• 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.

whats new in onboard Preamps ?

Kirk Bryant

Kirk Bryant

Aug 23, 2004
5,700
5,735
Aloha, ..Or., not nearly as tropical as it sounds!
#1
OK here's the deal: here are the Pre's I already have in some of my basses.
Bartolini 3 band ; Tobias Killer Bee 5'er
J-Retro 3 band ; custom Jazz
Demeter 3 band ; P-Lyte "hot rod"
Kubiki : in two, a MIJ Precision "Cowboy" and.. a
Stu Hamm Urge I
Audere3 band ; In a Custom vintage P-bass Hot Rod.

Now I am wondering if there is anything new and interesting out there.
Pre's I have yet to try and have interest in include but not limited to;
East Pre the one that's newer than the J-Retro.
Aguilar...does it come in a 3 band?
Glockenklang...does it come in a 3 band?. PS I love my Glock Soul head.
Nordstrand etc... any high end quality stuff.

I just dusted and restrung the Stu Hamm and I love the lightweight and the neck and since the electronics appear to be messed up I am thinking of the pre replacement first.
A second question as to the quality of the Urge PU's as I may replace them as well if needed to get this thing going again.

Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.

Peace Kirk
 
#2
I have the Aguilar OBP3 preamp on a P/J. It's a 3 band - stacked bass/treble, mid, pan and volume with selectable mid frequency. I really like the voicing of the tone controls EXCEPT for the bass control. It's got 18DB gain at 40 hz with what feels like a fairly wide Q. WAY overkill, just too overbearing to use - too much of a fine line between fat and boomy.

For that reason I'm swapping it out for the Nordstrand pre. I'll post my thoughts on that after I've had a chance to gig with it some...

You might also check out the Sadowsky pre.

Good luck.
 
#8
Kirk Bryant said:
Thanks guy's, keep em coming! Never heard of the AGC and had forgotten about Pope so will check them out. As a side note 4 bands is fine just not two as I like to EQ on the fly.

peace Kirk
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat.

I've heard good things about filter-based preamps, but I've also heard that they are not intuitive, and making adjustments is not nearly as quick or easy as with a boost/cut preamp.
 
#9
I, too, am also am in a similar boat. I've had a lot of preamps and want to try something new. I have had Aguilar and East lately and LOVED them, but don't want to miss out on the other possibilities.

The ACG has me itching for it. I love the quality of my East preamp, but need to have another in a similar configuration bass like a hole in the head. The filter idea, though different, is appealing to my "Infinite possibilities" sense.
I've also heard the Delano Sonar had some cool features.
Nordstrand is making huge waves in the world these days, but I don't hear much about the preamps.

I'd really like to know whose preamps are truly original and desireable, as well as whose tonalities and characteristics are too similar.
 
#11
I've just fitter the ACG pre into my Jazz. Every tone you'll ever need and more. My only gripe (and its a small one) is that its a bit noisy with the treble stack boosted.
You might find its got too many possibilities, it can be tricky to dial in the right frequency on the bass stack because of the enormous sweep, especially if you're in a hurry. But overall I'm chuffed with it!;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back