PO1-XCC

John East P Retro Bass Preamp for Precision Bass®

Control Panel Bullet IconDESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR P BASS

Puzzle Bullet IconLIMITED AVAILABILITY

Checklist Bullet IconNO MODIFICATION NECESSARY IN MOST P BASSES

Data Science Bullet IconRECHARGEABLE INTERNAL BATTERY

Original Bullet IconSOLDERLESS INSTALLATION

empty box iconFREE SHIPPING IN THE USA
configuration iconEXPERT TECHNICAL SUPPORT
checklist iconIN STOCK MEANS IN STOCK

DESCRIPTION

The P-Retro is simple but flexible active/passive bass preamp equaliser which offers huge tonal variation to one of the most popular styles of bass of all time, without the need to permanently modify the instrument itself. P-Retro features two stacked knobs each with a pull switch, class A FET input stage and a high quality relay for pure passive bypass. Power is provided by an internal rechargeable battery.

The normal volume control becomes the Volume/Tone Stack and works in exactly the same way as the P style bass original controls, passing the passive signal directly to the jack. When the volume control is pulled up, the active circuit is switched in, post passive tone control, and adds 2.5dB of gain with a flat response. Additionally, the upper knob allows either a mid boost, or a combined bass/treble boost. The lower knob sets the variable frequency points for either mode.

FEATURES

  • Two Stacked knobs, both with Pull Switches.
  • Original pure P style bass controls fully retained via passive path, using a high quality relay bypass.
  • Class A FET input stage.
  • Flat response active setting.
  • Variable frequency mid boost mode.
  • Variable frequency combined bass/treble boost mode.
  • Deep boost switch with four frequencies, set via internal switches.
  • Deep boost level set via internal preset trimmer.
  • Rechargeable internal Li-Pol Battery, giving up to 40 hours use per charge.
  • Battery charging is achieved using a USB Adaptor, which plugs into the instrument jack.
  • Auto passive bypass if the system runs low on power.
  • Easy to fit using screw terminals, with no solder connections to the P-Retro.
  • Physical modifications are not necessary in most cases, allowing easy return to a stock instrument.
  • P-Retro Active circuit board approximate dimensions:
    2.0" [50.0mm] Long
    1.07" [27.0mm] High
    .06" [15.0mm] Deep
  • P-Retro Volume/Tone & Li-Pol battery approximate dimensions:
    1.6" [50.0mm] Long
    1.15" [29.0mm] High
    .75" [19.0mm] Deep

CONTROL LAYOUT & TECH SPECS

VOLUME/TONE STACK

Works purely passively at all times and is designed to function exactly as the standard Volume and Passive Tone in a P Style Bass. This is in order that the wonderful stock sounds are always available, with no compromise.

ACTIVE STACK W/DUAL BOOST PUSH-PULL

DUAL BOOST KNOB (Upper Knob Pushed Down)

DUAL BOOST KNOB - DEEP (Upper Knob Pulled Up)

LOWER FREQUENCY KNOB (250Hz - 2kHz)



CHARGING P RETRO

The P-Retro’s internal battery is charged via its jack socket

The Charge Status Indicator LED is wired directly to the internal battery.

P Retro User Manual

Customer Reviews

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G
Georgy Y.
Great P/PJ preamp, comes with usb charger now

Installed into Fender Tony Franklin signature Precision Fretless (it’s a PJ + strat style blade pickup selector).
Install is easy, fits even with blade switch, I just connected the switch to preamp instead of pickup itself.
Looks like charger got an upgrade. It used to be separate block + wire, now it’s simply USB type A ->jack wire, no extra block, which is nice. I decided not to drill for a charging LED and it just sits inside.

Lots of useful sounds, with even more settings on preamp.
Knobs are nice and high quality, solid feeling.

If you are a P person but want slightly more versatility and oomph from the bass - this is it. No permanent modifications needed, just some reversible wiring alterations under pickguard is all that’s required.

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