to me.
Like I said before, I think it sounds the least active out of my active basses. So clear and transparent.

I guess I'm just a hopeless stock/passive jazz fan.

 

Crazy isn't it!

I just pulled the preamp, and dropped in the stock plate.

The passive thing is just more my style.

I've also realized that I don't really enjoy high fidelity toned basses.
I like organic and warm.