J-retro or Sadowsky preamp upgrade for my Fender Marcus Miller bass

6stringbassist · #1 12-09-2008, 05:29 PM

I'm getting a Marcus Miller bass at Christmas.

I was quite impressed by the bass itself, not so with the preamp though, so I'll probably be upgrading it.

My question is which one works better, both are more or less the same price over here in the UK.

Cheers

Gintaras · #2 12-09-2008, 05:55 PM

I've read on this forum that Marcus Miller has or is using the Sadowsky. Never used one but have a J-Retro. Great preamp...very versatile. Hopefully someone will chime in who has used both.

depalm · #3 12-09-2008, 06:03 PM

I just install a J-Retro on my JB (although I'm not searching for the MM tone) I've read many user reviews saying that with this preamp they could get it.

John East has a MM preamp with the Pickguard.

jokerjkny · #4 12-10-2008, 01:28 AM

the sadowsky is more a thickening, furry, brownie kinda bass sound, while i found the j-retro is more a steely lower lows pounding kinda thing. glassy and glossy.

the j-retro is closer to the preamp in your marcus already, but like a revved up, ferrari version. the sadowsky IME is very different from the preamp in your marcus now.

hands5 · #5 12-10-2008, 05:52 AM

As far as an onboard preamp I'm not really a fan of either one but if I had to pick I would go with the Sadowsky because it's a little more transparent than the J retro imo. The J retro preamps are kinda sterile imo.

Ezbass · #6 12-10-2008, 06:32 AM

I believe that Marcus' original upgrade was with a Sadowsky preamp so that would be the natural choice. I used to use a J Retro on an ash J bass and was very pleased with the results. The best part was the mid control which allowed the boosting/cutting of a vast range of mid frequencies.

There are a bunch of samples on the Sadowsky site if you want to have a listen.

dmusic148 · #7 12-10-2008, 06:44 AM

Marcus has a Bartolini preamp, not Sadowski, check his website.
I've got a U-retro(same as J-retro circuit) and love it. The Sadowski is boost only, bass and treble. The East one has those PLUS treble cut, pull bright, and sweepable mids boost and cut. A lot more versatile IMO.

KJung · #8 12-10-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezbass

I believe that Marcus' original upgrade was with a Sadowsky preamp so that would be the natural choice. I used to use a J Retro on an ash J bass and was very pleased with the results. The best part was the mid control which allowed the boosting/cutting of a vast range of mid frequencies.

This is a myth that just doesn't seem to die. Roger Sadowsky did INSTALL a preamp in Marcus's bass early on (originally a preamp made by, I think, Starz or something like that, and later a stock Bartolini preamp).

Anyway, I agree with some of the above posts. I find the J-Retro to be quite hi fi, and to me, it 'sucks the J out of the J bass tone'. The Sadowsky pre does a good job of providing a bit of meat down low and sizzle up top of you want it, providing you use just a bit of boost on either control.

For a 'J bass tone with a bit more meat to it', it would be the Sadowsky pre all the way if it will fit in the cavity.

depalm · #9 12-10-2008, 11:31 AM

I like the J-Retro a lot and don't think it 'sucks the J out of the J bass tone'.

As I said on my preview post I was not searching for that MM kind of tone when bough mine. In fact I found it very versatile.

Did two clips:
http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/7965...-Retro%201.mp3
http://www.filefreak.com/pfiles/7965...-Retro%202.mp3

allexcosta · #10 12-10-2008, 11:47 AM

I recorded a J-Retro little demo. First, passive, then with the preamp engaged. Hope it helps...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYc5ATsLhDQ

slap2much · #11 12-10-2008, 11:48 AM

I've used both the onboard and stomp box Sadowsky DIs, and the J-Retro onboard with jazz-type basses...though I believe it's easier to get that MM kind of sound with the Sadowsky, the J-Retro's sweepable mid cut/boost gives you a lot more versatility. I think you can come pretty close to that sound with a J-Retro, provided you flatten out the mid control and be judicious with the bass boost. The Sadowsky pre does have a distinctive sound to it, so if you hear one & fall in love with that tone your decision is made.

