• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

J-retro users

#23
Here is my fender 60 classic jazz

Invalid Link Removed

I use flatwound and the preamp is color so i can get that massive low end without tweaking the bass EQ on the amp or the j-retro.

Cuts in nicely in the mix when playing in a band, all you need to do is to adjust the mid or the mid freq on the j-retro to get the perfect sound
 
#25
here's my Fender MIJ RI '75
 

Attachments

  • Fender MIJ JB '75 Rei 1a.jpg
    Fender MIJ JB '75 Rei 1a.jpg
    50.2 KB · Views: 106
#27
I fitted one to my old MIA Jazz together with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz p/ups. It still left a wonderfully transparent J tone but with all the active advantages. I really liked that the blend didn't seem to have any phase drop outs or humps and the mid control was brilliant. Unfortunately when switching to passive it didn't sound so great, but at least it was there as a get out of jail free switch as battery changing on the front loaded model was a pain. Having said that I never changed a battery all the time I had it. The company were also super helpful when I phoned them for advice and support both pre and post sale.
 
#31
phatbass30 said:
i didn't said i don't like the Sad pre, i'm just looking for some more flexibility and trying to experiment a bit with my Bass and the Tone.

both pre's are good. the only advantage i guess is the added mid frequency and mid knobs of the Retro. that made it more flexible than the Sad pre. the Retro has a bit of color when engage, and i like it. and my Retro is Marcus Retro, it has more Lows and Highs i guess, to get close to that Marcus bottom and sizzle. i usually play with my bass with the preamp always on, that's why i bought an Active Bass. if i want the Passive sound, i'll buy a passive bass.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks. Enjoy your new sounds!
 
#32
I've got a j-retro deluxe with the passive tone control and it not only works slick, my luthier was mightily impressed with the workmanship of it.

I would recommend the deluxe not only because of the passive tone control, but also because the passive tone control operates as an overall tone control so you can have your basic settings and darken, or brighten the overall sound to fit the room.

IMG_0526.jpg


IMG_0529.jpg
 
#33
010808%20032.jpg


Out of all of the preamps I have owned, this is my favorite. I have it in my parts bass with a Geddy Lee body, Nordstrand NJ4 in the neck and MM4.3 routed out in the bridge. I don't use it passively so I was wondering if I can use the toggle switches to convert it to switching the MM4.3 from series to parallel:hmm:
 
#34
I just bought a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass with a J Retro Preamp installed. When I take my hands of the strings, bridge, or control
plate, I get a nasty hiss. The more I boost the highs, the worse it gets. When I turn the amps tweeter off, it's not too bad. I use a SWR Workingpro 12 at home. Live, I use that and go direct thru a Radial JDI DI, although I have not played this bass live yet. Is this a grounding issue? I check and the ground wire is properly connected. Will I have the same problem playing thru the the DI?
oh yeah, I also have the same problem in passive mode, but it's barely noticeable.
 
#36
Frazertech said:
I just bought a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass with a J Retro Preamp installed. When I take my hands of the strings, bridge, or control
plate, I get a nasty hiss. The more I boost the highs, the worse it gets. When I turn the amps tweeter off, it's not too bad. I use a SWR Workingpro 12 at home. Live, I use that and go direct thru a Radial JDI DI, although I have not played this bass live yet. Is this a grounding issue? I check and the ground wire is properly connected. Will I have the same problem playing thru the the DI?
oh yeah, I also have the same problem in passive mode, but it's barely noticeable.
Click to expand...

Preamps hiss with the treble boosted. It's the same for preamps in the bass and in the amp. There's no real reason to have your treble boosted that much. It's not a grounding issue, it's a fact of life.
 
#38
Hi Guys! I just ordered my J Retro for my Darryl Jones Skyline. I've heard so many great feedback from this unit so I'm rolling the dice and giving it a try.

I really like the tone I get from my DJ4 right now. Some would say, "if it ain't broke don't fix it." But since the DJ4 is now a discontinued model (bummer!), I feel that one day they would also stop making the J Retro for the DJ bass. I've heard it makes a great bass sound even better.

I want to install this myself. Can anyone offer their advice to help me? Is it easy to do? Will I need to solder anything? Tips on how to make this operation go smooth? Any links or advice would greatly help me.

My technical resume: I assembled my own super pimped PC and have build 50mph RC cars.

Thanks is advance.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back