Glockenklang 2-Band Electronic

I have an Ibanez Prestige SR1000EFM with US Bartolini pick ups and the Ibanez Vari Mid eq. The bass is great and pick ups too but I got fed up with the nasal constrained tone from the eq and the fact that any active tone variation sounded, well, like an active tone control not very natural.

I have just installed the Glockenlang 2 band pre amp after quite a lot of research and wanting to really just emphasize the natural qualities of the Bass. I have other Bass Guitars fitted with a variety of Bartolni, Nordstrand and EMG pick ups with Bartolini, John East and Carvin EQ's so the Glockenlang was unknown territory for me.

The Glockenlang is nothing short of sensational. It has transformed the Bass. It works perfectly with the Bartolini pick ups and my amp. Harmonics fly off the fretboard the tone is clear and tight with solid Bass perfectly balanced mid and airy open high frequencies.What I really like is that set flat there is hardly any noticeable difference between passive and active. The Bass and Treble provide perfect boost just enhancing the natural tones. At 18khz the treble is more like a Brilliance control and it provides a very subtle lift with no harshness and virtually no noise (just the very faintest of hums if you get your ear right by the speaker, at least as quiet as any other pre-amps I own). The passive mode with old school treble bleed is just as good in fact I went for the 4 knob 2 band rather than the 3 band to get this feature and I'm really pleased I did. To finish off the blend works great too really nicely balanced swing between the pickups with smooth volume transition. Using settings just around the mid point is actually as good as having a mid control in my experience and if its growl your after go more towards bridge or neck pick ups and you're there.

I would say anyone with a tonally good Bass looking to simply enhance the natural qualities of the instrument should get a Glockenlang. If your looking for higher output or more pronounced tone shaping maybe others would fit the bill.

Installation is straight forward but its probably worth noting the shafts are standard sized so on my curved top Ibanez they only just poked through enough to get the washer and nut on.

All in all possibly the best ¤100 or so I've spent on Bass gear.

I have a Japanese Bass Collection SB310 from 1990 which has always been a lovely bass to play but has been lacking in tone. After reading the reviews of this Glockenklang active circuit I decided to bite the bullet and ordered it.

It arrived today, along with a Switchcraft stereo jack socket and took roughly an hour to install. The instructions are easy to follow, once you get your head around the fact that the diagrams are showing you the top of the circuits, not the underside.

What a difference in sound! Even with the stock SGC pickups, this thing sings now. The Push/Pull Active/Passive switch is a nice bonus too.

I can't recommend this enough if you're looking to upgrade the electronics on your bass. My only gripe would be that as the pots on this have solid shafts, my old knobs won't go on anymore but that's still only a minor issue. They could probably be drilled out slightly to be honest but I have ordered some metal knobs with grub screws so not really an issue at all.

Glockenklang make exceptional gear and this preamp is no exception.
It is incredibly transparent, with no difference between passive mode and active mode with the settings flat. The bass increase is lush and full without being overpowering. It has an almost smooth, compressed tone.
The treble increase is sparkling and bright without being harsh. Crisp and clear.
In passive mode, the treble control acts as a passive tone control - a nice touch!
This preamp won't "colour" the sound of your bass but instead will enhance its natural sound. Definitely my favourite preamp!
5 stars.