Dusty Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 (edited) Hi fellow Bass Chatters..... Just discovered that John has just started making a 'P' bass Active System Have always fancied owning one of the Lakland Joe Osborns with the system fitted and tried to get hold of a DPLE last week without success ! So... might have to put one of these gizmos in the Duck Dunn ! Anyone out there bought / tried one of these ??? Edited June 2, 2010 by Dusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 There's a review in this month's Bass Guitar Magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 Drop Beedster a PM, he has one (I believe) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 I've got one...it's great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesemt Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 [quote name='Clarky' post='855140' date='Jun 2 2010, 05:44 PM']Drop Beedster a PM, he has one (I believe)[/quote] Are you sure? He flogged me the active parts from his Precision Special as he said he was strictly a passive guy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='855347' date='Jun 2 2010, 08:39 PM']Are you sure? He flogged me the active parts from his Precision Special as he said he was strictly a passive guy...[/quote] When I met up with Chris a few weeks ago he was definitely considering a P-retro. I don't know whether he actually got one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 2, 2010 Share Posted June 2, 2010 I have one in my Bravewood. I like it so much I'm also putting one in my Alleva Coppolo. It's a classic bit of John East kit. When you don't need it, it's not there. When you do need it, click ... and you have everything you're likely to need. Fully reversible, too. Leaves no sign that it was ever there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted June 3, 2010 Author Share Posted June 3, 2010 Thanks Guys, sounds like it's going to be worth a try. Let you know how it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62P-Bass Posted June 3, 2010 Share Posted June 3, 2010 Hi, It was me that did the review in this month's Bass Guitar Magazine. I did some comparison recordings which are now on the BGM website here: [url="http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=429:p-retro&catid=48:demos&Itemid=102"]http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/index.ph...&Itemid=102[/url] Cheers, Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 [quote name='Jamesemt' post='855347' date='Jun 2 2010, 08:39 PM']Are you sure? He flogged me the active parts from his Precision Special as he said he was strictly a passive guy...[/quote] LOL, me and my ever changing ways eh James! [quote name='EssentialTension' post='855489' date='Jun 2 2010, 10:23 PM']When I met up with Chris a few weeks ago he was definitely considering a P-retro. I don't know whether he actually got one.[/quote] Yep, and I now have two Dave! [quote name='Happy Jack' post='855563' date='Jun 2 2010, 11:50 PM']I have one in my Bravewood. I like it so much I'm also putting one in my Alleva Coppolo. It's a classic bit of John East kit. When you don't need it, it's not there. When you do need it, click ... and you have everything you're likely to need. Fully reversible, too. Leaves no sign that it was ever there.[/quote] Jack pretty much sums it up. I was aiming to write a full review at some stage but haven't had the time recently. I will say that although I loved the tone straight away, it took me a few weeks to appreciate just how elegant a solution to the Precision pre-amp problem this unit is. John hasn't simply built a circuit on the old treble/mid/bass model, he's clearly thought very hard about what Precision players actually need from a pre-amp, and has excelled himself with the design. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 oh-er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 This might end up in me buying a P bass... I've been GAS free for a year now! God damnit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 So, what DOES it do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Two stacked knobs. Where the volume knob would usually be, the stacked knob has three functions: 1. Outer/lower ring = tone 2. Inner/upper knob = volume 3. Pull the inner = go to active mode (adding about 3dB when flat) Where the tone knob would usually be, the stacked knob has three functions: 1. Outer/lower ring = frequency sweep 2. Inner/upper knob = boost & cut (see below) 3. Pull the inner = go to pre-set bass boost The bit I love is the boost & cut. It's not an EQ-type device; think of it as a flat central [i]detente [/i]which goes increasingly "smiley face" if you roll clockwise, and increasingly "frowney face" if you roll anti. Can you dial in any tone you want? No. What you get is the sound of a P-bass, but modified. If you're on stage with the pre-amp flat and you're not cutting through, just roll on the smiley face to get a more scooped sound. If that doesn't cut through, no worries, roll the other way to get the frowney face and boost the mids instead. Logically, if one setting doesn't work, then the other one [i][b]must [/b][/i]do. You can then fine-tune it with the frequency sweep. I'm a great believer in [i]keep it simple[/i], and the P-Retro does just that. In a real live-on-stage situation, it does exactly what you need it to do, and with minimal fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 [quote name='Beedster' post='856843' date='Jun 4 2010, 08:57 AM']Yep, and I now have two Dave![/quote] Good, please let me know when you are selling one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='857487' date='Jun 4 2010, 05:27 PM']The bit I love is the boost & cut. It's not an EQ-type device; think of it as a flat central [i]detente [/i]which goes increasingly "smiley face" if you roll clockwise, and increasingly "frowney face" if you roll anti.[/quote] Good summary above Jack. It's probably more accurate to describe the control in question as a contour really. I see your point as, unless it's in the centre it's always boosting something whilst cutting something else, but I think the beauty of the unit is that it isn't a simple boost/cut model. [quote name='EssentialTension' post='857495' date='Jun 4 2010, 05:37 PM']Good, please let me know when you are selling one. [/quote] Fair point (although as I'm now a two bass man I think these are both staying put) C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted June 8, 2010 Share Posted June 8, 2010 I was all set to get one for my Duck Dunn but i went and sold it lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hand of john curley Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Anyone got any idea as to how much these are ? Thanks Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 [url="http://www.east-uk.com/"]http://www.east-uk.com/[/url] Not that difficult, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 I just wanted to say that I think this is practically a work of genius - seriously inspired thinking, nice one John! Well written review too Andrew, kudos all round! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 John had a prototype on his Precision at Bassday in Manchester last November. I thought it was cool then, I definately want one for my Squier now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 Bought one the other day, fitted it today and it sounds amazing. The only problem is it doesn't fit properly due to the battery compartment I have fitted for the LEDS in my P Bass neck I'm not going to chop the bass up any more than it is so will sell the P Retro on and am seriosuly peed off. Gutted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 I know it takes away the whole point of an onboard, but Id love to see something similar by East thats a small pedal (like Aguilar Tone Hammer). Ive never been one to mod, but an pedal is something id always consider. I doubt it will happen though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='62P-Bass' post='856395' date='Jun 3 2010, 06:32 PM']Hi, It was me that did the review in this month's Bass Guitar Magazine. I did some comparison recordings which are now on the BGM website here: [url="http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=429:p-retro&catid=48:demos&Itemid=102"]http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/index.ph...&Itemid=102[/url] Cheers, Andrew[/quote] Andrew - great review thanks. Nice playing as well, I really enjoyed it. It definitely makes a difference and I think the whole design is excellent as it still retains that classic P thump without coming across too modern. As mentioned above, Im not modder, so if it came in pedal format Id buy it. Ohhh...the possibilites! Add a DI and youve got a great DI box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='865083' date='Jun 12 2010, 12:09 PM']Bought one the other day, fitted it today and it sounds amazing. The only problem is it doesn't fit properly due to the battery compartment I have fitted for the LEDS in my P Bass neck I'm not going to chop the bass up any more than it is so will sell the P Retro on and am seriosuly peed off. Gutted [/quote] I don't think you'll have to wait around for a buyer! I'm hoping to add one to my double P, but finances are a bit tight at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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