Bypassing on board preamp

[Greggo]

Hi,

I've recent bought a Vintage est96 stingray copy which comes with a 3 band active equal on board which, if I'm honest, is not that great. It lacks clarity and a few people have complained about it when reading reviews. A recommended mod is to pull preamp and wire each coil to it's own volume control. I'm debating doing this but I'm not that savvy with electronics unless got a good idea how to do it.

Anyone done this before and got any pointers? Do I need to get new pots as well?

Cheers.

[BassBus]

Why not consider one of the John East MM preamps. No soldering needed. Just take the wires from the pickup and put them in the screw terminals.

[url="http://www.east-uk.com/"]http://www.east-uk.com/[/url]

[Greggo]

No soldering? Bonus! Only thing is the cost at the moment...

[BassPimp66]

I got a John East preamp for my Jazz Bass and it was super easy to install.
Actually, it was the easiest thing I ever installed.

[Greggo]

Cool, I may save the pennies and look into it. Its a tussle between pickup replacement or preamp firstly - which is likely to improve tonality?

[Greggo]

Just seen this on internet, a stingray preamp for £41 sounds like a bargain? Is this the real deal?
[url="http://www.ernieball.co.uk/products/productdetail/part_number=M05400/574.1.4.3?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&os=googleshopping"]http://www.ernieball.co.uk/products/productdetail/part_number=M05400/574.1.4.3?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&os=googleshopping[/url]

[Greggo]

In regards to original question does anyone know how to bypass pre-amp? Would still like to do this in meantime - whilst the idea of a new preamp is tempting haven't got £150 spare at present

[gjones]

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1350287851' post='1836699']
Just seen this on internet, a stingray preamp for £41 sounds like a bargain? Is this the real deal?
[url="http://www.ernieball.co.uk/products/productdetail/part_number=M05400/574.1.4.3?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&os=googleshopping"]http://www.ernieball...=googleshopping[/url]
[/quote]

This talkbass thread gives some good advice. It also mentions the pre amp you saw for £41 at the end of the thread [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/mm-pickup-basslines-bassculture-villex-156511/"]http://www.talkbass....-villex-156511/[/url]

Edited October 16, 2012 by gjones

[KiOgon]

[url="http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=musicman_passive"]http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=musicman_passive[/url]

I can make you a solderless kit if you're not so good at soldering.

Cheerz, John

[bremen]

If the pots are the same values as the EBMM, you'll need to replace them. Or have Mr KiOgon do it for you.

http://myweb.ecomplanet.com/TOWN8019/MyStorage/Pre-Amp%20Page%20Pics/N_SR4._Newer_3EQ.jpg

[Greggo]

I found out to bypass preamp in this bass - take the battery out! Actually sounds much nicer without and made me realise how the preamp is not transparent at all.

[pete.young]

You could try an Artec SE3 preamp instead - I've got one in a Bass Collection and it works well.

[Greggo]

Funny you should say that, I bought one of them and one of the circuit boards on one of the pots broke trying to install had to put Wilkinson one back in

[Fender_Greg]

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1354043497' post='1881381']
I found out to bypass preamp in this bass - take the battery out! Actually sounds much nicer without and made me realise how the preamp is not transparent at all.
[/quote]

When I take the battery out the bass dies :S