J-Retro Preamp doesn't quite fit in the control cavity...

rollo47 · #1 11-01-2007, 01:02 AM

The problem I'm having is the depth - with the preamp and the battery, the control plate sits about 3-4mm too high on the jack side. Now, I've come up with a few possible solutions, but they're all a bit iffy.

- Find some sort of slimline 9V battery.
I'm not sure if these even exist.

- Raise the control plate with pickguard material or similar, so the preamp sits slightly higher. Only problem being that it wouldn't look very good, and would most likely just be a temporary solution.

- Have the control cavity routed deeper
This is probably my last resort. I don't really want it done, as it'd most likely be expensive, and a real hassle.

Anyone have any different ideas?

bassgod0dmw · #2 11-01-2007, 05:31 AM

Is there any way the battery can be mounter horizontally in the cavity instead of vertically?

The best and correct option past that would be to route the body. I doubt it would be very expensive to have someone else do it, but you could always grab a router and take care of it yourself. It's really very easy.

luknfur · #3 11-01-2007, 09:18 AM

Email John.

9v's do vary in size, miliamps, and volts. And most are probably 10v when new. I have no idea where they came up with 9v.

brandonwong · #4 11-01-2007, 10:57 AM

A little off the thread... but my 9v rechargeables can come up to 11 volts when fully charged.

I think the best way is to place washers under the plate so you raise it rather than routing it.

Chasarms · #5 11-01-2007, 11:03 AM

If you are forced to route the body of the bass, I would suggest having the back routed for a flipout battery box. This solves your issue as well as makes it a LOT easier to change batteries.

luknfur · #6 11-01-2007, 04:11 PM

Never paid that much attention to Fenders but you could probably have a surround made up to shim it up.

Like I said, John I'm guessing will know the best alternatives.

As for the batteries, I only use rechargeables but to my knowledge they loose a lot of their initial charge almost immediately. You really have to watch the 9v recharegables you buy cause they come in a myriad of miliamps and volts - some not even enough to power an onboard pre when fresh let alone after any use.