xilddx Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 I am tempted to go with the U-RETRO 01 Deluxe for my custom build, it looks really versatile. Anyone used one of these? What are they like? I'll be using it with passive MEC pups. MM-style HB and J-style SC. I will need some advice with the install. I am clueless with electronics. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='908341' date='Jul 28 2010, 03:59 PM']I am tempted to go with the U-RETRO 01 Deluxe for my custom build, it looks really versatile. Anyone used one of these? What are they like? I'll be using it with passive MEC pups. MM-style HB and J-style SC. I will need some advice with the install. I am clueless with electronics. Thank you![/quote] I've used U Retros in both my basses, they do all that I need a preamp to do Mine are wired to J and P pickups in one bass and a Bongo humbucker in the other and make both basses sound great. I doubt you'll need much in the way of instruction if you look at the details on the website, and it won't need soldering unless you need to wire it to a different style jack socket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='Paul_C' post='908352' date='Jul 28 2010, 04:07 PM']I've used U Retros in both my basses, they do all that I need a preamp to do Mine are wired to J and P pickups in one bass and a Bongo humbucker in the other and make both basses sound great. I doubt you'll need much in the way of instruction if you look at the details on the website, and it won't need soldering unless you need to wire it to a different style jack socket.[/quote] Thanks Paul! I have looked at the instructions but I really am crap with electronic stuff! I've got a stereo barrel jack. It's the ground and shielding I'm a bit unclear on. I'll be using copper foil for the cavities and the underside of the pickguard. The pickups are body mounted but the controls are PG mounted. The barrel jack is also body mounted of course. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='908371' date='Jul 28 2010, 04:21 PM']Thanks Paul! I have looked at the instructions but I really am crap with electronic stuff! I've got a stereo barrel jack. It's the ground and shielding I'm a bit unclear on. I'll be using copper foil for the cavities and the underside of the pickguard. The pickups are body mounted but the controls are PG mounted. The barrel jack is also body mounted of course. Thanks again.[/quote] Hiya mate Have a chat with John East about your needs, I doubt you'll find any manufacturer either more helpful or patient. If my experience is anything to go by, if you need some variations on standard he'll do his best to accommodate them (we're currently discussing putting a P-Retro in an EUB). Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='Beedster' post='908400' date='Jul 28 2010, 04:43 PM']Hiya mate Have a chat with John East about your needs, I doubt you'll find any manufacturer either more helpful or patient. If my experience is anything to go by, if you need some variations on standard he'll do his best to accommodate them (we're currently discussing putting a P-Retro in an EUB). Cheers Chris[/quote] Thanks very much Chris, I'll do that. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 (edited) Wiring a U-Retro is a doddle - no soldering to the unit - there is some soldering to the jack socket though. The other thing that's nice is that each pickup-input has a level control, so if you have pups of a different output, you can get your preferred balance on the sound. Each pup has a hot & ground screw terminal. Attach. The hot (red) from the battery has a terminal too. The black from the battery goes to the ring terminal on the jack and the output goes to tip. There's a ground goes to the socket too. Screening with adhesive copper tape (link the strips with a drop of solder) never goes wrong. The U-Retro has pots with extra long threads to fit through wooden tops, whereas the J-Retro has short threads for the Jazz control plate. I have one on my B Bass V and I love it. I recently sold my spare to a member in Italy. G. Edited July 28, 2010 by geoffbyrne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='908341' date='Jul 28 2010, 03:59 PM']I am tempted to go with the U-RETRO 01 Deluxe for my custom build, it looks really versatile. Anyone used one of these? What are they like? I'll be using it with passive MEC pups. MM-style HB and J-style SC. I will need some advice with the install. I am clueless with electronics. Thank you![/quote] Fantastic pre amps, IMO. I use 2, one with KA pups and one with Barts and they really do a great job even though the basse4s are inherrently differnet sounding. They are both custom J5's, one RW and one maple and both sound more than decent passive. I like the way they have the passive switch should you get caught with a battery run-down. On that model, you will have vol/pickup pan but the pan works for passive... there is a switch for to select either pup in active mode. The next stack will be bass boost..at something like 18bd, which is AL LOT..and no cut. The treble on that stack is cut and boost and there is also a pull-out know that kicks in presense..which is, again very powerful. The next knows is a mid sweep and boost so pick your freq and boost it..after that is the passive presense. You will then have a switch for active or passive mode. This sounds lot of control but you get used to it and I doubt you'll have reason to use the scope the pre has..it is very powerful but I use it to enhance the basic sounds I have and you'll have no problem getting through a mix. As long as the bass sound decent in the first place, this pre will add so much. I think the key to this pre is the well thought out mid control and after you get to grips with it, you'll have no need to touch the amp..All I do is set the volume and we are off. One thing to note. I believe the pre runs off 9 or 18v. My 9v version goes through batteries very quickly, ie a round 2 weeks, whereas the 18v has been going for as long as I have had the bass, which is since Novemeber and still going strong. I believe that this si a known John East feature so have a chat with him and expect to install 2 batts for the 18v version. As with all batts...don't leave the bass plugged in as that is a drain for nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='JTUK' post='908558' date='Jul 28 2010, 07:18 PM']My 9v version goes through batteries very quickly, ie a round 2 weeks[/quote] I'm puzzled by this, as mine (both 9v) certainly don't eat batteries. I've only ever changed them because I thought it was about time, never because they were dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 [quote name='JTUK' post='908558' date='Jul 28 2010, 07:18 PM']One thing to note. I believe the pre runs off 9 or 18v. My 9v version goes through batteries very quickly, ie a round 2 weeks, whereas the 18v has been going for as long as I have had the bass, which is since Novemeber and still going strong. I believe that this si a known John East feature so have a chat with him and expect to install 2 batts for the 18v version. As with all batts...don't leave the bass plugged in as that is a drain for nothing.[/quote] Sounds like your 9V is wired incorrectly. I bet your black line is wired to the main shaft instead of the ring. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 I can only feedback on the J-Retro... superb. Output is crazy... 9v lasts long time... I change it about once a year. John's a great guy to deal with. I recommend to every JB owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 Thanks guys, I am very reassured. I'll have a chat with John as I need the short shaft pots and preferably the battery recharching system. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 29, 2010 Author Share Posted July 29, 2010 I had a lovely chat with John East just now and he's recommended a new version of the U-Retro which is what I'm going for. He's such a top man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Love my U Retro...took me a while to get to know the unit but its worth it..my 9v has lasted me for months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='909122' date='Jul 29 2010, 12:25 PM']I had a lovely chat with John East just now and he's recommended a new version of the U-Retro which is what I'm going for. He's such a top man![/quote] +1 Great guy who sells great kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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