John East U-Retro Deluxe

[GreeneKing]

I've already replaced the 2EQ 18v Hazlabs cut and boost pre-amp in my Spector NS5XL. I have to own up to using a pre to get my tone to a greater extent. It works for me. I like the low mids to be emphasised and seldom use bass or treble boost so the Euro was always vulnerable for some similar surgery.

The standard U-Retro fitted the 3 hole NS and I tucked the two switches away into the cavity (it'll only be used in active mode anyway). I got John to combine the separate volume and blend on the U-Retro Deluxe 5 knob to give me 4 knobs to fit the Euro and to include a passive/active pull on the added passive tone control (effectively a Sadowsky VTC).

So I now have vol/blend, mid cut and boost with sweep, treble cut and boost with bass boost and treble bright 'pull', passive tone with passive only pull (passive tone works in active too.

Here's some photos of the switch done today:

The box:



U-Retro:





The very neat purpose build HazLabs 9v circuit, $500 dollars worth of upgrade.





The U-Retro connected and checked for functionality, as usual a 1st time is right occurence:



And ready to be tucked away. Not as neat but solid and it works:



Done:





Please forgive my awful playing but before and after:

[url="http://www.plunder.com/Haz2-download-03bfccdf23.htm"]http://www.plunder.com/Haz2-download-03bfccdf23.htm[/url]

[url="http://www.plunder.com/East2-download-42d3946447.htm"]http://www.plunder.com/East2-download-42d3946447.htm[/url]

Edited April 18, 2011 by Rich
Thread title amended for alphabetical ordering

[ped]

Hmm I can't seem to access the sound clips?

[ped]

Oh my mistake

[GreeneKing]

Okay, I can, probably just as well I'll investigate.

[ped]

Nice, sounds much fuller... clips only come out of my left channel though?

[GreeneKing]

I recorded them via Audacity and did it in mono. I should have combined the two tracks somehow. I'll investigate.

[ped]

They still give a good impression of the sound... and the improvement :0)

I hate fiddling with electronics, myself - seems you are quite a pro!! As John is just down the road I persuaded him to fit mine for me!!

ped

[Golchen]

Interesting. I'm not sure I'd take that on, I have no understanding of electronics, although I'm quite happy to replace like for like.

Laff'd at retro spelt wrong twice in the title!

[ped]

Yeah I noticed that too!! After fiddling with tiny bits of wire for so long a keyboard feels really clunky and weird... that's a good excuse...
ped

[GreeneKing]

Dislexia rules KO