Deedee Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 (edited) Wasn’t sure whether this should be in here or in Repairs & Technical but here goes…. The restoration of the electrics on my '83 SB-R150 is finally complete and I'm very pleased with the result. Huge thanks go to @Prostheta for his wizardry and patience and also to Rautia Pickups for the pair of MB-1E replacement pickups. This bass was originally listed for sale on here several years ago although I subsequently found it through an ad elsewhere (EDIT - I was actually given the heads up by @Fionn of the ad on FB). Turned out that the BC ad was indeed still live. I purchased it because it was in such beautiful condition, including the original case. The big (very big) and obvious issue was that the original pickups and electronics had long since been removed and disposed of. After conversations with Prostheta as to what was or wasn't possible I decided to push on with trying to get it restored to as close to stock as possible. The first pictures show the bass as I bought it, then with everything stripped out. Note the packers that had been fitted inside the pickup cavities to take the screws for the previously installed Armstrong pickups. Fortunately after some careful chipping away I managed to clear the old glue off to reveal the original pickup screw bushings. As you can see the loom (including 6-position Varitone and preamp) that Prostheta provided is a work of art and it seemed a shame to have to try and cram it into the seemingly tiny electronics cavity in the back of the bass. It was a squeeze but it went in and it is beautifully quiet running. No humming, no buzzing, even sat directly in front of the amp with the volume up to gigging levels it is uber quiet. Finally there are a couple of pics with this now complete bass taking its place alongside my R60 and R80. I may look out for a set of black or bronze pickup screws as the silver ones do stand out a little but all in all I'm thrilled with it. It sounds great with a powerful preamp and a huge range of tones and I know it’ll be good for years. I'm a happy chappy and I hope you enjoy the pics showing the seemingly simple but oh not so simple transformation. 😀 Edited January 25, 2020 by Deedee Typo! 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 (edited) Lovely I needed to replace the MBll pickups in my SB900, but i didnt like paying the Paypal fees for Rautia pickups, and on top of that, i couldnt have them till August, so i got Aaron Armstrong to make a custom set, and i had them within a week Edited July 1, 2019 by fleabag 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted July 1, 2019 Author Share Posted July 1, 2019 Blimey that is quick! I suppose I ought to put some effort in and clean the bridge up now yours has put it to shame. 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Yes, you slacker ! Get it done sir otherwise i'll send the boys round 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 On 29/06/2019 at 17:06, Deedee said: Wasn’t sure whether this should be in here or in Repairs & Technical but here goes…. The restoration of the electrics on my '83 SB-R150 is finally complete and I'm very pleased with the result. Huge thanks go to @Prostheta for his wizardry and patience and also to Rautia Pickups for the pair of MB-1E replacement pickups. This bass was originally listed for sale on here several years ago although I subsequently found it through an ad elsewhere (EDIT - I was actualy given the heads up by @Fionn of the ad on FB). Turned out that the BC ad was indeed still live. I purchased it because it was in such beautiful condition, including the original case. The big (very big) and obvious issue was that the original pickups and electronics had long since been removed and disposed of. After conversations with Prostheta as to what was or wasn't possible I decided to push on with trying to get it restored to as close to stock as possible. The first pictures show the bass as I bought it, then with everything stripped out. Note the packers that had been fitted inside the pickup cavities to take the screws for the previously installed Armstrong pickups. Fortunately after some careful chipping away I managed to clear the old glue off to reveal the original pickup screw bushings. As you can see the loom (including 6-position Varitone and preamp) that Prostheta provided is a work of art and it seemed a shame to have to try and cram it into the seemingly tiny electronics cavity in the back of the bass. It was a squeeze but it went in and it is beautifully quiet running. No humming, no buzzing, even sat directly in front of the amp with the volume up to gigging levels it is uber quiet. Finally there are a couple of pics with this now complete bass taking its place alongside my R60 and R80. I may look out for a set of black or bronze pickup screws as the silver ones do stand out a little but all in all I'm thrilled with it. It sounds great with a powerful preamp and a huge range of tones and I know it’ll be good for years. I'm a happy chappy and I hope you enjoy the pics showing the seemingly simple but oh not so simple transformation. 😀 WOW! That is a lot of love for Aria's right there! Impressive, they are lovely basses 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 17 minutes ago, BassTool said: WOW! That is a lot of love for Aria's right there! Impressive, they are lovely basses I'm nor sure whether you're showing off or just being greedy...😉 Either way...nice collection😍😍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 On 29/06/2019 at 17:06, Deedee said: Wasn’t sure whether this should be in here or in Repairs & Technical but here goes…. The restoration of the electrics on my '83 SB-R150 is finally complete and I'm very pleased with the result. Huge thanks go to @Prostheta for his wizardry and patience and also to Rautia Pickups for the pair of MB-1E replacement pickups. This bass was originally listed for sale on here several years ago although I subsequently found it through an ad elsewhere (EDIT - I was actualy given the heads up by @Fionn of the ad on FB). Turned out that the BC ad was indeed still live. I purchased it because it was in such beautiful condition, including the original case. The big (very big) and obvious issue was that the original pickups and electronics had long since been removed and disposed of. After conversations with Prostheta as to what was or wasn't possible I decided to push on with trying to get it restored to as close to stock as possible. The first pictures show the bass as I bought it, then with everything stripped out. Note the packers that had been fitted inside the pickup cavities to take the screws for the previously installed Armstrong pickups. Fortunately after some careful chipping away I managed to clear the old glue off to reveal the original pickup screw bushings. As you can see the loom (including 6-position Varitone and preamp) that Prostheta provided is a work of art and it seemed a shame to have to try and cram it into the seemingly tiny electronics cavity in the back of the bass. It was a squeeze but it went in and it is beautifully quiet running. No humming, no buzzing, even sat directly in front of the amp with the volume up to gigging levels it is uber quiet. Finally there are a couple of pics with this now complete bass taking its place alongside my R60 and R80. I may look out for a set of black or bronze pickup screws as the silver ones do stand out a little but all in all I'm thrilled with it. It sounds great with a powerful preamp and a huge range of tones and I know it’ll be good for years. I'm a happy chappy and I hope you enjoy the pics showing the seemingly simple but oh not so simple transformation. 