Bumping this thread from the dead. Interested in converting my passive AmStd 4-string Jazz. Anyone have a comprehensive list of preamps that can be "dropped in" without too much work?
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Who makes the best onboard preamp?
- Thread starter allenhumble
- Start date
I just put a John East MMSR 3 knob 2 band pre in my MIM 5 string Jazz bass.. I will say it was a vast improvement! So much so that I believe that I would want to put East preamps in any passive bass I might own. I am actually thinking about picking up a PRS Fisherking and put the same pre in it too!
Not sure about 'too much work' since I have a tech I take my basses too, and I don't have particularly broad experience, but I currently have an Aguilar OBP-2 in my fretless Jazz and an Audere in my Highway One fretted Jazz. I think the Audere is more flexible and I will probably swap the Aggy out for one down the road. There is a TBer who is making multicoil pick ups and at some point I'm going to get a set from him and then go with the ACG filter pre (closest I'm likely to get to an actual Wal) in a Warmoth build, but I can't say what the ACG preamps are like yet. I've read good things, however.
One thing to consider before you go down the preamp path is swapping out the pick ups, as that can make a big difference without going 'active'. I have a set of Seymour Duncan Antiquity IIs in my fretless and I'm thinking maybe the OBP-2 will pair better with a set of Bartolini 9SU pick ups (iirc) for the tone I'm going for. That will be a cheaper route than getting another Audere so I'm likely to try that first.
If u thought about getting a really fat and special slap bass sound, Victor Wooten like, which preamp would you choose??
- Jan 12, 2011
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- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
There is no Best just Taste and Choice and of course Budget. Personally since I slap, I like Bart the best. I like the high end sound when I slap through Bart pre's. Of course I am biased but I've also successfully used Aggie and Audere Pre's.
- Jan 12, 2011
- 4,578
- 2,460
- Disclosures
- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Ask most real slappers and they'll tell you Vic's Slap Tone is not the greatest ahahahahah!!! But you can't go wrong with an EMG setup. Those Ceramic Magnets, and EMG Pre will get you a really nice Slap Tone you can believe that. I happen to be a Bart Guy but have had nice tones with other combos as well.If u thought about getting a really fat and special slap bass sound, Victor Wooten like, which preamp would you choose??
@David Wilson I have a lefty Jazz bass clone and I'm looking for the Ibanez type tone.
I'm looking for:
boost/cut
volume/blend/bass/mid/treble
single stack
Basically, this is the same control layout as my Ibanez SR500 lefty.
I understand that this may be a hard fit, I would like it on a Jbass control plate.
I've heard Ibanez works with Barts. Maybe that might be a good choice? Thanks!
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Thank you @PeaveyPlayer . I have Peavey classic combos unfortunately finding a lefty Peavey bass is nearly impossible!
Exactly ... aiming to install a Pope 3-band preamp to work with a couple of Fender Super 55 split coil pickups (slightly overwound noiseless jazz bass pickups) ... will this be a good match or something else should be installed with these pickups?
My advice would be to check out the public peace / maruszczyk YouTube Channel. Lots of demos of different Pickups and preamp (-combinations) recorded completely flat and Always comparing active vs passive. There you can really find what sounds good to you and how a certain preamp influences the Tone...
public peace - YouTube
I learned that i don't like the Glockenklang preamp, for example... And the sadowsky Just sounds great to my ears.
public peace - YouTube
I learned that i don't like the Glockenklang preamp, for example... And the sadowsky Just sounds great to my ears.
No .. you're good my mind does similair things and PC has gone way to far.
I've had these pickups in several of my builds and have it in 2 of mine now. The best preamps I've seen paired with the Nordstrand DC pickups is the Nordstrand 3 band pre and the Aguilar OBP-3. I actually like the Aguilar the best but both sound amazing paired with the DC pickups.
I use an ACG EQ-01 in my 5 and an OBP-3 in my 4, both with P/J pup's. I'm going to build another 4 and load it with P/P and use Klaus Noll TCM 3P. As Philly said "taste and choice" and budget!
Seeing that my Fender Marcus 5 string has only treble and bass tone controls, does that mean I can only use an Aguilar OBP-2 without any mods as opposed to using an OBP-3, which will require mods?Thanks.
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