Hoppo75 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Hiya guys. Even though I've played for nigh on 20 years, and know my precision inside out, my knowledge of electronics is absolutely limited to 'active and passive'. My jazz project is going great guns, and having just had Fender SCN's fitted pre strip down, I've been thinking about going down the 'active electronics' route as per jazz deluxe. However, I have absolutely no idea what the hell this entails, and I've been further confused but a lot of BC'ers using outboard pre's (sadowskys etc). The body hasn't any paint applied to it so now is the time to get my Luthier mate to do the necessary, but though I'd ask to see what advice was on offer here. thanks folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 It depends. There are good and bad onboard pre-amps and good and bad outboard. Onboard needs a cavity for the circuit and battery. The East preamps are designed to fit into the existing Jazz route. The very best outboard pre's such as EBS Microbass II have far more options and facilities than an onboard can ever have, but they cost a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 onboard you are stuck with it and need batteries so unplugging the cable is a must when not playing to avoid battery drain you need space routed for the gizmo ++ is you can adjust eq for each part of a song right on the bass offboard you can change the item and use mains or phantom power - - is you need to set your requirements at the unit...which can be close enough to step over and adjust personally i would say the offboard is more versatile as it can embody a graphic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 (edited) On-boards are worth having if they offer individual control of the pickups such as the ACG pre-amp which has a separate filter stack for each. Otherwise just use the controls on your amp. Edited February 1, 2009 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I've always loved onboard preamps, nothing too complicated, and you can't use things like coil tap and series/parallel switches on an outboard preamp (though do you need to have a preamp in your bass to do it?) they're relatively inexpensive anyway, and if you get an active/passive switch installed, it's just added versatility, and you could always get an outboard preamp too to compliment it. Personally, i've found a 2 band onboard pre (3 band would be nicer) and the 5 band amp EQ enough (though i would like a 7 band graphic) to be just about enough, though obviously it's about what you feel comfortable with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='397094' date='Feb 1 2009, 06:40 PM']Otherwise just use the controls on your amp.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 [quote name='budget bassist' post='397112' date='Feb 1 2009, 07:07 PM']I've always loved onboard preamps, nothing too complicated, and you can't use things like coil tap and series/parallel switches on an outboard preamp (though do you need to have a preamp in your bass to do it?) they're relatively inexpensive anyway, and if you get an active/passive switch installed, it's just added versatility, and you could always get an outboard preamp too to compliment it. Personally, i've found a 2 band onboard pre (3 band would be nicer) and the 5 band amp EQ enough (though i would like a 7 band graphic) to be just about enough, though obviously it's about what you feel comfortable with.[/quote] Coil taps and series/parallel switches have nothing to do with pre-amps, they are a function of the pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I have the Sadowsky outboard pre pedal & the basic advantage is that you can use it with any passive bass... Rich. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 onboards win it for me, largely because i just dont like passive basses. A onboard preamp with an active/passive switch is the best option any bass can have, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauster Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 A preamp is just another form of signal processor - it doesn't matter whether it's on-board or in a pedal, it does the same job and any circuit will sound the same wherever it's housed. I've been thinking of getting an ACG EQ02 and putting it in a pedal housing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr1 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 outboard. esp. if you have nice instrument, it will lower his selling price if you mess with original,say, vintage fender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Speaking as a confirmed luddite, I have to say putting batteries into guitars is just plain WRONG ;-). Electronics evolve much more quickly than instrument design. If you bought or made a great passive bass today, in twenty years time you will have a great classic bass. If you bought or made a great active bass today, in twenty years time you will have a great classic bass with outdated electronics. Keep your electronics outside the bass, and you can change them whenever something better comes along with minimum fuss. Just my 2p worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppo75 Posted February 5, 2009 Author Share Posted February 5, 2009 This all excellent stuff folks and I greatly appreciate your help. Outboard it is as I could use it with my 73 precision. Reckon I'll have a look at the EBS microbass when my guitar is finished. thx again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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