Clarky

Could be a modded original Ampeg, like this one at Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience? New ill-fitting scratchplate to allow two J pickups. The control placements certainly look similar. Eastwood make a copy but it isn't one of those

I have a silver fronted BB2 and WB-100 but the caveat is that my band has been inactive since late 2022 so I haven't had the chance to try them in anger. So the fact they sound great together at house volume levels is unfortunately not relevant!

Update: a former band mate sent me the following "I’ve not spoken to Rob but have talked to his brother. He’s OK but completely off social media etc. I’ll pass on your concern again and hopefully he’ll get back to you." So its good news and - given he clearly wants to be incommunicado - my view is we let it rest there.

Sadly, nothing. One of the bands I know he played in - Piccadilly Swing - still has his biog on their website but when I checked their most recent (2023) video it was a different bass player 😞 Edit: I have just emailed two of his former bands to see if they have any info - will post here if I get any useful reply

I don't see a serious problem here and I certainly wouldn't take a drill to your bass. The lack of metal to metal contact - especially with flats - is unlikely to have any discernible impact on your tone (has happened to me with other basses). Furthermore, if it really narks you, you can shave the silks back with a razor blade to uncover the metal for full contact with bridge saddles. The silks are largely there for cosmetic purposes, as I understand it, hence some manufacturers don't bother with them

If this thread needs closure, after 13 years my rig now includes two DI-enabled preamps: a Tech21 Bass Fly Rig V2; and an EBS Valvedrive DI. 😀

I wouldn't be so sure.I have forgotten more than I'll ever know

Hope you are recovering fast and - as you joked - your dep isn't too good!

Sold some La Bella strings to Tony and all was fab! Enjoy 🙂

In your feedback thread, an ACG sale comes up for May 2014. Unfortunately its to a BCer called @cana.danwho hasn't been on the site since 2017. Still worth PM'ing in case it pings through to his email

Vin bought my 62 AVRI Jazz. The bass had a slightly controversial history but, after some string experimentation, Vin took a chance and trusted me even though I had offered try-before-buy. A gent eith friendly,funny comms and I look forward to his plans for the bass. Cheers!

Might interest folks on here. Lots of competition now https://www.guitarworld.com/news/solidgoldfx-beta-v-bass-preamp

Paolo bought a Gruvgear duo strap from me and all was top class! Cheers

Nice. Is that a Cliff Burton-era Aria Black n Gold bass too? Yum

Bassdirect have a stripped 69 P bass for £3.5k, claimed to be all-original bar the finish https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Fender_Precision_1969.html

Well he does drive home every year and petrol costs

Yum, surf green Jazz 😛

Absolute beauty(s). Tremendous work!