Do I Need To Change My Preamp If I Change The Pickups

In this article, we want to help you:

1. Gain an agreement of the considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a preamp.
2. Get the tone you are seeking by adding a preamp to your bass or replacing your current preamp.

Often players start the search for a new preamp by comparing brands, looking for reviews, watching videos, etc.

Of course, these are all good steps in your enquiry, just there are a number of "nuts and bolts" factors which need to be considered outset. Earlier yous go to the "subjective" points of a preamp, such equally tone, it is of import to consider some "objective" factors.

Let'southward go to it ->

The Goal Of Calculation (Or Irresolute) A Preamp To Your Bass.

What are yous looking to practise by putting in a new preamp?

Generally, there are 2 primary reasons why you may notice yourself wanting to put in a new preamp.

Seeking Your Dream Tone. You lot are not lovin' the electric current audio of your bass. The electric current preamp or electronics is affecting the sound in a negative way or y'all want to add specific parts of the frequency spectrum (more than bass, less mid, etc…). Lesser line - you want to gain more command of your bass's tone, and your current electronics practise not offer all of the tonal shaping possibilities (like adding/subtracting treble, mid, or bass) that yous desire to get your dream tone.
Your Current Electronics are on the Fritz. Something is not working correctly in the control cavity. It could exist that the preamp has begun to malfunction or it'southward just that a potentiometer needs to be replaced. Many players detect the silver lining in this situation and see it as an opportunity to try a new preamp that has the functionality or tone that they see equally lacking in their current setup.

Going from Passive to Active - Why apply an Agile Preamp?

What does one proceeds specifically past having an active preamp?

For years, the majority of basses sold in music stores didn't have agile preamps. These basses typically had a unproblematic passive treble curl off circuit. This setup gives some corporeality of tonal command, only is definitely minimal.

Active circuits (preamps) that take the ability to boost/cut certain parts of the frequency spectrum tin open up up a lot of tones. Manufacturers accept designed their active control circuits in the most musical way that they believe volition benefit the tone of a bass.

Consider your EQ on your bass amp, car stereo, home system. Oft you demand to punch in a fleck more bass, dorsum off on the mid, etc..

That extra tone control is what is gained with an on board preamp. And the command is right at the bass. Easy to tweak even while playing.

The change is often dramatic....making the bass sound like a completely different instrument.

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So, allow's take a look first at the objective criteria to keep in mind when you're looking for a new bass preamp…

1. Cavity Infinite: What room is currently available in the electronics cavity?

If your bass currently has a preamp, chances are you have the infinite needed to fit in a dissimilar preamp. However, if your bass has three or less control potentiometers and no preamp, the situation may be dissimilar….but let's non get alee of ourselves.

We are really considering the size/shape of the electronics cavity hither. Some manufacturers road the bass's cavities spaciously, leaving plenty of open space for additional controls…., On the other hand, some manufacturers create a channel that barely fits the pots that they intend to put into the bass.

As a player, you lot demand to make up one's mind if you want to maintain the current layout of knobs and switches or if you lot are willing to add new holes. About preamp configurations accept multiple potentiometers (Quick definition - potentiometers are the controls that reside within your bass and are controlled past your knobs) to command the EQ of the preamp as well as control the blending of pickups and master book, for basses which have two pickups. When thinking about purchasing a preamp that has more controls (potentiometers or switches) than the number of holes currently in the bass, keep in mind that you will demand to drill additional hole(s) or use a stacked potentiometer. Adding boosted holes is non a hard task if you are handy with tools or have a tech that can drill the hole for you. Many players will have a tech do the total installation of a preamp, and in that case, you tin can have them drill the extra holes needed for the new preamp.

When because a new preamp, you demand to be certain that all of the following components tin fit in your electronics cavity:

Preamp Modules (Not all module are created equal...some are bigger than others)
Battery(s)
Potentiometers
Switches (if needed)
Wires

Sometimes a bass's electronics cavity is surprisingly small. In these tight situations, here are a couple tricks to assistance a preamp to fit.

