BassBod

I think you can do it passively, but the results depend on how well matched the pickups are - it may work fine, but more likely the P will over power the J and you may also get some loss of midrange from frequency cancellation in the combined ranges. I'd be tempted to go VVT in a passive set up, or even concentric VT for each pickup (like a stacknob J). The best I've used was a Sadowsky PJ. Although it was active, I don't think the blending was part of the circuit. But it did use custom DiMarzio humbuckers for both pickups, so I guess they were well matched to work together.

Emails are hit or miss, so call them. They were very helpful and supplied me with a new transformer for an F2B preamp that was pushing 30 years old. Didn't cost a silly amount and they supplied all the info needed for fitting. Best of luck

I've used a Sansamp for years to do this. I don't really use distortion, just adds low end and "warmth". I hate using words to describe sounds, but that will do. The old Bass Driver does it fine, the newer VT does it with more variety. Trick is to use the knobs carefully - if you are cranking it the sounds will not be very useful..the blend is the key.

That TOTP video made me chuckle - the bass player clearly has a time machine and nows exactly how a 2013 scruffy-pub-club-muso should dress. Amazing..or have current fashions gone that retro?

Great necks, but working with graphite is very different. I wouldn't do it again - very easy to mess up.

Unfortunately no idea where it is these days….but if I had the cash to hand I'd track it down. Best "fender" neck I've ever played.

Your Spec sounds a lot like the Bravewood that me and Happy Jack owned…a very nice bass indeed. [attachment=148284:DSCN1155.JPG]

I owned a Bravewood Pbass for a while - one of the few basses I regret moving on (I'm a J bass player, really). The neck was fantastic, body was light and the whole bass was resonant and a joy to play. However, there are reports of poor customer experiences here (search?) and I've got a Bravewood J neck that has a persistent fretting issue. I'd suggest going to meet and discuss what you want him before you make a decision.

The D Tar pickup in my Turner is fantastic - most natural piezo I've heard, but I think they come with their own (2x9v) preamp. Maybe drop them an email? They do all sorts of options for acoustic instruments, so I'm sure a mag input and balance wouldn't be a problem. Or John East (as above). I've got the Bartolini circuit in my Clifton EUB and it is very clean and simple (only has a balance pot, and an internal trim to set the mag level). I've also heard Bill Puplett is the beesnees for all things pickup and piezo?

I think that's the full combo? Cabs look to be £200 ish...from memory..

Look up Mambo amps - sort of Polytone inspired, but they do also make simple extension cabs using modern Eminence speakers. Personally, I wouldn't run an extra cab. Its already running into 3 or 4ohms, and the power amp is in a small sealed box stuffed full of glass fibre insulation. As a friend of mine often says.."what could possibly go wrong?!"

Are they still in business then? I assumed the website was a bit of a relic and they ceased production a few years ago.

[quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1382225573' post='2249586'] These are great on a spike but i think the walking stick ferrule might be best for a thicker wooden end pin [/quote] Probably right there - I had one on my Clifton for at least ten years before it wore out. Now it has one of the rubber balls fitted onto the metal spike.

I've got one with only a "main out" socket, and never worked out if it is a line level or speaker output. I've also been told that they used 4ohm internal speakers, which makes an external one more complicated.

This is it (from Thomann) Wolf Super Endpin

Could I fit my current "Wolf" rubber ball thing on the end? Its about the only thing I've found that doesn't skid around on tiled floors. I seem to play in a lot of places with hard tiled flooring.

Like this?

I've always wondered - I much prefer the idea of a wooden post, that you just take out rather than this "must go up into the body" thing that always plays up. A hole with a tapered stick seems a simple and elegant alternative. Very interested...

I'd be tempted to put them aside and invest in some modern "vintage" replacements - Aguilar humbuckers etc. I've had microphonic J bass pickups potted (Barenuckle) and it reduced the problem a lot, but didn't completley remove it. You can keep the original covers on with most modern replacements, and always go back to them if you feel the need.

Yes, you can run a DI from the effects send, or a preamp output...but are you trying to avoid the eq of the GK? The growl could be tamed with different gain and eq settings.