lowregisterhead Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 I'm looking for a bit of general guidance on whether a different preamp will really be able to change the sonic character of a bass, in this case a Status S2 5-string thru-neck. The bass is lovely to play, sits really nicely, and I like the look and general ergonomics of the instrument. However, regardless of how I fiddle with the eq, it has a high-mid bark that I can't seem to dial out, and getting a clear, glassy top end out if it seems to be beyond the capabilities of the current preamp (an 18v 302 board). Is it worth fitting, say, a John East Uni-Pre (I've had several different East preamps and they've all been great) or would I be wasting my time & money? All advice gratefully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Passinwind Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 [quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1481327158' post='3191623'] I'm looking for a bit of general guidance on whether a different preamp will really be able to change the sonic character of a bass, in this case a Status S2 5-string thru-neck. The bass is lovely to play, sits really nicely, and I like the look and general ergonomics of the instrument. However, regardless of how I fiddle with the eq, it has a high-mid bark that I can't seem to dial out, and getting a clear, glassy top end out if it seems to be beyond the capabilities of the current preamp (an 18v 302 board). Is it worth fitting, say, a John East Uni-Pre (I've had several different East preamps and they've all been great) or would I be wasting my time & money? All advice gratefully received! [/quote] Have you tried changing string type yet? I went through two pickup replacements and two aftermarket preamps plus one DIY one in a similar scenario (too dark in my case though) before I finally got around to trying that. The third preamp did help a lot, but the strings probably made even more difference, and starting there might have gotten me close enough to what I wanted to not bother trying all those other tweaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Passinwind' timestamp='1481351356' post='3191666'] Have you tried changing string type yet? I went through two pickup replacements and two aftermarket preamps plus one DIY one in a similar scenario (too dark in my case though) before I finally got around to trying that. The third preamp did help a lot, but the strings probably made even more difference, and starting there might have gotten me close enough to what I wanted to not bother trying all those other tweaks. [/quote] A very good point, and not one I had really considered. When I bought the bass, I just stuck on a set of my favourite make and gauge of strings - D'Addario EXL170-5 Nickels, 45/65/85/100/130. Status's own Hotwire string range doesn't even include Nickel strings, only steel. Perhaps I should try a set in a lighter gauge... [edit]... but I remember now trying some years ago when I had a headless and I didn't care for them, they felt rougher and much more 'grabby' than the D'Addarios. Edited December 11, 2016 by lowregisterhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 [quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1481495785' post='3192752'] A very good point, and not one I had really considered. When I bought the bass, I just stuck on a set of my favourite make and gauge of strings - D'Addario EXL170-5 Nickels, 45/65/85/100/130. Status's own Hotwire string range doesn't even include Nickel strings, only steel. Perhaps I should try a set in a lighter gauge... [edit]... but I remember now trying some years ago when I had a headless and I didn't care for them, they felt rougher and much more 'grabby' than the D'Addarios. [/quote] Try a set of the Hot Wire 'Half Rounds'. I find the Hot Wire Rounds a bit aggressive and moved over to the halfs on my Streamline a few years back (40s - 100s). I find them a fair bit smoother but they still have plenty of top end. I've since put these on my MM with similar good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted December 15, 2016 Author Share Posted December 15, 2016 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1481817464' post='3195431'] Try a set of the Hot Wire 'Half Rounds'. I find the Hot Wire Rounds a bit aggressive and moved over to the halfs on my Streamline a few years back (40s - 100s). I find them a fair bit smoother but they still have plenty of top end. I've since put these on my MM with similar good results. [/quote] Thanks, I'll look into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 Disappointed to report that an experiment in lighter gauge steels (Swing Bass SM665) came quickly unstuck today when the B string was as dead as a flabby rubber band straight out of the pack, the very same reason I stopped using Rotosounds in the 80's... quickly put the old D'Addarios back on again, normal service resumed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowregisterhead Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 East Uni-Pre has arrived. I'll post again once it's fitted if anyone's interested! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted January 29, 2017 Share Posted January 29, 2017 (edited) Please do update. I swapped out the pre on my Status Series 1 for an Aguilar OBP3 with active/passive switching and switchable mid point too. Sounds incredible and passive is lovely, so is having a mid control too! Edited January 29, 2017 by dyerseve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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