Hello,

I have a cool relic'ed Jazz bass that I just put Nordstrand NJSV's in and I'm putting in a drop in no route preamp. The no routing leaves me with the Audere or J-retro and I wanted to hear opinions on both being that I haven't personally heard either one. Also, I was curious to know if there was a clear cut favorite.

THANKS!

40 views no replies. Audere is winning in the poll. Is it because of the price?

I've heard good things about the Audere.

40 views no replies. Audere is winning in the poll. Is it because of the price?

Audere's price is good, but they make a great amp which brings out the full range of tone in your pickups ... worth it if you have great pickups like the Nordstrands. I have the JZ3 in my Geddy Lee, with Fralin pups, and it's a fantastic Fender Jazz ... better sounding than any other Jazz I've played.

I'm in a build now and the last thing to order is a preamp. I am using Nordstrand big singles. I want to get a preamp that works best with single coils. I'm not to conserned about pricing.

Audere all the way.

Do not discredit it because of the price. It is in NO way a cheap product. It's a top notch pre that I would put up there with the finest custom pre's. Do not think that it's another J-Retro just because it's a direct Fender drop-in either because it's a whole 'nother animal.

Don't have experience with the Audere other than a few soundclips, but I can't see it beating the J-Retro for me as this does such a great job. I have one paired up with my Nordie NJ4SEs and it's the perfect preamp in my book, in terms of the sound, the quality and the thought that's gone into its design (especially the EQ arrangements). Generally you tend to get what you pay for.

EDIT Just listened to the clips on the Audere site, sounds okay but nothing special really. Several of them were noisy as hell, too. When any new product comes out, the hype can sometimes get in the way of fair comparisons, I suspect. I for one won't be rushing to swap my J-Retro for one of these, but you pays your money and takes your choice, I suppose.

I'm in a build now and the last thing to order is a preamp. I am using Nordstrand big singles. I want to get a preamp that works best with single coils. I'm not to conserned about pricing.
Noise is definitely going to be a factor to consider here, then! ;)

I've owned both Audere and J-Retro preamps in Jazz basses.

I want a preamp to be transparent when eq is flat, I get that with the Audere and didn't get it with the J-Retro.

My honest feeling is that the J-Retro has many great ideas in it, but it just didn't work for me as a whole. I think that slight eq pre-shape that's always present puts me off, or maybe that's not it, but all I know is that I've never liked the sound of any Jazz bass with a J-Retro in it. Other people love it, and that's fine. It's great we have these choices available to us as bass players!

On the other hand, I've had a U-Retro in some non-Jazz basses and it sounded great.

With regards to the Audere, you don't get variable mids, but to be honest I've never found a use for fully sweepable mids in any of the situations I play in. If that's an important factor, then get the J-Retro.

The Audere is not a noisy preamp from my experience with it in several basses.

Don't have experience with the Audere other than a few soundclips, but I can't see it beating the J-Retro for me as this does such a great job. I have one paired up with my Nordie NJ4SEs and it's the perfect preamp in my book, in terms of the sound, the quality and the thought that's gone into its design (especially the EQ arrangements). Generally you tend to get what you pay for.

EDIT Just listened to the clips on the Audere site, sounds okay but nothing special really. Several of them were noisy as hell, too. When any new product comes out, the hype can sometimes get in the way of fair comparisons, I suspect. I for one won't be rushing to swap my J-Retro for one of these, but you pays your money and takes your choice, I suppose.




If you have no experience with the Audere pre amp why does are your comments seem so mildly negative ?

Please anyone that is reading my post understand that just because the Audere JZ3 doesn't cost an arm and a leg does not at all take away from the great quality that goes into the Audere product,if one has any experience with top grade audio components the first thing they will recognize is the quality of parts that are in the Audere products.I let two very highly respected Bass industry insiders have a look at the Audere JZ3 and they were in awe of it's quality(it's emphasis on quality really blew them away)as far as noise I have yet to get any noise out of the JZ3 that I have installed in my fretless J Bass(again no noise at all no matter how much I turn the highs up)I'm also having an Audere system installed in a couple of other Basses that I have.I have talked to other JZ3 users and they have commented that they have no noise issues with their pre at all.I also have to disagree with your comment in this case on hype involving the new market product from Audere,the many post here at TB alone is testament that first hand experience is better than a bunch of untested hype.

