Bigwan

They are identical amps, yes. I preferred the look of the LB30 myself... I never gigged mine without PA support - rehearsal volumes told the tale well enough! The CTM100 is on my bucket list (if I ever get back gigging again!)

You mean like this: http://www.arkhamsound.com/abyss.html

+1 to the LB30/CTM30. Great amps. I've owned both guises, and the matching, extremely rare LB212. Probably my favourite rig I've owned, but not really giggable in the bands I was in with no PA support. Not sold on the CTM15 yet. As you turn up the gain it cuts a LOT of bass so there's a few mods I'd like to make to mine which I'll report back on. It's not a full valve amp (despite what Ashdown may have said about it in advertising/interview), but a solid state front end and valve power amp, no DI. With gain all the way down it sounds very nice...

The SVT3 is a different beast - a "lead sled" that is much more serviceable. The SVT7 is a class D and your repairer is quite right... repair folks are scared of them and won't touch them with a barge pole! Tempted by this myself...

File the Wilkinsons did we sir?

Nice find!

I've heard this excuse a few times. It usually means I can't be bothered. I'd try somebody else...

I'd be tempted to try a Quilter Bass Block with a Tonehammer DI in front of it...

With volume on max is it making ANY sound at all (hiss, hum, etc)?

Looks great!

I'd agree that the control layout looks odd and I don't recall stacked knobs or switches on Statii preamps of that era, but I'm not much of an expert. I'd get pics in the control cavity if possible. Edit: if the price was right I wouldn't be put off by a change of preramp. Great basses these.

Sounds like a job for the Orange Terror Bass...

Do you well these? If you don't you really REALLY should!

On the reshelling front I've discovered a local (to me) chap building custom IEMs who advertises a reshell service. He's on Facebook as "LUGS - Play it by ear". No affiliation with the guy but interested in having my UE900S done and he's confirmed he can do them.

Lush!

Good man!

The P-retro was in the plans for that bass originally. If you ever get tired of it just drop me a line. Awesome bass...

Following this as I'm interested in getting these for my UE900s...

Click your profile name in top right corner, select profile from drop down menu. Type your update in the wee box labelled "write a public message on your own feed...", Simples! At least that's how I do it...

Yes. I'd also consider looking for an Orange Terror Bass 500 if I were you (£300 - £350 used). Along with Ashdown ABMs these are the best amps I've owned. Have a nice grind in the preamp. EQ isn't especially powerful, and some would say they are a one trick pony, but it's a really, REALLY good trick! And they're RIDICULOUSLY loud...

Add the Ashdown ABM 400 in the classifieds at the minute (bit over budget but that's what we're here for!) and that'd be a stonking rig! Lightweight gear is all the rage at the minute (and has been for a few years) so you'll find that heavier gear is pretty cheap...

That sounds bitchin'! And another really pro build. Do you know roughly what hfe your CV7003 was? Would you share your circuit values? I'd like to build one of these for myself!

Why not repaint it? It'll look like new and be a WHOLE lot easier than tolexing (which I will never do again as long as my ar$e points south!)

They're not what you'd call the perfect modding platform with their proprietary pickups and bridge so I'd go with chris_b and get another bass. The pickups and electronics are what make it a G&L so if you change those you'd killing your resale value. If it's just a noise issue have it looked at by a tech. It'll be something simple. Beyond strings and tuners (which I'd only change if they didn't hold tune or were too heavy) I'd leave it well alone.