Question Experienced 2-Band Pre Users: Favorite Settings?

[cassius987]

I just acquired a 2-band preamp based on a 1976 Stingray that I have installed in my Rickenbacker 4003FL. (Don't throw rocks at me, I'm looking to get another actual EBMM bass, formerly owning a 2001 Stingray 4. Someday...) I love the musical nature of the EQ--it's hard to find a bad setting. Nevertheless I thought I would see what people like to do with the 2-band pre, and for what application, as I'm just getting my feet wet. The bass only has a bridge pickup in a fairly similar location to where a Stingray's pickup would be, but probably a touch closer to the neck.

 

[lovechick]

Easy answer: experiment and see if you discover a favorite setting. Don't know if you'll elicit much support on here as (1) you've used the company's proprietary circuit in another make of guitar, and (2) every other reason why this shouldn't work: different type of pickup, body wood, construction, and so forth. In short, don't expect your fretless Ric (a one pickup 4003 should be a 4000?) to sound like a fretless StingRay, but who knows, maybe you find something cool.

 

[rutgart]

Cassius,
It hard to imagine what your new Pre circuit will sound like in your Ricky but I'd start with both off (which is Bass Flat/Treble Cut) to bring out the mids.

Please post some audio of your experiments, if possible.

 

[weemac]

Hey Cassius!
If you happen to be using an HB1 pickup, wire it in parallel to get you closer to the starting point of the Stingray.
I suspect that you will find yourself boosting the lows a bit and using the treble from a slight cut to a slight boost. That seems to be where all the goodies are....

emac.

 

[cassius987]

If I didn't make it clear, I'm not really looking to make this sound like a Stingray--I liked it just fine as a Ric when it was passive. I wanted an impedance buffer more than anything, and the EQ is an added bonus. But I figured the preamp may have some intrinsic behaviors you all might know about. If there is something wrong about using this preamp in this bass (not in my mind, but whatever) feel free to delete the thread and I'll go on my merry way.

Eden, your comment seems to resonate with what I have found so far. The pickup is actually a 4002 pickup (split coil)!

 

[drTStingray]

Full bass boost, treble backed off slightly from full is my favourite, all out ballsy MM sound; 2nd favourite is both controls barely boosted. Bear in mind it's a two band, not a 3 band so the bass pot is boost only and the treble is boost and cut (per Rod Trussbroken's advice). As others have said, the woods and different construction are likely to alter the sound you get, possibly a lot - I personally dislike most Rick bass sounds, so it may sound better IMO

 

[cassius987]

So far I have settled on slight bass boost constant with variable treble boost to suit the song. Not sure what you gents would think of it but I'm in love. It's basically my old bass with extra fidelity and lots of tone shaping... exactly what I wanted. Nice! At rehearsal last night I was grinning from ear to ear, and I got the impression my band was too.

 

[DAVE2115]

If the combination of what you have put together works for you then thats all you can wish for, sorted.

As well as my Stingray I have a Fender Jazz which has had many combinations of pickups and preamps to see what I could get out of it, some worked, some did not, but it was worth the experimenting and I have ended up with a sound I do like after all the changes so in the end it was worth while.