Electronics Replacement for Fretless

[Mr. Phil]

Ok guys, I've ruled against the Bartolini Preamp and 'Bucker. They are too expensive for me.

 

I am still going to get the DiMarzio Split P pickup because it looks good and (hopefully) sounds good and isnt too expensive.

For a preamp, I am going to get the Carvin Passive/Active Preamp because it is considerably less money than the Bartolini, and I can switch from Active to Passive If I feel like it.

For the Bridge Pickup, I am gonna get the Carvin Stacked J Humbucker Pickup because I won't have to do any routing so an MM style pickup can fit, and ITS HALF THE PRICE!!

 

So give me you insight as to which you think is better:

Bart preamp (no routing for pots) $135

Carvin Preamp (considerably less $$ for about the same, and passive/active) $80

 

DiMarzio Split P (getting that either way, its soo cool)

 

Bart MM style 'bucker (routing required) $118

Carvin J stacked 'bucker (no routing, still a 'bucker) $60

 

Also on the Carvin site you get $8 shipping for all items (one time). So I think the carvin stuff would be better (at least for the money)

 

Give me you 2 cents.

~phil~

[_Sweet Willie_]

I recommend doing one thing at a time. I suggest just putting in new pickups for now. Forget about the preamp for the moment.

 

The DiMarzio P pickup sounds dandy. I would still consider the DiMarzio UltraJazz bridge J for your bridge pickup. Like the Carvin, you won't need to do any routing and it's still a humcancelling pickup so you don't have to worry about hum.

 

Personally I wasn't psyched about my Carvin onboard preamp on my Carvin fretted bass, but lots of people love theirs. In particular, I thought the mid EQ was poorly voiced. However, it might be well-voiced for a fretless (?), and they may be doing the preamps differently now than they were back in the mid-'90s.

 

There are lots of lovely onboard preamps out there. Don't cut corners now; just do one mod and then when finances allow you to have more preamp choices, then do the next.

 

There are my two cents.

 

Peace.

[Mr. Phil]

I think Ill stay with the Carvin J its a little less $$ for about the same thing.

 

But I did consider the DiMarzio Ultrajazz!!

 

Oh and the electronics on my bass now is whats giving me the problems, the Tone control all the off (the way I like it) gives this horrible buzzing, and I have looking at the Barts and Aguilar Preamps and I think the Carvin is pretty good for the money.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Another possibility is to stay passive and have a tech take a look at your tone control. It's probably simple and cheap to install a different capacitor in there.

 

BTW, the Carvin H50N is a nice pickup. Don't want to dissuade you. Just making sure you've thought out multiple options (seems like you have!).

 

Even thought the Carvin pre may be "good for the money," you should feel confident that it's a good pre for you -- regardless of its cost. You don't want to pay for it now only to wish for and then pay for something else later. Also, the Carvin pre is 5 knobs -- what's your plan there? Stacked knobs or new holes in your bass?

[Mr. Phil]

Well this bass is kinda my "Experimental Bass" so once I get rich and famous (lol) Ill get a better bass and have it De-fretted professionally and stuff.

 

As for the Preamp, I plan on drilling new holes. It should be fun.

 

I have to finish my Eagle Scout project first...

[_Sweet Willie_]

Phil,

 

Check your PMs.