Try putting the bombardment on the back of a unmarried potentiometer. Use foam effectually the battery to keep information technology from bouncing around
Effort putting the preamp on the back of a single potentiometer. Double stick tape can keep it in identify. Be conscientious to non crimp wires
If the jack is currently on the confront of the bass, try moving it to the side, and in order to gratis upward an actress hole on the face of your bass

ii. Number of Knobs & Switches and using Stacked Pots/Controls

The easiest installs are those that don't crave drilling holes in the bass for new controls. By and large, when we are asked for recommendations, we try to suggest a solution that doesn't require calculation new holes. On a brand new bass build, the heaven can be the limit, but when retrofitting, we exercise accept some ways to avoid drilling new holes in some situations. Stacked pots are a dandy solution for a lot of basses.

Stacked controls apply a single potentiometer for 2 contained functions. Call back Treble/Bass or Book/Book. For usa bass players, this is a space saving characteristic that is pretty peachy.

Let's say your electric current (two pickup) bass has 4 knobs (Book, Blend, Tone1, Tone2) and you want to install a 3 band preamp.

A 3 ring preamp for a 2 pickup bass will have v controls, (one possible configuration could be Volume, Blend, Treble, Mid and Bass). Most probable you lot'll want to use ii of your four holes for your Volume and Alloy controls, leaving y'all two spots (holes) left. For your remaining controls (Treble, Mid, Bass), You lot tin either drill another hole to get a total of five holes for the potentiometers, or y'all can utilise a stacked potentiometer.

The stacked potentiometer volition take two split up controls on it. In the example of 2 and 3 ring preamps, this stacked control will usually be the treble and bass. Each work independently of each other, but the controls are wired to the same physical potentiometer.

three. Battery Voltage: Should I apply ix or xviii Volts in my circuit?

The standard battery that is found with about all preamps is a 9 volt bombardment. A few circuits require two 9 Volt batteries (making 18V), but on the whole, most preamps work with either a single 9 volt or two 9 volts, (making information technology an 18 volt circuit).

So… which is meliorate?

Is there an advantage of an 18 volts powered preamp?

Does the onetime adage "More is Better" apply here?

In the case of bass preamps, the answer is Yes, but simply marginally and so.

With 18 volts, the preamp has a better signal to racket ratio. Essentially, there will be less baloney (dissonance) when boosting the point of your treble, mid and/or bass knobs. That existence said, almost players volition not hear the difference. Certainly, if a manufacturer specifies 18 volts, then apply 18 volts…but if they specify that nine or eighteen volts tin be used, you are probably fine using a unmarried nine volt.

If you're facing a space crunch in your electronics cavity, y'all have ii choices: Use a unmarried nine volt battery or add route a pigsty for a battery compartment. More often than not, just using the infinite bachelor and installing a single 9 volt will serve you well. The "more is better" approach may not necessarily be worth the extra endeavour of adding a hole for a battery box.

four. Active-Passive Control - What is Active/Passive switching, and do I need it?

Some preamps come up preconfigured with an independent switch or a push button/pull potentiometer (usually establish on the book) that will route the indicate through the preamp or bypass the preamp. This is called the Agile/Passive switch.

Equally a mode to illustrate this idea, consider a mutual signal path in a bass with a preamp:
Pickups -> Blend Pot -> Volume Pot -> Preamp - > Jack

The bypassed (or passive) signal path would look similar this:
Pickups -> Blend Pot -> Volume Pot - > Jack

Essentially, a histrion would exist able to control the blend of their pickups (if a multi pickup bass) and the book, merely have no tone controls.

And so, you may exist asking…

Why would anyone go to the expense of installing a preamp if they were going to utilise information technology in passive mode?

A couple situations come to mind. I have experienced both of them and I'm sure many players can relate.

ane - Inconvenient battery decease: Picture yourself on a gig or in a rehearsal. You are playing with a ring, and notice tone distortion or a lowering of volume. Your bombardment could be dying. If you lot have the power to bypass the preamp, you can engage that bypass and then keep playing until your next break when you can modify the battery, or just leave your bass in passive way until the gig is over. Many players preemptively alter their preamp's battery on a weekly or bi-weekly footing…depending on how often they play. If this doesn't sounds like you lot, or you just desire another backup plan, you may want to have the Active/Passive switch in your preamp.

ii - Engineer'south preference: More than once, when in the studio, I have been asked to play my bass flat, with no preamp or tone alteration. Many engineers prefer a apartment signal, so that they tin can adjust it in their mixing procedure later. It may non exist the tone that y'all are accustomed to hearing live, only, the engineer volition dial information technology in later.

