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Tone Monster SBK preamps? Anybody here use them?

#121
I’m a self admitted preamp snob. Didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to install one of these...
BLOWN AWAY by how good the Tone Monster was! Good quality build, the gain control is awesome to have on hand, it definitely helped the sound of the bass it went into. I’d highly recommend trying these out if you’re on the fence.
 
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#123
fourstringbliss said:
I'll give it a shot.

Here's how my bass sounds right now with no preamp, for reference:

Click to expand...

You have a good sound.I thinkTone Monster is a decent preamp.I have them in a couple of builds and I've been satisfied with the result.In this case I don't know if the preamp is the culprit.I heard a remark in passing about the rare incompatibility in some pups.I wish I wasn't such a Tecno Boob and could do these things but unfortunately I must rely on my tech so I can't give any quick responses as to what's going on.j
 
#124
carl h. said:
Just found this thread.

5 years ago I put a TONE MONSTER SBK-3AD in a Palatino EUB and it has been flawless ever since over hundreds of gigs. The stock pickup really came to life and is actually good. Customer service is outstanding too.
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You are correct.This is the only issue I've ever had and who knows at this point what the problem is.Also correct again as they do have good C.S.
 
#125
rojo412 said:
I’m a self admitted preamp snob. Didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to install one of these...
BLOWN AWAY by how good the Tone Monster was! Good quality build, the gain control is awesome to have on hand, it definitely helped the sound of the bass it went into. I’d highly recommend trying these out if you’re on the fence.
Click to expand...
Another satisfied customer!
 
#126
fourstringbliss said:
I've just found that in the mix it's hard to hear the differences between pre's and even between some pre settings. Audere pre's allow for active blending but the difference between both and a little either way wouldn't be noticed by the audience.
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I'm having a Audere put in my J- Build that has Kent Armstrong Fat Lip lipstick tube pups and I'm hoping and expecting big results.It will be interesting comparing the two.As I noted earlier anybody interested in Tone Monster preamps should check out Johnny Long on YouTube.A real funkmiester as well as a talented bass tech.He demos basses he works on of all types in his shop the Hobo Depot and he uses Tone Monster frequently.You can see some real cool basses. He works on everything from exotics like Alembic,Smiths to Squires and anything in between.
 
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#127
Anyone using an SBK with a fretless? I have a 5-string fretless with active pups and passive volume-blend-tone controls. I'm leaning towards getting the 2-band SBK, but the regular 3-band as well as the 3-band with semi-parametric mid are also tempting.
 
#131
I've also got a Talman TMB 105 that I dropped an SBK-3AD preamp and it's been great. Pictures soon as it's currently undergoing major renovations. I found a set of CND Nordstrand pickups (the ones in the 500/600 line). Also stripped it and stained it black (though it may go red or purple later), will have new zebrawood pickguard and I got an active/passive switch (PAT2) from TONE Monster. I'm also slimming the neck, cause stock its just too chunky for me. Excited to finally be modding it and making it my own, which was always the plan. Fantastic cheap bass.

Next up is getting another one and converting it to fretless. Will try to get another set of CND and make it a clone of the above. We'll see though, best laid plans and all.
 
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#132
Resurrecting the longest Tone Monster preamp thread I could find on TB.

It's 2 years since the last post, are people still using and liking these preamps?

I have a cheap active bass coming and I think the TM preamps have some nice options I'd like to have on the bass (passive switching and tone, switchable mids).
 
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#135
Preamp ordered, received, installed, and disappointed. The passive functions are great - volume, blend, and tone all doing their thing. The preamp itself isn’t doing anything except make horrible noise if I move the wires around, otherwise it’s dead quiet. Hopefully I can get a functional replacement, otherwise I’ll be shopping for something else.
 
#136
J Posega said:
Preamp ordered, received, installed, and disappointed. The passive functions are great - volume, blend, and tone all doing their thing. The preamp itself isn’t doing anything except make horrible noise if I move the wires around, otherwise it’s dead quiet. Hopefully I can get a functional replacement, otherwise I’ll be shopping for something else.
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Their customer service was excellent when I dealt with them.
 
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#137
The response has been quick, and once USPS scans the QR code for the return, I'll get a refund. I'm just going to use the refund to order another one.

Seller said they'll do some testing and let me know what the problem is since "99% of returns end up being fully functional" or however he put it, but I'm pretty sure it's actually dead and not something I did during installation.
 
#138
J Posega said:
Seller said they'll do some testing and let me know what the problem is since "99% of returns end up being fully functional" or however he put it, but I'm pretty sure it's actually dead and not something I did during installation.
Click to expand...
I was convinced I had a faulty blend pot, Ty said that was unlikely as failures were rare but mailed a replacement over to Scotland anyway.

He was right, only fault was me :laugh:
 
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#139
kodiakblair said:
I was convinced I had a faulty blend pot, Ty said that was unlikely as failures were rare but mailed a replacement over to Scotland anyway.

He was right, only fault was me :laugh:
Click to expand...
I just don't see how I caused a fault in the preamp but not the passive section. None of the solder joints or bare wires are touching the shielding tape in the control cavity but I get absolutely zero signal with the preamp engaged until I jiggle the wires and suddenly get a crapload of "Godzilla chewing on a school bus" noise through the amp. Even while doing that, no bass sound through the amp. Pull up the volume pot and the passive section works just fine. Seems more likely to be a faulty push/pull pot for the active/passive switching.
 
#140
J Posega said:
I just don't see how I caused a fault in the preamp but not the passive section. None of the solder joints or bare wires are touching the shielding tape in the control cavity but I get absolutely zero signal with the preamp engaged until I jiggle the wires and suddenly get a crapload of "Godzilla chewing on a school bus" noise through the amp. Even while doing that, no bass sound through the amp. Pull up the volume pot and the passive section works just fine. Seems more likely to be a faulty push/pull pot for the active/passive switching.
Click to expand...
I had a similar problem - however, it wasn't Godzilla sized - but I did a video about it and everything (below). Turned out to be some wood splinters that were painted in carbon paint that were touching something they weren't supposed to. Conclusion: my fault. :laugh:

 
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