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The Soundgear Club

#881
Thanks Lesliegl. A few questions - how did you know that the pre was the solution and not the pickups? And how did you know which pre to get? I often hear people on this board saying they change their pre's but I get the impression that they just buy something more expensive with the belief it will be better as a result.
And last question - what does NTMB stand for? Or is that just a model designation?
 
#883
PDGood said:
Thanks Lesliegl. A few questions - how did you know that the pre was the solution and not the pickups? And how did you know which pre to get? I often hear people on this board saying they change their pre's but I get the impression that they just buy something more expensive with the belief it will be better as a result.
And last question - what does NTMB stand for? Or is that just a model designation?
Click to expand...

NTMB. Not sure about the N but m b = mid, bass. The NTBT is bass treble.

The pre is usually where very little money goes on these basses. They have gotten better. They are functional and not usually noisy. but there are many aftermarket pre's that sound/work better. Sometimes if you replace the preamp first you might be happy with the sound of the pickups. If you'e not the you replace the pickups next.
 
#884
You may see it like this:
Pickups = mike
Preamp = preamp/amp

A bad mike might not sound good through a decent preamp/amp, but a good mike will always sound bad through a garbage preamp/amp. That's why IMO it's best to change the EQ with a nice aftermarket one first. Usually you will get a more noticeable result as opposed to just swapping the pickups - that's the thing with active basses: you have to always keep in mind you have a preamp before everything else, so no matter how good your rig is, if your onboard EQ sucks, your bass will still sound bad. Just my 2 cents ;)
 
#885
Hey guys. My first bass was a little gio100 or whatever its called, but it made me partial to soundgear basses and for years have enjoyed my Sr500 and 700. Yesterday though I put a used bass from '92 on layaway at a local shop. It was immaculate and just....wow. it was an Sr950? Anybody know about it?
 
#886
IngerAlb said:
You may see it like this:
Pickups = mike
Preamp = preamp/amp

A bad mike might not sound good through a decent preamp/amp, but a good mike will always sound bad through a garbage preamp/amp. That's why IMO it's best to change the EQ with a nice aftermarket one first. Usually you will get a more noticeable result as opposed to just swapping the pickups - that's the thing with active basses: you have to always keep in mind you have a preamp before everything else, so no matter how good your rig is, if your onboard EQ sucks, your bass will still sound bad. Just my 2 cents ;)
Click to expand...

Well put!
 
#889
IngerAlb said:
You may see it like this:
Pickups = mike
Preamp = preamp/amp

A bad mike might not sound good through a decent preamp/amp, but a good mike will always sound bad through a garbage preamp/amp. That's why IMO it's best to change the EQ with a nice aftermarket one first. Usually you will get a more noticeable result as opposed to just swapping the pickups - that's the thing with active basses: you have to always keep in mind you have a preamp before everything else, so no matter how good your rig is, if your onboard EQ sucks, your bass will still sound bad. Just my 2 cents ;)
Click to expand...

That might explain why I am essentially defeating the onboard stuff and using the amp for EQ.
 
#890
About the MK1 pre and/or pups having harsh highs, I think switching either the pre or the pups makes a big difference. I switched out the MK1s in my 500 for US made MK4CBCs and they made a world of difference, brings out that real Bart growl. I was thinking of changing the pre, but ended up going with the pups as I love the EQ section on my Shuttle 3.0 and usually run the onboard basically flat anyways.
 
#893
scottfeldstein said:
What would it cost me to upgrade my SR300? Would it be worth it? Bartolini pups, maybe?
Click to expand...

I spent $200 ($100 per pup) putting Barts into my SR500. Honestly, it was really worth it for me. Before making the switch I was fiddling with the onboard EQ all the time, now I just run it flat and let the pickups do their thing ;)

The MK(insert # here)CBC series of pickups from Bartolini are the US replacements that fit right into the MK1 routs. I don't know if the 300s pickups share the same dimensions as the MK1s, but if they do it'd probably be your safest bet. I had great experience with BestBassGear.com ordering mine, they had no qualms shipping to Canada and sent a second set no questions asked when the first set got lost in the US (eventually showed up, and I sent them back).
 
#894
LowEndMan2112 said:
I spent $200 ($100 per pup) putting Barts into my SR500. Honestly, it was really worth it for me. Before making the switch I was fiddling with the onboard EQ all the time, now I just run it flat and let the pickups do their thing ;)

The MK(insert # here)CBC series of pickups from Bartolini are the US replacements that fit right into the MK1 routs. I don't know if the 300s pickups share the same dimensions as the MK1s, but if they do it'd probably be your safest bet. I had great experience with BestBassGear.com ordering mine, they had no qualms shipping to Canada and sent a second set no questions asked when the first set got lost in the US (eventually showed up, and I sent them back).
Click to expand...

I was looking at replacing either the pups in my srx390, or the pre amp. I need a versatile tone with more balance but I love the body and neck..suggestions? Am I better off finding a new bass?
 
#895
andrewrepasky said:
I was looking at replacing either the pups in my srx390, or the pre amp. I need a versatile tone with more balance but I love the body and neck..suggestions? Am I better off finding a new bass?
Click to expand...
What is versatility to you? About the only option you have in that bass is some kind of dual-coil soapbar pickups with an EQ. If you wanted to drill some extra holes, you could add some coil tap and/or series/parallel options also. I don't know that I would invest that kind of time and money in an SRX390 though unless you just really love everything else about it. Resale won't be much if you don't care for it.
 
#896
Versatility to play rock, jazz, funk, blues, hints of metal....I may look into just trading the bass in...I just love the look of it and the quickness of the neck...I've been through a lot with this bass, guess its time to let go....hopefully get another ibanez...I love the 24 frets, which is a turn off when it comes to fenders....
 
#897
PDGood said:
Thanks Lesliegl. A few questions - how did you know that the pre was the solution and not the pickups? And how did you know which pre to get? I often hear people on this board saying they change their pre's but I get the impression that they just buy something more expensive with the belief it will be better as a result.
And last question - what does NTMB stand for? Or is that just a model designation?
Click to expand...

Hi as far as which pre to get i went to the Best Bass Gear website and scrolled down the NTMB types that they offer and went with the existing control knob holes that are in the SR that i had..for the 5 knob configution you use the ones that start with 5..ie 5.2 model for the SR900..for the 4 knob configuration 4..ie 4.6..for your model with the mid switch added which make 6 holes....i would pick the one that offers that as a option in the 5. NTMB models..you can also for an extra 50 bucks add a AP option...active passive on the voulume ...down for active..up for passive bypassing the pre amp with the pick up signal coming direct from the pick up..pretty clever i reckon

Leslie

ps i will soon be upgrading the SR900 with the MK CBC pickups as well..ive already done that with the SR405QM so ive replaced the whole pre amp n pickups on that bass and very happy with that
 
#898
llamalor2112 said:
Hey guys. My first bass was a little gio100 or whatever its called, but it made me partial to soundgear basses and for years have enjoyed my Sr500 and 700. Yesterday though I put a used bass from '92 on layaway at a local shop. It was immaculate and just....wow. it was an Sr950? Anybody know about it?
Click to expand...

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Here is the link if you want to actually read.

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