Well... here lies the rub:
"**NOTE** Images shown are of our tribute Magnum Bass in 2011. They are shown only as a reference point for this new release."Hard to know what that might mean. Peter, if you talk to Mike I'd be interested to know if the plan is to stick fairly close to the previous version- or if not, what changes are being considered?
Imho it was the technical and design innovations that made the original Ovation Magnum bass exceptional....unfortunately the previous Eastwood version used all generic parts bin electronics and hardware that did little to capture the true sound and feel of the original. The only thing it had in common with a real Magnum was the body shape. Considering the price, I don't think it was that great a value for a right- hander... pay $699 for a copy that isn't even close- or save your lunch money until you have the $999 or so to be in the ballpark on the real deal?
Of course lefties don't have that option- so I did grab an Eastwood back in the day. While not up to Ovation standards, the build quality and neck were still actually quite decent, but of course the mudbucker pickup and passive electronics sounded nothing like an actual Magnum (if I ever stumble across a trashed original righty Magnum on the cheap I might raid it for parts). In the interim I made several mods to the Eastwood bring it somewhat more in line with the intent of the original:
-Replaced the mudbucker with a Guild BS-1 Bi-Sonic Single Coil pickup for warmer and cleaner low mids.
-Installed an SBK 3 band active preamp w/ vol/blend (to emulate the 3 band active sliders in the Magnum II) replacing the standard 2 vol/2 tone/ 3 way switch (also replaced all the knobs).
-Replaced the generic bridge and nut with a Hipshot Brass A-Style Bridge, and a brass nut...and replaced all those big fugly silver pickguard screws w/ black ones.
I think it looks better- and it definitely sounds
much better- not quite the same as an actual Magnum, but it can come pretty close to imitating one, among other things!
