Paul S

I apologise in advance for keep asking similar questions but I am gradually getting more focus on what I want from a bass and I think these just about sum it up. Does anyone have any of these? What are they like to live with? Are they active? Are they similar to Precision Lyte basses? ta.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GIBSON-EB-0-COPY-BASS-GUITAR-JACK-BRUCE-LED-ZEPPLIN-/130447092224?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e5f40aa00"]A new listing made me laugh[/url]. Gibson EBO copy, the lister has no idea what make but it 'feels Japanese' and 'could have been made at the famous Fuji Gen-gakki factory'. A bargain at £750.

Yes, the more I read about the Hot Vintage pups the more I think they are the ones I want. Thanks chaps. Any other opinions/advice/experiences are most welcome, though.

As per title. As part of my Scavenger bass makeover (as well as an East Retro P) I want to change the pups to something that gives more oomph - better tone, more growl maybe? The stock pups I think let it down a bit. My initial thoughts were for Seymour Duncan SPB-3s - from reading the stuff on here it seems they are almost the 'industry standard replacement' for a P-bass type configuration. But when I mentioned it to my tech guy he said he usually fits Kent Armstrong Hot P ceramic pups - he reckons for half the cost and pretty much exactly the same improvement. Then there are the Hot Vintage P. Can anyone explain what the differences would be? The money is a consideration but not a major one. I play dad rock and heavy rock with flat wound strings and am not too keen on too much brightness, if that is an issue. Thanks all.

[quote name='cetera' post='995040' date='Oct 20 2010, 04:37 PM']Paul, don't forget to bring that black Scavenger with you [/quote] Oh don't worry, Gary, I'll bring it along all right.... you can have a go on it if you like.....

How loud? I have a Fender G Dec 30 I could sling in the car. And, Alex, did you want to use my Trace Elliot rig to do the tone/eq demo? (then I can try to remember what you did on it...)

So you do play covers, Bilbo? I thought you didn't.

Yet another 'our guitarist bought one and it broke' post because just that - our guitarist bought one - 100W valve job - and it broke during the first hour of rehearsing with it. He got a refund, put money to it and has bought a Marshall.

Indeed. A quick Google says Korea but, er, maybe some weren't... I mean, it says on the label so it must be, right?

Saw this new listing on eBay this morning -[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Jackson-Charvette-electric-Bass-Guitar-/230540402774?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item35ad476056"]Jackson Charvette[/url] bass, claiming to be MIJ. Are they any good? I've had a brief Google and opinions seem to vary between not bad to little better than firewood.

Using the 'search' facility I have found all sorts of chat on here - including the original development of the concept! Fantastic. I should have done that in the first place. I will get a P-Retro unit for sure.

I think the only cosmetic issue with fitting the P-Retro unit would be drilling a small hole for the LED which, although they say you don't have to, seems an extremely handy thing to have showing. Plus, although the Scavenger is in nice original condition it isn't a high value instrument and a small hole isn't likely to devalue it a great deal- not like I am doing it to a '59 P-Bass or anything. If it is worth adding the preamp I can live with the hole for the LED. But I wonder - would that MXR thing do anything different to my existing pedal? And is it the same as having stuff at your fingertips? This is where my lack of knowledge re setting amp eq comes in. Is it possible to use my effect pedal and amp eq to get a similar sound to that on my active basses? If so I don't know how. But if that is the case, and you can get that sound by using one of these outboard devices, why would anyone use these onboard eqs anyway? Or use active guitars in the first place? That is kind of why I posted.

Here are a couple of pics. The cavity measures 140mm x 38mm x 38mm - plenty of room for the p-retro but not really for an additional battery: [attachment=61589:cavity1.jpg] And I reckon drilling a small hole for the LED wouldn't look too intrusive on the front [attachment=61590:front.jpg]

Saw this mentioned on another thread yesterday and hadn't even considered it before but it seems like it might be an attractive option. My Washburn Scavenger bass - eyes left - is an extremely fine instrument in many respects but I do find that I am increasingly preferring the active bass sound and tend to use my active basses more often. Instead of constantly searching for the perfect bass, I wonder if I might possibly already have it if I stuck a pre-amp into the Scavenger. Talking specifically about the Scavenger - it has a single split coil a la P-bass with one volume and one tone control, there is no scratchplate and only limited existing routing at the back. It is in genuinely superb condition - a true time warp 'loft find' - so I would be loathed to cut it about very much. All of which makes me think that the East P-Retro might be one to consider - the re-chargeable battery seems like an elegant solution. But there might be other alternatives that people can recommend, too, that wouldn't be too intrusive or damaging - does anyone have any experiences, advice or recommendations - pros/cons of the various types on offer? And, having fitted one, would might I reasonably expect by way of an improvement that couldn't be achieved using, say, my Zoon B2.1u pedal. Thanks in advance.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='990478' date='Oct 16 2010, 06:43 PM']Hmmmm. Two of my P-basses have the John East P-retro fitted.[/quote] What are they like - does it do what it says on the tin? As easy to fit as they say?

That is an absolute steal - I bet you are still grinning. Another huge fan of the Westone guitars here - being basically a tightwad I love the fact you get such a well put together instrument for such a small outlay. I have 2 basses and a guitar - also their first cousins in the Washburns. I use my 1A bass more than any of the others - especially for the heavy rock covers band - it is a joy. Ok, maybe a bit heavy but it sounds immense. Last rehearsal I plugged my TE head through my new 18" cab, dialled the pre-amp to boost a little and I swear the rehearsal studio started to come apart. Not gigged that particular combination yet - can't wait!

From what I have read over the last couple of days you are spot on. So, widening the net a bit to JV, SQ, Q, E and silver series - or any of the Japanese built Squiers up to around '95. From reading it would seem they are all built in Fujigen factory - would that be right? If so that would presumably be why they are so good. How would they stack up to these latest crop of VM and CV series?

I am still finding my way with strings but for sure prefer flats to round. Fender Jag has TI Jazz Flats - love 'em. Westones both have D'Addario Chrome flats - these are both detuned and the extra tightness makes them easier to play when detuned, sort of back to normal. TIs flopped about too much. Hohner B2A has just been strung with Status double ball end flats and I am really impressed. Similar feel to the TI's but cheaper. Washburn Scavenger still has the same flats on it as when I bought it. They are probably the best of the lot but I have n idea what they are. When I had a Squier VMJ fretless I had Rotosound flat black nylons on it and they were nice.

You've kept it! Fantastic. As you say, no greater endorsement needed.

Made my ears hurt, reading that.