What preamp is Alex Al using on his 75 fender jazz bass with emg pickup?

Is he on Facebook or Twitter? He might tell you himself.

 

I don't know what your experience level is so please don't take offense by any of my questions.

A 99 MIA JD5 with Bartolini preamp and single coils should absolutely crush in the mix. So if I were getting the results you are getting I would first try to figure out what I might be doing wrong.

So... how are you setting your bass' gain and tone controls? Are you keeping them the same way live as you do at home? That is often a recipe for disaster.
What are you using to amplify the bass live (is this a rig, in ears, etc.)? Describe how you have your amp set up physically if you use one; is the cabinet on a stand, do you have a tweeter control and have it wide open, any detail that can effect your ability to cut through should be considered. How are you setting the tonal controls on whatever you're using?

I seriously doubt that this is a problem with your bass. It really takes effort to make a stock JD5 not cut through in the mix with proper amplification. With the change to Bartolinis the bass should be able to hit even harder, particularly if you have something like an NTMB preamp which allows you to dial in a massive overall boost internally.

Here are some ways folks mess things up...
Not turning your amp up first and dialing in tone before you've set your gig level.
Cutting mids. At the bass, at the amp, wherever.
Dialing in the same highs you listen to at lower volumes.
Dialing in too much bottom.
Not understanding the gain structure of your amp.

Here's an example: if you set your highs too high it will make your bass sound loud but you likely won't have any body to the sound. That's bad when it comes to sitting in the mix.

Start with the basics and I'd bet that we can figure this out. And the answer can be so simple many times people are amazed.

I have two stock passive 1978 Fender Jazzes and they cut through ridiculously well. People swear they have preamps, even tell me I can't be telling the truth. I explain to them that I turn my amp up. Too easy.

It really helps to understand what an onboard preamp does. Since most people don't run really long cables, the main benefit is having local tone controls and possibly sending a hotter than passive single to your amp for a better signal to noise ratio. So do you really need a preamp? IME most people don't... but they're unwilling to do the things that might make them unnecessary.

I have a 1975 MIJ RI that's tricked out with a full Bart package, Hipshot Hardware, BadAss I bridge, etc (I bought it used that way). It too cuts through ridiculously well.
My stock 1997 MIA JD5 does too.

Because all of these basses cut through so well I had to learn how to control them. I keep their volume controls wide open. I lean towards technique vs. knob tweaks

Way too often people thing the fix for a "problem" is an "upgrade" when an upgrade really wasn't needed, better knowledge of their gear was. The great thing about that is most knowledge can be attained for free.

BTW there was no original preamp in 1975 Fender Jazzes. They were all passive. And anything that was done with basses like Marcus Miller's could've likely been achieved by leaning over to your amp and turning those knobs instead.

It really helps to understand how all of this works together as a system: your bass, your amp, your cabinet, your effects and most important, the nut behind the wheel aka "you".

 

How specifically are you setting all of the tone controls?

You certainly can compare your bass to a Fodera, they're not magic and many bassists sound exactly like they want on Fenders. Did you play the Fodera and it was fine or did he? If he played it, if possible have him play your bass.

Your fingerboard is more than likely not your problem. Here's a stock Jazz with a Pau Ferro board.


And Bartolinis can most definitely sound aggressive, especially in a Jazz. Especially with a Bartolini preamp.

 

Mid-range is what cuts, that is why a Pbass always finds a great seat in the mix, they are middy by themselves. Modern electronics such as Bartolini, EMG etc. can do what every you want depending upon how you EQ them. Super Hifi sounds these electronics easily produce may not work very well in a mix....often the bass disappears. What sounds great solo is not the best in ensemble.

If you are using a modern scooped sound, consider calming down the low end and top, and bringing up the mids. Many Bart pre's allow you to select 1K 500hz or 800hz as your mid frequency.

The best way to tell what the hell is going on is record the next rehearsal or gig to determine what is the best curve to get what you looking to achieve. Remember, what you are hearing next to your amp is not what the audience hears ten feet in front of the band and beyond. Record yourself to make a determination of where you are sonically. Your eq may be great the way it is or you will hear the effects of adding more mid which help you cut.

 

That Bass with those pickups and preamp should be awesome, I think you're doing something wrong. Try some more mid range, mid range is a Bassist best friend, mid range will make you cut through anything. Go on YouTube and start looking up, setting your EQ for your Bass guitar so you can cut through the mix. Also active EMG pickups need the EMG preamp with it.

 

Unfortunately there is always the possibility that your particular Jazz just doesn't sound good. Not all Fenders of the same model/year sound of he same. I think Fenders can vary from instrument to instrument more than many other brands.

 

This is totally false. EMG's work perfectly fine with a Bart pre, or most other pres. Done it many times with great results. Also used EMG's with Aguilar, Sadowsky, and Audere to name a few. You just need the correct value Volume, and or Pan pot before the pre.

 

I am pretty sure Alex Al uses EMG pickups with no preamp.... Just Volume Volume Tone.

 

Incorrect. Bobby Vega uses active EMG's w a simple vol/vol/tone setup, and I'd guess Al does as well.

Active EMG's simply require a battery to function and can be used with or without a variety of onboard preamps.

 

It's also possible that OP is not a bartolini guy. I have yet to find a bartolini setup that I like and have heard this sentiment from other players here and there.