Hellzero

If you don't like the transparency of the original Glockenklang preamp, put a Bartolini preamp instead or, even if @HazBeen doesn't recommend it, an Aguilar will certainly suit your taste (too much of everything). That said, the bass was designed to be used with the stock pickups and preamp...

My BB2025X that will soon be in the classifieds.

Used to be owned by a 3 arms guitar player, who needed a full stereo setup. 😁

They are as rare as hen's teeth. 😁 Will make the ad this week...

Don't look any further, buy my BB2025X ! You won't find any better 5 strings P/J bass on the market...

The NE5532 (or 5534) is still used today in high end hi-fi because it's simply a reference and a really musical opamp... When I had my DAC construction syndrome, I found it was certainly one of the best opamp, if not the best. And it has a 600 Ohms output load, so perfect for studio gear like lots of Neve studio channel strips. And, by the way, a 12AX7 tube dates back to 1947 and is still a reference today....

In the preamp, the unknown opamp is the buffer/adapter for the high impedance jack input that goes to the rectangular transformer (relay switching for direct coupling of the balanced XLR). The middle circular thing is the coil for the EQ (multiple outputs). The right one is the oversized toroidal power transformer. The upper left rectangular plastic thing is the DI transformer. All metal coverings look like Mu-metal... So a no compromise conception indeed.

@LukeFRC : If you have the complete schematic of the Hellborg preamp, please share it. Here are the guts of if :

Super, the unbalanced jack goes into a buffer/impedance adapter and then to the transformer. This preamp is really well thought. Here is what the manual says : "The centre piece of the “Hellborg Amp System” is the Preamp. The input is a combined ¼”/XLR jack providing both low (XLR) and high (¼”) impedance. The input jack is followed by an input transformer. This imparts galvanic signal isolation and the sweetness for which good transformers are known." No need for your Millennia TD-1, you can give it to me. Don't worry, I'll pay the shipping fee. 🤣

This is what the schematic is saying, but as it's a simplified version, I would trust it. Why, simply because of the input impedance matching. Let me take a look at the manual again...

That could be an idea...

It's also missing Peaveytifortyensis Ugliensis.

I'm doing the same as you : no EQ.

The input transformer is for the XLR as it's a combo input. You can read a schematic the right way. 😁

Nice Q-Tuner first edition ! 👍 I still have a pair of these first generation fantastic Q-Tuner's that will be fitted on my new Leduc U-Basse 6 fretless ordered last year that I should get by the end of this year...

Quoting myself as people don't seem to read. 😁😁😁

Yes, that's it.

Played one of a friend last week and it's a really good bass. I usually don't like neck pickups on Jazz Basses, but on this one it sounded simply terrific. In fact I played all of the rehearsal only with this neck pickup, using the detent tone to vary the sound to suit the music (fusion and a bit of pop). The bridge pickup is very good, but too conventional. A player's bass for sure. About the neck, I preferred it to the typical Nothing in the Hand Jazz Bass usual neck. 😉

Still have this :