SPB-2 Hot - Does is need a pre-amp?

[Adam Harzuf]

Hey guys
I've decided to give a shot to the Hot SPB-2 for an old Peavey Fury USA model I got for free from a friend.

I would like to match new electronics (I'ts hard for me to believe they are to good in there) for it.
Does it require a pre-amp?
I'm cool with passive sound, and I prefer passive because I'm on a budget.

Active or passive, I would like to ask for your suggestion for the electronics I'm about to install (first timer).

I also seen a shielding mod for all basses in here to reduce the noise and improve quality - but I've lost it. Please link me, if you have it.

I would rather buy both the SPB-2 and the electronics in the same place. I live in Israel and don't want to pay for 2 international deliveries.

Thanks
Adam

 

[Akami]

It's a passive pickup and you should just try putting it in before spending any unnecessary money on parts that may be just fine.

Shielding is always good though!

 

[jwymore]

Yep, it has plenty of output and is designed for passive applications . Lots of good bottom end too ...

 

[Nedmundo]

No need for a preamp at all. It has plenty of output, and I've been very happy with one for the past few months. Part of the appeal of the P-bass is its simplicity -- minimal knob twiddling, so you can focus on using your technique for tone. A preamp would ruin the minimalistic beauty.

That said, if you go with a pre, make sure it's a three band, preferably with a parametric midrange. The SPB-2 is heavy on the low mids like most P-basses, so it could be useful to be able to manipulate those based on the room, the material, etc. But I'd keep it passive all the way.

 

[mahrous]

i have an SPB-3 in a bass that i made. very PHAT pup! full on the low end and very boomy!

i like it and will probably install it in my next bass which will be even better. Duncan hardly makes anything bad

 

[mahrous]

as for the preamps:
the most common stuff are Seymour Duncan Tone Circuits, Aguilar and Bartolinis!

and believe me, all three of them rock! if u can go for the more extreme stuff like Sadowsky, John East's Retros - go for them but i doubt ur budget will let you do that. u will be paying at least $300 for one of those including taxes/shipping etc etc

 

[eots]

It won't need an on board pre-, however you do need a -pre before an amp such as a power amp. A 'bass' amp already has a preamp before the power amp section.
Check the sticky's in this section for shielding info.

 

[ldervish]

I don't know if this is the one you were thinking of, but I think this shielding lesson is terrific, and even though it uses a g****r, it doesn't take a lot of imagination to put it to good use on your bass. There is a lot of other good info on this site too:

http://www.guitarnuts.com/wiring/shielding/shield3.php

 

[Adam Harzuf]

It's a passive pickup and you should just try putting it in before spending any unnecessary money on parts that may be just fine.

I still would like to redo the electronics over there, at least the pots.

It won't need an on board pre-, however you do need a -pre before an amp such as a power amp.

That said, if you go with a pre, make sure it's a three band, preferably with a parametric midrange. The SPB-2 is heavy on the low mids like most P-basses, so it could be useful to be able to manipulate those based on the room, the material, etc. But I'd keep it passive all the way.

My preamp is a computer with a Presonus Firepod (low latency).
I'll use paragraphic EQ and maybe other processors in Ableton's Live.


BTW, should I connect the bass with such a hot passive pup to the mic input or line input?