Active (Audere pro JZ3) vs. Passive (Fralin) controls on Fender Select Jazz

[Joshua Gerry]

Hi TB! I recently purchased this beautiful upgraded Select Jazz with an Audere pre amp installed and I’m not sure the active “thing” is for me. Coming from a P bass I’m finding I have far too many choices with the controls. I do find many very usable tones but I struggle to get back to them sometimes and I do land on some unpleasant tones here and there as well. I loved the p bass’s “set it and forget it” kind of mentality and I am not really a fan of keeping 9v batteries around. I also think it’s adding a bit of weight to an already heavy bass, tho this isn’t really a huge issue for me. Mostly I think it might just be nice to have simpler controls that have a nice range of usable tones and fewer “dead tones” if that makes sense ‍ I’m looking at the two options Fralin offers, as it currently has Fralin 5% overwound split PUPS in it. I’d love to hear any input on the topic, pros and cons of active controls I may be overlooking. I’m relatively new to bass but in all my years of guitar playing I never really encountered active control systems so I’m really trying to understand what the upside of an onboard preamp is compared to having a myriad of preamp options to run through in a chain. I’ve included some pics of bass and current controls. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I’m not sure the active “thing” is for me.

You said it yourself right there…not everyone likes onboard preamps. The Audere you have is made as a drop-in for passive Jazz basses, so removing it and installing a passive circuit/control plate should take about 1/2 hour.
I didn’t know Fralin offers prewired control plates. Since you have his pickups, you could give him a call and find out what offering is best for his 5%-over pickups, and what it is you’re looking for.
If you’ll be happier, I’d go for it.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

You said it yourself right there…not everyone likes onboard preamps. The Audere you have is made as a drop-in for passive Jazz basses, so removing it and installing a passive circuit/control plate should take about 1/2 hour.
I didn’t know Fralin offers prewired control plates. Since you have his pickups, you could give him a call and find out what offering is best for his 5%-over pickups, and what it is you’re looking for.
If you’ll be happier, I’d go for it.

Thanks! Yes I’m in touch with Fralin, they actually offer 2 styles of drop in control plates. I was just curious if anyone had some good pros/cons experience they might want to share that might convince me to stay with the active. The Fralin controls with the Fralin pups seems like a good call tho! Either way exciting times with a new bass

 

[tom-g]

I’d recommend to give the Audere some time. Figure out how it works. Make sure to find out what settings work for you and how to get there. The Audere is an excellent preamp. Any active preamp can be overwhelming in the beginning. It takes some time getting used to.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

I’d recommend to give the Audere some time. Figure out how it works. Make sure to find out what settings work for you and how to get there. The Audere is an excellent preamp. Any active preamp can be overwhelming in the beginning. It takes some time getting used to.

Appreciate the input. I’m working with it! In the end I’ll give it some time but I may still land on a passive set up. Thx

 

[tom-g]

… but I may still land on a passive set up. Thx

Nothing wrong with that.

 

[jTrolt]

Beautiful instrument!

I just converted a MIJ Squire JB I bought new in the 80's to the Audere active. I will likely never go back to the original. Early 90's I dropped in a set of Seymour Duncan quarter pounders, and now with the Audere, this thing sounds like a monster! Cannot believe the difference in dynamics, punch, clarity. Really brought those pickups to life. Well worth the tweaking involved, IMHO. You'd be surprised how quickly you'll catch on and easily modulate through tones with a couple knob twists. Went from sounding like the $350 entry level bass it was to sounding like it's well worth another $1k. It's that big of a difference.

