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Which 3 band pre amp for me?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Nickthebassist, Apr 20, 2005.


  1. Apr 20, 2005 #1
    Nickthebassist

    Nickthebassist Banned

    Aug 18, 2004
    Strensall, York, England
    I've been thinking about a new 3 band pre amp for my basses for a while(mostly the Euro LX). I'd like it to have a variable mid control so I can control exactly what frequencies the mid control is affecting. I've been told EMG BQC and an Aguilar OBP3. Any other suggestions?
     
  5. Apr 20, 2005 #2
    WillCO

    WillCO An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure.

    Mar 9, 2005
    Denver, nee Austin
    I've just purchased an Aguilar OBP-3 for my Yamaha TRB5. I should have it installed by the weekend. I'll let you know what it sounds like. it comes highly recommended.
     
  10. Apr 20, 2005 #3
    Rodent

    Rodent A Killer Pickup Line™ Commercial User

    Dec 20, 2004
    Upper Left Corner (Seattle)
    Player-Builder-Founder: Honey Badger Pickups & Regenerate Guitar Works
    What do you have in mind by "variable mid control"? Are you thinking of a switch to toggle between pre-set mid frequencies, or are you thinking of a knob to adjust the mid center frequency like you would on a parametric EQ?

    There are several pre-amps with selectable pre-set mid frequencies (Bartolini, Aguilar, etc ...) but only the Retros by John East have a knob for you to adjust the mid center frequency like a parametric EQ.

    BestBassGear.com (one of the TB forum sponsors - see the sticky at the top of this forum) has a great selection of all of these different pre-amps.

    R
     
  14. Apr 20, 2005 #4
    Nickthebassist

    Nickthebassist Banned

    Aug 18, 2004
    Strensall, York, England
    Erm, I don't know to be honest. I just want it so I can adjust it to affect low mids for fingerstyle, or high mids for pick playing growl.
     
  18. Apr 20, 2005 #5
    BassyBill

    BassyBill The smooth moderator... Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 12, 2005
    West Midlands UK
    John East does a model called the U-Retro for non Jazz basses, which I believe is the same circuitry, just mounts into a rear rout bass or whatever. Check out www.j-retro.co.uk

    He's a good guy to deal with and he'll answer any questions you may have. There's even a forum on his site about his pre-amps which may be worth a look.
     
  22. Apr 21, 2005 #6
    Nickthebassist

    Nickthebassist Banned

    Aug 18, 2004
    Strensall, York, England
    Ok thanks for the help. O, one other thing, is it true that active pickups are lower output than passive ones? I'm being told they are and aren't. I just need the clearing up please.
     
  26. Apr 21, 2005 #7
    Nickthebassist

    Nickthebassist Banned

    Aug 18, 2004
    Strensall, York, England
    The U retro, will require some holes being drilled in my bass. :-S
     
  31. Apr 21, 2005 #8
    Vorago

    Vorago (((o)))

    Jul 17, 2003
    Antwerp, Belgium
    I always thought that Active pickups had higher output then passive ones. That's why amp often have a passive and active input. If you put a passive bass into the active input, it would not as loud as it does in the passive input, because the active input is build to cope with higher/active input.
     
  35. Apr 21, 2005 #9
    the ombudsman

    the ombudsman

    Mar 13, 2003
    Eastern Townships, Québec
    Active pickups are quieter than passive pickups. That's why they need an on-board preamp. With the preamp, though, usually they get louder than passive electronics, but not always.
     
  39. Apr 21, 2005 #10
    Funky Doctor

    Funky Doctor

    Aug 28, 2003
    Australia
    Yeah what he said. I have one in my TRB6P. A decent preamp up grade is highly recommended on all trb instruments by me ;)
    Seriously, it has made my awesome bass totally out of this world as to what it can do and how it sounds.
     
  43. Apr 21, 2005 #11
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    That's a little misleading, since the "on-board preamp" is actually part of the pickup itself--that's what makes them "active pickups". A passive pickup run though an active EQ like the J-Retro/Aquilar/etc. is not the same as an "active pickup".

    Mike
     
  47. Apr 21, 2005 #12
    mikezimmerman

    mikezimmerman Supporting Member

    Apr 29, 2001
    Omaha, Nebraska
    The EMG BQC also has a sweepable mid control, and the Aguilar OBP-3 can be wired that way.

    Mike
     
  51. Apr 21, 2005 #13
    Nickthebassist

    Nickthebassist Banned

    Aug 18, 2004
    Strensall, York, England
    Hmmm. I want dsomething that is gonna be more like my Rebop was.....just better. The Rebop used EMG HZ and an Aguilar OBP-1, The controls were overall volume, pickup pan, bass and treble. i want something like that kinda sound, just a bit brighter and more versatile. If that helps........