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Bass cave. Been a few additions since this was taken like a Fender P Deluxe, an Orange rig and a TE small rig.

Summary: Wow, what great pickups - totally perfect - buy them now!. Bought from some bass happy chappy on a FarceBook bass group and fitted them to my VanderEnd the other day. My bass usefully has a route for either a P or a J under the scratchplate - it's messy but useful. I've been inquisitive for a while to try it as PJ rather than the JJ jazz it's been since I got it. I had scratch-it make me both a JJ & PJ plate shortly after I received the bass and it was clearly time to try out the PJ pickguard too, cue the new pick up purchase justifications. So now the EMGGB's PJ's coupled up with my Aguilar OB3 preamp (with passive tone), has made one hell of a versatile beast and I'm loving the passive sounds too. So next strap in and prepare for the worst sound description ever...hmmm, less mid honk than the typical Fender pickups, not as dark as SD Quarterpounders on a dark night and they've made me smile more than Lindy Fralin's have ever done (which I also really like lots). It does have a very smooth sound spectrum with a sweet warm and defined low end and slightly rolled off highs...it's more akin to the 'soul/Motown sound' in my opinion but clearly this Geezer chappy is a bit of a rocker so I hear....so it must be good for that music right? It's probably the most balanced pick up I've ever used across all strings. The P on it's own is defined and warm (warm is the key sound description). The bridge J is surprising, very funky and full, not brittle like some bridge pickups...it's funky, it's a fatter Jaco, Old Gregg has blessed this pickup, (funky is the key sound description). Together they're a good compliment too, smooth like chocolate, no power imbalance - they're friends, ...(Chocolate is the key sound description here!). I like em' a lot. Conclusion: Warm Funky Chocolate!

Looks great. Just thought of another popular bass that would fit well, an Ibanez Musician.

Yes. In 30+ years of swapping out pickups these are the best I've tried. The difference is massive. I'm a big fan of these blades and am considering put a set of P and J blades in my Valenti.

(I’ve just set the comment above as the headline to the thread to alert anyone who may come across this link, hope that’s ok!)

Where do you store your bass stuff? Do you have a separate wing in your mansion? A temperature controlled outbuilding? A spare room converted to a music room with your babies lined up on display on the wall or in stands with a wall of amps and cabs? Me? My wife has graciously allowed me literally a gig bag sized space in a cupboard by the chihuahua’s bed with a space on half a blanket box which is just the right size for a Barefaced Midget with my Promethean head on top of that in its little bag. My music stand and guitar stand hidden under the bed.

This sad news brings back a special memory for me too. I had the unexpected pleasure of chatting to JR when me and my son unwittingly ran into a Kinks video shoot early one sunny Sunday morning in the Cambridgeshire flat-lands where we lived . (This was not long after I'd seen their live gig at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge, at which JR had played a blinder - as they all did.) The production crew wouldn't let us continue our journey along the country road they had 'commandeered' and invited us to have breakfast in the chuck wagon until they were done. We'd just demolished our full English when this powder-blue open-top Cadillac rolls up with the band in it. As soon as they piled out, Davies jr. was whisked away by the sycophantic production team leaving the others just hanging around looking lost. So I grabbed my chance and had a good chat with JR. Such a nice guy, sadly missed.

Since I discovered flats I've never been tempted to return to rounds, (20+ yrs). I have Labella on my Mustangs and Hofner, both model-specific sets. To my ears they have a special warmth, and give the bass a voice of it's own, not just a guitar in a lower register. Add to that the smooth feel and don't forget the longevity. There are those of course that want the zing of rounds and that's OK. The trick with flats is discovering the right ones for you, gauge, tension, feel and tone, and for each particular instrument.

Any idea if that's him playing on After Midnight Chris? Fantastic, bubbling line; learning it at the moment! And thanks for the Chuck Rainey links everyone, I now have some very pleasant homework to catch up on..

They're expensive- $49.50 USA including delivery. However, Evan declares a tiny value on the delivery envelope, so you don't get any import duty or VAT at this side of the Atlantic.

I've just started browsing for pickups for my future PJ build... These sound pretty close to perfect for me. Thanks for taking the time to jot down your thoughts @Raslee!

Well, I didn't have any problems hearing myself! It definitely has a bit more 'throw' than the 45. It sounds a bit different to the 45, so my usual 'set and forget' eq had more low end than I normally have onstage. It'll take a few more gigs and a bit of tweaking to get everything just as i like it.

Yes, he played many of the local venues/pubs around St Albans, and the last time I saw him play was in The Bull in London Colney which is just outside St Albans, and if I remember correctly, he had his sons Pete and Steve on drums and guitar, great music on what was then my local doorstep.

The 'inspiration' for the Reeves and Mywatt amplifiers - Hiwatt - claimed 400w from 6 valves as did Trace Elliot with the V6. There may be some number juggling but can't imagine there's much in it under real world conditions..

Thanks very much. I’m sure it’s obvious in my posts that i dont have a clue what I’m looking for, but will find it one day. In the meantime ill just keep spending money and trying out new things. This time next year i might even be playing so i dont want to spend too much now. I know if i buy good gear I’ll get a good return on it when i do sell it. I also have my Zoom 60D at the end of the chain and that has loads of options in it so i may actualy use that for OD, who knows. Playing bass is a laugh, but GAS is a serious business.

I love my Mywatt 400, mine has 6 KT88’s.

