Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $159

Standard/Professional

$119

$200+

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the full potential of your bass guitar with the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ, a staple in the professional musician's toolkit. This 3-band preamp offers fully independent Bass, Mid, and Treble controls, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision. Known for its clear and transparent voice, the NTMB delivers an impressive range of tones with ultra-low distortion, making it a favorite among tone aficionados.

With its adjustable gain trim, you can boost the input signal up to 12dB, ensuring your sound matches the output of various instruments or perfectly drives your level-sensitive effects. The NTMB is crafted with musicians in mind, featuring internal shielding to reject electromagnetic noise and filters that block AM and FM radio interference.

Installation is straightforward—simply connect the EQ band wires to your potentiometers, along with the volume control, battery connection, and output jack. Designed for versatility, the preamp supports both 9-volt and 18-volt operations, offering an additional 6dB headroom without altering the tonal character.

Built to the rigorous Bartolini standards, the NTMB uses durable materials like double-tin-plated pure copper wire with semi-rigid insulation, ensuring long-term reliability. Whether you're performing on stage or recording in the studio, the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ is your gateway to professionally crafted tones.

Key Features:

  • 3-band preamp/EQ module for electric bass
  • Independent Bass, Mid, and Treble controls
  • Adjustable gain trim (0–12dB)
  • Internally shielded to reject electromagnetic noise
  • Filters to block AM and FM signals
  • Supports 9V and 18V operations for added headroom
  • Easy installation with pre-wired harness option
  • Durable double-tin-plated pure copper wire construction

Product specs

Available since October 2024
Design 3-Band Set
Tubes No
Amp Modeling No
Integrated Effects No
Headphone Output No
Direct Out Yes
MIDI Connector(s) No
Integrated Expression Pedal No
Connections for Pedals or Switches No
Aux Input No
Integrated Tuner No
USB Connection No

FAQs

What kind of tonal control does the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ provide?

The Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ features a 3-band EQ preamp, offering bass, midrange, and treble adjustments to shape your bass guitar's tone precisely.

Is the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ compatible with all bass guitars?

The Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ is designed to fit most bass guitars, but it's essential to check the cavity size and wiring compatibility of your specific instrument before installation.

Does the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ require any additional power source?

Yes, the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ requires a 9V battery to operate, providing the necessary power for its active preamp functions.

Can the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ be used with passive pickups?

Yes, the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ can be used with passive pickups, enhancing their tonal range and providing active EQ control.

How does the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ affect the sound of my bass?

The Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ allows for detailed tonal shaping, providing a clearer and more defined sound by adjusting the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies to suit your playing style and musical genre.

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ.

Features and functionality

  • The Bartolini NTMB-918F preamp is praised for its non-coloring neutral setting and effective tonal coloration even at +/-1dB adjustments.

    Source
  • Bartolini NTMB allows mid-frequency customization, which can be tailored for guitars if the installer coordinates with Bartolini for precise adjustments.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Bartolini NTMB-918F is a recommended preamp upgrade for maintaining warmth in noisy basses, like the Yamaha BB615, with added electrical shielding.

    Source
  • Users suggest swapping to Bartolini preamps with varied capacitors to tailor EQ to specific needs, enhancing versatility for both guitars and basses.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Bartolini NTMB-918F is favored over the EMG BQC System for its warmer tone, though the EMG is noted for its digital-like clarity and ease of setup.

    Source

User experience

  • Users enjoy the flexibility of the 3-band EQ in the Bartolini NTMB-918F, particularly for stacking with amp settings to achieve unique sounds.

    Source
  • One user anticipates successful integration of the Bartolini NTMB into a Telecaster, expressing confidence based on Bartolini's reputation for quality and tunability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The onboard preamp is crucial for on-the-fly performance tweaking without needing to adjust pedals or amp settings.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Dick Lövgren uses Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ

Dick Lövgren

Bassist

Meshuggah

...
Verified via YouTube

In a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown video, Dick Lövgren discusses using the Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ in combination with Bartolini pickups. This EQ system allows him to finely adjust his bass tone to meet his precise needs.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Bartolini NTMB Onboard EQ, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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