Paul S

I tried various pups in my MIJ P-Bass - original stocks weren't bad, as it happens, but I tried Seymour Duncan SPB-1, SPB-2, SPB-3, Wizard Thumper and Wizard Trad. Wizard Trad gave me the sound I had in my head. I had one of Ki0gon's wiring looms which, with the screw terminals, made the whole trials process quite easy - now got a P-Retro, which is amazing. Strangely, perhaps, the most vintage, old school, woody toned P-Bass sounding pups I've had actually came on a Squier Silver Series P. Bass I bought recently. The tone is quite special and it is one of the few basses I have owned that I am fairly happy to keep it as it came out of the case.

If portability is the ultimate goal maybe consider a Barefaced Midget with the head of your choice? I routinely rehearse and have gigged with just this cab (and either a TC Electronics Classic 450 or GenzBenz Streamliner 600) in a classic heavy rock band with loud drummer and never found it wanting. It is voiced slightly differently to the BF Compact but in terms of space occupied and weight think it is probably unbeatable.

I have recently bought a Fender Musicmaster and would say the output is a bit weak but tonally quite nice. I have also recently borrowed a Behringer BDI 21 pedal and am fairly blown away by how much this has beefed up the sound of this, and other, basses. But particularly this one - seems a very good match for some reason.

A Westone Thunder Jet has just finished on eBay at £68.51 including a decent hard case! These are lightweight models, around 8lbs, with an extra fret and all black hardware. Someone got themselves a bargain. Upgrade the pup and you've got a really good bass.

Queen famously supported Mott The Hoople and wiped the floor with them, so I guess you do have to be careful.

Can you not jerry-rig the East preamp somehow and get it playable? Should be 'relatively' simple to cut the wires, use screw terminals to get them attached to the preamp. If you used longer wires you could even have all the bits sitting on a desk or what-have-you then just plug into that while you test the sounds. Worst case scenario is you have to reconnect the wires to the controls again but at least you wouldn't have done anything intrusive or damaging. Edit - I have East Preamps fitted to 4 basses, all different. It makes a HUGE difference to each of them in the way the range of tones has been opened up but they still retain a recognisable individuality.

I'm watching this with interest for the review. I think this will streamline how I use effects, assuming I can work out out to program it. I was looking at getting a Tech 21 VT Bass deluxe but looks like this will do what that does and a shedload more, all in a small pedal?

I'll put in another vote for Westone basses, but from the Thunder range - they are sufficiently P-Bass like to feel familiar. The Concord (early ones, anyway) is a short scale, so maybe not everyones cup of tea. Thunder 1, 1A and Thunder jet basses go for not a lot and are superb value for money. I have a pimped Thunder Jet and it is a monster - necks are amazing. Unless you are particularly lucky with a Squier, Westones will be better basses £ for £.

Not me. I don't actually know what one is. I assumed it was a type of 5 string bass but Google tells me differently.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1364906618' post='2032402'] I am just down on Canvey.... [/quote] Ah, I see - your log in name is altitudinal, not musical!

IndigO2 for sure. Here is a great Chic track that often gets passed by. All about the groove, this one. [url="http://youtu.be/TdM-QzVFWAo"]http://youtu.be/TdM-QzVFWAo[/url]

I have 2 short scale basses - Fender Musicman, 8lbs and Epi EB0 at 7lbs. The lightest full size (ish) basses I have had are the Fender Precision Lyte (edit, which also has one of the very nicest necks I have played - really skinny and shallow) and SGC Nanyo Bass Collection, both were 7.5lbs. So, as has been said, you don't need to go short scale to go lightweight. Plenty of other reasons to go shortscale though - lightweight is just one of the nice bonuses. You need to try them!

That was nice. One of the great singers. Here is another grainy old film of the Animals playing Tobacco Road, slow and moody, and in particularly fine voice [media]http://youtu.be/O4Sfh8LFMaw[/media]

Hi from just along the A13 - Benfleet.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1364732809' post='2030074'] It's derived from the word "Lute" that should give you a clue. [/quote] Since when has the English language followed any logical pattern? Yes, I say Loo Thee Err, too. My sis, whose gramma and spelling is impeccable, reckons as it is derived from French it should be 'a la Francais' and Loo Tee Aye, which seems rather daft to me.

[quote name='Musky' timestamp='1364724603' post='2029975'] Loo-thier. [/quote] But how do you pronounce that? Loo Thee er? Loo Thee aye? Or is the 'th' hard - Loo Tee aye?

I have an ongoing disagreement with my sister as to how you pronounce this - any offers?

Can you let us know which one works, please? ta. My money would be on lighter fluid.

I recently auditioned for a cheesy 80s band and had to learn a few numbers for that. Quite good fun, shame they weren't up to the mark, really. That is another whole thread in itself - why are people so delusional about their abilities? I blame the X Factor - everyone thinks they can be a star. I have been to loads of auditions lately - they all failed! One we did that is *so* cheesy was 'Self Control' by Laura Branigan. Not a lot of bass playing in it but it jogs along nicely. Also 'Died In Your Arms Tonight' Cutting crew, 'Don't Stop Believing' Journey, 'Alone' Heart, 'Shoot That Poison Arrow' ABC. Some not so cheesy - 'Maneater' Hall & Oates, 'I Surrender' Rainbow.

This is nice. on eBay USA, a loaded 90s Peavey Fury neck. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-90s-Peavey-Fury-Bass-Guitar-Neck-w-Tuners-34-Scale-/400449684682?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5d3ca944ca#ht_4685wt_939"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-90s-Peavey-Fury-Bass-Guitar-Neck-w-Tuners-34-Scale-/400449684682?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item5d3ca944ca#ht_4685wt_939[/url] *Very* narrow and shallow.

I was having a few problems with a P-retro I'd bought secondhand here and fitted myself - couldn't eliminate a grounding hum. I got in touch with John and he patiently walked me through several potential solutions, one of which cured it - while he was waiting to be seen at hospital! But then it all packed up completely and I sent the whole thing off to him for repair. It needed a new battery unit which, once he had them in stock, he fitted almost by return and at cost price. He also supplied and fitted an LED bezel to the scratchplate for nowt. So, yes, not only does John make the best pre-amps going but he is an absolute diamond. I have them fitted to four basses and would never, ever, think about getting anything else now.

I have a MM 2909 neck on my P. Bass and it is gorgeous.

Stroopy121 bought my Hipshot BT2 is a pretty straightforward transaction. I'd certainly deal with him again.