Evil Undead Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 (edited) Following on from my thread about not being happy with how my bass sounds - I've made enquiries about getting a bar retainer on my headstock to increase the string break angle, and I wanna get some new electronics stuck in while I'm at it. I think I'd like to convert my bass to active, and I'm looking for a preamp. Possibly new pickups as well, undecided on that bit. My bass currently is PJ and currently has a Dimarzio model P and a model J in. I don't know if they'll go with a preamp to be honest - any ideas? I'm looking for something versatile, where I can get a nice punchy Motown type sound, good rock pick tone, through to a good slap tone (I like my slaps massive and pops almost brittle haha, quite a severe scoop) Active/passive option would be pretty sweet too, and if it can be 3 band, even better. I'm thinking maybe stacked bass/treble, and stacked mid/pickup blend, master volume. Can anyone make some suggestions? Thanks! Edited October 8, 2017 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 (edited) Sounds like you know pretty much exactly what you want, but are just unsure which brand to go with. Bass Direct have a pretty impressive selection. http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Preamps_onboard.html Try dropping them an email to see if they've got any suggestions. If I was upgrading I'd probably go for the Aguilar OBP3,because I love their amps, they also do an external preamp/DI stomp box based on the same tech. I don't think it comes with an active/passive switch but if you get a tech to install it, they should be able to sort that out for you Edited October 8, 2017 by Cato Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Glock preamps usually have a passive tone control in the circuit when switched to passive mode, useful for the Motown requirements! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1507492888' post='3385887'] Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with? [/quote] I love how this bass feels and plays. Nothing else beats the comfort. And it's got a great feeling, stable neck, and is super light Edited October 8, 2017 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1507494161' post='3385904'] Glock preamps usually have a passive tone control in the circuit when switched to passive mode, useful for the Motown requirements! [/quote] Interesting, I never heard of them. Will research, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 John East? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Personally I think adding a pre to a bass that you don't like the tone of makes little sense. Especially a Glockenklang pre, as it is an immensly transparant pre and will in essence give you more of what is in there already. Changing pickups can achieve more, I would recommend the EMG Geezer PJ set. It made a very boring Fender come to life and transform into a great sounding PJ. Orange drop, CTS pots, switchcraft jack and hey ho. IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 [quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1507498041' post='3385939'] Personally I think adding a pre to a bass that you don't like the tone of makes little sense. Especially a Glockenklang pre, as it is an immensly transparant pre and will in essence give you more of what is in there already. Changing pickups can achieve more, I would recommend the EMG Geezer PJ set. It made a very boring Fender come to life and transform into a great sounding PJ. Orange drop, CTS pots, switchcraft jack and hey ho. IMO [/quote] I definitely see where you're coming from. The thing I don't like about the tone is the overtones on the E (and a little on the A) and I think the retainer will help that a lot. I'm possibly interested in changing pickups as well, but I miss that active 'bite' so I'm dead set on a preamp as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 (edited) Looks like the J Tone might cover everything I want. What pickups might go nicely with that? Edited October 8, 2017 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Start with the current pickups, then if not happy try others.... like the EMG Geezers But a J Tone being a good match for a PJ? I would ask John East what he thinks, he generally is really open about what in his opinion is a good match. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 [quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1507492888' post='3385887'] Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with? [/quote] My thoughts too. Potentially, you're looking at throwing £££ at replacing the guts of your existing bass (whatever it is and because it plays nicely) and in truth you're probably never going to be 100% happy. You're saying you want active EQ, thump, decent pick tone, brittle slap etc. Just buy a Stingray or a Euro Spector NS. Job done really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1507531269' post='3386006'] My thoughts too. Potentially, you're looking at throwing £££ at replacing the guts of your existing bass (whatever it is and because it plays nicely) and in truth you're probably never going to be 100% happy. You're saying you want active EQ, thump, decent pick tone, brittle slap etc. Just buy a Stingray or a Euro Spector NS. Job done really. [/quote] Unfortunately neither of those come in a short scale, and I have chronic hand/wrist trouble, so that's off the cards unfortunately. This is the only bass I'm able to play comfortably, and the only one that's kept me being able to play tbh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1507534193' post='3386032'] Unfortunately neither of those come in a short scale, and I have chronic hand/wrist trouble, so that's off the cards unfortunately. This is the only bass I'm able to play comfortably, and the only one that's kept me being able to play tbh [/quote] You didn't mention short scale was an issue and you're wrong, Spector do make a short-scale model. You still haven't said what this mystery bass is either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1507495168' post='3385914'] I love how this bass feels and plays. Nothing else beats the comfort. And it's got a great feeling, stable neck, and is super light [/quote] It wont be as light if you go active and do all the other changes you want. Give the active Chowney a try. Edited October 9, 2017 by mikel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1507539378' post='3386067'] You didn't mention short scale was an issue and you're wrong, Spector do make a short-scale model. You still haven't said what this mystery bass is either. [/quote] you said a Euro spector, which doesn't come in a short scale so I'm not wrong thanks haha I posted my bass in my other thread, referred to in the OP of this one, but I'll add a pic here as well EDIT- and I mentioned that I'm a short scale only player in my other thread as well Edited October 9, 2017 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 [attachment=255273:post-14417-0-10437700-1507403969.