vote which pre amp i should buy to use with my quad coil bartolini pickup

Mr. BassmanPT · #1 12-09-2009, 02:42 PM

like i explained in this topic, i want a new pre amp to work with my quadcoil bartolini pickup (from tobias growler).

here is the original topic i made:

Tobias Growler pre amplifier problem

(Reasons for this: the original pre amp had a failure and i couldn't find a replacement so i now have my tobias with EMG pickup and pre amp and i am looking for a better setup)

the only options i am considering at the moment are:

1) Aguilar OBP3 setup like vol-treb-mid-bass with an active/passive switch and a mid freq selector switch. don't have a budget for this option yet but i expect it to be about 250 euros.

2) John East U-Retro Deluxe setup like Stack Knob - VOLUME / BLEND, Stack Knob - BASS / TREBLE / Pull for BRIGHT, Stack Knob - MID / MID FREQUENCY SWEEP, Single Knob - PASSIVE TONE, Toggle - PICKUPS SELECTOR, Toggle - ACTIVE/PASSIVE. This will cost me 217.50 GBP (which i believe will be about 250~300 euros). I talked with John East and he offered to test my pickup with his pre amp.

3) Other? which and why?

i want to buy another pre amp because i want to use the old bartolini pickup again. i also expect the pre amplifier to be as transparent as possible. I expect you to tell me about your experiences if you have any with the mentioned pre amps.

Regards

Mr. BassmanPT · #2 12-10-2009, 02:22 PM

no one?

mikezimmerman · #3 12-10-2009, 03:19 PM

Well, the Aguilar will be more "transparent" than the East, since the U-Retro has a built-in EQ "preshape". That said, I preferred the East myself.

Just curious--is there any particular reason you're looking at including the passive tone control on the U-Retro? Also, have you considered asking John East if he could put together a "dual" EQ with separate controls for each pickup that's a little more like the original from the Growler?

Mike

DaveAceofBass · #4 12-10-2009, 09:10 PM

Just get the East preamp and thank me later. By the way, if you're worried about losing the "transparency", that is being able to EQ a pure tone with no prior coloration then you can ask John East to make you a preamp without the preshape. He did that for me and it worked out fine, but the ones with the preshape are just a subtle difference (I have two).

Mr. BassmanPT · #5 12-11-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikezimmerman

Well, the Aguilar will be more "transparent" than the East, since the U-Retro has a built-in EQ "preshape". That said, I preferred the East myself.

Just curious--is there any particular reason you're looking at including the passive tone control on the U-Retro? Also, have you considered asking John East if he could put together a "dual" EQ with separate controls for each pickup that's a little more like the original from the Growler?

Mike

thank you for the reply. i see you liked the East pre amp more even though it has the preshape. why is that?

in the growler you have two holes for 2 switches, i want to have something covering those holes so a passive switch is ideal for this! i haven't asked John if he could make the pre amp similar to the original bartolini because i do not mind of it being different.. to each his own!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveAceofBass

Just get the East preamp and thank me later. By the way, if you're worried about losing the "transparency", that is being able to EQ a pure tone with no prior coloration then you can ask John East to make you a preamp without the preshape. He did that for me and it worked out fine, but the ones with the preshape are just a subtle difference (I have two).

if the difference with and without the preshape isn't that noticeable i do not mind to have a standard U-retro. thanks for pointing this out for me though!

i only have one vote for the East pre amp, and 2 for the Aguilar.. who voted? can you explain why should i go with the Aguilar instead? someone voted other but left no feedback! this does not help me at all!

Regards and keep the posts coming, i want to make the growler cool again!

Jared Lash · #6 12-11-2009, 12:11 PM

These are two very different preamps so I'm curious why they are the two choices you've narrowed things down to.

The Aguilar is less colored, but it's also much more extreme in terms of cut and boost. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does do much more exaggerated EQ settings than say the Audere pre.

I've always considered the Aggie more of a rock or funk pre and the U-Retro more of a pop or jazz pre but that's my own bias with those two.

Both are great in their own ways.

Mr. BassmanPT · #7 12-11-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

These are two very different preamps so I'm curious why they are the two choices you've narrowed things down to.

The Aguilar is less colored, but it's also much more extreme in terms of cut and boost. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does do much more exaggerated EQ settings than say the Audere pre.

I've always considered the Aggie more of a rock or funk pre and the U-Retro more of a pop or jazz pre but that's my own bias with those two.

Both are great in their own ways.

that is a good question.. i have decided to go with either Aguilar or John East because i cannot go wrong with either (at least from my reading) even when they are so different like you said. of course i made this topic to know more about both pre amps.

I didn't knew John East until a few weeks back and i talked with him and he offered a really good service.

i play mainly jazz so the East pre amp will fit my style. I also play rock so the Aguilar would also be a good purchase. I still haven't decided which one to buy though

Mr. BassmanPT · #8 12-12-2009, 05:54 AM

Mr. BassmanPT · #9 12-12-2009, 03:02 PM

more votes in the aguilar, yet no one explains why.. please leave a comment if you vote, otherwise it will not help me at all.

Mr. BassmanPT · #10 12-12-2009, 09:12 PM

Mr. BassmanPT · #11 12-13-2009, 07:19 AM

at this moment i am leaning towards the East pre amp, not only because the replies i had but because John East himself is offering a top quality service ties with his good reputation.

i will continue to bump this thread a couple more days until i make my final decision. we almost have a tie though.

keep the comments coming please.

SteveC · #12 12-13-2009, 08:05 AM

Interesting. I am debating a new preamp for my bass as well. It's a Yamaha BB605 that currently has Bartolini HC Jazz pups and a Bartolini 5.4 A/P preamp. I like the Bartolini, but I also have a Sadowsky RV4 and am wanting something a little more Sadowsky and less Bartolini. Aguilar is high on my list as it is similar to the Sadowsky. I believe the same people were involved in initial designs of both. I also had a MIM jazz with a J-Retro in a while back (Ultra Jazz pups) and it sounded really good.

I tend to use my Yamaha (5 string) at church and for contemporary jazz gigs so that makes me lean a little to the U-Retro Deluxe.

I know that didn't help you much, sorry. I'll be watching for more comments.

warnan · #13 12-13-2009, 08:25 AM

+1 john east pre
Also there is less expensive but good sounding pre. Check Kent
Armstrong blue box 3band eq. i believe it cost 70 euros at wdmusic.co.uk

Mr. BassmanPT · #14 12-13-2009, 10:53 AM

thank you for your inputs.. more votes and comments please, i will be making my decision soon and every information i can get is useful at this moment.

Mr. BassmanPT · #15 12-14-2009, 11:55 AM

Mr. BassmanPT · #16 12-14-2009, 05:00 PM

bump

(please leave reply, you are voting only)

Mr. BassmanPT · #17 12-15-2009, 10:58 AM

no comments? i am really leaning towards the East pre! all comments in this topic lead me that way

Mr. BassmanPT · #18 12-16-2009, 01:30 PM

Mr. BassmanPT · #19 12-16-2009, 03:29 PM

one thing is for certain. whoever that votes aguilar does not leave any comments!

this leads me to think that aguilar equals to not posting! why this trend?

MaxOnBass · #20 12-16-2009, 04:55 PM

sorry, I voted a few days ago and was too much in a hurry to comment.. I chose Aguilar simply because from my experience, the Aggie pre's and Bart pickups work very well together. Now I haven't heard Barts with other pre's on your list, but I've heard them with MEC and SD and the Aggie+Bart sounded way better. Hope I helped at least a bit...