Ibanez preamp died

[davegriffiths91]

Hey guys.

I was playing an Ibanez Sr506 out on my last contract but unfortunately the preamp has died. I took it to my local guitar shop and they have confirmed it’s definitely the preamp and that Ibanez no longer have these preamps available to replace it. So basically I need get a preamp to replace it.

I got the bass for dirt cheap from Facebook so I don't really want to invest a lot into it, the John East, Aguilar etc route isn't really viable for me.

My question is, are there any cheap 3 band pre amps with pickup blend out there?

Cheers

Dave

[Dad3353]

2 minutes ago, davegriffiths91 said:

...My question is, are there any cheap 3 band pre amps with pickup blend out there?...

I tried 'bass preamp 3-band blend' in an Ebay.co.uk search, and found loads. I had to change a preamp on a bass a while back, and bought a fairly inexpensive one from Ebay. It works just fine. Is it as good as an East preamp..? Probably not, but it does exactly what I wanted it to do, no problem.

Hope this helps.

[davegriffiths91]

Just now, Dad3353 said:

I tried 'bass preamp 3-band blend' in an Ebay.co.uk search, and found loads. I had to change a preamp on a bass a while back, and bought a fairly inexpensive one from Ebay. It works just fine. Is it as good as an East preamp..? Probably not, but it does exactly what I wanted it to do, no problem.

Hope this helps.

I did the same and found the Artec ones coming up alot. 

Is this the same one you got?

 

[Dad3353]

11 minutes ago, davegriffiths91 said:

I did the same and found the Artec ones coming up alot. 

Is this the same one you got?

I'm afraid I can't remember for sure, but the name seems familiar (old age, you see..!  ). At such prices, though, it's really not much of a financial risk. It's more the hassle of installation, but I found my one to be easy enough, and wouldn't have baulked if it had turned out to be less good than it did.

[charic]

Budget?

Also might be worth putting something in a wanted on here, you never know what people have knocking around!

 

[davegriffiths91]

The cheaper the better!

[Ghost_Bass]

Artec are cheap preamps but with some quality. If you want the price low they're your best bet. Keep an eye on the sales thread for a better preamp, used.

[kodiakblair]

Decent preamp are Artecs. Got a couple in the drawer and 1 in a Peavey T-40. I've also used the Ming/Belcat ones sold on eBay for £8 - £10,they do the job just fine but I've had the shaft pull free from the pot when changing knobs so if you fit one ? Leave well alone afterwards 

[mcnach]

4 hours ago, davegriffiths91 said:

Hey guys.

I was playing an Ibanez Sr506 out on my last contract but unfortunately the preamp has died. I took it to my local guitar shop and they have confirmed it’s definitely the preamp and that Ibanez no longer have these preamps available to replace it. So basically I need get a preamp to replace it.

I got the bass for dirt cheap from Facebook so I don't really want to invest a lot into it, the John East, Aguilar etc route isn't really viable for me.

My question is, are there any cheap 3 band pre amps with pickup blend out there?

Cheers

Dave

 

If you want dirt cheap... on AliExpress they have some for $5-$10 (yes, that little)... I tried one and it definitely does the job. 

 

edit: I can't vouch for their longevity 'though  mine worked when I sold the bass...

Edited January 5, 2018 by mcnach

[Woodinblack]

Might get one of those for the iceman. Is it heavy? I am guessing it isn't. Could do with something that weighs a few pounds in the tail of the iceman!

[kodiakblair]

11 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Might get one of those for the iceman. Is it heavy? I am guessing it isn't. Could do with something that weighs a few pounds in the tail of the iceman!

If you mean the Artec it's a meaty 48g inc 9v battery but the Ming is heavier at 55g with battery,

[bazzbass]

lol 48g, the battery would be most of that

 

I wanted a new loaded control plate for my SX Jazz, guitarist mate said to buy the cheap Chinese ones

 

BUT.....THAT'S....WHAT'S...IN....THERE.....NOW   lol

[kodiakblair]

Aye. but I got those weights wrong think 68g & 75g are closer,battery is 20g. A right heavy preamp is my Noll at 200g inc 2x 9v batteries.

Think the 3 concentric pots and ribbon cable account for most of that. Pots are huge 

[Woodinblack]

I picked up 2 of the Artec preamps - they look pretty good.

I got one for the iceman (not for the weight though!), so I can have vol / balance / bass-treble (but mainly so I can have a preamp).

Then it occurred to me, I have a sr5005 which had the original 3v electronics where the treble stops working (as it does everywhere I can see on the net about it). I might as well replace the board which I was looking to fix with something else, and the Artec preamps look about the same build as the original, so I got a 3 band one for that, and I will just use the 4th control for nothing (or maybe a passive tone).