And lets not forget the optional tonal changing capacitors that are offered with the JZ3 pre,another + in my book.

I use and stand behind Audere products and will continue to do so and my comments are not at all directed at the proven J-retro pre made by the talented John East.

The JZ3 and the J-Retro are two totally different type of pre's,really apples to oranges.

Albass & Greenman with all due respect the best thing you guys can do is try both pre's and the one that best fits your needs is the one.

If you have no experience with the Audere pre amp why does are your comments seem so mildly negative ?

Jauqo, you're right, my post does sound too negative. Sorry!

It was just a reaction to some of the earlier comments that seemed to imply the superiority of the Audere over the J-Retro was beyond dispute (which is plain silly whichever way you look at it), and a cynicism on my part about how much experience some (but not all) of the posters and voters actually have with either product. I did make clear, as you noted, that the only experience I have with the Audere is listening to a few clips, so I will try to keep an open mind until I get to try one for myself.

As far as the noise comment goes, it was only based on what I heard on their own website, for example, this clip (http://www.audereaudio.com/Audio/High%20Bridge%20RB1%20Raw.mp3). It is possible that the noise here is due to other sources, perhaps?

Here are some sound clips for those who may be interested.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261148&highlight=audere

Here are some sound clips for those who may be interested.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261148&highlight=audere
The link to the clip in that thread doesn't appear to be working for me.

The link to the clip in that thread doesn't appear to be working for me.

You're right,it was working a moment before I posted it and now it's down.

I'd be interested to give these a second listen if Marcus gets them up and working again.

Well, in the meantime, just to show I'm willing to put my stuff on the line, here's links to my Jazz with J-Retro/NJ4SEs... ;)

All the clips were recorded with the J-Retro on but bass/mid/treble all set flat, pickup blend set 50:50. There’s some distortion on the peaks, because I’m no engineer. Again, sorry ‘bout that.

So, here they are…

Fingerstyle (http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Fingerstyle.mp3)
Digging in a bit (http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Dig%20In.mp3)
Slap (http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Slap.mp3)

There’s some distortion on the peaks, because I’m no engineer.



Maybe that was the case the Audere clip as well :)

I've only ever tried the J-retro, but I really, really want to try out the Audere. The Z-switch and capacitor choices are just too interesting to pass up for a hopeless knob-tweaker like me. I've even considered dropping an Audere in my 55-02!

That said, there's certainly nothing at all wrong with J-retro preamps! I had one for a short time, and the versatility along with key defining features (the even blend switch for both pickups without volume loss) were very cool. The Passive tone control is also a big strength of the J-Retro preamp. I liked how quickly I could get middy, punchy fingerstyle along with the essential mid-scooped slap tone. It's really a great preamp.

In short, they're both great preamps, and both have their strengths and weaknesses. I suggest you try both. (or get another jazz bass so you have one with the J-Retro and one with the Audere!) ;)

Maybe that was the case the the Audere clip as well :)
:D Good job John's not asking me to do clips for his site, then!

both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Can you be more specific ?

You're right,it was working a moment before I posted it and now it's down.
There's some clips in my review thread here - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242950

I have an Audere preamp in my Lakland JO4 and absolutely love it. Best preamp I've used. And the Z-Modes are very useful.

The JZ3 and the J-Retro are two totally different type of pre's,really apples to oranges.

Albass & Greenman with all due respect the best thing you guys can do is try both pre's and the one that best fits your needs is the one.

Good excuse to try them both. :hyper:
Seeing is I need a black pre to match the rest of my hardware I'll start with the J-Retro.

