nick

I've got Hosco vintage style BBOT's on both my old Tokais, and in process of putting another on my Greco P-Bass. I prefer the spiral-saddles on Fender style basses. They're well made, decent quality for the price & fitted OK without need to drill new holes. I understand Hosco is an export brand for Gotoh..

There's a decent looking '96 Squier 'Vista' Musicmaster on ebay at the moment: Ebay - Squier Vista Musicmaster I've had a few of them, and think they're great underrated shortscales IMHO. I too prefer a chunkier neck with 19mm spacing too, and the neck profile on them suits me. The seller is open to offers, and considering it doesn't have it's original pickup, might accept a lower price.

They're not too expensive to at least trial.... Would be interested to hear what they're like too. Just in case I need any more in the future, should a cap drop off.

The Gallien Krueger P/No. for the cap is 100-0102-0 This stockist of amp spares in Spain appears to sell them & have them in stock: https://www.audiotestserviciotecnico.com/tienda/100-0102-0-cap-72-apls-spline-sh-gallien-krueger/ Hope this helps. Cheers Nick

I bought some knob caps for the ones missing on my 400RB & 800RB about 8 years ago from a seller in the States who sold NOS amp spares & bits. Unfortunately, can't find the details that is if he's still even trading these days. However, I remember them being quite expensive. I understand from Talkbass forum they are incredibly rare & hard to find even over there. Apparently the chap that builds DiCosimo Audio 800RB Bass Preamp Pedals uses these knobs which look quite similar: https://www.rapidonline.com/re-an-p300-h-098-s6-tricolour-knob-grey-insert-32-1208?fbclid=IwAR1V9CXvtrZvBj8qDbppXNkGYYGza8jQB06x9X-z8G2cddsjvOFTuuD_QJE The grey knob caps themselves are also available. They look pretty similar to the 400RB one, so might be a close enough replacement? Maybe worth a try for 62p each? https://www.rapidonline.com/re-an-t861-h-89-grey-cap-to-suit-19mm-knob-32-0345?fbclid=IwAR0UbSS4kwxIEmtTPq0M2ZnWgDowPFWT4MAkwAfGyJ66xgLxQoBHEwK6Yjw

Yes, the Armstrong reproduction is two jazz like coils parallel to each other within the casing. However the original Aria MB1/1E's are the same construction. This is the dead Aria MB1 taken from my SB700 which shows that: I believe your SB R-80 would have had MBII pickups which were constructed as per P-Bass configuration. So, unsurprisingly the Armstrong would sound quite different & possibly mismatched with the existing MBII in your SB R-80.

Not wanting to debate this, but I recently had to replace a dead MB-1 pickup in one of my 'Batwing' SB-700's with an Armstrong reproduction as Rautia are no longer producing them. I honestly couldn't hear any discernible difference in tone when A/B'ing it against an identical SB-700 with it's original MB-1. The Armstrong sounded great IMHO.

Finally got my hands on a Danelectro Longhorn, after years of wanting one or at least trying one out.... I believe it's 90's MIK 'Pro' version, with the fully adjustable bridge & better tuners. Got the rusty old roundwounds that came with it off & restrung it with some GHS Brite Flats. Really liking it so far. Though I'm not finding it the most comfortable body shape (for me) But it's lovely to play & has a big sound for it's size, and has quite a unique but useable tone IMHO. Will see if I can bond with it, and if it's a keeper 🙂

Yeah, I find the same with my 400RB Though I guess what sounds 'flat' can be quite subjective & can depend on choice of cab, room acoustics etc... Here's the settings that I perceive as 'flat'-ish, at least to my cloth ears with a couple of 12" Vanderkleys.

Double Squier Vista Musicmasters

A pair of '83 Ibanez RB920's One with frets & one without

Congratulations The early 400RB's are fantastic aren't they? I discovered how great the 400RB is by chance when I went round to meet a bass hero of mine, the lovely James Eller to drop off a pedal he'd bought off me. We had a cup of tea, chat about gear & I had a play through his 400RB, and loved the punchy articulate tone it had. Wanted one but they seldom come up for sale in the UK. Then shortly after that, whilst I was out on a business trip to Nashville, and by chance found one in a dusty old pawn shop in the city suburbs. They didn't want much for it, I think about $100, so I snapped it up & brought it back to the UK in my suitcase I got the chunky 110v transformer changed for a more efficient 240v toroidal one, which also made the amp lighter. Gigged it heavily for a while, and it never let me down & still using it today after 10+ years. It's my only amp and still sounds great, especially with a couple Vanderkley 12"s getting the 4ohm potential. They are a wonderful amp IMHO, so easy to dial in a nice tone. Keep on to it! Cheers 👍

Totally agree with you, the Vistas are way better than the USA original Musicmasters on so many levels.... I had three of them up until a short while ago. All great players, with a big tone. I moved the black & pink ones on, but kept the sonic blue