ikay

I'm sure you've already tried lowering the bridge pup and/or raising the P? If you can't get a decent balance by doing that then maybe it's the P that has weak output rather than the J being too hot.

[quote name='bremen' timestamp='1392481152' post='2369262'] Did you buy direct from USA? [/quote] Mine came already fitted on my ACG. I added the East buffer as part of a preamp mod. Applestone Music are a UK Graphtec supplier. They don't show the bass saddles on their website but may be able to order them in. [url="http://www.guitar-parts-and-spares-uk.com/contents/en-uk/d509.html"]http://www.guitar-parts-and-spares-uk.com/contents/en-uk/d509.html[/url]

Graphtec Ghost piezo systems are very good. Available as piezo loaded saddles to retrofit in a standard P/J bridge or as a fully loaded Hipshot 'A' style bridge assembly (I have the Hipshot bridge version). Needs a buffer/preamp to get the full range from the piezos (I use a John East MPM-01). I've also tried the Graphtech Acoustiphonic preamp but prefer the East. The outputs from the individual saddles are simply summed into the buffer. No individual level controls for each string but the output is very even across the strings (on mine anyway). http://www.graphtech.com/products/brands/ghost/ghost-pickups---bass http://www.bestbassgear.com/hipshot-piezo-style-bass-bridges.htm.

Have you contacted Fender customer support in the UK? Be interesting to see what they have to say - http://www.fender.com/en-GB/contact/

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1392374708' post='2367858'] I usually leave the "sweepable" element roughly in the middle, because it sounds nice and to be honest it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. [/quote] Very surprised that sweeping the mid freq doesn't seem to make much difference - is it working properly?! I use the sweepable mid on my East SPM-02 for tuning into the sweetspot for boosting mids on my fretless. Very useful and effective feature in that respect. The SPM also has internal sweepable frequency adjustment for bass and treble. Also very useful.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1392295152' post='2366854'] Looks like an early Wal to me... At least from the screen grab at the top. [/quote] +1 an early Wal Pro II

You've probably already tested and dismissed this but something I've come across before when playing fingerstyle on basses with a pretty low action is an annoying click when your plucking finger comes to rest on the string below. Caused by the string below the one your plucking being clacked against the frets. Took me a while to work out what it was when I first experienced it. Another suggestion anyway!

I had a Woody and the pickup mountings can buzz on these (spring mounting can be a bit loose). Try touching the pickups when you get the buzz to see if it makes any difference. Worth a try anyway

PM'd

The TRB-5 soapbars are passive so you can go active/passive. Here's a video comparing various preamps including the Bartolini NTMB (the pre you specified above is a configuration of the NTMB). The NTMB demo is towards the end at around 8m 20s. Obviously this demo doesn't necessarily reflect how it would sound in a TRB5. What don't you like about the TRB-5 preamp? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwxXVRxhndA[/media]

The Schaller Bassbridge 2000 has sideways saddle adjustment which allows for string spacing down to 15mm - http://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_bass_bridge_2000_4s_chrome.htm?sid=d175bb5cef631052f5a7e43c76e1cc9b

PM'd

Here's a thread from TB about bridge covers on a CV if that's any help - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/bridge-cover-squier-classic-vibe-p-bass-768836/

Spec is imperial 6-32 x 1 1/2" pan head phillips. You can get them from WD Music in the UK - http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/vintage-bass-intonation-screw-nickel-bag-of-4--322-p.asp (although these are 1 7/16") Or original Fender part from WD in the US - http://www.wdmusic.com/fender_bass_brdg_int_screws_6_32x15_12pk_001_5842_049.html

Shergold Modulator apparently, from around 1977. Had interchangeable electronics modules. Here's a youtube demo but the module on this one only has two controls. Lovely sounding bass. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE6Z4FzwQfg[/media] This thread from a French bass forum has close up pics and more details of the electronics - http://forum.onlybass.com/index.php?/topic/57679-vendue-shergold-modulator-2-modules-550/

I love this bass, and the playing. A quality short scale like this has a lot of appeal. It's got me thinking...

WD Music do SR5 pickguards - [url="http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/stingray-5-string-bass-150-c.asp."]http://www.wdmusic.c...bass-150-c.asp.[/url] Schaller BM tuners should fit - http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/products/bass-115/schaller-bm-bass-guitar-machine-head-3l2r-834.aspx

The Enfield Super 8 switchable pickup has always intrigued me. Not sure if it's exclusive to their basses or available separately. The Super Quad version is available from SIms. [url="http://www.enfieldguitars.com/super8.html"]http://www.enfieldguitars.com/super8.html[/url] [url="http://www.simscustom.com/pickups/"]http://www.simscustom.com/pickups/[/url]