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[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1431543940' post='2772499'] The only advantage of the SG bass is that it shouldn't be a big stretch for a gtr player.. Sound-wise, I think it will be pretty one dimensional...and I'd be wary of overdriving the sound too much. [/quote] But what a dimension and the short scale thing certainly makes me play differently (whether it is any better is open to debate!)

Stating where you are will help in your quest. There are many BCers who will offer you the chance to try your SG bass through various amps / cabs. I would - Mid Wales is in the middle of nowhere (long may it be that way).

What sound do you want? Are you heading for the Jack Bruce / Andy Fraser sound. I suggest trying it with plenty of amp / cab combinations. Power amp (e.g. Peavey IPR 2000 £248) combined with Tech 21 VT deluxe would be an interesting alternative starting point.

Put old strings back on (even one will do), listen to the difference. This may help with identifying is it the new strings or something else like poor saddle contact etc. I have only had one duff string in 45+ years of bass playing, having a whole set seems unlikely (but not impossible). There can be significant volume difference between different string makes, however as you have used the same make and type of strings this can be discounted.

An excellent restoration, always wanted one of these at the time, seeing this one brings back memories of youth.

Plan A: Pictures would help with diagnosis. I suggest remove shims and string bass up to tune. Take pictures of string height and steel ruler at 12th fret. Saddle screws at min and max height. This gives a starting point. See where we go from there. Plan B: - where are you? someone on here who knows about setups may be willing to take a look.

I have TI flats on just about every bass I own and (sic) rate them highly. The only bass that disappointed me with them fitted is my Corvette fretless. Now fitted with Chromes which just worked better for me.

[quote name='mikeydee' timestamp='1430931387' post='2766108'] Perhaps the Peavey is picking up noise from the mains. Dimmer switch, refrigerator, pc. Does it do it at a friends house.? [/quote] Good advice, in the same vein I have one amp that is noisy at home, ok elsewhere usually.

Whilst I can see the value / necessity of PLI, PAT testing, PRS, PPL etc. the barriers being put in place just to do the odd causal playing of music seem to be getting ever larger. Several slices of the 'cake' are taken before you even play a note. We had insurance in the Ceilidh bands I played in - could see the potential for some spectacular injuries consequential to dancing to music

If they are the standard J type pickups there are several discussions here on BC. Some other thoughts are here: [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/j-pickups-discussion-and-comparisons.91384/"]http://www.talkbass.com/threads/j-pickups-discussion-and-comparisons.91384/[/url] and here: [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/j-pickups-discussion-and-comparisons-part-ii.1024277/"]http://www.talkbass.com/threads/j-pickups-discussion-and-comparisons-part-ii.1024277/[/url]. I fitted DiMarzio J types to one of my corvettes - seem pretty good. Entwistle pickups get good reviews and are outstanding value for money. The biggest issue you will have is too much choice

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1430379767' post='2760731'] Every gig is a bass cock up from beginning to end for me [/quote] I am with Merton on this one, it would be easier to mention the times I got the whole number right

[quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1430341238' post='2760560'] Well if you want to be ott Behringer's iPod dock does it. [url="http://s970.photobucket.com/user/gelfin5959/media/Giant%20I%20pod%20doc_zpsu5cddxnj.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] The BF Behemoth version of this should perform like the current Big Twin II

Bass Cock Up. Why only the one? I have a lifetime's worth.

EMG have the 'quick connector'. They can be fitted to other pre-amplifiers (no promises on degree of success). They also work with 25KOhm passive volume and tone controls. You would need a 'quick connector' cable to the pickup and then cut the other end connector off. Solder appropriate connections to existing pickup input to Warwick pre amp. [url="http://www.emgpickups.com/media/productfile/E/M/EMG-MMTW.pdf"]http://www.emgpickups.com/media/productfile/E/M/EMG-MMTW.pdf[/url] Above is link to the tappable MM style pickup. Hope this helps. Nothing is simple

Machines - possibly time to open the bass up. Power connection wires to the pickups will be the giveaway for fully active (EMG style). If there are just two wires (signal and ground, contained inside one cable -) from the pickup it will be the regular passive ones. Seeing your sig has 2013 Corvette Pro I would guess it will be the passive ones. If this is the case the upgrade operation is much easier and there will be plenty of choice.

When you state the MEC pickups are active, are they active in the EMG sense (they have pre amp built into pickup) or passive and become 'active' with the pre-amp. All 3 of my Warwicks (and the 4th I did have) are the latter type. There seems to be some debate on this one.

[quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1430229260' post='2759199'] 2x15? Used to have a Bassman 135 with a 2x15. Fabulous old skool sound. [/quote] Barefaced Dubster fills that role rather well. With the 700W amplifier power I have available it is, as Rolls Royce stated about the Phantom V engine power output, "Adequate".

Tne Travis Perkins birch ply was the proper 'Wisa' type - watch out for inferior types with thin facing. Nothing wrong with this in the right situation but for structural applications you do not want thin facings that lack butt joint strength.

I found that Travis Perkins can supply birch ply - I was able to get 9mm sheets at a reasonable price to the depths of mid Wales. It was also well packed for transportation.

[quote name='bootsy666' timestamp='1430157620' post='2758505'] It won't let me upload any photos again? It says I've reached my limit before I've even selected a photo? [/quote] That's because it is a 'big' cabinet Boom Boom !

As far as I can ascertain the EMG 40J is an active set (website says they are J type in larger case) . I think you could achieve a passive tone control in addition to the BTC setup. It would need to be the 25K pot. I have one bass with EMG Js and find the passive 25K tone pot works remarkably well (usually I just run my basses with tone control at full but with with the EMG set-up I actually use the tone control). Now answered above while I was typing

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1430071411' post='2757726'] This is what I'm trying to achieve. A tone that suits the genre rather than trying to get the authentic tone of the original recording. Does anyone produce a 5 string P/J with switchable active/passive? [/quote] I would guess Warwick have such a thing. Easy solution is to find a 5 string bass P J configuration that you like and then add suitable pre-amp. We have not yet factored the room acoustics yet, if you are lucky they help or as is often the case, somewhat nullify any tonal subtleties . Then we have sound absorption units aka audience to factor in as well.

How long until NSD ? (new speakers day)

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1429900299' post='2756229'] Silicone sealant (neutral cure) is pretty effective at holding a plastic port tube in place if the joint is nice and tight and has plenty of surface area. [/quote] Alex has given you the solution to fixing. Abrade the pipe with rough sandpaper to get better keying. With the thickness of plywood you have, you could also additionally fix them in with some small screws from the inside of the pipe into the ply thickness. Hard to explain in words so here is a bad text sketch. plywood ( <----|| screw screw ||--> ) plywood. Brackets represent port wall aka drainpipe.