Help me choose new stuff!

[Evil Undead]

Following on from my thread about not being happy with how my bass sounds - I've made enquiries about getting a bar retainer on my headstock to increase the string break angle, and I wanna get some new electronics stuck in while I'm at it.

I think I'd like to convert my bass to active, and I'm looking for a preamp. Possibly new pickups as well, undecided on that bit.

My bass currently is PJ and currently has a Dimarzio model P and a model J in. I don't know if they'll go with a preamp to be honest - any ideas?

I'm looking for something versatile, where I can get a nice punchy Motown type sound, good rock pick tone, through to a good slap tone (I like my slaps massive and pops almost brittle haha, quite a severe scoop)

Active/passive option would be pretty sweet too, and if it can be 3 band, even better. I'm thinking maybe stacked bass/treble, and stacked mid/pickup blend, master volume.

Can anyone make some suggestions? Thanks!

Edited October 8, 2017 by Evil Undead

[Cato]

Sounds like you know pretty much exactly what you want, but are just unsure which brand to go with.

Bass Direct have a pretty impressive selection.

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Preamps_onboard.html

Try dropping them an email to see if they've got any suggestions.

If I was upgrading I'd probably go for the Aguilar OBP3,because I love their amps, they also do an external preamp/DI stomp box based on the same tech.

I don't think it comes with an active/passive switch but if you get a tech to install it, they should be able to sort that out for you

Edited October 8, 2017 by Cato

[Pinball]

Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with?

[dannybuoy]

Glock preamps usually have a passive tone control in the circuit when switched to passive mode, useful for the Motown requirements!

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1507492888' post='3385887']
Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with?
[/quote]

I love how this bass feels and plays. Nothing else beats the comfort. And it's got a great feeling, stable neck, and is super light

Edited October 8, 2017 by Evil Undead

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1507494161' post='3385904']
Glock preamps usually have a passive tone control in the circuit when switched to passive mode, useful for the Motown requirements!
[/quote]

Interesting, I never heard of them. Will research, thanks!

[Dan Dare]

John East?

[HazBeen]

Personally I think adding a pre to a bass that you don't like the tone of makes little sense. Especially a Glockenklang pre, as it is an immensly transparant pre and will in essence give you more of what is in there already.

Changing pickups can achieve more, I would recommend the EMG Geezer PJ set. It made a very boring Fender come to life and transform into a great sounding PJ.

Orange drop, CTS pots, switchcraft jack and hey ho.

IMO

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1507498041' post='3385939']
Personally I think adding a pre to a bass that you don't like the tone of makes little sense. Especially a Glockenklang pre, as it is an immensly transparant pre and will in essence give you more of what is in there already.

Changing pickups can achieve more, I would recommend the EMG Geezer PJ set. It made a very boring Fender come to life and transform into a great sounding PJ.

Orange drop, CTS pots, switchcraft jack and hey ho.

IMO
[/quote]

I definitely see where you're coming from. The thing I don't like about the tone is the overtones on the E (and a little on the A) and I think the retainer will help that a lot.

I'm possibly interested in changing pickups as well, but I miss that active 'bite' so I'm dead set on a preamp as well

[Evil Undead]

Looks like the J Tone might cover everything I want. What pickups might go nicely with that?

Edited October 8, 2017 by Evil Undead

[HazBeen]

Start with the current pickups, then if not happy try others.... like the EMG Geezers

But a J Tone being a good match for a PJ? I would ask John East what he thinks, he generally is really open about what in his opinion is a good match.

[NancyJohnson]

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1507492888' post='3385887']
Why not sell find another bass that you are totally happy with?
[/quote]

My thoughts too. Potentially, you're looking at throwing £££ at replacing the guts of your existing bass (whatever it is and because it plays nicely) and in truth you're probably never going to be 100% happy.

You're saying you want active EQ, thump, decent pick tone, brittle slap etc. Just buy a Stingray or a Euro Spector NS. Job done really.

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1507531269' post='3386006']
My thoughts too. Potentially, you're looking at throwing £££ at replacing the guts of your existing bass (whatever it is and because it plays nicely) and in truth you're probably never going to be 100% happy.

You're saying you want active EQ, thump, decent pick tone, brittle slap etc. Just buy a Stingray or a Euro Spector NS. Job done really.
[/quote]

Unfortunately neither of those come in a short scale, and I have chronic hand/wrist trouble, so that's off the cards unfortunately.

This is the only bass I'm able to play comfortably, and the only one that's kept me being able to play tbh

[NancyJohnson]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1507534193' post='3386032']
Unfortunately neither of those come in a short scale, and I have chronic hand/wrist trouble, so that's off the cards unfortunately.

This is the only bass I'm able to play comfortably, and the only one that's kept me being able to play tbh
[/quote]

You didn't mention short scale was an issue and you're wrong, Spector do make a short-scale model.

You still haven't said what this mystery bass is either.

