Cuzzie

.....but Dave - spot on - you will struggle to find a better classic Split coil than the Creamery pick up and it’s very very reasonably priced and worth the wait. If I was building basses (properly) they would be my go to pick up as standard.

It’s a very good suggestion, and 1 I endorse. I deliberately didn’t suggest that in this instance as I know @Al Krow likes in general to have an active bass with on board EQ, 3 band the most likely culprit, likes a bass to be stock and un modded and as he doesn’t solder would need to have the work done by someone else hence extra expense and has a load of options in the amp and pedal department that would achieve what he wants - in all likelihood.....

That’s fine, no one is suggesting to go back there - but there is variety in the Delano range which are different just as in any range. Crucially I have used them with some of the exact same equipment you have and know exactly what is possible 😉

Of course they can, but it entirely depends on what else you use it with, you’ve probably read what I have written (or not!) about what the standard Sandberg pick up options can do a few times on this thread, the last post a few pages back, and that includes the Delano’s you weren’t necessarily a massive fan of a few years ago, but your ability to manipulate them has probably changed as you have changed, your gear has changed and the work you have put in to improve since then. As an example - if you want the Classic Jamerson Sound and to have it as nailed on as possible, be prepared to bang on massive rope Labella flats on there, raise your action and vary where you pick on the strings - the sound I get with my spring rolls I could probably get a fuller bigger sound closer to the bridge than you could with your more delicate elegant fingers. You want Carol Kaye - get your palm muting pick technique on point and take it from there. They will all Get you there, but each pick up will require some differing EQ manipulation (I’ve used all the standard issues ones as well as other brands) be it on board or on amp or with the various pedals at your disposal , or if you are keeping the same EQ vary where you play.

Do it do it now

Classic Fender P sound is a purely passive P bass - but what is classic to your ears? 51-52 58 64-65 They are all different

It will entirely depend on which pick ups are in the bass and how they are used, is there a preamp, plus the fact that it is reverse config it will Always be slightly different to that ‘classic’ sound, depending on what you think a classic sound is. In addition you have an M pick and even if turned off there is a rout there which will have an effect. There is no doubt the flexibility and quality of the bass with a bit of nous in EQ and Sound manipulation and playing will get you there without much of a perceptible difference.

Careful which shoreline you go for - look carefully on the can for the colour, they are not all the same

I think the point made earlier was that despite being masterbuilt and limited run, the fact that you could spec that bass, or even something more for yourself direct from big Rog for the same price or less from the original team, rather than a licensed team. For that reason we think HPW is probably taking the Michael or smoking crack

I struggle with inches and millimetres - turns out my nut is only 6mm

That’s cool - tape is no more a faff than paint - they both have pro’s and cons as you have found out!

The horror of the turdburst finish is a best seller

Agreed - its just a finish - i get the point about 2015 onwards with the shape change and ‘relic’ - maybe they are so good people just play them so much and very hard!

That does make their first lots of basses about 40 years old - surely that’s enough to show a little wear and tear.....?!

Switches can be more or less than 3 positions and it all depends how you wire them

Look into and research MFD pick ups and the preamp - that will give you your answer if you already know what TRBX are like - configuration and similar placement is one thing - how it is is another. Tribby’s also have a different neck profile to the USA ones as well

Sturdy indeed........

Depends entirely what you want out of your pick ups and pre amp Craftmanship is good tho

G&L L2000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143942692704 Not a bad deal this

Spector are high end long established basses - they wouldn’t be anything else but great well designed instruments - So good Hans Wilfred ‘may’ have been influenced, not copied of course.........

Totally agree its in all in the seasoning and preparation of the wood

Except that laminate is not necessarily more expensive as you can use one block of wood multiple times by ripping strips out of it, whereas you to get 1 piece you need 1 big block. Once you have cut the requisite sizes, gluing a laminate is not that labour intensive - you can bet the big firms will have it nailed down, may well be different for a single handed luthier

51 years is not test of longevity - it better not have a skunk stripe from truss rod insertion, the laminate crew will be claiming that!

I better run for the hills - none of mine are laminated