Not sure if the OP wants the 'Marcus Miller' sound only, but I'd prefer the J-Retro for its flexibility. I dig the 'emergency dead battery' setting too.

madbassplaya · #12 12-10-2008, 11:55 AM

I would definately go with the J-Retro. I had a Marcus Miller Jazz bass that had a J-Retro installed and it smoked! The tone was unbelievable. If it had been a 5 string there is no doubt in my mind that I would've kept it.

Hope that helps.

depalm · #13 12-10-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allexcosta

I recorded a J-Retro little demo. First, passive, then with the preamp engaged. Hope it helps...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYc5ATsLhDQ

Nice demo Alex!

KJung · #14 12-10-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slap2much

I've used both the onboard and stomp box Sadowsky DIs, and the J-Retro onboard with jazz-type basses...though I believe it's easier to get that MM kind of sound with the Sadowsky, the J-Retro's sweepable mid cut/boost gives you a lot more versatility. I think you can come pretty close to that sound with a J-Retro, provided you flatten out the mid control and be judicious with the bass boost. The Sadowsky pre does have a distinctive sound to it, so if you hear one & fall in love with that tone your decision is made.

Not sure if the OP wants the 'Marcus Miller' sound only, but I'd prefer the J-Retro for its flexibility. I dig the 'emergency dead battery' setting too.

FYI, the Sadowsky on board also has a passive mode push pull switch.

allexcosta · #15 12-10-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by depalm

Nice demo Alex!

As nice as yours, sir... Valeu...

mailboxmoney · #16 12-10-2008, 12:17 PM

I have a MM that I put a Sadowsky in, and I love it. Really sounds a ton better, more like a jazz bass sound to me. Mine has VTC which is critical - I usually dial in a bit more bass with the active bass pot, then roll off a bit with the VTC to smooth it out. Still sounds like a jazz, but with alot more guts. I don't miss a mid control, if I play down near the bridge there's plenty of mid (like a regular jazz bass, VVT). I also have a DJ I put an Audere into, and it also sounds great, but I miss the simple rolloff that the VVT and the VTC have - it's what I'm used to from playing a jazz bass for years. Another thing I like about the Sadowsky preamp is it just seems like Roger nailed the freq and Q for the active bass and treble - like a nice Neve or API eq, the frequencies (to some extent) and bandwidths are preset to the sweet spots.

phatbass30 · #17 12-10-2008, 12:27 PM

here's the link to the thread i started few months ago. i have a J-retro Marcus in my Sadowsky MS5. man it kills!!! i love the tone and the mid control and mid freq is so versatile. i hope this link will help a bit.

J-retro users

Lonnybass · #18 12-10-2008, 12:33 PM

[quote=Another thing I like about the Sadowsky preamp is it just seems like Roger nailed the freq and Q for the active bass and treble - like a nice Neve or API eq, the frequencies (to some extent) and bandwidths are preset to the sweet spots.[/QUOTE]

+10,000. I find that I do very little amp twiddling with the onboard Sadowsky pre.

Lonnybass

KJung · #19 12-10-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnybass

+10,000. I find that I do very little amp twiddling with the onboard Sadowsky pre.

Lonnybass

+1 also. That pre really does a good job of just adding a little bit of meat and/or sizzle without really changing the tone of a J Bass much. And, the VTC really keeps it feeling like a classic J sort of thing.

The J-Retro, to my ear, really makes the bass sound much more 'active' and modern. I am one who has never found a mid control very useful (especially on a J type instrument). It always sounds 'artificial' when boosted, and the Q's are typically set too wide to be useful to, for example, cut a touch at 1 or 2K to remove the 'gank' from some pickups and rigs.

IMO of course.

Ezbass · #20 12-11-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

This is a myth that just doesn't seem to die. Roger Sadowsky did INSTALL a preamp in Marcus's bass early on (originally a preamp made by, I think, Starz or something like that, and later a stock Bartolini preamp).

I stand corrected and am now a better informed person for it. Cheers Ken, nice to know that somebody has the real skinny on this