Need active pickup kit.

Gonzo0100

Gonzo0100

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Hello everyone, as my sig says I have a passive std corvette (Bubinga). I love the instrument in every way. BUT like every other guy out there, I always want to improve my stuff.

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get an active pickup kit. I need the Pups, and I think I need new POT switches. Right? I really would preffer to use MEC's but EMG or whatever else is cool. Can someone find me a link online where to buy them? I looked through musicians friend but wasn't 100% sure if the pups had everything i need. Thanks!

EDIT***

Would I get a lot better sound by just chaning to active 2 band electronics, is it even possible to change to 3 band, leep in mind I only have 3 knobs, and do not want to alter my bass. Thanks Any suggestions on pickup upgrade or electronic upgrade is welcome. (Yeah i should have spent the extra loot and got it all factory, I know, but, its so pretty.
 
Yep, for a 3-band eq you could do:
1) Stacked push/pull volume/pickup pan (pull for passive)
2) Midrange
3) Stacked Bass/Treble

For 2-band I would do (since I like volume and pan separate):
1) Push/pull volume
2) Pickup pan
3) Stacked Bass/Treble

of course you could also have:
1) Stacked push/pull volume/pan
2) Treble
3) Bass
which is more Warwick-like.

No need to modify your instrument's body really.
 
As mentioned above, the 2 and 3-band system uses stacked pots, so when it is all said and done, you still have three knobs, so you would not have to make any drastic alterations to your bass to install a 2-band or 3-band system.

I really like the tone on my Corvette Standard, so I never made any changes to the bass. Somehing that you may want to consider, if you are in an experimental state-of-mind, is an outboard preamp like the one made by Agular (and I think Sadowsky makes one too). This runs off of the output of your bass before it hits the amplifier, I think it is mounted to your strap (similar to a wireless transmitter) and since it is outboard, you would not have to make any alterations to your instrument. If you can find a dealer who sells one of these units, possibly you could try one out and see if it offers the results you are looking for.
 
Excellent idea, Oil Can.

I've often wondered about the off-board solution myself - except I'm mostly active (or passive/active hybrid) myself. I guess the advantage is you can use the same pre-amp with other active basses
 
I'm sure Mats will agree with me when I say the EBS Microbass 2 is an excellent outboard preamp,well worth looking into.
 
Ah Greg, that's an aven better idea. (EBS) And maybe easier to obtain, as well.
 
I use an Aphex Bass Exciter - but I've never really thought of it as on off-board pre-amp... but it explains why, when I've switched to passive mode (on my $$) it still blows yer socks off! When I do the same through my Tascam bass trainer at home, it goes all quiet and boring!

Nice to know it'll still do the business if my battery goes mid-gig. (But we all check our batteries regularly, don't we, boys and girls!)
 
You use a Tascam bass trainer too Steve?Theyre cool little toys eh mate,I love mine.Have ya tried running your $$ with a flat battery?I know my thumb goes silent with flat or no battery.Can't even run passive with a dead battery but I know the $$ aint like a thumb.
Gary mate you should try a microbass 2 preamp at the earliest possible convenience. :wink: :wink:
 
Hi, Greg

I've taken the battery out of the $$ and run it... just to make sure!

The Tascam is great - I used to use a Korg Pandora with a CD player attached, but the Tascam gives a much better idea of your true tone, without all the amp simulations. The pitch change on CD works well for practising in a different key (OK - sounds wobbly but good enough). I also use my pedal board through it sometimes so I can try out different settings.

I've still got the Korg - it's got some really good drum patterns to play to. The amp sims and effects are good - but they make you sound too good, whatever you play like - the Tascam is more like playing through a practice amp... warts'n'all
 
Oil Can said:
As mentioned above, the 2 and 3-band system uses stacked pots, so when it is all said and done, you still have three knobs, so you would not have to make any drastic alterations to your bass to install a 2-band or 3-band system.

I really like the tone on my Corvette Standard, so I never made any changes to the bass. Somehing that you may want to consider, if you are in an experimental state-of-mind, is an outboard preamp like the one made by Agular (and I think Sadowsky makes one too). This runs off of the output of your bass before it hits the amplifier, I think it is mounted to your strap (similar to a wireless transmitter) and since it is outboard, you would not have to make any alterations to your instrument. If you can find a dealer who sells one of these units, possibly you could try one out and see if it offers the results you are looking for.
Click to expand...


also try SansAmp
 
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