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The John East preamp club
- Thread starter datsaxguy
- Start date
I agree that looks the simplest and most straightfoward approach. But I would lose individual tone control of each pickup. I haven't heard the two approaches to A/B them so I don't know and can't say what difference that would make, if any.
Huge fan, got the Marcus retro installed in my jazz and an EQ01 elsewhere. Question for the audience - everything is great in active mode on the Marcus but passive mode sounds like it is getting bridge pickup only or maybe out of phase. Has anyone else run into that issue?
Hey man did you ever get your stuff?
I ordered a uni-pre 5 a few days ago. No confirmation or shipping notice as of yet. Never dealt with the East outfit, so wondering if it's normal. Did you get a ship notice or tracking number?
@fast slapper Is there an update for the Uni-Pre with 2J Squared? This is exactly what I am considering. Bartolini pickups have low output so I want to make sure there is no issue with the Uni-Pre. They recommend a Bart buffer pre to boost the signal. Then you dont really have the passive option any more. I have been shopping and watching videos for a while. I keep coming back to the vintage tones, and passive option, and sweepable mids that East offers. Thanks.
I've actually grown to like the Big Singles in that bass run passive. They are high-mid heavy but sound great with the tone control rolled off a bit with highs boosted externally. Nice punchy clear tone. The passive blend works surprisingly well which was not expected.
After listening to sound samples online I've decided on Delano SBC soapbars ran passive for my next bass. Seem to naturally extend higher before eq than almost any other pickup. 4-way coil switch on each pickup should make up for no onboard preamp to some degree.
After listening to sound samples online I've decided on Delano SBC soapbars ran passive for my next bass. Seem to naturally extend higher before eq than almost any other pickup. 4-way coil switch on each pickup should make up for no onboard preamp to some degree.
Volume pot value has a a lot to do with high tone extension - but I agree on the passive - much as I like the John East MM pre for the range of tones I love the passive tone more - especially for recording - series/parallel really works for me.
Hi there,
may I ask if any of you experienced a similar issue with the Uni Pre (4 knob)? I have dropped an email to John East but it is Friday, and I am just keen to get this going before the weekend ends ...
Upon testing the preamp I recognized in passive mode everything works well - clear tone from both pickups of my Sandberg VM5, both PUs soloed as well as blended at center detent. However, once switching into the active mode I do not hear the signal from the PUs any longer, perhaps very faint. I however hear a hiss that can be turned up and down via the volume pot and I can also EQ the hiss, if you know what I mean: Increasing bass is notable, changing the midfrequency while boosting the mids, etc. Hence battery is working, output jack is correctly connected, EQ (all three bands) is working - there is just not much signal coming through from the PUs.
Changing the battery has no effect as well.
Thanks and cheers!
may I ask if any of you experienced a similar issue with the Uni Pre (4 knob)? I have dropped an email to John East but it is Friday, and I am just keen to get this going before the weekend ends ...
Upon testing the preamp I recognized in passive mode everything works well - clear tone from both pickups of my Sandberg VM5, both PUs soloed as well as blended at center detent. However, once switching into the active mode I do not hear the signal from the PUs any longer, perhaps very faint. I however hear a hiss that can be turned up and down via the volume pot and I can also EQ the hiss, if you know what I mean: Increasing bass is notable, changing the midfrequency while boosting the mids, etc. Hence battery is working, output jack is correctly connected, EQ (all three bands) is working - there is just not much signal coming through from the PUs.
Changing the battery has no effect as well.
Thanks and cheers!
Hey people - looking at the UniPre to replace the Millenium pre in one of my US Peaveys. The bass has an 18 volt system with active pickups. Will the UniPre work with that configuration? Thank you in advance!
Peter Lufrano
Blues. and nothing but the Blues.
Cut some chunks of wood, drill a hole craft to your liking with a mini strip bench belt sander.
Roger at THG Knobs.
thgknobs.com
I came across him because I am an Alembic fan and he makes knobs for them. He made knobs for my Forte. I'm not sure if he stains/ poly. I was able to get mine sprayed to match during the bass build.
Peter Lufrano
Blues. and nothing but the Blues.
I have experience with a few different wood knobs. In my honest opinion, David King makes some of the nicest knobs you can get, moreso than the other popular guys. Solid Knob Gallery Page
Hey, total east fanboy here as well. Have a U-retro dlx and a j-retro dlx installed. Basically that and single coils are my sound.
So this is kind of blasphemous but I really wanted a u-retro in my MTD so it drives my pedals the same and it sounds similar to my other basses. How far off is the uni pre from the u-retro design?
So this is kind of blasphemous but I really wanted a u-retro in my MTD so it drives my pedals the same and it sounds similar to my other basses. How far off is the uni pre from the u-retro design?
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,082
- 9,805
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
The Uni Pre is definitely less colored than the J/U retro, and offers a wider and flatter pallete, with the same degree of powerful tone shaping that Easts EQ's have. Basically, many consider the J retro to have a bit of built in snarl in the upper mids that some feel really helps voice the bass to cut through well. I like the Uni Pre's flatter starting point, and dramatically prefer its EQ flexibility, since you can dial in your own frequencies for the 3 band EQ. I ordered mine with a mid stack (freq/gain) since I like being able to sweep and adjust that band on the fly.
it may even be possible to get the Uni Pre with the U retro's mid curve, since you can get a U Retro with a flat/non curved response. Best to ask John.
As far as matching output levels, it should be easy since theres a trimpot for output volume in the cavity.
What bass do you have an East in Leo?
it may even be possible to get the Uni Pre with the U retro's mid curve, since you can get a U Retro with a flat/non curved response. Best to ask John.
As far as matching output levels, it should be easy since theres a trimpot for output volume in the cavity.
What bass do you have an East in Leo?