5. Mix and Match - Do I need a specific preamp for specific pickups?

Commonly, no. You can employ a set of Nordstrand pickups with a Bartolini preamp, Aguilar pickups with a John East preamp, etc…. The one caveat to this is using EMG active pickups. We recommend using an EMG Bass preamp with EMG pickups. They are built for each other in a manner that the other pickups and preamps are not. Information technology is possible to use EMG pickups with other preamps, simply there are some other considerations. Drib us a line if you lot need to do that.

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Of course, findingthe tone is not all about practical, objective factors. At that place are a number of subjective factors at play as well. Let's go through a few to give you something to think about.

1. More Book - Should I expect an increase in volume/output with a preamp?

Some players look to get a preamp only to increase the output of their bass. This ordinarily is possible, just shouldn't be the main goal of changing or adding a preamp (to a passive bass).

Most preamps, with their EQ controls prepare apartment, will have petty to no result on the tone of the musical instrument, including the volume. Of course, there are always exceptions - see beneath *. When the EQ pots are turned up and boosting, then you'll get increased volume. This is happening, nevertheless, with a boost of the signal within the frequency range that is being boosted. Boosting bass frequencies volition have the biggest effect, then mid, then treble (in near cases).

*Some preamps (Nordstrand, Bartolini, others) have a trim pot for the overall output. These preamps can raise the overall output. In that case, a preamp with it'due south EQ pots ready flat tin have more or less output than the bass would otherwise accept fifty-fifty though the EQ controls are gear up flat.

ii. 2 Band VS 3 Ring?

Aside from spatial considerations, the 2 vs iii band question is largely 1 of deciding whether yous desire the ability to arrange the mid range frequencies. Two ring preamps have the ability to adjust treble and bass, whereas 3 band preamps have treble, mid and bass adaptable frequency ranges.

Personally, I similar to add just a touch of mid to about basses when playing with a ring. I find that it helps the bass sit a niggling closer to the front of the mix. In full general, the price deviation between a ii and iii band preamp is not that much, and for me it is worth it.

Information technology really depends on whether you need the mid adjustment or not.

Consider the settings on your amplifier that you are already using and employ that to help guide your determination.

3. Heave Only, or Boost & Cutting?

At that place are a few preamps available with EQ controls that are boost only...Aguilar'due south OBP1, Sadowsky'due south On Board Preamp, Nordstrand's 2B+ are a few of the leading examples. Almost other preamps, both 2 ring and 3 band accept both boost & cut.

Opinions (on both sides) are fairly strong equally to whether it is better to have both boost & cut or boost only.

By in large, players tend to heave more than cut. That being said, most of united states of america have probably played basses where it is nice to coil off the treble or mid control a flake, depending on the bass itself, the amp or the room in which we are playing. For that reason, I prefer to use a preamp that has both heave & cut command. Boost & Cut preamps account for the vast majority or preamps sold.

For the players who accept a stiff leaning towards a boost only preamp, they are able to go the sound they like, without needing to cut frequency at the bass. Some may simply like the boost-handling (frequencies or frequency curves) of a particular preamp and they don't see the cede of the ability to cut every bit a detriment.

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Thoughts on Installation

Now that you lot've got an arsenal of information to assist you in your search for a preamp to requite your bass the tone you take in your head, there are a few parting thoughts we wanted to leave yous with. Of form, not every bass player has the skills of a tech....And then what exercise you do when the preamp arrives in your mailbox?

1. Shielding

Quite honestly, shielding could be a carve up article on its own. That being said, if you are changing your bass'due south electronics, information technology is a good time to evaluate the shielding and install it if necessary. For that reason, permit'south hash out it here - equally installing shielding tape is quickly done if the electronics are already out (or coming out) of the bass.

Shielding a bass electronics cavity

In near college end instruments, you will notice shielding record, rather than a painted cavity. In general, shielding record merely works amend. The pigment is probably better than nothing, but it is the "go to" of mass manufacturing operations because it is quick. In our years of working with basses, we have normally solved RF interference bug in a bass past installing shielding record over shielding pigment.

If your bass doesn't accept shielding tape in the cavity, consider putting some in when y'all install a new preamp. It is non expensive, takes 10-20 minutes, and well worth the effort.

