NikNik Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 (edited) So, I have this Levinson Blade B4 J-Bass, built in '91. I only play it at home but last year I hired it out and was at the sound-check. It went through an SVT Classic but, amp aside, I was surprised about how Old Skool active it sounded on a stage: it had a very prominent top end and seemed to lack some low end. Adjusting the trim pots made slight differences, usually to the lower mids and sometimes not for the better! The bass was never used in anger at the gig but it got me thinking about upgrading the pre-amp system. Levinson Blade tell me they have not updated that system so I'm going to swap it out for something like the John East Uni-Pre 3. Before I make my mind up, has anyone else got any recommendations? It has to be a three-gang job as there are only volume, blend and boost on the B4. Also, I recall that the Blade has a dummy coil to filter out interference so if I swap the blade circuit out the dummy will become redundant. Edited February 15, 2019 by NikNik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 What kind of tone/feel are you after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 I'd need some top end sparkle but really something to fatten out the rear J coil. I'd love a bit of frequency sweep but I don't think I'm going to get that on a 3-gang harness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted February 15, 2019 Author Share Posted February 15, 2019 Ahh.... just downloaded the spec for the Uni-Pre and it does have a sweep! I think this is one to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 I have the East U-Retro (the older model of the Uni-Pre, IIRC) in all my main gigging basses - very intuitive, very musical preamps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 I’d put an East in there too; superb pre. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Or you could get an outboard. A Sadowsky Preamp/DI might work nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Going with the Uni-Pre, guys. Thx for advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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