Regards.

wheres the required carrots option

I'd be interested to give these a second listen if Marcus gets them up and working again.

Well, in the meantime, just to show I'm willing to put my stuff on the line, here's links to my Jazz with J-Retro/NJ4SEs... ;)

All the clips were recorded with the J-Retro on but bass/mid/treble all set flat, pickup blend set 50:50. There’s some distortion on the peaks, because I’m no engineer. Again, sorry ‘bout that.

So, here they are…

Fingerstyle (http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Fingerstyle.mp3)
Digging in a bit (http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Dig%20In.mp3)
Slap (http://www.billygreen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Slap.mp3)

Sorry about the down link ^_^;;

Dave was kind enough to host the file on his site now and it can be reached here. (http://audereaudio.com/JZ3_SoundClips.htm)

I hope that clears up that confusion.

Great playing by the way!

I KNow it's not a jazz, but I am getting a Washburn T25 from canadianbass in about a week and have already ordered an Audere Preamp system for it. Stacked Vol/Vol, Treble, bass, Stacked Low mid/High Mid 18 Volt.

After reading the reviews of the t25 and realizing that I could not change the pups, I decided to go with the preamp. This is one of the few FULLY customizable preamp systems I found, and that is what sold me on it. I really like the soundclips I heard. Will post clips of pre and post preamp setup for comparison.

Can you be more specific ?

You asked for it! :D

A Comprehensive and Unbiased Comparison of the J-Retro and Audere Drop-in replacement Jazz Bass Preamps:

I. Features:

A. Active/Passive switch:
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

B. Passive Tone Control
J-Retro: Yes (deluxe model only)
Audere: No

C. Active blend circuit switch (both pickups on full without volume loss)
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

D. Battery Power indicator:
J-Retro: No
Audere: Yes

E. Z-switch pickup impedance selector:
J-Retro: No
Audere: Yes

II. Controls:

A. Volume and Pickup Blending:
J-Retro:
-Volume/Blend only, 3band EQ only.

Audere:
-Choice of 2band EQ "Volume/Volume/stacked Treble+Bass" or 3band EQ "Volume/stacked Mid+Pickup blend, Treble-Bass stack"

B. EQ settings:

J-Retro:
-Treble: +12db @ 3kHz, -12db @ kHz.
-"Bright" pull-switch on the Treble knob, +8db @ 7kHz.
-Midrange: Boost/Cut of 12db. Sweepable from 150Hz to 3 kHz.
-Bass boost-only of +15db at 50hz

Audere:
-2 band tone controls:
-Bass is shelving +/- 13 dB at 100 Hz
-Treble is shelving +/- 14.5 dB at 2.5 KHz

-3 band tone controls:
-Bass is shelving +/- 12 dB at 80 Hz
-Mid is wide bandwidth +/- 10 dB at 500 Hz
-Treble is shelving +/- 10 dB at 3.7 KHz

C. Sweepable mids:
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

D. Center-detent for "flat response":
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: Yes


III. Other:

A. Installation (Soldering requirements)
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

B. Customizable options
J-Retro: No
Audere: Yes (Hi-freq. capacitors, Low-Z gain adjustments)

C. Cosmetic options:
J-Retro: Available in Chrome, black (upcharge), or gold (upcharge).
Audere: Chrome only

D. Price:

J-Retro: $300 for standard model, $350 for deluxe model. (I believe the reason being that it is imported from England, if I'm not mistaken. Mr. East said something along these lines on a recent Audere thread.)

