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What's more important, pickups or preamp? (NBD inside)

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by NeonVomit, Jul 9, 2013.

  1. Jul 9, 2013 #1
    NeonVomit

    NeonVomit

    Jan 29, 2013
    Cyprus
    So I got a new bass on Sunday. Peavey Grind NTB 6. The guys at the Bass Gallery on Denmark street gave me an incredible deal on it (about £30 cheaper than the cheapest online price, and threw in a good Fender gig bag for free) Lovely instrument, the action was a bit terrible but a little neck and bridge tweaking sorted it right out.

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    I got this bass with the primary aim of it being a backup to my '99 Warwick Thumb. I'm obviously not expecting something that sounds exactly like the Warwick, but I want to upgrade it in terms of electronics - I think that's the real weak point on this bass (at this price, you can't really complain however). There are passive pickups and just volume/tone controls for each.

    So I was thinking of adding a Seymour Duncan STC 3A or Glockenklang preamp, and changing the pickups... EMGs or perhaps Basslines. What has priority? Which should I do first?
     
  2. Jul 9, 2013 #2
    MPU

    MPU

    Sep 21, 2004
    Valkeala Finland
    I'd go with preamp first if you are going to add it anyway. Pickup swapping will keep the bass passive.
     
  3. Jul 9, 2013 #3
    NeonVomit

    NeonVomit

    Jan 29, 2013
    Cyprus
    Yeah... research has revealed that that would be a good move I think. I'm going to have a tech do it as I will most likely burn my house down if I try it myself.

    I'm looking at this Glock and this SD...

    What sort of sound difference can I expect between the Glock and the SD? Anyone have experience with either of those two?
     
  4. Jul 9, 2013 #4
    gricko

    gricko

    Mar 29, 2004
    YMMV, but, w/ same type of strings and going into the same amp, i get almost identical sound w/ thumb and 4001. thumb being a bit louder [active vs. passive i guess...]. two basses supposedly miles apart.

    unless pickups are all low and no mid'n'hi my guess is you're good w/ what you have.

    if you insist on changing electronics, i'd rather first go for more aggressive pickups and then preamp, down the line.
     
  5. Jul 10, 2013 #5
    NeonVomit

    NeonVomit

    Jan 29, 2013
    Cyprus
    The sound is somewhat "muffled" and the output just isn't that great, and I'd like to have more tonal options with an EQ than just the volume/tone knobs.

    I mean, the sound is nowhere near as clear and articulate as the Thumb. Sometimes, one bass' sound can just be objectively 'worse' than another's, I guess. Again, I'm not expecting it to sound like the Thumb, that would be an exercise in futility, but I'd like more output and a clearer sound.

    So pickups before preamp then?