BillyBass

Apologies for derailing the thread OP but, I have a tidepool player jazz. I'm not keen on the white pick guard but have struggled to think of another colour for a new pickguard; tide pool doesn't really match with the colours pickguards generally come in. I was thinking of a gold one but I might try black now.

I had a chat with John East this morning, enquiring about his filter pre amp. He basically told me that if I didn't get it, it probably wouldn't be for me. In his experience, people buying them to try them out are not normally happy with the results. If, however, you really know that this is the sort of thing you are after, as you seem to be Ely, then it can be perfect. So I just ordered another one of his standard frequency altering pre amps. But thanks for the input.

I'm sure some people would be offended but I doubt they would turn up to one of your gigs. Fantastic job mate.

I've just watched a couple of Low End Lobster's videos about the Lusithand pre amp and I'm still not sure how it would make my PJ sound. You mentioned you usually keep the tone knob to about 20-30%, I'm the opposite; with fingers, the tone knob is always full on, with a pick I will cut it a bit, perhaps 30%. I imagine that would be too harsh for you. I'm not a fan of flats either, though the Charvel I bought today came with them, Rotosound, I think, and I may keep them on it. With a standard pre amp I understand; if you boost certain frequencies the end result will be predictable. With this Lusithand, I believe you are cutting the top end, gradually but can also boost the gain along with that, so I couldn't predict the end result without trying it out.

Hi Ely, Thanks for this. I have seen mentions of filter pre amps here and there but never really paid much attention to them. John East sells one and I must admit it went very much over my head. I didn't get it. I've just watched the 'Wetter Bass' you tube tutorial about the Lusithand pre amp and I am intrigued. The Charvels are PJs but I generally use either or, not a blend of both; in fact, with my band (pick only) I have it just on the split coil P pup at the neck and I boost the low mids. I add treble for cabinets without tweeters (or dead strings!). Maybe with one of these filter pre amps I could make use of the blend knob a bit more (as long as I can avoid a mid scoop). More research required!

I'm about to buy a second Charvel 4 string PJ as a back up (and because I want a lime green bass). I have put a John East pre amp in my metallic blue Charvel and I think it's brilliant: active/passive push-pull and an independent passive tone knob, parametric mid range and a treble boost. After having three of these Charvels, I'm pretty sure I will be swapping the pre amp of my new one out. My first thought was to just get another John east pre amp and have an identical back up (except for the strings) but then I thought I could try something new. I have a Nordstrand pre amp in my fiver and its fine, perhaps a little polite, so I won't get another of those. Has anyone got any other ideas re pre amps available over here? The Aguilar OB3 is readily available and seems to be an option if you want a bit of oomph, though I'm not sure I can't get anything the Aguilar offers from the John East? Any ideas or suggestions anyone?

Yeah. I blame the mods and admins, they're all just a bunch of flipping onanists nasty pasties & Mr and Mrs Silly Billy. Do you see that? Its done it again

I did write Korina but the predictive spell checking thing thought it knew best. Now changed That yellow is calling out to me. 'Venetian Pearl'. I don't know what all the pearls in Venice look like but lemon burst fits. The other one is called 'Periwinkle'. Winkle is a word I haven't heard in a while and I certainly won't buy a bass called one.

My parents had very little interest in music. The first music I liked as a primary school kid was glam rock; Slade, Sweet, Alice Cooper etc. This was followed by Status Quo and then punk rock. I left school as a 16 year old in 1979 and being lucky enough to be from London and having a job, I could go to loads of gigs, which I did; starting with Buzzcocks and Joy Division at the Rainbow in November 1979. My tastes have broadened considerably now but I still love Glam rock, Quo, Punk and (what later became known as) Post Punk. Most people I meet that are into music still like the stuff they liked as a teenager.

The Triad looks very tempting. They had twin stock, a green one and a 'Korina burst' one. The green Triad has disappeared from their Ebay page, would that be your doing by any chance? I just happen to be driving up to Northumberland next week, I'm tempted to come back to London via Glasgow; Peach Guitars in Essex doesn't have any Triads.

Did you try the 'Triad' while you were there?

Where did you get it? Essex or Glasgow?

Hi @sPiKi Have your views on the Mercalli and Decision P changed over time? My 60th is approaching and Peach guitars in Essex has both the Mercalli 4 and the Decision P in stock and I am very tempted. My current band plays punk, so its P bass and pick at the moment but I always like the added versatility of something else down nearer the bridge. Do you still prefer the Mercalli?

Basses with split coils or humbuckers can have noise. It could be RFI or from the amp. Poor earthing/shielding is a common cause. I have picked up radio stations from really bad instrument cables.

Mexican standard P bass (2013). Fender Player Jazz, Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas PJ 4string and a Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas 5 string J bass (2xsingle coils). Since I posted the above comment about the lack of shielding needed with my Squier, I have been noticing noise, but not much, not enough for me to spend an afternoon shielding it.

Everything is in its right place

Lovely bass, congrats. I bought the Lake Placid blue version of the P bass. But, gents, please, leave the gold pick guards on, they are lovely.

My Precisions My current band does punk covers so a P bass and pick is what is needed. I alternate between these three. The red one is a Mexican standard with an EMG Geezer Butler split coil. Sounds lush The blue and gold is one of the recent Squier 40th anniversary gold editions. The metallic blue PJ on the right is a Charvel pro-Mod with a John East pre amp. The Charvel PJ feels nicest in my hands, the neck is more jazz bass sized and it has rolled edges and a satin finish on the back. The red MIM probably sounds the best but all three are great and I'm keeping them all.

My only bike was a Honda CB250RS. 4 stroke single. It thumped along, pretty much like my P basses. I wonder if there is a correlation between bikes and basses? The last time I rode the Honda we ended up in a mangled heap on the A10 in Enfield. Hopefully me and my basses will part on better terms.

I'm very interested. I was tempted to treat my self to their r/eq pedal, mainly for the high pass filter but wished it had a DI out...and now Genzler have produced this. Yes, the input jack is in a weird place but never mind

Congrats on the new acquisitions. Jam pedals fanboi here. I have the Ripply Fall along with the Rattler distortion and Lucy Dreamer overdrive pedals.

I would have called up the BBC and asked for my money back.

At one time he was playing a Charvel 5 string, which was surprising. I have one, and they cost between £700-£850 new (mine was £699)I would have though pro bassists on the telly would have very expensive kit.