Go ahead and swap to passive for the simplicity if you want to try, but hold onto that preamp. I have a sneaking suspicion you'll be dropping it back in sooner than later.
Hands down, best $100 I've ever spent on upgrading an instrument. I cannot imagine reverting back.
Curious, after a week, if you're still inclined to try the passive route.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Many echo you viewpoint of simplicity. A GOOD active pre can give you so much tone wise. Like different spices give different flavors if not overdone. I have one bass with an Audere pre and love it. Another with a John East pre, both high quality. They do take some time to get used to though. Active circuits may not be for you if you want simplicity. I never use my basses passively. That just works for me. I know plenty that just prefer passive.
No right or wrong just diff choices.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

Many echo you viewpoint of simplicity. A GOOD active pre can give you so much tone wise. Like different spices give different flavors if not overdone. I have one bass with an Audere pre and love it. Another with a John East pre, both high quality. They do take some time to get used to though. Active circuits may not be for you if you want simplicity. I never use my basses passively. That just works for me. I know plenty that just prefer passive.
No right or wrong just diff choices.

Good advice. I’m working with it currently and appreciate all the feedback!

 

[Joshua Gerry]

Beautiful instrument!

I just converted a MIJ Squire JB I bought new in the 80's to the Audere active. I will likely never go back to the original. Early 90's I dropped in a set of Seymour Duncan quarter pounders, and now with the Audere, this thing sounds like a monster! Cannot believe the difference in dynamics, punch, clarity. Really brought those pickups to life. Well worth the tweaking involved, IMHO. You'd be surprised how quickly you'll catch on and easily modulate through tones with a couple knob twists. Went from sounding like the $350 entry level bass it was to sounding like it's well worth another $1k. It's that big of a difference.

Go ahead and swap to passive for the simplicity if you want to try, but hold onto that preamp. I have a sneaking suspicion you'll be dropping it back in sooner than later.
Hands down, best $100 I've ever spent on upgrading an instrument. I cannot imagine reverting back.
Curious, after a week, if you're still inclined to try the passive route.

Thank you I do love looking at and playing it! Sounds like you made some nice upgrades I’m gonna keep it in for now and I’m gonna just pick up a passive P bass for simpler times and when I need to just fit in the mix while I learn my settings. Really appreciate the feedback!

 

[Geri O]

No doubt active systems take some getting used to if you are new to them. But....

This largely depends on what kind of sound you want. I don't know how to describe purely passive tones as I've never cared to deviate from the active tones I've sought out and been used to getting for years now. Whatever complexity and batteries I have to go through is part of what it takes to get and maintain the tone I want from basses.

As far as the preamps, I pretty much leave tone controls in the flat position. If one must ask why I choose to do that, one will probably not understand the answer. And the tone options are there if I were to need them for some reason I haven't figured out yet. Yes, Matilda, there is a big difference in passive tones and the flat tones from the active preamps.

As for battery management, I change batteries every four months. Period. The end. I've lost the output of the bass only once from batteries and that was because one of the batteries was faulty right out of the package. I installed a new pair one morning, an hour later, the bass died. I finished set with my spare bass, then when I opened the battery compartment, one of the new batteries was almost too hot to touch and had swollen considerably. If I had left that bass plugged in, I might have wound up with bass over-easy before long!

I go through all of this to get the sound I'm after. Other players may have other considerations, but I can put up with a less-than-optimum neck and action IF the tone pleases me. (for a while, anyway....).

Having said all of this, one of my basses is a Mike Lull 5-string Precision-style bass. Wonderful bass! Totally passive, volume and tone. P bass simplicity. I wouldn't change a thing.

As I said, it's about the tone. However it's achieved....

 

[douglasbass]

Thanks! Yes I’m in touch with Fralin, they actually offer 2 styles of drop in control plates. I was just curious if anyone had some good pros/cons experience they might want to share that might convince me to stay with the active. The Fralin controls with the Fralin pups seems like a good call tho! Either way exciting times with a new bass

I have a Jazz bass with Fralin split pups and Fralin control plate -- all passive, no preamp. I really like the tone compared to the stock Fender J pickups. And the wiring and pots and jack are better. If you are wanting to stay in passive mode, these are great. Frankly I don't know how a preamp would sound as I don't use them.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

No doubt active systems take some getting used to if you are new to them. But....

