Paul S Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I have a Washburn Scavenger. You don't see too many about - I would say in my limited experience it was the upper end of the JapCrap market, built in 1979/80, probably by Yamaki factory, and IMO has a similar build quality to my two MIJ Fenders. Single split p-bass style pup. And this was a true 'loft find' - only played for the first two years of it's life, kid left home, bass put in loft. It is made of mahogany and very heavy - normally not a problem for me unless my back is playing up (which it is at the moment), 40mm width neck at the nut that just seems to fit my hand nicely. But I have become a fan of the active bass sound. So I thought I would spend a little bit on it to make it more suited to me - it is a good enough quality instrument to warrant the cost. I bought some Kent Armstrong pups, a John East P-retro unit and a set of DR Black Beauties. Then handed the lot over to my usual tech guy as I am a nonce when it comes to this type of thing. Got it back today. Apparently it wasn't straightforward to fit - lots of routing to allow the pot spindles and jack socket to protrude through the bass body. And the new Pup covers were slightly too big so the old ones are back on - luckily the pups fit ok. Would have preferred the black Kent Armstrong covers but, well, never mind. The tech guy says he hasn't fitted a John East unit before and he was well impressed - best onboard preamp he has ever fitted to anything. He even mentioned how good the soldering was! Anyway, my wife was out so I plugged it into a Trace Elliot AH250 head/18" cab. WOW. Playing it in passive mode the new pups have breathed life into it - much brighter and more powerful. But click up into active - woosh. Then click the other pot for the boost - woosh again. I have no idea of the range of noises it will make but it seems at the moment to be capable of all things. Have a rehearsal tomorrow so I should be able to put it through it's paces a bit while my back holds out. Had to tell someone before I burst! Crappy pics - took out the SD card on my better camera and it is elsewhere - bass doesn't look a whole lot different - new knobs and a polish. Charge indicator LED is on the back routing cover. [attachment=69316:DSCN0527.JPG] [attachment=69317:DSCN0528.JPG] [attachment=69318:DSCN0530.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Take this way from another avid modder, you can always get a can of paint and spray the pickup black, Simples Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 I think I will - black is best, I think. Shame the original routing is a little too small for a regular split coil cover. I have a black Westone Thunder - maybe the pup covers are the same as on the Washburn so I will have a fiddle first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I like the cream pups. Besides paint will look nice to begin with but as soon as you start playing, will wear off and ultimately look dead amateurish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I am all in favour of the non-invasive hot-rodding of old JapCrap - and this is how you do it! Looks fantastic, & personally I think the cream covers should definitely stay. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Nice... the pickups look like DiMarzios. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I do favour the stealth look but, well, I guess the cream covers were original. I bought the P-Retro unit secondhand - had I bought new I'd have gone for black knobs, then probably changed all the hardware too for a completel stealth look. Which would have been pointless, probaby, as the bridge is a good quality chunky thing and the tuners are fine. Jon - would the tuners be Gotoh or a look-a-like? Anyway, I'm still grinning and REALLY looking forward to giving it a blast tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 [quote name='Paul S' post='1096254' date='Jan 20 2011, 12:49 PM']I do favour the stealth look but, well, I guess the cream covers were original. I bought the P-Retro unit secondhand - had I bought new I'd have gone for black knobs, then probably changed all the hardware too for a completel stealth look. Which would have been pointless, probaby, as the bridge is a good quality chunky thing and the tuners are fine. Jon - would the tuners be Gotoh or a look-a-like? Anyway, I'm still grinning and REALLY looking forward to giving it a blast tonight.[/quote] If the tuners are Gotoh they will likely have a logo somewhere, possibly on the reverse. Do they have a Washburn logo on the fronts? I have a Washburn SB40 which I think is from the same era and the bridge, at least, is from Chushin - it's embossed on the reverse. Tuners on this one are big Schaller M4S clones, with no brand or logo & I suppose logic would suggest the hardware might well all come from the same source. Is there anything on the back of your bridge? J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Spraying those pickup covers black would be a crime against funky retro goodness. Don't do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 I'm getting a message here about the pup covers... Jon - nothing anywhere as far as I can see on the bridge or tuners. Whatever it is the bridge is nice - I recently fitted a Gotoh to one of my Fenders and I think this is just as good or better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I guess that means you won't be passing it on to me anytime soon then?!? lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 [quote name='Paul S' post='1096340' date='Jan 20 2011, 01:57 PM']Jon - nothing anywhere as far as I can see on the bridge or tuners. Whatever it is the bridge is nice - I recently fitted a Gotoh to one of my Fenders and I think this is just as good or better.[/quote] Have you whipped the bridge off? Mine's branded underneath: [attachment=69470:chushin_...dge_base.jpg] Different bridge to yours (this one's quite BA-like) but notice how, like yours, it's quite overzealous in the number of screws it needs! J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 20, 2011 Author Share Posted January 20, 2011 No, Jon, I haven't taken off the bridge. Knowing my luck I'd drop something important - I'm extremely cack-handed when it comes to stuff like this. Gary - what can I say?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_Guardian Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 That is one sexy bass haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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