Audere: $150 flat (and a free T-shirt)


Now, for the pros and cons:

J-Retro Jazz preamp:
I. Pros:
-sweepable mids
-active/passive switch
-Active blend circuit (both pickups on full without volume loss)
-passive tone control available (deluxe model)
-"Bright" pull-switch on the Treble knob, +8db @ 7kHz.
-Bass boost of +15db at 50hz (deeper and more boost than the Audere, which boosts +12db at 80hz or 100hz)

II. Cons
-$300 for regular model, $350 for deluxe model. Twice the price of the Audere. (I believe the reason being that it is imported from England, if I'm not mistaken. Mr. East said something along these lines on a recent Audere thread.)
-Volume/Blend only, no volume/volume available (Not really a con in my opinion, but might be to others)
-Boost-only bass
-no batter power indicator
-light soldering required


Audere Jazz preamp:
I. Pros
-Choice of "Volume/Volume/Treble-Bass stack" or "Volume/Mid-Pickup blend stack, Treble-Bass stack"
-All EQ knobs are boost/cut
-Z-mode switch
-Battery power LED indicator
-no soldering required
-Semi-customizable (Hi-freq. capacitors, Low-Z gain adjustments)
-$150 flat rate (and a free T-shirt! :D)

II. Cons
-Non-sweepable mids
-No passive tone control available
-Active/passive switch not available
-one must use passive pickups, active pickups non-compatible

I might have missed something, so if you have anything to add, feel free to point out my mistake. My gosh, I am such a geek....:rolleyes:

I might have missed something, so if you have anything to add, feel free to point out my mistake.


No not at all and I think it was a great and very informative post.

I have one issue,I didn't get my free T-shirt :)

I have one issue,I didn't get my free T-shirt :)

LOL, nor did I!

Ah well.

LOL, nor did I!

Ah well.

I really think that it's very unfair and not kool at all :D

,I didn't get my free T-shirt :)

Me either, and I'm sure it would sound better if I did....:)

Me either, and I'm sure it would sound better if I did....:)


I wonder how many more Audere customers got cheated out of their T-shirts ?:crying:

Where's my t-shirt dagnabbit! :mad:

:smug:

Sorry guys - the Audere T-shirt was a special offer a few months ago which ran for 1 month.

We ended that month with exactly 1 Large left in stock :D

Thanks
David

I'm sure you have few not-so-nice email because of me! Sorry about that, Mr. Audere!

Z mode ftw

Z mode ftw

eh?

You asked for it! :D

A Comprehensive and Unbiased Comparison of the J-Retro and Audere Drop-in replacement Jazz Bass Preamps:

I. Features:

A. Active/Passive switch:
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

B. Passive Tone Control
J-Retro: Yes (deluxe model only)
Audere: No

C. Active blend circuit switch (both pickups on full without volume loss)
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

D. Battery Power indicator:
J-Retro: No
Audere: Yes

E. Z-switch pickup impedance selector:
J-Retro: No
Audere: Yes

II. Controls:

A. Volume and Pickup Blending:
J-Retro:
-Volume/Blend only, 3band EQ only.

Audere:
-Choice of 2band EQ "Volume/Volume/stacked Treble+Bass" or 3band EQ "Volume/stacked Mid+Pickup blend, Treble-Bass stack"

B. EQ settings:

J-Retro:
-Treble: +12db @ 3kHz, -12db @ kHz.
-"Bright" pull-switch on the Treble knob, +8db @ 7kHz.
-Midrange: Boost/Cut of 12db. Sweepable from 150Hz to 3 kHz.
-Bass boost-only of +15db at 50hz

Audere:
-2 band tone controls:
-Bass is shelving +/- 13 dB at 100 Hz
-Treble is shelving +/- 14.5 dB at 2.5 KHz

-3 band tone controls:
-Bass is shelving +/- 12 dB at 80 Hz
-Mid is wide bandwidth +/- 10 dB at 500 Hz
-Treble is shelving +/- 10 dB at 3.7 KHz

C. Sweepable mids:
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

D. Center-detent for "flat response":
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: Yes


III. Other:

A. Installation (Soldering requirements)
J-Retro: Yes
Audere: No

B. Customizable options
J-Retro: No
Audere: Yes (Hi-freq. capacitors, Low-Z gain adjustments)

C. Cosmetic options:
J-Retro: Available in Chrome, black (upcharge), or gold (upcharge).
Audere: Chrome only

D. Price:

J-Retro: $300 for standard model, $350 for deluxe model. (I believe the reason being that it is imported from England, if I'm not mistaken. Mr. East said something along these lines on a recent Audere thread.)