2. Tech Requirements - Practise I need a Tech to install a preamp?

Obviously, this will depend on your experience and expertise with wiring/soldering in general, as well equally your familiarity with circuits for basses/guitars. By no means, practice you lot need to be a professional person tech to install a new preamp, but having the power to solder cleanly is necessary.

A couple preamps, notably EMG Bass Preamps, have a modular system that is a bit "plug and play" oriented. EMG has built in quick connections for the pickups to claw upwards to EMG preamps. John East J Retro Preamps have a wire terminal on the preamp circuit board that allows for screwing down the pickup wires.

Near all other preamps require the pickup wires to be soldered to the preamp's wiring harness, usually at the blend or book pot. Depending on your bass, you may as well need to wire to an existing battery box and to the jack (if the jack is a barrel or non-standard manner jack)

Using a tech volition often save you lot some time and frustration if your soldering and troubleshooting skills are not loftier. When calling around to techs, ask if they have much feel installing active electronics in basses. Some do not. Frequently a tech can sort it out on the commencement go, but like whatever profession, there are a variety of skill levels in practice.

Some preamps do not come wired into a configuration with the controls/preamp module/battery/jack connected. Aguilar does not wire upwardly their on-board bass preamps at the manufactory. Aguilar preamps are almost commonly sold in this "not pre-wired" condition, nonetheless, we do offer an Aguilar bass preamp pre-wire service.

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Which Bass Preamp isTheAll-time?

Making declarative statements nearly the various brands of preamps is non what this article is near. Writing a post on the 'All-time Preamp Brands' or 'Top 10 On Board Bass Preamps' may get some views, but we'd be breaching boundaries of intellectual honesty with those kinds of articles.

Nosotros are all different...our musical styles are dissimilar. Beyond that, even the needs of a particular bass is dissimilar.

We have personally installed countless Aguilar, ACG, Audere, Bartolini, E, EMG, Noll, Glockenklang, Delano, Mike Pope, Nordstrand Audio, Seymour Duncan and other preamps.

These engineers/designers all know what they are doing and create great products.

But however, what do players beloved about specific preamps?

Below are some quick anecdotes that we have gathered over the years. This list covers what we currently carry and will be amended as we add new preamps to our inventory.

Aguilar OBP1 Preamp:

Great choice if you want boost only 2 band from your preamp
"Reminded me of my Sadowsky Preamp"
18Volts is recommended to handle the headroom
"I can dial in a LOT of bass with this preamp"
Several customers prefer the lower frequency center of the treble control of this preamp (4kHz)

Aguilar OBP2 & Aguilar OBP3 Bass Preamps:

Clean & clear, several control configurations
Well loved mid frequency options
"Gave my bass some ballz"
Often seen as i of the more 'powerful' preamps...able to dial in a lot more of bass, mid and treble

Bartolini NTBT and NTMB Bass Preamps:

Capable of producing great fat, thick and circular tones
Moderately aggressive (not subtle, non overly aggressive)
Players commonly cite this preamp is being quite musical
Power to adjust the overall output of the active indicate

EMG BQS, BQC, & BTS Organisation Bass Preamps:

Easy install
Fantabulous pairing with EMG pickups
Really cuts through the mix
Popular in Spector, Modulus basses
More powerful and cleaner than a lot of stock preamps
"Brought my bass to life"

John East J Retro:

"I of the nigh profound upgrades to my Jazz Bass®!"
Rich deep tone in a pocket-size tweak
Tonally, this preamp is extremely versatile
Easy Install
"Has turned my cheapo MIM J Bass® into a killer!"
Ability to accommodate the input gain of each pickup

Nordstrand Audio Bass Preamps:

Transparent
"My bass sounds and then musical after swapping in this preamp"
Boost and cut is non overly-aggressive..information technology is "just right"
Mid boost is in the upper mid-range compared to other preamps (wired for 1kHz and 400Hz switchable)
Treble heave is in the lower treble range compared to other preamps (4kHz) making treble boost less "airy"
Power to conform the overall output of the active indicate

• • • • •

We promise this article has been informative and given you lot a place to commencement if you are anticipating installing a preamp.

Drop u.s. a line with any questions you have.

We'd honey to hear your thoughts on various preamps and installation that you accept used in your basses over the years. Delight leave your comments below: