Musicman S.U.B Passive...itching for that active sound.

[EBJosh]

Hey EB forumers, my name is Josh and I've just signed up to the forum as an Ernie Ball enthusiast, love the tone I get from my bass through my GK/Warwick rig. Looking forward to conversing with a few of you.

Introductions aside, I have a Musicman S.U.B bass that is begging me for a preamp but not having installed one myself I was just asking for your own opinion on what you believe would be the best preamp for the job. I play funk rock/heavy rock/indie type music and am also looking to add a new pickup as the current one (for some reason a Wilkinson, installed when I got it) is lacking the punch that I know, with the right tools, this bass can push.

Cheers,
Josh

 

[adouglas]

Someday you might want that passive tone. Take the long view.

IMHO the best tool for the job is the preamp you'll find in an active MM bass.

Short answer: Keep your passive SUB and go find a used active one or a Stingray.

It would cost more but in the long run you'll thank yourself. Promise.

 

[Runnerman]

Yes, I tend to agree. You can put dollars into an upgrade but then you will have a mutant bass that only you will truly appreciate and you won't get your money out of it when you start jonesing for a Stingray. You will even have trouble trading it in if you try that route. Mr. Douglas has the right advice.

 

[Mabongohogany]

There's some excellent outboard pre-amps available, look into those.
That's what they're designed for- keeping an excellent passive bass OEM, but adding the option of boosting the eq when desired.

 

[Rano Bass]

Yes, I tend to agree. You can put dollars into an upgrade but then you will have a mutant bass that only you will truly appreciate and you won't get your money out of it when you start jonesing for a Stingray.

Well... i tend to dissagree

The OP already has a mutant because his pickup is a wilkinson that somebody else installed.

My recomendation to Josh (welcome to the forum BTW) is; if you really like the bass but just want to make it sound more like an active Ray just go ahead and do it. The Stingray was designed as an active bass and thats the way i like it.

Start with a different pickup, sometimes even the originals can be found for sale.
The original preamp is harder to find but there are a lot of good preamps on the market.

Good luck with the project and a few pics of your bass would be nice

 

[Runnerman]

The OP already has a mutant because his pickup is a wilkinson that somebody else installed.

Good point.