Muzz

Ok, I'm mid-build, and looking for a set of passive P/J pickups. I like the Thumper and 84 I've got in 2 other basses, but I'm after pickups without exposed pole pieces. Unfortunately Andy at Wizard can't help, so does anyone have a recommendation for similar-sounding pickups (hot, quite dark, not modern-sounding) I could look at which don't have exposed pole pieces? Cheers.

Glad you posted that, I was looking at one of these, but none (neither) of those sounds in the vid would be any use to me. Ta.

We do a version of that Gotye thing which is very well crafted, and people (OK, girls) sing along, but it's dancefloor death.

Just received some parts from Lee - well packed and on schedule. Deal with him in confidence - he's one of the good guys. Cheers, Muzz

I got my ACS ER15s from Boots - handy, because they've plenty of branches for you to get the casts of your ears made. And cheap, there's a money off offer if you sign up for some scheme or other. I forget what, exactly, but it isn't anything problematic.

I really liked the JB-2s I've tried, if they did a black one with a maple neck (yeah, I'm shallow and easily influenced by looks ) I'd have bought one when I was looking at them.

I think it does depend entirely on the individual bass: my old 78 Jazz was a shocker - 11lbs 13oz, and not a great player, either, but it was mint and all original. The buyer spent a fortune on it, so they must have wanted it (they played it first), but for the life of me I don't know why. I think it speaks volumes that the highest prices are commanded by the ones which are most 'original', which have the ashtrays, and the original case. Says more 'artefact' than 'instrument' to me...

I've had a long-standing urge to buy one cheap (£290! Blimey...that'd do) and gut it, then build the bits into a better bass. It was the physical bass itself that put me off, especially at the £700-mark. There's a couple of builds online where people have done just that.

I've got a Wizard 84 in the bridge position of my (coincidentally black/maple) P/J, and it's the only bridge pickup I've ever considered using solo. I still don't, because I've got a Wizard Thumper in the neck position, but it makes a more effective contribution than many bridge P/J pickups I've heard. Great pickups.

Yep, I've found the -15db at 30Hz on my M-Pulse a useful setting. It's about all I use the para for on mine, though - the basic Bass Mid Treble are enough to get a great sound.

First proper gig was 1979, tons through university and when I was single, then I had a decade or so off, been back on it for a few years now, I'd worked it out last year around the 1000-1100 mark

I'm currently using a M-pulse 360 ( I'd love a Walkabout) and it's definitely underrated in terms of numbers : I had a LMIII for a while, and they both have plenty of power. The cab is an important part of the equation, though, my Schroeder is a very sensitive cab and sounds very loud with every amp I've used. I'd ask Alex his opinion, I'm sure he'll be very helpful.

Having said that, the massive hikes in Warwick prices haven't exactly pulled up secondhand prices - they're as low as (if not lower than) they've always been.

I got to use a Super Twelve T recently at a rehearsal, and it was very, very good. Very light, and a nice tallish shape so you can hear it pretty well even if you're standing close to it. It sounds even better elsewhere. Loud enough and deep enough for just about anything I can think of, and I use ACS ER15s, we rehearse that loud. The finish (handles, etc) is the only thing that doesn't feel like a £750 cab, but the built-in wheels are a great idea. Having re-read the OP, I'd say that for more punch, definitely consider a Schroeder - the low-mid hump of these really sounds punchy and present in a band situation, mine's great for the two-guitar rock band I play in.

Yep, Spike's on the money there, too - IIRC Martin Rushent compressed the sound very heavily in the studio.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1343772479' post='1755161'] Um Bongo [/quote] Thanks Clarky, I've got a keyboard to clean now...coffee with sugar, too...

Horrendous bodge*. * Coincidentally, Uruguayan goalkeeper in their 1930 World Cup-winning squad...