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P bass pj preamp

Funkabilly

Funkabilly

Aug 11, 2015
363
408
60
Richmond Ky
#1
I have a 2001 Pbass pj with an active preamp. My first Fender. I never did really like Fender, but I saw this on Reverb and took a chance on it. Wow! I love it! The problem is the knobs on the preamp feel loose/cheap. Of course its an old bass, so they probably felt ok when it was new, but as y'all know, it doesn't have a passive option.
My goal of this post is to have a passive option and better feeling knobs.
Please don't jump on here and try to make me feel like an idiot. Seems like that a norm on posting on TB.
Thanks in advance for being respectful.
 

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#2
That's the American Precision Deluxe, it's definitely worth upgrading. If I have another and I want to upgrade the preamp (of course I would), I'd go with the John East UK, P Retro. I have several John East but they are all Jazz and one being Marcus Retro.

The P Retro stacked volume knob is a pull up knob for active tone control. Just contact them for wiring diagram with your bridge pickup. My only gripe is the "internal" battery charged with input jack cable.

P-RETRO | East UK

The P-Retro is simple but flexible active/passive bass preamp equaliser which offers huge tonal variation to one of the most popular styles of bass of all t ...
www.east-uk.com www.east-uk.com


Here's mine with Custom EMG and Prototype PVX pickup, and DIY double JVX pickup.
IMG_2242.jpeg
IMG_2258.jpeg
 
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#5
I went passive-only on my American Deluxe and don’t regret it. But it’s definitely not for everyone and it was only done after a long realization of not enjoying the active mid. These Aguilar suggestions are very good options. There’s a lot of retailers like Fat Bass Tone who will sell you a pre wired harnesses for Aguilar or John East.

You might also want to check out this thread where a few people talk about mods they did on those style of basses:
kbakerde

Thread 'Fender American Deluxe Precision'

Let me start. Yes I searched. Yes I got some results but I wanted to focus my question. So I've been thinking about maybe putting an American Fender into my stable if a good deal came up. Saw this one, and I'm working with the dude to go check it out. I want to see how it plays and how it sounds for myself, but I also wanted to know what people think of it. Specifically the bass I am looking to buy is a 2002 Fender American Deluxe Precision. It has the Split P in the neck and either a humbucker or double J pickup in the bridge position. It reminds me when I went to visit TBer...
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#6
I went passive-only on my American Deluxe and don’t regret it. But it’s definitely not for everyone and it was only done after a long realization of not enjoying the active mid. These Aguilar suggestions are very good options. There’s a lot of retailers like Fat Bass Tone who will sell you a pre wired harnesses for Aguilar or John East.

You might also want to check out this thread where a few people talk about mods they did on those style of basses:
kbakerde

Thread 'Fender American Deluxe Precision'

Let me start. Yes I searched. Yes I got some results but I wanted to focus my question. So I've been thinking about maybe putting an American Fender into my stable if a good deal came up. Saw this one, and I'm working with the dude to go check it out. I want to see how it plays and how it sounds for myself, but I also wanted to know what people think of it. Specifically the bass I am looking to buy is a 2002 Fender American Deluxe Precision. It has the Split P in the neck and either a humbucker or double J pickup in the bridge position. It reminds me when I went to visit TBer...
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#8
I have the same bass, and really like it. Tons of sonic options with the onboard controls, and the undersized P-Bass body is very comfortable to play and is light resting on my shoulder.

My mid boost/cut pot is pretty loose and doesn't have a center notch (like the bass and treble do), and wants to turn in a light breeze, so I am tempted to replace it (maybe a previous owner already did?), but I wouldn't want to replace the PreAmp itself. But then I have a passive PJ and P so going for that passive P tone is readily available too.
 
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#9
Al1885 said:
That's the American Precision Deluxe, it's definitely worth upgrading. If I have another and I want to upgrade the preamp (of course I would), I'd go with the John East UK, P Retro. I have several John East but they are all Jazz and one being Marcus Retro.

The P Retro stacked volume knob is a pull up knob for active tone control. Just contact them for wiring diagram with your bridge pickup. My only gripe is the "internal" battery charged with input jack cable.

P-RETRO | East UK

The P-Retro is simple but flexible active/passive bass preamp equaliser which offers huge tonal variation to one of the most popular styles of bass of all t ...
www.east-uk.com www.east-uk.com


Here's mine with Custom EMG and Prototype PVX pickup, and DIY double JVX pickup.
View attachment 7352248View attachment 7352249
Click to expand...
Is there any issues you’d get by cutting the ears having both pickups wired in the bridge?

Phase cancelation?
 
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#13
Funkabilly said:
Please don't jump on here and try to make me feel like an idiot. Seems like that a norm on posting on TB.
Thanks in advance for being respectful.
Click to expand...
Hmm. I've not seen anything like that on here, most folks are only too happy to help people and go to great lengths to patiently explain their experience and knowledge even if the question to the OP's mind seems to them dumb. Remember we were all there once. Unless people are rude or arrogant with their opening post perhaps? of which yours certainly is not. Just call those folks out to a mod if you've experienced this before.
Anyway,
I concur that that guitar is lovely and I see no reason to rip out the circuit or convert it to passive, without making a few basic checks. Have you tried a bit of gentle exploration like ensuring the pot nuts are fully tightened and possibly tightening the stacked pot with the appropriate tool if the looseness is felt there?
Have a look on YouTube there's loads of vids about overhauling this kind of stuff as well as pitfalls that you can avoid. If the problem is only the sloppiness of the controls then the pre doesn't need replacing, if the problem is in the pots though them you will have to swap it out or live with it. But have a go first to determine if it can be easily fixed. :thumbsup:
 
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#14
nickpc said:
I have the same bass, and really like it. Tons of sonic options with the onboard controls, and the undersized P-Bass body is very comfortable to play and is light resting on my shoulder.

My mid boost/cut pot is pretty loose and doesn't have a center notch (like the bass and treble do), and wants to turn in a light breeze, so I am tempted to replace it (maybe a previous owner already did?), but I wouldn't want to replace the PreAmp itself. But then I have a passive PJ and P so going for that passive P tone is readily available too.
Click to expand...
Yes! That's the knob/pot that feels loose! The center notch is there but barely detectable. I think the bass sounds awesome, so im not really looking to change the tone, its that last knob. I thought it was a tone knob, like the passive bbasses. It seems like it moves on its own, during a 4 hr gig, but I may be accidentally brushing against it somehow. Im going to look into tightening it up, or maybe just get a new pot.
As far as people being disrespectful, they are on here! I just stay away from a certain group now. Its all good!
 
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#15
Funkabilly said:
As far as people being disrespectful, they are on here! I just stay away from a certain group now. Its all good!
Click to expand...
Good luck and hope you sort out the problem with as little financial outlay as possible, it sounds like a lovely guitar.
Regarding the bell ends you've ran into on here you are clearly a better person than they could ever be, as I've said most people on here only want to help and have had the same experience and want to pass on their knowledge free of charge to help others out. Disrespect shows arrogance and immaturity, not only here but in the world in general and those that use it, use it only as a mask mechanism to deflect from the fact they know little or nothing about what they're talking about but just want to shout the loudest. Schoolyard bullies I guess. Anyway take it easy and always remember there is a block function on this site.:thumbsup:
 
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#18
PeaveyPlayer said:
Interesting! I’m considering it now lol!
Click to expand...
I don't remember how I wired (connected) it but it was pretty crazy, as I split the control on the north and the south pickup. It's on with Tony Franklin fretless neck so I know I can benefit from splitting the pickups. It's like the 70's jazz position and the traditional position. The added sparkle really fun.
 

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