Steve Browning

A Retrovibe Stinger pre-amp. Decided to keep the stock pickup as a result.

I recently bought a red one and am also mighty impressed with it (having also owned an old Stingray). One modification and it sounds just as I remember my old 'ray.

I don't really think that I could have given a young me any advice. Mainly because, at the time, student gear wasn't that great. Had there been a Squier I'd have bought that. Apart from a Fender from the outset (5 times the cost of my s/h Columbus) I didn't have any other option. Knowing now, I would have jotted down Merry Christmas and Bohemian Rhapsody before Nod and Freddy!!

Maybe one more thing. You are replacing a Jazz. Have a look at a Fender Japan PB75-US. They are the same build quality etc but have the B profile neck which is between a Jazz and a '62 Precision.

Fender Japan every time. Build quality is top notch. Personally I would change the pot etc for CTS and change the pickup but the instrument is a brilliant platform for such changes. Your cheapest option and the best value by far.

A 1959 Les Paul Standard. Maybe 2.

I get the impression that you will be massively disappointed if you do read the thread. We tried 4 different cables and @rumblefish subsequently bought the same cable as I had, based on his experience that evening.

No such data available. The test equipment was 4 ears. I described the results as we perceived them. The difference was clear to our collective lug'oles. No science was involved.

Another Columbus Jazz starter here. Bizarrely, I have no memory of what became of it. I played it for about two years until I bought my first Precision. I can see from that invoice that I p/ex'd a Hondo bass (which was a Ric) but just no idea where that first bass went. Maybe my late Mum hid it in retaliation for the basses I used to try and hide from her (which never worked).

$ods Law dictates that whichever decision you make will be wrong, so do as your gut tells you and just wait for the realisation that you were, indeed, wrong.

If you had concerns about the bass I would be inclined to include more pictures so other evidence could be considered. The experts on here have little to go on (accepting that your query relates to the serial alone at this point).

That was me. Indeed, the other BC'er involved has just taken delivery of his own Evidence Audio Reveal cable.

I'd blank them too. 🙂

Standard practice in all agencies, the police too. Quite obviously the wheels came off on this occasion but generally, stuff that comes into the hands of Govt departments (in my day it was H M Customs & Excise) is sold at auction, without reserve. The guy that bought is obviously aware of this and clearly is able to check the auction house to see what's for sale and 'without reserve' means there's a bargain to be had possibly. Nothing shady about the principle at all. I remember a music shop in Worthing being closed down and a load of stock seized to settle a huge VAT debt. I had a bass in there at the time and was able to retrieve it from the auction house. EDIT - I appear to have caused some offence with this. Quite obviously, that would never be my intention.

It gets said often but is no less true. Current events have left the entire logistics business in a real state. If you get stuff quickly then that would probably count as a bonus. I would not take any assurance of delivery at face value at this time. No hint of dishonesty but struggling with a creaking system and new rules.

I wonder what you had before? I have suffered something similar in the past. Being a fingerstyle player, I always rest my thumb on the pickup cover. Being a dyed in the wool Precision player, I found the fact that I was further down the string affected the amount of travel in the string and the position of my arm also changed in relation to the bass. These combined to get me to ditch the old Stingray I had. I bought the SUB so I could have the sound without an almighty investment - and possible repeat of the disappointment.

I just saw this. Interesting. In fairness, the person isn't trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes but it's a mongrel for sure.

For my sins 'shredding' and 'staggering fast' are both guaranteed to make me pass. I would doubtless appreciate the technique but not enough to want to listen.

I have the single p/up version of this and cannot praise the Retrovibe Stinger pre-amp highly enough.

Anything non-standard about it? Just curious.

You can now get a full time job changing the fuses in Yngwie Malmsteens rig.

Small flat blade screwdriver. It may slightly distort the plastic but as long as the fuse seats ok there's nothing to worry about.

Don't quote me but I think the US models have the larger backplate on the tuners and the domestic ones have a smaller back plate. More knowledgeable folk will doubtless be along.

I don't actually know. Give Steve a ring and ask him. I know he's selling it on commission. He's a good guy but obviously slightly tied by what the seller might be expecting.