BassBod

I think Realist with BassMax as a backup is the way to go..but I never got around to getting the BassMax…I keep getting distracted! Currently got an old String Charger magnetic, but its not getting used much.

The old trick with the BP100 was glue it in place - Mo Clifton glued mine years ago and it sounded much stronger and darker. He was careful to make sure the bridge was properly flat, and tried a few nudges around to get the best sound. It will never come off without complete destruction..so its a one way trip. The other thing is that pickup really needs a good high impedance preamp to sound good, at all. Even then it has a lot of high end finger noise and can be scratchy without EQ.

Lovely playing there…that would have taken me a year to work out and another two to get it right! I've never got the ramp thing, I understand the theory but I'm a fairly ham-fisted player by modern standards and like a bit of space under the strings. Seems to work really well for you..but I'm glad to see you didn't screw it down.

That's the best reason to get one - not for gigging. Look for Sigma, budget versions of Martin or used ones that were pricey new. The depth of the body makes a big difference to the acoustic tone, deeper is better unless you plan to plug it in very often (then it works against you by increasing the feedback problems you get). They are often fitted with bronze round wound strings, which are loud but harsh. Flat wound or plastic covered strings sound much nicer, but are quieter. Happy hunting

There are much better cabs these days (Acme, Euphonic, Crazy 8) in terms of frequency response and clarity..but they cost and few are as small and light as the one you've got. One thing I would say - its worth thinking about your priorities for amplification. I always thought I wanted "my bass but louder" and looked for clarity and accuracy to get as faithful a sound as I could. Then I picked up an old Polytone on a whim..and found that the sound it produced was very very good in all contexts I worked in. Now I'm looking for an amplified sound that just works for me, with my bass my pickup etc. I'm feeling a bit liberated!

Yep - the trusty Sansamp (or Sadowsky or Aguilar) preamp worked a treat. I don't think my experience was helped by the slight mid honk of the Barefaced Midget cab. It sounded warmer and a lot more traditional through a Bag End 1x15. A great little amp, particularly if you need to travel light and play mostly upright.

Not used that version, but spent a year or two with the Micro. Very nice amp, pretty powerful good useful eq. The lack of an XLR DI gets universal tuts from engineers..even though a short cable is all that's needed (you have to get one). On balance, I found it neutral but dull. Its the best doubling amp I've ever seen or used, but it just wasn't very engaging to listen to.

I've just had a play on Nick's (re-wired) Marathon - fantastic sound, and very nice to play. Light and comfy - the only thing is the short body/long neck effect, but ten mins playing and I was ignoring it perfectly well. Very impressive for a bass we all thought of as a poor relation to the exotic stuff and American imports. I'm going to have to plug it into a Trace Elliot GP11 later….just for old times….

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.