[mikel]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1507495168' post='3385914']
I love how this bass feels and plays. Nothing else beats the comfort. And it's got a great feeling, stable neck, and is super light
[/quote]

It wont be as light if you go active and do all the other changes you want.

Give the active Chowney a try.

Edited October 9, 2017 by mikel

[Evil Undead]

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1507539378' post='3386067']
You didn't mention short scale was an issue and you're wrong, Spector do make a short-scale model.

You still haven't said what this mystery bass is either.
[/quote]

you said a Euro spector, which doesn't come in a short scale so I'm not wrong thanks haha

I posted my bass in my other thread, referred to in the OP of this one, but I'll add a pic here as well

EDIT- and I mentioned that I'm a short scale only player in my other thread as well

Edited October 9, 2017 by Evil Undead

[Evil Undead]

[attachment=255273:post-14417-0-10437700-1507403969.jpg]

[Dad3353]

Now that really [i]is [/i]short scale..!

...

...

Edit: Ah, now I see it with my specs on; it's just a trick of the perspective. D'oh..!

[Evil Undead]

Hahaha!

[charic]

It sounds like you want a generally clean sound, in that case I would definitely be looking at EMGs personally

Find a bass in a shop equipped with pickups you'd like to try and see what they sound like maybe the easiest way to test without losing a tonne of money

[Grangur]

You're getting a luthier to look at the neck and break-angle. If I were you I'd wait and see what he does and how it is after he's finished.

You could try a plug-in pre-amp. You can then use it on other basses. Yet, Mowtown sound was done with a pretty basic P-bass. No fancy stuff back then. James Jamerson played a P-bass with dead flats.

Have you got both pups going? Maybe try turning to using only the neck P-pup. Try some flats, if you haven't already?

[Bigwan]

I'd be looking at setup/strings/nut for your issues. Wouldn't be swapping out pickups or adding a pre without that as the issue could remain.

Also I'd question whether you need a pre for the flexibility you're after. Pick tone and motown sound are both achievable with a P pickup and tone control. Add in bridge pickup and maybe a switchable EQ curve (pedal) and you're sorted.

[Evil Undead]

Sorry for the delay guys, work has been mental this week so far!

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1507552816' post='3386257']
It sounds like you want a generally clean sound, in that case I would definitely be looking at EMGs personally

Find a bass in a shop equipped with pickups you'd like to try and see what they sound like maybe the easiest way to test without losing a tonne of money
[/quote]

That's not a bad idea, thanks

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1507553208' post='3386264']
You're getting a luthier to look at the neck and break-angle. If I were you I'd wait and see what he does and how it is after he's finished.

You could try a plug-in pre-amp. You can then use it on other basses. Yet, Mowtown sound was done with a pretty basic P-bass. No fancy stuff back then. James Jamerson played a P-bass with dead flats.

Have you got both pups going? Maybe try turning to using only the neck P-pup. Try some flats, if you haven't already?
[/quote]

I was mostly using the Motown sound as an example of the kind of versatility I'm after. I like all sorts of tones really. I'm trying to learn slap as well and only have the one bass so flats wouldn't be for me I think.

Plug in preamp is interesting. This might be a silly question but do they do the same thing as the onboard ones?

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1507563406' post='3386367']
I'd be looking at setup/strings/nut for your issues. Wouldn't be swapping out pickups or adding a pre without that as the issue could remain.

Also I'd question whether you need a pre for the flexibility you're after. Pick tone and motown sound are both achievable with a P pickup and tone control. Add in bridge pickup and maybe a switchable EQ curve (pedal) and you're sorted.
[/quote]

I get you. I definitely want to sort the break angle issue first, as you say, it might be perfect after that. But, that said, I do miss the little bit of extra "bite" of my old active basses, and I miss not having one any more really. And I'm gonna look for a preamp with a passive bypass so I've got passive when I want it as well.

[Grangur]

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1507655099' post='3387029']
I was mostly using the Motown sound as an example of the kind of versatility I'm after. I like all sorts of tones really. I'm trying to learn slap as well and only have the one bass so flats wouldn't be for me I think.

Plug in preamp is interesting. This might be a silly question but do they do the same thing as the onboard ones?



I get you. I definitely want to sort the break angle issue first, as you say, it might be perfect after that. But, that said, I do miss the little bit of extra "bite" of my old active basses, and I miss not having one any more really. And I'm gonna look for a preamp with a passive bypass so I've got passive when I want it as well.
[/quote]

What I use, if I want one is a Zoom B3. It has a number of pre-amps built in. To me, they seem to do all I can imagine I'd want. That said I normally use an EQ set flat. So it would be better to get other people's views on this.

[leschirons]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1507657117' post='3387046']


What I use, if I want one is a Zoom B3. It has a number of pre-amps built in. To me, they seem to do all I can imagine I'd want. That said I normally use an EQ set flat. So it would be better to get other people's views on this.
[/quote]

Sounds sensible way to go. Get the bass set up first, buy a s/h Zoom etc. It's what I use too and when I need to bypass, I just hit "tuner" it'll have probably 90% of what you want in the presets.