Need a new preamp

[Prime_BASS]

As above really. Want a replacement pre-amp to go into this fender American deluxe bass I have. 

I'd like to keep it as it is really but not have to do any work so want a drop in sort of job. 

So it's volume, blend, stacked bass treble, mids and then the Jack is on the side. Also for it to run, 9 and 18 volts, and maybe a passive mode too of possible.

Ideally don't want to be soldering in any pots and just either clip in the pickups or solder the pickups in. Easy peasy.

A quick look through bass direct and most seem to require a lot of work to get on the bass.

[geoffbyrne]

John East,  check out his site.  www.east-uk.com/

 

G.

[BassBunny]

+1 for any of the East Jazz pre-amps. Easy Peazy to fit and no soldering.

[mcnach]

Yup... John East.

If any of his products sounds about right but you would just like it a little different... just contact him and tell him what you're after. He's pretty accommodating, within reason. If you're just talking about a simple mod and nor a redesign of the preamp  he'll probably do it for you.

[djc63]

I would recommend the east preamps too, I have 4 currently fitted to basses. But what's wrong with what you have? Aren't they already great sounding basses?

[dannybuoy]

I always felt the deluxe/elite models with the noiseless pickups sounded a bit lifeless. If yours has those fitted I would be looking at changing those before the pre.

[HazBeen]

4 hours ago, dannybuoy said:

I always felt the deluxe/elite models with the noiseless pickups sounded a bit lifeless. If yours has those fitted I would be looking at changing those before the pre.

Absolutely, pups before pre.

[geoffbyrne]

You're welcome!

G.

[Dan Dare]

East make an excellent product, but I felt the J Retro I fitted to my J bass, whilst being super clean and having more of everything than the passive set-up, robbed the instrument of some of its essential character. In the end, I sold it and went back to passive. I'd certainly agree with others above who recommend trying different pickups first before changing the pre'.

[dannybuoy]

Check out the first couple of minutes of this video and notice how dull the Deluxe and Elite sound compared to the Flea. I think a lot of this is down to the noiseless pickups as they will either be split humbuckers or carry a dummy coil, both of which can mute your high end, or so I believe!

 

Edited April 3, 2018 by dannybuoy

[Hellzero]

East is good choice, especially the SPM02 which to me is his best preamp, but out of stock for the moment. And don't forget the Aguilar OBP-3 which can bring life to the Noiseless pickups. Delano, Noll and Richter should be considered too, but you'll need a soldering iron just like for any Aguilar...

Forget the Pope Flexcore with these pickups as it's the most transparent preamp to date. Same for the Glockenklang.

Here is a J-Retro 01 at a good price as it's new :