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 Now that really [i]is [/i]short scale..! ... ... Edit: Ah, now I see it with my specs on; it's just a trick of the perspective. D'oh..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 Hahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 It sounds like you want a generally clean sound, in that case I would definitely be looking at EMGs personally Find a bass in a shop equipped with pickups you'd like to try and see what they sound like maybe the easiest way to test without losing a tonne of money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 You're getting a luthier to look at the neck and break-angle. If I were you I'd wait and see what he does and how it is after he's finished. You could try a plug-in pre-amp. You can then use it on other basses. Yet, Mowtown sound was done with a pretty basic P-bass. No fancy stuff back then. James Jamerson played a P-bass with dead flats. Have you got both pups going? Maybe try turning to using only the neck P-pup. Try some flats, if you haven't already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 I'd be looking at setup/strings/nut for your issues. Wouldn't be swapping out pickups or adding a pre without that as the issue could remain. Also I'd question whether you need a pre for the flexibility you're after. Pick tone and motown sound are both achievable with a P pickup and tone control. Add in bridge pickup and maybe a switchable EQ curve (pedal) and you're sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 Sorry for the delay guys, work has been mental this week so far! [quote name='charic' timestamp='1507552816' post='3386257'] It sounds like you want a generally clean sound, in that case I would definitely be looking at EMGs personally Find a bass in a shop equipped with pickups you'd like to try and see what they sound like maybe the easiest way to test without losing a tonne of money [/quote] That's not a bad idea, thanks [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1507553208' post='3386264'] You're getting a luthier to look at the neck and break-angle. If I were you I'd wait and see what he does and how it is after he's finished. You could try a plug-in pre-amp. You can then use it on other basses. Yet, Mowtown sound was done with a pretty basic P-bass. No fancy stuff back then. James Jamerson played a P-bass with dead flats. Have you got both pups going? Maybe try turning to using only the neck P-pup. Try some flats, if you haven't already? [/quote] I was mostly using the Motown sound as an example of the kind of versatility I'm after. I like all sorts of tones really. I'm trying to learn slap as well and only have the one bass so flats wouldn't be for me I think. Plug in preamp is interesting. This might be a silly question but do they do the same thing as the onboard ones? [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1507563406' post='3386367'] I'd be looking at setup/strings/nut for your issues. Wouldn't be swapping out pickups or adding a pre without that as the issue could remain. Also I'd question whether you need a pre for the flexibility you're after. Pick tone and motown sound are both achievable with a P pickup and tone control. Add in bridge pickup and maybe a switchable EQ curve (pedal) and you're sorted. [/quote] I get you. I definitely want to sort the break angle issue first, as you say, it might be perfect after that. But, that said, I do miss the little bit of extra "bite" of my old active basses, and I miss not having one any more really. And I'm gonna look for a preamp with a passive bypass so I've got passive when I want it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1507655099' post='3387029'] I was mostly using the Motown sound as an example of the kind of versatility I'm after. I like all sorts of tones really. I'm trying to learn slap as well and only have the one bass so flats wouldn't be for me I think. Plug in preamp is interesting. This might be a silly question but do they do the same thing as the onboard ones? I get you. I definitely want to sort the break angle issue first, as you say, it might be perfect after that. But, that said, I do miss the little bit of extra "bite" of my old active basses, and I miss not having one any more really. And I'm gonna look for a preamp with a passive bypass so I've got passive when I want it as well. [/quote] What I use, if I want one is a Zoom B3. It has a number of pre-amps built in. To me, they seem to do all I can imagine I'd want. That said I normally use an EQ set flat. So it would be better to get other people's views on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leschirons Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1507657117' post='3387046'] What I use, if I want one is a Zoom B3. It has a number of pre-amps built in. To me, they seem to do all I can imagine I'd want. That said I normally use an EQ set flat. So it would be better to get other people's views on this. [/quote] Sounds sensible way to go. Get the bass set up first, buy a s/h Zoom etc. It's what I use too and when I need to bypass, I just hit "tuner" it'll have probably 90% of what you want in the presets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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