This largely depends on what kind of sound you want. I don't know how to describe purely passive tones as I've never cared to deviate from the active tones I've sought out and been used to getting for years now. Whatever complexity and batteries I have to go through is part of what it takes to get and maintain the tone I want from basses.

As far as the preamps, I pretty much leave tone controls in the flat position. If one must ask why I choose to do that, one will probably not understand the answer. And the tone options are there if I were to need them for some reason I haven't figured out yet. Yes, Matilda, there is a big difference in passive tones and the flat tones from the active preamps.

As for battery management, I change batteries every four months. Period. The end. I've lost the output of the bass only once from batteries and that was because one of the batteries was faulty right out of the package. I installed a new pair one morning, an hour later, the bass died. I finished set with my spare bass, then when I opened the battery compartment, one of the new batteries was almost too hot to touch and had swollen considerably. If I had left that bass plugged in, I might have wound up with bass over-easy before long!

I go through all of this to get the sound I'm after. Other players may have other considerations, but I can put up with a less-than-optimum neck and action IF the tone pleases me. (for a while, anyway....).

Having said all of this, one of my basses is a Mike Lull 5-string Precision-style bass. Wonderful bass! Totally passive, volume and tone. P bass simplicity. I wouldn't change a thing.

As I said, it's about the tone. However it's achieved....

Bet that Lull is a dream to play. Thx for the feedback

 

[Joshua Gerry]

I have a Jazz bass with Fralin split pups and Fralin control plate -- all passive, no preamp. I really like the tone compared to the stock Fender J pickups. And the wiring and pots and jack are better. If you are wanting to stay in passive mode, these are great. Frankly I don't know how a preamp would sound as I don't use them.

Yes this is likely the route I will go if I decide the active thing isn’t for me. Bet it sounds awesome!

 

[Joshua Gerry]

No doubt active systems take some getting used to if you are new to them. But....

This largely depends on what kind of sound you want. I don't know how to describe purely passive tones as I've never cared to deviate from the active tones I've sought out and been used to getting for years now. Whatever complexity and batteries I have to go through is part of what it takes to get and maintain the tone I want from basses.

As far as the preamps, I pretty much leave tone controls in the flat position. If one must ask why I choose to do that, one will probably not understand the answer. And the tone options are there if I were to need them for some reason I haven't figured out yet. Yes, Matilda, there is a big difference in passive tones and the flat tones from the active preamps.

As for battery management, I change batteries every four months. Period. The end. I've lost the output of the bass only once from batteries and that was because one of the batteries was faulty right out of the package. I installed a new pair one morning, an hour later, the bass died. I finished set with my spare bass, then when I opened the battery compartment, one of the new batteries was almost too hot to touch and had swollen considerably. If I had left that bass plugged in, I might have wound up with bass over-easy before long!

I go through all of this to get the sound I'm after. Other players may have other considerations, but I can put up with a less-than-optimum neck and action IF the tone pleases me. (for a while, anyway....).

Having said all of this, one of my basses is a Mike Lull 5-string Precision-style bass. Wonderful bass! Totally passive, volume and tone. P bass simplicity. I wouldn't change a thing.

As I said, it's about the tone. However it's achieved....

I also think a lot of what I’m “struggling” with is the big difference between a P and a J. I’m still not 100% sure I’m not just a p bass player but I’m wanting to explore tonal options and develop my slap playing more and I think the jazz is a good choice and I am connecting with it more each time I play. I have had to completely change certain aspects (attack, hand position, etc) and I think it’s good bass education to understand each bass will play differently. I do find when I play with tracks to practice I occasionally get lost in the mix a bit more, can’t hear my tone coming through as well, versus the p bass so I’m hoping to dial that in but again it is likely just me not yet knowing exactly how to get what I’m going for. Appreciate you taking the time to write back.

 

[Zooberwerx]

The Audere plate would be my first choice as it's considered as one of the more natural / neutral preamps. Bonus points for the "Z" switch as if offers different voicings without touching the EQ. When centered (detents), it supposedly sounds like a passive / bypassed harness.

If you don't like it, pull & sell.

Riis