Aguilar OBP-3 Bass Preamp

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:35 pm

Tech:
Aguilar OBP3 (18v)
Using the recommended 50K linear pots for the EQ
Using the recommenced 25K audio pots for the pickups
Wired as outboard preamp, inboard bypassed.

Testing apparatus:
Yamaha BBN5
EMG 40P5 (18v)
EMG 40DC (18v)
Behringer Europower 1500, bridged.
Retuned Ashdown 4x10 cabinet.

Nothing else.

Review:
Amazing.

A very even output, flat is flat.

The bass control goes a bit far IMHO, but would be great for someone with a love for the bridge pickup but hates losing all the low end. A little goes a long way with this one. I might have to fiddle around with values and see how to tame this one.

The mid control has a selector switch, 400/800hz. With it one way you can get a really mean growl, the other a really modern tone. Perfect selection here, the knob's extreme ends are just about the most/least you'd ever want.

The high control is perfect once again, just the right touch to either bring out or kill the harmonics. Reminds me of the 'perfect' passive tone knob I've always wanted. Doesn't cut into the mids at all.

Overall probably the best sounding bass preamp I've heard yet, in any bass. I've tried a Bartolini NTMB 5.4 A/P, Glockenklang 3 band, EMG BTC, EMG BQC, and home brewed (recently my favorite) in this bass before. (bart and glocken were with bart J pickups)

Nothing has sounded this good straight into a power amp and cabinet. Had to double check to make sure, even. I think I might even ditch my homebrew for one of these.

bestbassgear.com has them for $137 with all the pots and switch. Worth at least twice that.

I'll put up audio in a bit, maybe tomorrow. Any requests for what you want to hear through it let me know.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 1:37 am

I agree man. The OBP-3 is a great pre. I had this in two basses- a Spector Euro 4LX-35 w/ EMG PJs and an Fbass BN6 w/ dual Ps. Next to my Spector BOB w/ an EMG pre (BQC I think), these are the most versatile preamps I've ever heard. The mid control is amazing and can help a bass get that bell-like Ric tone.

Rob, are you gonna keep this as an outboard, or is it eventually going in the Yamaha?

Also, have you ever had the chance to try some of these 'boutique' preamps from Audere, Demeter, Noll, J-retro, etc...?

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:53 am

It's in the bbn5 as of an hour ago. I have not tried any of the expensive ones yet. I was going to get a john east but couldn't justify the cost without trying the last 'cheap' pre.

I'll see how it does at 30 something Friday.

slackin@dabass · Post by **slackin@dabass** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:48 pm

hear hear for the opb3. love it

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:32 am

Plugged in the entire rig and noticed the total output (volume/level) is roughly what I had before. So no big changes. Other than an odd ~1khz peak of about 3db it's a very well behaved unit. Just wish I could look inside.

On the plus side I was able to shape the tone entirely on the sansamp to a very nice studio-sounding funk that I've had trouble getting since I went active pickup.

Also attached all the other electronics I have going on in that bass, seems the aguilar is about 20% more current hungry (flat) than just about any other 3-band pre I've used. Not a bad thing, just going to get around 18 months vs 24 months per battery change for the average user.

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:51 pm

Nice review man.
18 months per battery change isn't too bad though.
Does it have a trim pot on it?

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 6:20 pm

Nope, its all knobs.

VENTGtr · Post by **VENTGtr** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:13 pm

Rob,

New stuff. COOL! Look forward to hearing it later.

"Glockenklang". New favourite word.

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:40 pm

MOONDOGGY wrote:Also, have you ever had the chance to try some of these 'boutique' preamps from Audere, Demeter, Noll, J-retro, etc...?

I'm A/B'ing the Audere (classic 4-band) I got today with the Aguilar and I have to say with EMG's its no contest, in favor of Aguilar. The Audere almost sounded too thin, yet boomy. Lost definition in the notes. But the tides would probably be reversed if they were passive pickups. The Audere is closer to what I would want to hear with a set of Bart J's.

I went bass-to-board at 30 something and loved every minute of it. Usual config at Davey's and it was just as good. There is more power behind the slaps and pops, less mud all around.

Now I need to get a bit better at playing, you can hear mistakes clearly