[quote name='hubrad' post='488097' date='May 14 2009, 05:14 PM']Sort of.. if the preamp is causing you problems, have you tried wiring it out so you just get the pickups alone?  
Even top notch pickups through a ropey preamp can only sound ropey! Better to have decent pups with no preamp. 
 
On my Ibanez: 
 
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44673"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44673[/url] 
 
it started with decent stock pups and stock B+T preamp. As I got a better amp, I found I used the tone controls less and less, so in the middle of one of the experimental rewires I took all the active stuff out. Way better!  
Of course I also kept experimenting with pickups,  , which is maybe why I just played the one bass for so many years. EMG really do the biz for my taste! 
 
Have fun![/quote] 
 
Thanks!