Audere: $150 flat (and a free T-shirt)


Now, for the pros and cons:

J-Retro Jazz preamp:
I. Pros:
-sweepable mids
-active/passive switch
-Active blend circuit (both pickups on full without volume loss)
-passive tone control available (deluxe model)
-"Bright" pull-switch on the Treble knob, +8db @ 7kHz.
-Bass boost of +15db at 50hz (deeper and more boost than the Audere, which boosts +12db at 80hz or 100hz)

II. Cons
-$300 for regular model, $350 for deluxe model. Twice the price of the Audere. (I believe the reason being that it is imported from England, if I'm not mistaken. Mr. East said something along these lines on a recent Audere thread.)
-Volume/Blend only, no volume/volume available (Not really a con in my opinion, but might be to others)
-Boost-only bass
-no batter power indicator
-light soldering required


Audere Jazz preamp:
I. Pros
-Choice of "Volume/Volume/Treble-Bass stack" or "Volume/Mid-Pickup blend stack, Treble-Bass stack"
-All EQ knobs are boost/cut
-Z-mode switch
-Battery power LED indicator
-no soldering required
-Semi-customizable (Hi-freq. capacitors, Low-Z gain adjustments)
-$150 flat rate (and a free T-shirt! :D)

II. Cons
-Non-sweepable mids
-No passive tone control available
-Active/passive switch not available
-one must use passive pickups, active pickups non-compatible

I might have missed something, so if you have anything to add, feel free to point out my mistake. My gosh, I am such a geek....:rolleyes:
Nice post, good work that man!! ;)

Sorry about the down link ^_^;;

Dave was kind enough to host the file on his site now and it can be reached here. (http://audereaudio.com/JZ3_SoundClips.htm)

I hope that clears up that confusion.

Great playing by the way!
Nice one, Marcus, I'll have a listen when I'm back on my home PC and can hear it through a decent sound system.

And thanks for the kind comment! :)

Wow, the Audere looks and sounds like a great product.

I'm really interested in the JZ3. What I have is a great Warmoth neck and an old bass body with the necessary hardware.

Where I may be lacking is the pickups.

I have a set of 74 fender Jazz pickups lying around. How would the JZ3 sound with them (in general).

I kind of thought this post would die out pretty quickly after no one wrote on this subject. And then the ball got rolling.

Thanks to all who contributed!! especially Jacquo, ElBajista, David Wilson and others. Wow, what a lot of information.

I have to admit that the low price tag of the Audere made me wonder about it's quality, but it's nice to know that a top quality product can be had for a fair dollar amount.

After reading the posts carefully, I am putting a J Retro in the bass that was in question because of ONE deal breaking reason. I love the way the Nordie's sound passive, and I want the versatility of an active/passive switch.

However, after hearing, "try them both" enough times, I will be putting an Audere in a bass, just not sure which one yet. Ideally, I'd like to put it in a '62 reissue, but that bass has the EMG JV (vintage jazz) set. IS THE AUDERE COMPATIBLE WITH THESE PICKUPS???

Thanks again all TB'ers for sharing your wisdom and experiences.

After reading the posts carefully, I am putting a J Retro in the bass that was in question because of ONE deal breaking reason. I love the way the Nordie's sound passive, and I want the versatility of an active/passive switch.

Just one thing to bear in mind. While the active/passive switch is a get out of trouble switch, blend doesn't work in passive mode.

However, after hearing, "try them both" enough times, I will be putting an Audere in a bass, just not sure which one yet. Ideally, I'd like to put it in a '62 reissue, but that bass has the EMG JV (vintage jazz) set. IS THE AUDERE COMPATIBLE WITH THESE PICKUPS???

No, the JV's are active