Chris1127

Is anyone by any chance familiar with the insides of the gp12smx series preamps? My voltage selector got knocked to 115v getting packed away after my last gig and it blew when I plugged it in It took out all the 63v caps on the back board, which I've replaced; along with the varistor. It's working now but the compressor doesn't seem to work as it should (very little effect) and I'm getting a lot of hiss when I switch in the graphic - especially when i raise the 180- 660hz sliders. It's silent without the graphic switched in though. The cap on the graphic board looks a bit iffy so I'm going to swap that out but I wondered if anyone knew which IC(s) are in the compression circuit as that was going to be my next guess. If anyone has any ideas how I might be able to contact Gavin who used to run GM Audio as well then I'd appreciate any suggestions.

i've got a passve 4 string OLP, single pickup version that I picked up in as-new condition - way I've looked at it is a great platform to start modding from. Stock wiring and pickup imo was awful, flat-sounding and with little variation on the controls - but they can all be changed easy enough - I've now got a switch in place of a volume pot giving me series/parallel or single coil, and a cheap wilkinson pup that I'm really impressed with too, all in less than 20 quid. However the important bits (to me) are the neck - which is lovely to play, and well dressed/finished - dropped the action pretty low and no buzzing. It is a very light body though, and I'm not convinced the paint finish is the best quality - the paint has chipped a little behind the scratchplate where the mounting holes are, and I don't think it would take much to ding or chip. The string tree and strap button holes are all a bit iffy too - wouldnt take much to strip them I wouldnt think. funnily enough my other/main bass is an original series made in Japan Ibanez ATK. Much as I like the OLP I wouldn't put them in the same class - the finish and equipment (bridge, tuners, wiring hardware etc) on the ATK are far better, as is the sound which is just awesome. I'd stack the atk up against basses costing twice or three times as much without hesitation - mind you for what I paid for the OLP I'd say the same about that too

cheers I used Rustins grain filler- was a bit of a job to track down locally but ended up getting it online from carlisle glass. A lot of local palces tried to palm me off wth regular filler but by all accounts it isnt really the stuff for the job. this was easy enough to use - just mix it into a paste with spirit and rub it into the grain with a coarse cloth, leave it a bit then wipe the excess off across the grain. Hopefully it'll really help it stand out through the trans finish