fretmeister Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I have a lovely Marleaux Consat that has a (I think) Glockenclang 3 band EQ, vol, pan and an active / passive switch. It sounds awesome in active and passive modes, but what it doesn't have is a passive tone control. When the preamp is off, the EQ does nothing (obviously) and the only tone variance is from using the pickup pan. I would like to have the option of a passive bass sound with the tone down. I used to have a Sandberg that when in passive mode the Treble knob would act like a passive tone control, but I have no idea what make that preamp was or whether a 3 band is available. I also don't want to change the other sounds available to me already, so a replacement preamp would need to be as clear as the existing one I would prefer not to have any extra holes cut in the bass so can anyone recommend a suitable preamp that would do this? Or any other idea? ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Have you checked the John East U-Retro? I seem to recall that it does what you want, but it was a while ago ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I'm pretty sure the Sandberg preamps are made by Glockenklang too. The pre in my VT5 is vol/pan/treble/bass when active, but pull the vol pot up and it goes into passive with the treble pot becoming a passive tone. They also do a [url="http://www.musicstore.com/en_EN/EUR/Sandberg--3-Band-EQ-/art-BAS0004224-000"]3 band[/url] version. However, I'd agree with Jack that an East pre is going to give you all the bells and whistles you could want, and funnily enough I'd been thinking of dropping the same in my Sandberg to make it even more versatile. Great preamps and great service from East. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 U-Retro will not give passive options as required as far as I know. The Consat has 5 knobs as far as I know and if you like the Glock, just buy the 3 band version without the stacked knobs (5 knobs) or even the 2 band non stacked *4 knobs), these do have the passive tone control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 What Walbassist said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 Just had a look at the East 5 knob U-Retro. That's a monster bit of kit! Not cheap though. I might have to raid the pedal trunk to see what I can do without! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 The thing with the U-Retro though is, while it is an awesome preamp it is also very coloured and when installed you sacrifce the natural sound of your bass for the U-Retro sound - if you are lucky it will enhance the sound you require, if not it will take it over. I installed one in a high spec J bass recently and it only lasted 2 rehearsals (the second time was to give it the benefit of the doubt and also to work on my theory as to why it didn't work for me). Soloed it was utterly fantastic but in a band situation it somehow killed the life in the room - my theory is that because of the powerful and broad spectrum of frequencies it produces it clashed with the other frequencies from the band and cancelled them out....for everyone. The Schack preamp is about the best I've ever come across, easily rivalling the JE for spectrum but is also more customisable (internal micro switches allow you fine tune it to your bass or taste) and more importantly for the OP will do complete passive control. Try finding one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 I see East have a flat response version of the 5 knob. Seems to be quite new. Anyone tried one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skelf Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) You can get a flat response version of the Retro just ask John. Beaten to it. I have used a couple and they are very nice units. You can get a U-Retro with active/passive and tone control which works in both modes. Edited October 15, 2013 by skelf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 [quote name='skelf' timestamp='1381832256' post='2244221'] You can get a flat response version of the Retro just ask John. You can get a U-Retro with active/passive and tone control which works in both modes. [/quote] Yes, I have one in my Precision Lyte. Fantastic bit of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1381832042' post='2244213'] The Schack preamp is about the best I've ever come across, easily rivalling the JE for spectrum but is also more customisable (internal micro switches allow you fine tune it to your bass or taste) and more importantly for the OP will do complete passive control. Try finding one though. [/quote] I've been looking for years for them. I think I may have found one though (or maybe two!) - they are a very musical preamp with a stunning top end, especially with a set of soapbars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Interesting. What does the flat response do, skip the U-Retro tone? [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1381832511' post='2244226'] I've been looking for years for them. I think I may have found one though (or maybe two!) - they are a very musical preamp with a stunning top end, especially with a set of soapbars. [/quote] I have one too. If you need help/info on wiring just ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 [quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1381833371' post='2244241'] I have one too. If you need help/info on wiring just ask. [/quote] I think I may be some way off yet as I've still got to build a bass to put it/them in! They were readily available at one stage via the Gallery but now they are like rocking horse sh1t... and Nico doesn't seem interested in making them available outside of Schack basses now (understandable). There are number of preamps that I really love - the GB bass processor (of course!), The Schack... and the other stunning preamp which actually works great with single coils (I'm more of a soap bar man), is the the preamp in the Yamaha BBNE2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Audere do one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 This information is absolutely no use to you but I just like to mention that the preamp in my Gibson Victory Artist is fully 2 band active and passive. The only annoyance about it is that instead of using concentric pots it uses dual pots. Home position in active is half way round. Home position in passive is 10, obviously. So if you flick to passive, you have to remember to "turn up" (of course I actually mean cut less) the bass and treble. Then you get a nice surprise if you flick back to active, because everything is +5, +5. More Gibson fun/idiosyncrasy/annoyance/WTF for you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I don't get how succesful an active/passive preamp can be... the pot values for active vs passive are wildly different - there's a pay off got to be made somewhere. I guess thats where some preamps have the "get out of jail free" by flicking a switch and wiring the pickups straight to the jack... but any tone shaping is always going to take a hit due to pot values... unless somebody can explain something I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1381835976' post='2244281'] I don't get how succesful an active/passive preamp can be... the pot values for active vs passive are wildly different - there's a pay off got to be made somewhere. I guess thats where some preamps have the "get out of jail free" by flicking a switch and wiring the pickups straight to the jack... but any tone shaping is always going to take a hit due to pot values... unless somebody can explain something I'm missing? [/quote] No, you're right! I have a Sandberg with a Glockenklang 2-band, and the cap value on the treble control must be some kind of compromise, because turning it right down does not give you the deep dubby bass-boost sound that you get by doing this on a P. In fact that's the only thing I miss about my old P now. I'm thinking of modding it - look out for an imminent new thread! EDIT: just done it [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219792-anyone-modded-a-glockenklang-2-band-onboard-pre-amp/"]here [/url]- didn't want to hijack this thread! Edited October 15, 2013 by JapanAxe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 [quote name='ead' timestamp='1381835333' post='2244267'] Audere do one as well. [/quote] That's just reminded me. One of the maybe "ludicrous" (for lack of a better word) things about the Audere is the battery check thing when you first plug it in. Silent, flashy blue light and then the preamp becomes live. I wonder how many people have stepped on their leads, haven't done the cable loop around the strap trick, bent down, plugged it back in... and then waited what must seem like a life time for the preamp to kick in again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 AFAIK, all of the Glockenklang preamps (including the Sandberg preamps) now have the passive tone control, with the exception of the stacked pot versions that Glockenklang do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) [quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1381837782' post='2244318'] AFAIK, all of the Glockenklang preamps (including the Sandberg preamps) now have the passive tone control, with the exception of the stacked pot versions that Glockenklang do. [/quote] My, my. Pretty bass in your Avatar. What is that? Is that a Ken Taylor? Got any close ups? Edited October 15, 2013 by EBS_freak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Thanks, yeah it's the Basic Ken Taylor 5 I had built last year. I love it! The ebony fretboard is lovely, I wanted to keep it black/white, and not risk a lightish piece of rosewood spoiling it! Haven't got any pics here at work, but there's some more on the Sandberg Love thread in gear porn I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 (edited) [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1381837941' post='2244323'] My, my. Pretty bass in your Avatar. What is that? Is that a Ken Taylor? Got any close ups? [/quote] I put a few pics on the BC Facebook page before (3 altogether): https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151195889451045&id=594761044&set=o.278029458876065&source=46&refid=17 Edited October 15, 2013 by TRBboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulflan0151 Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 Nordstrand's EQ's have a passive option that the vol, blend and tone work when on when in passive mode. Sound ace too. Not sure if it's all their models though but it deffo works with the 3B-5B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1381837671' post='2244316'] That's just reminded me. One of the maybe "ludicrous" (for lack of a better word) things about the Audere is the battery check thing when you first plug it in. Silent, flashy blue light and then the preamp becomes live. I wonder how many people have stepped on their leads, haven't done the cable loop around the strap trick, bent down, plugged it back in... and then waited what must seem like a life time for the preamp to kick in again? [/quote] I think that is only on the Z Mode ones. The Classic one I had until very recently didn't have this feature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 how are you going to use it? could you make a tone footpedal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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