I took Al’s comments in jest, which i know they were meant to be taken. I am weak minded sometimes, but mainly when it comes to things i dont have experience with. Don't get me wrong, your Le bass praise definitely helped me get to the point where i knew i must have it, but it was never just about the tone of the Le bass. In fact it was never about that, it was the ability to have two pedals in one and at a good price that was pushing me to this pedal. Due to the size i felt it would take too much effort getting it working for me, and that i was better off looking for something smaller that would fit the board, at least for now. Coupled with the fat that you have to hit two switches at the same time i felt maybe its not quite the soloution i had hoped at the start of the thread. You have convinced me to keep the Cali, so your efforts weren’t wasted oh Jedi master :-). Ive been on BC long enough to know that it will always cost me something when i ask a question. .

I cut my D'Addario tapes regularly to fit my Precisions, never had issues. Can't comment on Pyramids but they shouldn't be any different. If you happen to have a cat, watch out for the cut off bits that go flying off, it's like crack to them for some reason.

I installed these in my Harkte cabs last year, and have been dazzling anyone who's seen us since!

Story of my life. All the Watts but no idea!

Yes. If we didn't keep him occupied he'd be out vandalising bus shelters.

It's a great way to keep the creative juices going. Respect.

... and designed by JK Rowling?...

That's really sad news. Many years ago I was trying out a JayDee Roadie fretless bass through a brand new Trace Elliot rig at the Bass Centre when it was still in Wapping High Street in London. I was enjoying myself, making an unholy row doing all my favourite Pino and Percy Jones licks. After about 5 minutes, I happened to turn around, and Jim Rodford was standing there with his bass on, patiently waiting to try the Trace. He smiled, I apologised for keeping him waiting, but he said there was no rush! A complete gentleman, a great bass player, and a huge supporter of local music in his home town of St Albans. RIP.

...and arrangers.

I've currently got Dean Markley 46-102 on mine, but I'm swapping back to Rotosound 40-100 gauge when I next change.

Hiho I've had this with my 99 4003 but only in the E string. So I use a 40-100 set.If I remember rightly Rick original strings have a 102 E string. Solution -file your nut or drop down a gauge. I use Dunlop super bright steels in 40-100 .These strings last if you like new string sound.I have them on all my basses now.

That's fair enough. You don't need to be thinking about such large RCFs if you're not putting your bass through - for me that's the key limiting factor on reducing size and weight. We manage just fine with two RCF 310As (400W a piece and plenty for most pub / club gigs - anything bigger typically has an in-house sound system) and then add an Allen & Heath mixer (or similar). This covers vocals plus acoustic guitar & sax and mic-ing up the bass drum. Me and the lead guitarist take our own amps. Job done.

In all honesty...I don’t know. im debating filling the j holes and having a MM route done. i say debating...I’m going to fill the J holes and stick a MM in it.

What..? A pick-pocket..? Where..? Call the police..!

Not being picky or anything but did he have a plectrum?

You liked how it played as delivered and want to know whether to modify it. I think you may have answered your own question 🙂

The last new Ricky I bought, a few years back, had the same problem. I'd actually bought a regular set of D'addario nickels (45-105), and it was my E string that was the issue! I filed the nut, and that solved the problem for me. Sold the bass soon after....I had a good run with Rickys (good few 4001/3/4) but sold my last early 2017. Forgot to add, there was a strong rumour that the Rickenbacker branded strings are simply D'addario Nickels .....so maybe go for those?

There’s an F in big knob. and there are holes visible around the back...

Yes - pick, music stand (well iPad on my mic stand) and 16 year old strings. The perfect combination. they don't even give you a Rotosound sticker in the packet anymore, and it's plastic! What the hell has happened? You turn your back for a little time and the world goes mad.

I have to say that I didn't watch the Muon clip because I can't stand Jason Bradbury's face. That's killed this conversation for me. I hope you're happy with yourself! Heeheehee

Thanks for all the great suggestions so far! Any further inspired thoughts on this topic from y'all before I have go at collating our BCer's favourites?

I bought the house, where ever I damn well want.. oh oh sorry babe, I’ll move them right away... 😵

sweet baby jesus that is sexy!!! Just when my GAS was getting under control!

I saw them 3 or 4 years ago and they were one of the best bands I've seen live

OK - it's all packed up and ready to put Mike out of his very patient misery Here's some finished shots before it went back into its case. First of all - a 'before and after' : Then some standard shots - probably the same ones you've seen before but with a dark background : ...and yes, Mike, it fits! :

I don’t do jazz but rock would be Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast RHCP - blood sugar sex magik RATM - Rage against the Machine

Stingray - single pickup 2 band eq so has more booty than the 3 band, chunkier Precision sized neck, weighs a bit, rosewood/black, built like a tank, loads of sizzle, can knock walls down with the bass control maxed, get the mids back into it by rolling tone controls back to midway and upping the volume. The 3 band version is closer in sound to my Sandberg... Sandberg - old PM4 style so reversed P pickup in the neck and a MM in the bridge position, skinnier jazz style (but not quite so skinny) neck, flatter fingerboard - feels lightning fast, about same weight as Stingray, still has sizzle but not quite as much as a Ray, does a very good Precision sound on just the neck pickup but tightens right up if you roll back to bridge pickup, can't do a Stingray sound but has a similar flavour, built like a tank as well, can run in passive mode so you get a slightly rounder old school tone that you can't do on a 'ray. Love them both........ You could grab a USA Sub for £400/500 - has almost exactly the USA Stingray sound/feel on a budget. Fab value.....