• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

tone monster preamp

#2
axelrod said:
Has anyone used these, have an opinion? I put one in an Ibanez sr 700, and it seems fairly clean and a little hotter than the stock. Is there a much better upgrade? these are under $50.

Tone Monster SEB3 Preamp Guitar Bass Balance Volume Treble Middle Bass 12nu | eBay
Click to expand...

I used an SEB-2A in my fretless bass. I like it, it colors the tone a little bit vs. passive operation, adds some top end and maybe higher mids. It was a bit noisy at first, but when I shielded the pickup cavities that solved the problem.

It is pretty hot. I turned the gain down below half to compensate a bit. At 50% or higher it's pretty loud.

For 50 dollars it's a great little mod, and it's MIK.
 
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#4
axelrod said:
Good, thanks, just looking for some other opinions, I liked it too, and turned the gain up, thinking about another one.
Click to expand...

I turned the gain down a bit just so I can swap basses without messing with my amp really. Also this harness has a bypass switch so it's nice to have output sorta matched between active/passive if needed.

I've used their passive harnesses as well as one of those Nitro Boosters before. So far, I like their products. Excellent value.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#5
I love these. I put in the three band, active/passive one in my Ibanez SR375, and so far it has done awesome. If you want other options at real good prices (under $100) try looking at Bass Mods. They used to be on ebay, idk if they still are, and they also have their own website. I've heard pretty good things about these, and they were actually my second option while looking for upgrades... but the tone monster is staying.
 
#6
I got one about a year ago for a new bass and had a luthier install it. A volume pot (IIRC) had a little static in it at first, and this gradually increased over a few months to the point of rendering the control unusable.
When I asked to get a return authorization for my money back I was told first that bad pots were extremely rare and then that I had exceeded the time limit for returns.
Needless to say, I wouldn't get another.
What kind of customer service is that?
I replaced it with an EMG from my old bass. 20 years old and still going strong. That's a preamp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JustForSport
#7
Extremely rare? Wow, hadn't heard that one yet. Whoever said that must have been a little new to electronics. Bad parts do exist out there. I would have just bought a volume pot with the right resistance and replaced it. I do this kind of stuff pretty often for others. Even if the part you buy is not of the same brand, as long as it is the right "thing," forgive my generality of vocabulary, it will do just fine. When I installed the tone monster preamp in my ibanez, I didn't really like the way the blend pot worked (more like a selector than an actual blender), so I went to a close by music shop, got me a Fender blend pot for just a few bucks, replaced, problem solved.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP and JustForSport
#10
The Seymour Duncan MM preamp sounds great. They are voiced for a Music Man and give the sound you probably want. I would definitely put that in your $150 OLP. An ebay seller proaudioland (great customer service) has them for 10% off.

No experience with the Tone Monster preamp other than I considered getting it instead of the duncan and I'm glad I didn't.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PawleeP
#14
gabrielvv7 said:
I love these. I put in the three band, active/passive one in my Ibanez SR375, and so far it has done awesome. If you want other options at real good prices (under $100) try looking at Bass Mods. They used to be on ebay, idk if they still are, and they also have their own website. I've heard pretty good things about these, and they were actually my second option while looking for upgrades... but the tone monster is staying.
Click to expand...
You like this tone monster better than a stock ibby 375 pre?
Isn't that 375 one about the same quality as a sr premium series pre?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back