nick

There's a decent looking '96 Squier 'Vista' Musicmaster on ebay at the moment: Ebay - Squier Vista Musicmaster I've had a few of them, and think they're great underrated shortscales IMHO. I too prefer a chunkier neck with 19mm spacing too, and the neck profile on them suits me. The seller is open to offers, and considering it doesn't have it's original pickup, might accept a lower price.

They're not too expensive to at least trial.... Would be interested to hear what they're like too. Just in case I need any more in the future, should a cap drop off.

The Gallien Krueger P/No. for the cap is 100-0102-0 This stockist of amp spares in Spain appears to sell them & have them in stock: https://www.audiotestserviciotecnico.com/tienda/100-0102-0-cap-72-apls-spline-sh-gallien-krueger/ Hope this helps. Cheers Nick

I bought some knob caps for the ones missing on my 400RB & 800RB about 8 years ago from a seller in the States who sold NOS amp spares & bits. Unfortunately, can't find the details that is if he's still even trading these days. However, I remember them being quite expensive. I understand from Talkbass forum they are incredibly rare & hard to find even over there. Apparently the chap that builds DiCosimo Audio 800RB Bass Preamp Pedals uses these knobs which look quite similar: https://www.rapidonline.com/re-an-p300-h-098-s6-tricolour-knob-grey-insert-32-1208?fbclid=IwAR1V9CXvtrZvBj8qDbppXNkGYYGza8jQB06x9X-z8G2cddsjvOFTuuD_QJE The grey knob caps themselves are also available. They look pretty similar to the 400RB one, so might be a close enough replacement? Maybe worth a try for 62p each? https://www.rapidonline.com/re-an-t861-h-89-grey-cap-to-suit-19mm-knob-32-0345?fbclid=IwAR0UbSS4kwxIEmtTPq0M2ZnWgDowPFWT4MAkwAfGyJ66xgLxQoBHEwK6Yjw

Yes, the Armstrong reproduction is two jazz like coils parallel to each other within the casing. However the original Aria MB1/1E's are the same construction. This is the dead Aria MB1 taken from my SB700 which shows that: I believe your SB R-80 would have had MBII pickups which were constructed as per P-Bass configuration. So, unsurprisingly the Armstrong would sound quite different & possibly mismatched with the existing MBII in your SB R-80.

Not wanting to debate this, but I recently had to replace a dead MB-1 pickup in one of my 'Batwing' SB-700's with an Armstrong reproduction as Rautia are no longer producing them. I honestly couldn't hear any discernible difference in tone when A/B'ing it against an identical SB-700 with it's original MB-1. The Armstrong sounded great IMHO.

Finally got my hands on a Danelectro Longhorn, after years of wanting one or at least trying one out.... I believe it's 90's MIK 'Pro' version, with the fully adjustable bridge & better tuners. Got the rusty old roundwounds that came with it off & restrung it with some GHS Brite Flats. Really liking it so far. Though I'm not finding it the most comfortable body shape (for me) But it's lovely to play & has a big sound for it's size, and has quite a unique but useable tone IMHO. Will see if I can bond with it, and if it's a keeper 🙂

Yeah, I find the same with my 400RB Though I guess what sounds 'flat' can be quite subjective & can depend on choice of cab, room acoustics etc... Here's the settings that I perceive as 'flat'-ish, at least to my cloth ears with a couple of 12" Vanderkleys.

Double Squier Vista Musicmasters

A pair of '83 Ibanez RB920's One with frets & one without

Congratulations The early 400RB's are fantastic aren't they? I discovered how great the 400RB is by chance when I went round to meet a bass hero of mine, the lovely James Eller to drop off a pedal he'd bought off me. We had a cup of tea, chat about gear & I had a play through his 400RB, and loved the punchy articulate tone it had. Wanted one but they seldom come up for sale in the UK. Then shortly after that, whilst I was out on a business trip to Nashville, and by chance found one in a dusty old pawn shop in the city suburbs. They didn't want much for it, I think about $100, so I snapped it up & brought it back to the UK in my suitcase I got the chunky 110v transformer changed for a more efficient 240v toroidal one, which also made the amp lighter. Gigged it heavily for a while, and it never let me down & still using it today after 10+ years. It's my only amp and still sounds great, especially with a couple Vanderkley 12"s getting the 4ohm potential. They are a wonderful amp IMHO, so easy to dial in a nice tone. Keep on to it! Cheers 👍

Totally agree with you, the Vistas are way better than the USA original Musicmasters on so many levels.... I had three of them up until a short while ago. All great players, with a big tone. I moved the black & pink ones on, but kept the sonic blue

Bass Player required for band 'The Ralities' - Newport / Cardiff (ex Mind of Zebra) Due to a change in my personal circumstances, basically deciding to emigrate - I'm looking for a replacement for me, in a band I'm in. This is a great established band of really good, open minded musicians & lovely people, doing original material in many genres including motown to folk, to funk to cinematic, to soul songs and more.... The emphasis is to do catchy tunes that make listeners dance & enjoy themselves. It's great band for a bass player IMHO 🙂 The band is a five piece lineup with vocals,acoustic guitar/ guitar BV's / keyboards, saxophone, BV's / bass / drums The band has got a good local loyal following that is steadily building up. Regular gigs & some festivals around South Wales are being planned. ...We just played Le Pub in Newport last Thursday, went down well & were well received. Links here to some demos here: The Ralities Demos Facebook & Instagram pages: The Ralities FB page The Ralities - Instagram page If you're interested or would like any further info, please DM me. Thanks

My '78 Mustang, currently strung with Chromes, though I do go back & forth with Labellas on it. I prefer the chunkier neck on this and the late 70's Mustangs to the MIJ one I had before, and the older Mustangs I've tried.