Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

eastcoasteddie

eastcoasteddie

New member
Ever since I got the STC-3M4 preamp on my stingray, I feel that the SD is one of the best sounding preamps on the market. I'm considering getting one formy Dean Sledgehammer 5, which currently has an el-cheap-o Korean made no name 2-band preamp. But I'm onthe fence about which preamp to get. It is a single pickup bass just like the Stingray....is the STC 3M3/3M4 stingray preamp voiced the same as the regular STC-3 preamp? the module looks exactly the same. Anyone know if there is a big differnence in tone between the 2-band and 3-band preamps? The 2-band has a larger module than the 3-band and looks as though it is built differently.

2-band
Seymour2BandPreamp4.jpg


3-band
3BandMM3.jpg
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

Eddie, the STC-3M3/3M4 EQ is specifically designed to operate with high impedance, passive MM-style pickups.

The other STC variants are generic, the only differences between these being how many EQ bands are included and the pot impedances.

Before you can chose the best EQ kit, you have to settle on what pickup you plan to use.

I have the STC-3a and a pair of Active Phase II pickups in a Yamaha RBX375 that I bought pre-owned. Close up, the modification looks bug ugly but I don't care because the recorded sound is so dang good.
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

I put a Carvin HB 5 alnico pickup in the Dean, which is basically another variant of the aftermarket MM style humbucker.

I am planning to make it a dual-humbucker bass, by routing another pickup cavity up closer to the neck (like a Warwick $$)

currently single pickup:
DSC_1280.jpg


and kind of something like this after:
DSC_1280HHtobedone.jpg


the bridge pickup I installed is 7.2K ohms, the neck pickup is 6.8K ohms.
I suppose the regular 3-band preamp would work better for this setup, being that the pickups don't have that high an impedance?
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

You are also going to require room for at least one additional pot.
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

Funkfingers said:
You are also going to require room for at least one additional pot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I got it all planned out. I was actually thinking of using a selector switch rather than a blend pot, so that I get the full effect without any weird resistances taking away from my pickups' output. Also, I never really "blend" my pickups anyway. I like them either on or off, that's it. I also plan on wiring up the pickups with a pair of mini toggles for series/parallel/split coil, one switch for each pickup. I want this bass to be as versitile as possible.

The only issue I'm having is getting the routing done. I gave the bass to my local shop....2 months ago. The luthier is on vacation until Wednesday. So far, nothing has been done due to some problems getting a template made for the routing. He said he made and screwed up 2 templates. I'm not sure what the deal is...I'm hoping to talk to him on Wed. If he's still pu$$y footing around with the template, I'll just take the bass back and I'll try and do it myself.

Since I have given him the bass, I had a couple of practice runs with a router, and I gave my Jazz bass a pair of fat @$$es.

DSC_2260.jpg


and a side input jack with a 2-band preamp

DSC_2265.jpg


home made jack plate
DSC_2264.jpg


P1020108.jpg


the mini toggles are parallel/split coil for each pickup, and the 3rd toggle down at the last knob controls series/split coil for the bridge pickup. By installing the 3rd one, I serendipitously gave myself the option to split the coils north or south on the bridge pickup. The neck pickup splits only the south coil.

home made battery cover
P1020086.jpg
 
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Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

Very nice, except for those super large screws that hold the jack plate
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

Judging by that PP3 compartment cover plate, you are an old skool Musicman fan.
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

Stratman said:
Very nice, except for those super large screws that hold the jack plate
Click to expand...

I used what I had laying around.....and BTW, that's a Squier that I paid $99 for. I don't need to go out and buy every single piece of hardware for it new...
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

In my opinion, it would be worth changing to screws with a domed head. It is hardly worth snagging your fingertips on those protruding edges just to save a few cents.
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

they aren't that bad....I'm an industrial equipment service technician by trade so I have tough skin :)

But I'll be hardware store shopping soon, I'll buy new screws to appease everyone...
 
Re: Duncan preamps, 2-band vs. 3-band

SO, we got off track...getting back to the 2-band vs 3-band. I'm thinking to get one for the Dean, got an idea of what tones either would give?
 
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