😀 I'm nor sure whether you're showing off or just being greedy...😉 Either way...nice collection😍😍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 1 minute ago, TheGreek said: I'm nor sure whether you're showing off or just being greedy...😉 Either way...nice collection😍😍 Just being greedy............ but I am quite proud of them too! 😆 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 That's a bad stammer you got there Mick... 😖 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fionn Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 Sensational!! Good job Dan! Great to see such a nice bass returned to its former glory 🏆 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 2 hours ago, Fionn said: Sensational!! Good job Dan! Great to see such a nice bass returned to its former glory 🏆 Many thanks and thanks once again for the initial heads up on the bass being available. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 where did you get the aria knobs? They are like hens teeth.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, W1_Pro said: where did you get the aria knobs? They are like hens teeth.... I used the volume and tone knobs from my R60 (that bass is a little more beaten up). The pointer knobs can still be bought new. Edited January 31, 2020 by Deedee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted January 31, 2020 Share Posted January 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, Deedee said: The pointer knobs can still be bought new. Didnt know that! Where from if you don't mind me asking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted January 31, 2020 Author Share Posted January 31, 2020 (edited) 51 minutes ago, W1_Pro said: Didnt know that! Where from if you don't mind me asking? I managed to get mine from a UK tool company through eBay but they don't appear to be a registered user anymore. ☹️ The part code is MS91528-1P2S and they are made by a company called EHC. They have plenty of distributors but the minimum order costs can be prohibitive. The first part of the part code is the name of the range but it's the last 4 characters that actually denote the type of knob. They also do a skirted version which is suitable for taller shafts if the pots have been replaced. EDIT - Just to note, these have 2 set screws instead of the original 1. I couldn't find the 1 screw versions anywhere. Edited January 31, 2020 by Deedee 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted September 3, 2020 Share Posted September 3, 2020 (edited) Glad you got this restored fine! I feel like I missed out on the action 😕 From the outside, that's absolutely spot on. I've got a lot of love for the SB-R150, my white whale! So much so, I got around to making my own hybrid SB-1000/R150 build. Single pickup like the 1000, with the R150 appointments but with the cats eye inlays. Also, there's something distinctly different on one side.... I'm glad that I didn't go for two pickups....those toggles make the circuit another level of complex on top of how they are anyway! She'd look quite comfortable amongst your existing bijou clutchette! Edited September 3, 2020 by Prostheta 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 1 hour ago, Prostheta said: Glad you got this restored fine! I feel like I missed out on the action 😕 From the outside, that's absolutely spot on. I've got a lot of love for the SB-R150, my white whale! So much so, I got around to making my own hybrid SB-1000/R150 build. Single pickup like the 1000, with the R150 appointments but with the cats eye inlays. Also, there's something distinctly different on one side.... I'm glad that I didn't go for two pickups....those toggles make the circuit another level of complex on top of how they are anyway! She'd look quite comfortable amongst your existing bijou clutchette! That looks stunning. Great work 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 On 29/06/2019 at 19:06, Deedee said: It's funny how much you can learn from seeing photos of instruments in restoration. One thing of note is how Matsumoku processed the neck blank on the control side between the pickups before the wings (and their stringers) went on. It looks like they went in with a router or even a table saw to the side of the neck blank whilst still a five-piece laminate, built the whole thing up and then "revealed" the channel between both pickup routes later in the game. It's a valid technique, and I did something similar to this with a Firebird build. The control cavity looks like it possesses some of Aria Pro II's "afterthought" processing work, which seems to be pretty common. The 70s SB-1000 was the master template which was then modified for the 80s SB-1000 and further for the SB-R150. Even though the cavity machining is better than the SB-1000, it still looks like they went in and did some manual machining anyway. Is that the pickup access wire emerging over the control cavity lip?! Man, that was so close to being a total Friday job. One false move and the world would be one SB-R150 short, perhaps one stressed worker less. Either or. Have you also noticed that most SB bass neck laminations have mismatched Maple, usually with one having figure and the other not? Looks like your R150 has some Birdseye in one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere 😂 Yes, that is the hole for the pickup wires but it looks pretty neat In the flesh. I did change the rather shouty silver screws from Rautia for some other black ones that look more in keeping with the originals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted September 4, 2020 Share Posted September 4, 2020 That is a handsome bass. Congratulations on a really excellent restoration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 Following your previous question @W1_Pro the volume/tone knobs are now being reproduced (albeit in plastic) and are available here: https://www.reproguitarparts.com/#!/Knobs/c/1391098/offset=9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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