I have a 1950 Kay upright that I got as a basket case.

Because it's so very, very screwed up, its only hope for a useful future is as an Electric Bass --which is just great for my really loud psychobilly band The Reach Around Rodeo Clowns (think: Elvis drops acid with The Sex Pistols).

I'm looking for a P-bass style pickup (because the two piece design will let me deal with the arched fingerboard), and I want something really fat and nasty with some crisp high end to get all the slapping and string noise.

I'm also looking for a pre-assembled Active electronics module that includes a pick-up blend knob (to mix with a contact pickup under the fingerboard) and a sweepable midrange.

Or, perhaps, you have a better idea of how to do this...

Stop in at http://www.rockabillybass.com if you haven't already done so. Lots of good info on this sort of thing such as:

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/9198/pu1tg4.jpg

http://rockabillybass.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3155&highlight=pbass

Don't know about the pre-amp. K&K blends, but the mids don't sweep, I don't think. The Tonebone will sweep, but only after it blends.

Hey, is Dave Ferrara still playing in that band? Awsome drummer. One of the best I ever had a chance to play with.

Just joined that band. Dave is still the drummer and still a total monster. It's a real privelege to work with a guys who's just that damn good.

He's also drumming with a couple of other bands including Herman's Hermits, but his enthusiasm for The Clowns is undiminished.