mikegatward Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I'm loving the playability and feel of a recently acquired ABZ4 but am finding the tonal options a bit limited. Does anybody have a recommendation for a pre-amp and more to the point, has anyone installed one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) I had an Artec EXP installed in my ABZ5 replacing the tone pot, works surprisingly well considering they cost about £20. One way boosts mids but I can't say I like that very much but the other way it boosts treble/bass & I do quite like that setting (tho does add a little hiss on full). Pull up for passive & you bypass the active circuit, also a nice feature is passive mode still works when you take the 9v battery out I've always preferred passive basses but since putting this in I've decided I'm gonna upgrade & put a John East BTB-01 in as I feel my ABZ deserves a higher quality tone circuit. I have no experience with this one but East preamps come highly regarded. Hope this helps ... Edited March 16, 2015 by sifi2112 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 This seems to be a popular theme with dingwalls, I've seen a few threads like this. Cracking build quality, playability etc but several people saying they sound a bit bland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTB Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1426501218' post='2718458'] This seems to be a popular theme with dingwalls, I've seen a few threads like this. Cracking build quality, playability etc but several people saying they sound a bit bland. [/quote] Yep, I tried mine both active and passive and could not get a sound I liked. I replaced it with an MTD 535 which is much better sounding and just as good to play IMHO. Edited March 16, 2015 by PTB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I also replaced the pups with my favourite .. Nordstrand Big Singles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Badderer Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 here's one from Darkglass in a Dingwall already http://www.darkglass.com/creations/tone-capsule/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 What's wrong with the tone controls on your amp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satrugar Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I'm VERY happy with the tone of my passive ABZ6 and Super P5....but if I would have to add a preamp I'd be looking at Glockenklang, John East and maybe Aguilar first. The new Darkglass Tone Capsule also looks interesting, but I haven't had a chance to try one yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1426506781' post='2718539'] What's wrong with the tone controls on your amp? [/quote] Depends on the amp and where the EQ is in the chain. I had a passive ABZ5 and the output was a little low to get my amp sounding how I wanted. So it was more of a preamp drive issue than an EQ issue really. For me anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 If I ever change mine I'd put an East U-Retro in there. Cracking preamp. I've got a P-Tone pickup in my ABZ4, and it's a major tone upgrade IMHO, but I've left it passive, just as a change from my other main basses, which all have U-Retros in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegatward Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='sifi2112' timestamp='1426500873' post='2718456'] I had an Artec EXP installed in my ABZ5 replacing the tone pot, works surprisingly well considering they cost about £20. One way boosts mids but I can't say I like that very much but the other way it boosts treble/bass & I do quite like that setting (tho does add a little hiss on full). Pull up for passive & you bypass the active circuit, also a nice feature is passive mode still works when you take the 9v battery out I've always preferred passive basses but since putting this in I've decided I'm gonna upgrade & put a John East BTB-01 in as I feel my ABZ deserves a higher quality tone circuit. I have no experience with this one but East preamps come highly regarded. Hope this helps ... [/quote] Let me know how you get on with that - are you going to do it yourself ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegatward Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 The new East offering looks pretty good too - [url="http://www.east-uk.com/index.php/bass/uni-pre-3k.html"]http://www.east-uk.com/index.php/bass/uni-pre-3k.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I usually leave the soldering to a luthier in Leeds .. Fraser Callum he's great & very reasonable prices. I have done some soldering but depends on how expensive the bass is lol. I wont be doing it for a while tho as I've a limited budget & other things have priority ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1426508632' post='2718568'] Depends on the amp and where the EQ is in the chain. I had a passive ABZ5 and the output was a little low to get my amp sounding how I wanted. So it was more of a preamp drive issue than an EQ issue really. For me anyway. [/quote] I'd be just turning the input gain on my amp up to compensate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1426522790' post='2718802'] I'd be just turning the input gain on my amp up to compensate. [/quote] At the time I had a Hartke LH500. No input gain control! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I've owned three DWs and I personally never had a problem with the tone, through my genz amp it sounds incredible. Is it actually the individual bass itself isn't right or is Dingwall just not for you? I love the fan frets at the lower frets and grin like an idiot as I'm playin them but I can't chord as easy as with parallel frets at the higher end so it doesn't work for me, obviously for different reasons than you. This of course is only my humble opinion and input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikegatward Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='Black Coffee' timestamp='1426539776' post='2719175'] I've owned three DWs and I personally never had a problem with the tone, through my genz amp it sounds incredible. Is it actually the individual bass itself isn't right or is Dingwall just not for you? I love the fan frets at the lower frets and grin like an idiot as I'm playin them but I can't chord as easy as with parallel frets at the higher end so it doesn't work for me, obviously for different reasons than you. This of course is only my humble opinion and input. [/quote]i love the bass in terms of its feel and playability. Will take up some of the suggestions, especially the use of the gain switch on the Streamliner I'm running at the moment Mind you , that new East preamp is 15% off at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='mikegatward' timestamp='1426541520' post='2719208'] i love the bass in terms of its feel and playability. Will take up some of the suggestions, especially the use of the gain switch on the Streamliner I'm running at the moment Mind you , that new East preamp is 15% off at the moment [/quote] The East p retro I had on my ACG was a gem. Took a minute or two to get to grips with for quick adjustments on the hop but worth every penny. You wouldn't regret an investment in an East product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1426524072' post='2718825'] At the time I had a Hartke LH500. No input gain control! [/quote] Though technically, the volume control on the LH500 IS actually the gain control - it's the master volume that's missing from the LH heads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I think the East preamps are wonderful - however I do have a Glock' pre in my AB1 and have to say it's brilliant - the 3 band version offers a great deal of scope. If you happened to have a three pickup Dingwall, I'd suggest my 'DV Switch' mod too which got a big thumbs up from Sheldon himself at LBGS. Very pleased about that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skelf Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Have a look at the new East Uni-Pre very customisable with internal trim pots and jumpers. Had one fitted to one of my basses for the London Show and it went down very well. Well worth a call to John to get the full details. Comes in 3/4/5 knob versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNY Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 On 16/03/2015 at 22:49, Dood said: I think the East preamps are wonderful - however I do have a Glock' pre in my AB1 and have to say it's brilliant - the 3 band version offers a great deal of scope. If you happened to have a three pickup Dingwall, I'd suggest my 'DV Switch' mod too which got a big thumbs up from Sheldon himself at LBGS. Very pleased about that! Good Morning, I don’t know if you will pick this up as it’s such an old thread. I am thinking of replacing the EMG pre that’s in my combustion would you be kind enough to let me know which Glock pre amp you recommend. I am not very knowledgeable in this area and will be grateful of the assistance. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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