Most people feel that the BassXX preamp is the most musically useful preamp they ever have used. Rather than being a volume booster, the BassXX is a filter-based pre-amp which provides very flexible parametric EQ control with sweepable mid and asymmetric responses. Since the BassXX is a filter-based preamp, you can bypass the preamp and go into passive mode. This is accomplished by pulling up on the treble knob. The passive sound is virtually identical to the active sound in tone and level if the EQ is set flat. In passive mode, only the volume controls function, but passive tone control can be added on custom instruments. Nevertheless, a wide variety of sounds are possible by mixing the two or more pickups, and your instrument can also include series-parallel or single-coil options. The mid control on the BassXX is very powerful. By sweeping the frequency with the gain turned up, you can achieve a strong wah-wah effect. On this instrument, the mid frequency and mid gain are separate knobs, but a single stacked knob is the current configuration. The battery charge control LED flashes when approximately 2 hours of clean power remains.
The following picture shows a typical layout of the controls:
The excellent sound and exteme low noise is achieved by circuit design and selection of active and passive SMT components:
• True bypass.
• Battery-control-LED: A blue LED starts to flash, when a fixed battery limit is exceeded. Then you have several hours to change the battery, before it is running out of power. The active electronics in connection with the battery control is patent pending product.• 0,1% precision-metalfilm-resistors are used. They are expensive, but have a factor 10 - 20 lower noise than the standard-thick-film-resistors
• Polyester capacitors with low tolerance and high linearity replace ceramic and tantalum condensers in the signal path. No semiconductor switches in the circuit.
• The use of excellent potentiometers. For the combined Bass- and treble control with active/passive-switching, we use MEC, for the parametric mids with frequency- and level-control ALPS (two single pots) - optional : MEC (one stacked pot), which are completely encapsulated, ruggedly designed and shielded.
• Intensive audio tests lead to the actual variation of frequencies and level ranges.
• The circuit is completely shielded and encapsulated.
• Neutral switching: Switching from active to passive can be done with the push-/ pull knob of the integrated stacked potentiometer without changes in volume level (while knobs are in neutral position).
Technical data:
Input impedance : 2,2MegOhm
Output impedance : 47kOhm
Bass control : 20 Hz, ± 15dB
Parametric mids : 240 ... 1100 Hz, ± 12dB
Treble control : 6,3kHz, ± 12dB
Supply voltage : 9V-battery
Current consumption : 590µA
Battery power indication via LED
Reverse polarity protection
Fixation through concentric potentiometer (bass / treble) with active / passive push-pull-switch
and a second concentric potentiometer for frequency and level – other layouts for separate pots or fixed mids upon request
Completely shielded and encapsulated – no additional shielding in the instrument necessary
Easy installation
Dimensions: L 32 x B 25 x H 24 mm
Pricing is 147,06Euro net, 175,-Euro incl. 19%VAT
See the installation and user manual as a PDF.
In cooperation with: