Review: Best Bass Onboard Preamps
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Audere 3ZB Bass Onboard Preamp -
Aguilar OBP-3 Bass Onboard Preamp -
Bartolini 5.3 A/P Bass Onboard Preamp -
Demeter BEQP-1 Bass Onboard Preamp -
Mike Pope Flexcore Internal Bass Preamplifier Core -
Buyer's Guide
So you want to equip your bass guitar with active electronics? At one point in time, this was quite an ordeal to pull off, requiring an installation of a completely new system, something that costs money and takes a significant amount of time to do. With onboard preamps, you can now introduce an entirely new level of control and flexibility to any kind of bass guitar. These are the best bass onboard preamps in 2022, with each one we've chosen providing multiple bands of EQ to manipulate your bass tone, can be installed without having to gut your instrument, and they also control the volume of your bass guitar.
Detailing the Best Bass Onboard Preamp of 2022
Audere 3ZB Bass Onboard Preamp - Best Bass Onboard Preamp Overall
One of the integral components to the Audere 3ZB bass guitar preamp is its three way load switch, which gives bassists the ability to raise and lower the impedance of their pickups. Choose between a bright thin sound, a natural range, or a deep and thorough low-end, using the first, second, and third positions, respectively. The 3ZB also can he equipped with active/passive switching and and LED battery indicator. You also get an adjustable gain which enables you to set levels for each pickup.
Aguilar OBP-3 Bass Onboard Preamp - Runner Up
Aguilar’s OBP-3 onboard preamp is the company’s most flexible design, with multiple wiring options to best fit your needs. The preamp is able to provide18dB boost/cut at 40Hz, 16dB boost/cut at either 400Hz or 800Hz, and 16dB boost/cut at 6.5kHz. The OBP-3 also features separate treble, mid, and bass pots. There’s also a black mini-toggle switch to select your preferred midrange frequency. Now you have the ability to really harness that fat tone which will turn every head in the venue when you play your bass guitar.
Bartolini 5.3 A/P Bass Onboard Preamp - Honorable Mention
Bartolini set the standard pretty high for active electronics when they first started pioneering the technology in the 1970's. The company’s 5.3 A/P preamp utilizes a three band EQ designed for two-pickups to help you achieve the desired sound for your bass guitar. It also features a mid-frequency selector switch. The volume control on this unit provides Active/Passive push-pull function and functions off 9V.
Demeter BEQP-1 Bass Onboard Preamp - Consider
The Demeter BEQP-1 bass onboard preamp doesn’t discriminate against any type of pickup. This unit will control the balance between any two pickups, whether that be active, passive, or piezo. It also provides active three band EQ for treble, bass, and mids. Each octave has a 6dB slope to reduce phase shift and offer up a more natural sound. And of course, each unit also includes a master volume control. The BEQP-1 operates from 9 to 27 volts.
Mike Pope Flexcore Internal Bass Preamplifier Core - Best Bass Onboard Preamp
The Michael Pope Flexcore bass onboard preamp provides anywhere between one to four bands of EQ. No soldering is required for most installations, as the pickups are able to hook up to the preamp via screw terminals. There are many expansion modules that can be added to the installation of this preamp, including a coil tap switch, kill switch, mid frequency switch, and more. When you have configured this preamp to your liking, you’ll find that your harmonics expand beyond what they once were, and punch and warmth are just some of the enhanced attributes that you’ll find with every note that you play.
Buyer's Guide
Bass onboard preamps are an inexpensive and efficient way to add flexibility and increased control to your bass guitar. If you have doubts about the functionality of bass onboard preamps, you have come to the right place. This guide will clear all your misconceptions and will help you choose the best bass onboard preamps in 2021.
Why Do You Need A Bass Onboard Preamp?
A bass onboard preamp will help you gain more control of the tone of your bass guitar. A lot of bass guitars come with preamps or active electronics that do not allow you to be flexible with your tone and do not give you full control. They may affect the sound of your bass guitar in a negative way and you may end up feeling dissatisfied with your bass guitar. With a bass onboard preamp, you can get your dream tone because it will offer all the tonal shaping possibilities including treble, mid, and bass. If you were previously satisfied with your preamp, but it is now malfunctioning, you need to replace it. Buying a preamp with additional features will be a better idea in this case.
What Are Some Important Factors To Consider When Buying A Bass Onboard Preamp?
It is important to do your research before you buy a bass onboard preamp. When browsing for one, keep these few factors in mind to make the job easier for you.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of the preamp you buy should be compatible with the cavity space of your bass guitar. If it already has a preamp, it will have ample space for another bass onboard preamp. When you are looking for a preamp, make sure your bass guitar has space for the preamp itself, batteries, wires, switches, and potentiometers. Otherwise it will be a hassle to install a preamp.
Battery Voltage
While most preamps come with a 9V battery, some allow you to operate them with an 18V battery. This is an advantage because the preamp with a 18V battery will have a better signal to noise ratio. There will be less disturbance when you boost the signal of your knobs.
Active/Passive Switch
Make sure that the bass onboard preamp you buy has an active/passive switch. In active mode you can use the preamp as usual, but in passive mode you can control the volume but not the tone. This can be useful in some situations. For example, you are performing at a live gig and your battery runs out. With this switch you can switch the preamp in passive mode and keep playing until you can change your batteries in a break.
Pickup Compatibility
Make sure that the preamp you buy can accommodate the number of pickups on your bass. When you buy a preamp that is designed specifically for the type of pickup you have, you will get better results. A general one which can work for most pickup types will not be as good.
How To Install A Bass Onboard Preamp?
You do not need to be a professional tech expert to install a preamp in your bass guitar. All you need is good soldering skills. Most bass onboard preamps you to solder pickup wires to the wiring harness of the preamp. An additional wire may also be needed for the battery box and the jack. Some preamps like the EMG are oriented to be ‘plug and play’. This makes it easier to install preamps because there are built in connections for the pickups to connect with the preamp. However, most of the other manufacturers do not provide this feature. If you are not an expert at soldering, you may need to consider taking your bass guitar to a professional to install the preamp. This will save you time and the frustration of having to figure out which component goes where and having to solder the wires.
How Did We Choose Our Top Picks?
Our team works hard to bring to you the best products in the market. When working on our top picks list, we considered the following factors.
Reviews
A good way of judging the quality of a product is reading the customer reviews. Since they come from people who have used the product themselves, they are honest. If you have doubts about the functionality of a product while browsing, go through the customer reviews to get a better idea.
Brand
The brand of preamps was one of our important considerations. Each brand provides different features and so have different prices as well. We compared the features and prices of different brands and shortlisted those that had the latest features and were compatible with most pickup types.
Value
It is important to us that you get value for the price you pay. We did not include products that we thought were too expensive for the features they were providing. We only included those that, in our opinion, provided value for the price being charged.
FAQs
Do I really need a bass onboard preamp?
This depends on your style of playing and whether you perform live or not. They are useful for their buffering capabilities, boosts, and equalization features. These features are specifically useful for those who perform on live gigs and those who record in studios.
How do I know if the preamp I buy will be compatible with my pickups?
The easiest way to judge the compatibility of a preamp with your pickups is by looking at the frequency ranges. Make sure that the frequency ranges of your pickups match the frequency range of the preamp you buy. Different frequencies may work, but they will not give you the best results.
Can I use a bass onboard preamp offstage?
Yes, of course you can use it offstage. You can enjoy added control and increased flexibility of your tones, which is not possible without installing a preamp. However, if you never go for live gigs, you may not need to buy a preamp. But, if you like the additional control of your tones you can certainly invest in one.
