Sandberg California TT5 bass demo / John East J-Retro preamp

[@JulesJJJ]

This bass is a 22-fret 35" scale (not the standard 34"). This benefits in particular the sound of the B string. Nevertheless it is extremely well-balanced and comfortable to play, even when more used to playing 34” basses. Full details of the John East "J-Retro" preamp can be found in the manual: www.east-uk.com/wp-content/uploads/OperationManuals/jretro01.pdf The bass EQ is boost only, whereas the mid & treble are boost / cut. However I've only included EQ boosts in this demo (sorry about that).

[@recordlabeldao7820]

I have fender 2008 american standard jazz bass 5 string modded with hipshot hardware bartolini pickups and pickguard. And my final mod is rhe j retro so i cant wait thank u for sound demo

[@recordlabeldao7820]

I am getting my j retro tomorrow

[@JasonWright-mc6dz]

It’s really a game changer isn’t it?!? I’ve had Aguilar OBP-3’s & 2’s, Bartolini HR5.2 NTMB 3 band, Sadowsky 2b, Noll 3 & 4 band, Glockenklang 3bnd, Audere Pro JZ6D - 4 Band-6 mode switch & Classic 4 band.. And the absolute best combo for jazz bass by far is a John East J-Retro Dlx with Nordstrand NJ4 pickups.. OR My absolute ideal; East J-Retro Dlx + Nordstrand Big Singles, Definitely More modern, Super-Jazz & you’ve got to have soapbar style routes but man it’s an incredible pair!! 😉

[@JasonWright-mc6dz]

Thanks! They’ve made some changes to circuit design since I bought a J-East Retro Deluxe MANY years back (approx 2003 I believe, one of the first retailer production units). For example; the bass was cut/boost, where the cut would decrease in frequency the further you cut & similarly with the bass boost only opposite (if I remember correctly) which they’ve obviously changed to a simpler boost only control like a Sadowsky.. Which is interesting but considering how relatively complex this design is for an Ob-Pre maybe they felt it would be more player friendly. Everything else appears to have remained the same (except for perhaps internally), I imagine they’ve kept the individual pickup gain trimpots a feature I particularly loved!?!

[@JoshuaThomas-lg9tp]

Is this the pre shaped or flat version

[@marklishman9092]

Hi Jules, did you send your plate to John to install the pre or did he supply the plate?

[@ethixhiggins5059]

I'm wondering this as well