Look who the cat dragged (back) in.... (preamp ID needed)

[dukeplaysbass]

Well, I haven't hung out here much for about 5 or 6 years, but I have somehow managed to accumulate five MMs and figured your collective knowledge might be just the ticket for my latest project....

I picked up this little rescue puppy just before Christmas...

She's under 8.5 lbs. Sounds pretty good even though she's got a Bart instead of the original pickup.

It's the preamp that has me puzzled. I have NO IDEA what this is. It sounds like a 4eq, via a pair of stacked pots. The last pot (the one closest to the bridge) is blank, as you can see....

On the back of each circuit board (attached to each stack knob) , it looks like there's a big piece of electrical tape. I peeled each back and took a pic...

So, here's what I'd like to know....

Any idea what sort of preamp this is?

 

[madbassplaya]

Is that an EMG Pre?

 

[dukeplaysbass]

Is that an EMG Pre?

I went digging around on the EMG website, and yeah, it might be....

Also if you look really closely, it sorta looks like one of the circuit boards is stamped with BT 107, makes me think that it's one of the BT_ flavors....

 

[five7]

the intonation looks pretty strange

 

[dukeplaysbass]

the intonation looks pretty strange

Yeah, I don't generally worry about that, since I string mine BEAD - gonna have to change it anyway.

 

[drTStingray]

Pick up looks a bit strange as well - does that PG stay on with no screws?

It has a nicely figured neck and body though.

I've seen an EMG loaded SR5 advertised before (once owned by a guy who played on Madonna albums amongst others)

 

[dukeplaysbass]

Pickup is a Bartolini.

I had the PG off right after I got it to check to make sure it hadn't been routed at all, and never got a chance to put it back on before I took off for the holidays. Got back yesterday and just set it on to take the pic. As blasphemous as it sounds, I've never like the look of the MM pg, and since the body grain is really nice I might bag the the pg permanently.

 

[bovinehost]

Well howdy and welcome back, big boy. *batting eyelashes prettily*

I have no idea what that preamp is but just wanted to flirt with you a little. JFC, I hope you got a deal on that one! It's pretty but needs that probiotic yogurt that Jamie Lee Curtis thumps on daytime TV.

Still working that "no pickguard" thing, are we?

Good to have you back amongst the true believers, Tris.

jack

 

[dukeplaysbass]

Jack, you sexy thang! Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah, I did get a good deal on it. But dude, she needs far more than that probiotic yougurt. I'm thinking enema AND a stomach pump, you know? Clean it out from both ends and meet in the middle?

Problem is (as you know), getting proper MM preamp and pickup replacements are well-nigh impossible. Better luck putting Linsay Lohan next to a stocked bar and telling her to restrain herself.

Played her again today (the bass, not Lindsay). Went A/B with another Ray from the same era. She's......lacking, I guess is the best word.

I've got an extra Nordstrand pup in my box of tricks. That's not ideal, but it'll help - like the probiotic yogurt.

But I think we're gonna have to look at fixing this from the stinky end....

 

[five7]

under 8.5, that is very cool!

 

[bovinehost]

Yeah, I did get a good deal on it. But dude, she needs far more than that probiotic yougurt. I'm thinking enema AND a stomach pump, you know? Clean it out from both ends and meet in the middle?

Science! Check your PMs because I can't talk about that stuff here.

 

[dukeplaysbass]

Thanks, Jack!

 

[dukeplaysbass]

It's ALIVE!!!!!!

 

[J Romano]

She looks great, love the wood grain! What will you do with the screw holes, just leave them?????

 

[five7]

now we're talking! looks great!

 

[fly]

freakin' sweet man..............you have the right pre and pup.......awesome.

and I too will say.,.....that wood grain is very nice.......

 

[dukeplaysbass]

She looks great, love the wood grain! What will you do with the screw holes, just leave them?????

Yeah, just leave 'em. Can't see them from more than five or six feet, anyway.
I got very lucky - a friend heard I was looking for these parts and happened to have them! He's a big restoration guy himself, and was just incredibly helpful.
The bass sat for a week or two without strings until I wired it up last night. That was a mistake, and I know better. So she's still adjusting to the tension (plus, I went for the BEAD configuration I often use on MM basses). By tonight, it should be all settled in and I can do the full setup and get her playing properly.

 

[bdgotoh]

Looks great Tris, there's nothing better than returning a lightweight MM to original. I'm a huge fan of HH MusicMan basses but those pics are making me miss my old ash 89 2 band single H! I never should have sold that one.